Driving from Jersey to Austin via NJ>VA>TX>AR>OH>NJ

so im driving to Austin Texas from Jersey in a couple of weeks, have a couple of days for the round trip so i was wondering if anyone knows good places to do some light off roading and exploring. im sleeping in Virginia the first night, drive next day to Texas right outside Dallas, next day drive to Austin and ill be there for 2 days any advice on what to do or go there? found the Hamilton pool but thats all i know.
once i leave Austin ill drive to Arkansas and spend some time at lake Ouchita, then drive to Ohio and spend the night there and finish the trip driving back home straight from OH.

camping in VA. Hungry mother state park
campng in TX. Lake Tawakoni state park
Austin TX. hotel and eat a nice steak
camping in AR. Lake Ouchita and quick stop at Hot Springs
camping in OH. Dillon state park

i have a week to do the whole trip, taking a detour and drive by the Great Smokey Mountains and maybe take part of the blue ridge parkway but other than that it is uncharted territory for me.

thank in advance!

 

Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet! ​

 

Barnwell Mountain Recreation Area is near Dallas. It's in Gilmer on the map

http://www.barnwellmountainra.com/

 

Blue ridge parkway is pretty nice!

 

Bridgeport,Tx has an OHV park, about an hour NW of Dallas. Or there is Gilmer,Tx where the Lone Star Toyota Jamboree was just held, its about 2.5 hours E of Dallas.

If you will be traveling the weekend of the 1st i think there are a couple people wanting to go out to Gilmer that weekend.

 

Just outside of Austin about 40 minutes is Hidden Falls Adventure park:

http://www.hiddenfallsadventurepark.com/

If you are in the area, its worth checking out. If you know when you would be here, im sure someone from the area may even join in

 

Screw the steak and get yourself some delicious Brisket .....Well don't screw the steak...but be sure and get good Brisket whilst in Austin as well...so many good BBQ places to choose from

Scope these out when you get a chance!

http://do512.com/p/where-to-get-great-steak-austin
http://do512.com/bbqinaustin/venues

Austin is all about location! Don't want to get caught up in traffic for hours while getting to a good spot to eat. So pick something close to where you will already be. Enjoy! Holler if you need some help or want some cool Taco Peeps to chill with while in town

Hidden Falls adventure park seems to be the best wheeling spot around Austin.
http://www.hiddenfallsadventurepark.com/

 

If you want a good steak and got some $$$ to burn, hit Steiner Ranch Steak House. Just be sure to make a reservation and don't be on 620 between the hours of 4-6:30pm

 

Dont travel on any north to south highway in austin during this time....

 

And if it's Thursday night, some of the finest examples of modern day plastic surgery will be be on display!

 

Thanks guys! Ill keep you posted, looks like im leaving Jersey Thursday the 28th. Already getting the truck ready for the trip, installed the bedrack and ARB awning. RTT is getting mounted when i get out of work today!
ill upload some pics when i get a chance and make sure to pack my cameras for the trip

 

Blue Ridge Parkway is an amazing route and a nice way to get off the highway.

I don't see states between Ohio and NJ. I live in PA. On my way back from Flagstaff, Arizona I took 70 across the country. You can take that from Ohio into PA, then drop down to WV on route 79 where you can pick up 68 and head across Maryland. It's very scenic from western PA through WV and MD. And you avoid the PA turnpike. Ohiopyle in PA is pretty amazing though north of this route. Thurmont, Maryland is also pretty beautiful.

 

thanks, yeah 79-68 sounds like a good idea. and im also planning a trip across the country, if everything works out next summer ill head to California but stops at the Grand Canyon, Sedona, White Sands, Moab are a must before i get to Cali. and on the way back im thinking about the northern route

 

RTT and awning mounted, now i have a week to pack for the trip.

what do you guys use to keep your luggage dry on long road trips? i have a tonneau cover but wont work with the bed rack setup so now i have an open bed.
was thinking about wraping the bags in plastic and put them in those plastic containers.

 

I use 2 of these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071728BZL

Ive taken them through the car wash and they dont leak

 

thanks should last longer than the walmart ones haha

 

I have been pleasantly surprised at the these. They stack and are quite solid. Good buy @ 27 bucks. I paid more for each and it was still worth it