Drives Texas Austin, San Antonio and the Hill Country
Bandera Road: Helotes to Bandera
TX 16, Bandera Road, FM 1560 · Helotes → Bandera
The drive
Highway 16, called Bandera Road at its southern end, runs northwest from Helotes on the edge of San Antonio to Bandera. The first few miles are suburban, then the road settles into long rolling bends through ranch country.
Bandera calls itself the Cowboy Capital of the World. The city ties the name to the town's role as a staging point for the last big cattle drives of the late 1800s, and the Texas Legislature has since made it official as the Cowboy Capital of Texas. Dude ranches first brought tourists here in the 1920s, and more than thirty were operating near Bandera by the 1930s. The Medina River runs through town.
Bandera is where the separate Highway 16 drive to Kerrville begins.
Along the way
- Helotes (Bandera Road)
- Bandera (TX-16)
Good to know
- The first few miles from Helotes are suburban, with traffic lights and heavier traffic.
- Hill Country creeks and the Medina River can flood roads after heavy rain; check status in stormy weather.
Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check TxDOT DriveTexas.
Questions about this drive
How long does Bandera Road from Helotes to Bandera take?
Bandera Road (TX 16) from Helotes to Bandera is 29.5 miles and takes about 35 minutes.
Why is Bandera called the Cowboy Capital of the World?
Bandera was a staging area for the last big cattle drives of the late 1800s and later a center for dude ranches.
Where does Highway 16 go after Bandera?
Highway 16 continues northwest from Bandera to Kerrville, covered as a separate drive.
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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.