I live in the DFW area and am not aware of any upscale groceries along this route. Hwy 67 / Hwy 281 are through much smaller towns (i.e., two-lane roads). By taking 67, that implies you'll be heading INTO Dallas. I would avoid doing so. One reason, is that it takes you further east than you need to go.

My recommendation would be to go through FW and stop at I-30 and Hulen. There is a Central Market on the southwest side of I-30 (on your left).

I've attempted to link you a recommend Mapquest route, but if this doesn't work, here's what I'd do.

http://www.mapquest.com/#b40cb6983493e07d2b165850


SOUTH airport exit to Hwy. 360 SOUTH. Exit I-30/Lamar, go through one light (@ Lamar), turn LEFT at Road to Six Flags (you'll go under the 360 bridge). Veer left for FORT WORTH, you should now be on I-30. Follow that into Fort Worth, past downtown. Take HULEN/Ashland exit. Go through 1st stop sign; turn LEFT @ light (@ Hulen). Central Market will be on your right @ the second light.

Once you're done shopping, get back on I-30 and take that all the way to 281 past Weatherford.

This will also allow you to avoid all the construction going on in the FW area.

Major construction is ongoing in these areas:

Loop 820 and Loop 820 @35W

Hwy 183 (Between DFW airport and Fort Worth)

Hwy 360 south of I-30

Take a look at this suggestion and let me know if you have any questions. I think it's pretty direct and no toll roads, so you really shouldn't have any problems with getting lost.

ttt

There is a Whole Foods in Arlington that wouldn't be really off your route at all. It isn't smack dab on the freeway, but maybe one minute off. My favorite Whole Foods is the Park Lane locations-massive and has everything.

There are several Whole Foods in Dallas, not sure exactly where you are headed.

The very best deli-think Whole Foods Deli on steroids- is a place called Eatzi's. There are two locations in Dallas. I think the original store is a bit better than their newer one.

I am sure there is a Kroger or Minyards, or some nice/ok grocery stores along your route. Perhaps not upscale, but they would be a good stop.

Re: jill_h's excellent suggestion. From Central Market (BTW, the gelato at Pacuigo, near checkout, is very good) you can return to I-30 and go west to 281. Or, for a slower and, I think, more interesting trip, you could go south on Hulen, under I-20, and intersect with 377, Granbury Road. You would then continue through Granbury, an interesting town which is a major day trip destination from DFW, and join 281 in Stephenville.

@ Jeff - yes that is a viable route, but definitely VERY SLOW!! I avoid going down Hulen because of all the traffic and lights.

Agree that Central Market in Fort Worth is an upscale grocery store, perhaps a bit more upscale than Whole Foods in Arlington. That said, I'll julies this question - How upscale of a grocery are you looking for?

I have a home in Fort Worth and while I'm not that familiar with the route your are planning to take (rt. 67 to rt. 281) I'm pretty sure you'll pass numerous Albertson's, Thom Thumbs or even a Few Kroger's between DFW airport and your destination. Those are the major "chain" grocery stores in the Metroplex. I'd venture that are at least 10 of those stores within a 5 mile radius of DFW and several will be just off the major highways.

You also probably pass several of them if you follow the route to Central Market -they will be located in strip malls on the access roads to highways/interstate jill_h recommend you use to get to Central Market.

You'll probably find at lease one and possibly two of those in some of the towns you'll be passing on route to the Hill Country. Those same grocery stores are common in the Hill county towns.