New Braunfels Day Trip
from Austin
About 45 minutes on I-35 South. One of the most popular Hill Country day trips from Austin — and for good reason. Here is how to make the most of your day on the Comal River.
A New Braunfels day trip from Austin is one of the most popular summer drives in Central Texas. At 50 miles on I-35 South, New Braunfels is close enough to be a genuine day trip from Austin but far enough that it feels like a real escape from the city. The Comal River — spring-fed, 72 degrees year-round, crystal clear — is everything Austin’s lakes and swimming holes are not quite able to replicate. A dedicated river with a 2.5 hour float, a famous waterslide, and 40 years of history behind it.
The New Braunfels day trip from Austin works best when you plan it properly. Austin traffic on I-35 is genuinely unpredictable — the outskirts slow down for no apparent reason on both ends, coming and going. But if you leave early, get on the water by 9:30 AM, and come prepared, you will have one of the best days Central Texas has to offer.
One thing Austin visitors need to know before they arrive: New Braunfels has a container ban on the Comal River that catches a lot of first-timers off guard. Read the container ban section below before you pack your cooler — it is easy to comply with once you know what it requires, and showing up unprepared is a frustrating start to an otherwise great day.
Here is the New Braunfels day trip from Austin done right.
Read This Before You Pack — The Container Ban
The single most common mistake Austin visitors make on their New Braunfels day trip from Austin is showing up with a cooler full of canned drinks and plastic bottles. The City of New Braunfels has a container ban on the Comal River that prohibits all single-use disposable containers — and it catches people off guard every single weekend.
This is not a littering rule. It is a possession rule. The mere presence of a can, plastic bottle, or any disposable container on the river is the violation — even sealed inside a cooler, even if you plan to pack it out. The ordinance applies to every person on the Comal River regardless of which outfitter they use.
Container ban — what you need to know before your New Braunfels day trip from Austin
Pack your cooler the night before using only reusable containers. Transfer everything — drinks, food, snacks — out of original packaging and into something you would wash and use again. That is the entire rule. Alcohol is allowed. Food is allowed. Cold drinks are allowed. Just not in disposable containers.
Not allowed on the river
- Aluminum cans — beer, soda, seltzers
- Single-use plastic bottles
- Disposable cups of any kind
- Chip bags, snack wrappers
- Any original store packaging
- Styrofoam of any kind
Allowed on the river
- Yeti, Hydro Flask, Stanley cups
- Any reusable thermos or insulated cup
- Tupperware and snap-top containers
- Soft-sided fabric coolers
- Hard coolers (30 qt max per person)
- Reusable silicone bags
Pack the night before and you will have no issues. Show up with cans and you will be turning around at the booth.
New Braunfels Day Trip from Austin — I-35 Traffic
I-35 South from Austin to New Braunfels is a straightforward 50-mile drive — but Austin traffic has a way of making straightforward drives complicated. The outskirts of Austin slow down in both directions with no obvious cause, particularly on weekend mornings when everyone is heading out of the city at the same time.
The honest answer is to give yourself an hour for a drive that Google Maps calls 45 minutes. Leave Austin by 7:30 to 8:00 AM on a weekend and you will beat the worst of the outbound slowdown and arrive in New Braunfels by 9 AM with time to park, check in, and get on the water before the heat of the day.
I-35 South traffic reality check
The Route — Austin to New Braunfels
Take I-35 South out of Austin and stay on it all the way to New Braunfels. Take exit 187 toward downtown New Braunfels. We are at 565 N Market Ave — navigation takes you directly to our entrance and parking staff will direct you to a spot.
Route breakdown
- Austin to Kyle — ~20 miles, watch outskirts traffic
- Kyle to San Marcos — ~10 miles, typically smooth
- San Marcos to New Braunfels — ~15 miles, clear
- Exit 187 — New Braunfels downtown exit
- Exit 187 to Landa River Trips — 5 minutes
- Total: ~50 miles, allow 60 minutes
Landa River Trips
- Address: 565 N Market Ave, New Braunfels
- 250+ free parking spots on site
- Opens: 9 AM daily
- Last entry: 4 PM
- Last shuttle: 8 PM
- Phone: (830) 625-5889
Austin to New Braunfels — Full Day Itinerary
Here is the New Braunfels day trip from Austin laid out start to finish. Built for an early departure, a full day on the Comal River, and a smooth drive home.
New Braunfels day trip from Austin
50 miles, one hour, and everything a Texas summer day should be.
Where to Eat on Your New Braunfels Day Trip from Austin
New Braunfels has a strong food scene and since you are only 50 miles from home there is no reason to rush through a meal. Sit down, eat well, and enjoy something different from what Austin has to offer. Here are the best options.
Comal River Tubing — What to Know Before You Arrive
First time on the Comal River? Here is what makes it different from Barton Springs, Lake Travis, or anything else Austin has to offer — and everything you need to know before your New Braunfels day trip from Austin.
The river
- 100% spring-fed — crystal clear
- Constant 72°F year-round
- 2.5 hour float from start to finish
- Famous Tube Chute included
- Historic waterfall at launch point
- Shuttle ride back to your car included
The rental
- $25 per person — all-inclusive
- Includes tube, river entry, shuttle back
- Free parking — 250+ spots on site
- Free lockers for valuables
- No reservation needed — walk-ins welcome
- Opens 9 AM · Last entry 4 PM
Landa River Trips · New Braunfels’ Original Comal River Outfitter · Since 1986