9 Barbecue Road Trips to Add to Your Bucket List

Food and travel go together like macaroni and cheese, so why not spice up your next road trip with some barbeque?

We’ve compiled a list of some of the most enticing barbeque sites, so you’ll be spoiled for choice the next time you pack the vehicle for a road trip.

1. Best Texas Pit Stops for Pitmasters

A road trip across Texas would be incomplete without enjoying the state’s famed cuisine.

Visit Texas Monthly’s helpful map for not just a key to the top 50 BBQ businesses, but also some honorable mentions and undiscovered treasures deemed worthy of a trip.

This map has so much information that it will be a useful reference for many Texas road trips.

2. 25 of the Best Barbeque Joints in America

For those looking to go farther afield, this extensive guide gives a rundown of the greatest BBQ places throughout America, ideal if you are just in the nation for a trip and feel overwhelmed by the options.

Franklin Barbeque in Austin, Texas, and Dinosaur Bar-B-Que in New York are two of the most well-known restaurants on this list. Just to claim you’ve been there and eaten that.

But it’s fair to assume that you could drive into any of these places and expect mind-blowing BBQ.

3. Top 10 Barbecue Joints in One Ultimate Road Trip

If you’re not interested in any specific kind of barbecue and just want to try the best of the best, this 3,478-mile journey is ideal.

This tour should take you around three days, although you may easily extend it.

You can see the whole itinerary and a helpful map here, based on information gathered from Trip Advisor and compiled by Mashable.

In addition to the primary attraction BBQ, you may wish to experience some other genuinely American treats along the route, such as crab cakes, hot dogs, collard greens, and mac & cheese, since the tour brings you to barbecue places that specialize in these foods as well.

4. Barbeque Road Trip in the Carolinas

This list is short and sweet, featuring just five BBQ joints, allowing you to visit all five at your leisure over as many days as you wish.

Carolina BBQ is divided into two styles: western and eastern. Western style is more tomato-based, whilst eastern style is more vinegary and spicy.

This list contains restaurants that highlight both the western and eastern styles of barbecue, such as Lexington Barbecue and Wilbers.

Pork smoked with Hickory or Oak is likely to appear, and we believe a trip to Carolina for the barbecue is well worth it.

Check it out here.

5. North Carolina Barbecue Road Trip

If you value tradition, the North Carolina Barbecue Society’s barbecue road trip schedule is worth a look while you’re in this area of the nation.

It spans 500 kilometers, and businesses on the list must fulfill specific standards. They must cook with wood or charcoal, be in business for at least 15 years, and manufacture their own sauces.

There are a handful of establishments on this list that are also on the list above, such as Lexington Barbecue, which is a must-stop on any Carolina barbecue road trip.

6. Hill Country Barbecue Trip

For those who are unfamiliar, the Hill Country is a scenic area of Texas that connects Western, Central, and Southern Texas.

This schedule is nicely plotted from North to South, so you can just load your vehicle and go out for some of the greatest barbeque while taking in the breathtaking countryside.

While all of the barbecue spots on our list are guaranteed to please, The Salt Lick in Driftwood is a must-visit for true atmosphere. While you’re there, check out the magnificent BBQ pit and enjoy sides, desserts, and beverages.

7. “3,000 Miles of Barbecue”

This plan was inspired by a New Yorker’s attempt to determine if delicious barbecue is a question of taste or location. The journey takes you from Pennsylvania to Tennessee.

We believe the answer is extremely individual, but 3,000 miles of barbeque seems like a great way to find out.

Follow the adventure to discover not only where to locate the finest barbecue, but also where to find the best greens, sides, sauces, and desserts, all crucial aspects that make a dinner really remarkable.

8. 21 Stop North Carolina Barbecue Trail

The North Carolina Barbecue Society has prepared yet another itinerary. This journey emphasizes on the history of barbecue, with all of the visits consisting of restaurants that roast the beast traditionally, over wood or charcoal pits.

The Skylight Inn is one of the highlights, and you can learn more about it in this fantastic movie.

Many of these establishments are family-owned and have been in operation for decades, adding a delightful touch of nostalgia to the journey.

This list includes both eastern and western Carolina BBQ.

9. Nashville to Memphis Barbecue Trail

Tennessee barbecue is acidic and somewhat sweet, and after tasting it, you will definitely appreciate the benefits of a good dry rub.

This path focuses on the greatest BBQ in Tennessee over 200 miles. The whole list may be seen here.

This schedule covers both old favorites and newbies to the dining scene.

The tour includes a decent mix of traditional barbecue mains and sides that will make a strong argument for Tennessee as the state’s barbecue capitol.

Continue reading How to Make a Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich

Wrapping it up

Is it time to take a break? There are many choices for barbeque road excursions, whether you have a few of days or a week or two.

If you take a few excursions, you may even feel qualified to join the never-ending discussion about which state cooks the finest BBQ.

If you know of any more road excursions worth mentioning, please let us know in the comments section below.

And if you enjoyed this article, please share!

Credit for the Featured Image Luis Tamayo does it right when it comes to BBQ.