Dallas to Houston is the easiest two-stadium trip in the country: 240 miles of flat interstate, two of the largest venues in American sport at either end, and no reason to fly.
Everything here is drivable, and an open-jaw rental — pick up at DFW, drop at IAH — saves you the return leg.
Dallas (AT&T Stadium)
AT&T Stadium in Arlington seats over 80,000 for football and is one of the most impressive venues in world sports.
Getting there: Fly into Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). Arlington is roughly 20 miles south of the airport — you'll need a car. There is no public transit to AT&T Stadium. Search flights to Dallas.
Where to stay: Arlington puts you closest to the stadium, but the city shuts down after dark. Stay in Dallas proper (Deep Ellum or Downtown) for nightlife and restaurants, then drive 25 minutes to the stadium on game day. Fort Worth is another option, with a more relaxed vibe and cheaper hotels. Search hotels in Dallas.
Don't miss: The Arlington Entertainment District — AT&T Stadium, Globe Life Field (Rangers), and Choctaw Stadium are all within walking distance. On non-game days, catch a Rangers game next door.
Houston (Reliant Stadium)
Reliant Stadium is located in the Reliant Park complex in south Houston. It's a fully enclosed, air-conditioned dome — critical in June when Houston temperatures routinely hit 95°F with brutal humidity.
Getting there from Dallas: Drive I-45 South. It's 240 miles, roughly 3.5 hours with no traffic. The drive is flat and featureless, but fast. There's no practical reason to fly — by the time you get to the airport, board, land, and get a car on the other end, you could have driven it. Search flights to Houston.
Where to stay: The Museum District and Montrose neighborhoods are 10 minutes from Reliant Stadium and have the best restaurants and bars in the city. Downtown Houston is also close. Avoid staying near the stadium itself — the area around Reliant Park is not walkable. Search hotels in Houston.
Don't miss: The Reliant Park tailgate scene.
Getting Between Cities
| Leg | Distance | Best Option | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas → Houston | 240 mi | Drive (I-45) | 3.5 hrs | Gas only |
Rental car: Essential for the Dallas leg — AT&T Stadium has no public transit access. Reliant Stadium in Houston is served by the METRORail Red Line (Stadium Park/Astrodome station), so a car is optional once you're in Houston, but you'll want one for the drive between cities. Pick up at DFW, drop off at IAH (or vice versa) to avoid backtracking. One-way drop fees between major Texas airports are typically minimal. Search rental cars.
Open-jaw flights: Fly into DFW, fly home from IAH (Houston Intercontinental). Saves you the return drive.
Sample Itinerary
Day 1-2: Dallas. Arrive at DFW, pick up rental car. Explore Dallas — Deep Ellum, the Bishop Arts District, Fort Worth Stockyards.
Day 3: Game day at AT&T Stadium. The stadium opens early. Tailgate in the parking lots, then watch the game in one of the most impressive venues you'll ever set foot in.
Day 4: Drive to Houston. 3.5 hours on I-45. Check into a hotel in the Museum District or Montrose.
Day 5: Explore Houston. Space Center Houston, the Museum District, Buffalo Bayou. Rest up for the game.
Day 6: Game day at Reliant Stadium. Tailgate in the Reliant Park lots, then enjoy air-conditioned football in the Houston heat.
Day 7: Fly home from IAH.
Seven days, two stadiums, zero stress. Add a day in San Antonio (3 hours from Houston, 4.5 from Dallas) if you want to extend the trip.