Introduction
Few cities meld vibrant music, history, and a thriving nightlife quite like Austin—and when the sun dips and the roadlights flicker on, that same vibrancy gives way to whispers, shadows, and tales that stir the hairs on the back of your neck. When you’re behind the wheel after dark, familiar streets look different: every bend can conceal a silhouette, every overgrowth might hide a ghost. For those who love a good scare, the roads around Austin offer a hidden dimension: haunted legends, ghostly encounters, and legendary night drives that are part history, part folklore.
Austin’s haunted folklore is rich and varied. From ghost sightings at the Driskill Hotel to eerie reports out along Brushy Creek, the city’s stories seem to linger in its older buildings and lesser-travelled roads. Exploring haunted roads isn’t just about thrills—it’s about encountering the past in motion. And if you want to feel confident navigating dimly lit curves or empty country lanes, Manual Driving Academy in Austin can help you master the skills needed for safe night driving, with lessons and no-expiration gift certificates (a perfect spooky-season gift for a friend).
Below is a curated list of haunted roads, landmarks, and longer adventures you can drive to (or through) around Austin.
Spooky Drive List
1. Hairy Man Road (Round Rock / Brushy Creek area)
One of the more “local” haunted drives, Hairy Man Road is tied to a legend of a mysterious hermit figure called the “Hairy Man,” said to stalk the woods after a flash flood separated him from family in the 1800s. Drivers report uneasy feelings, strange silhouettes, or a presence watching from the tree line along that stretch. Offset your drive by combining it with some daylight exploration in Brushy Creek Park, then return after dusk for the full effect.
Directions: In Round Rock/Brushy Creek area. (Check local maps / county roads near Brushy Creek and Round Rock.)
Tips: Go slowly. Use your high beams when safe (but dim them when encountering oncoming cars). Stay alert to movement at edges of the woods.
2. Oakwood Cemetery & Historic Austin Ghost Sites
Not a “road” per se, but a necessary stop on any haunted Austin driving circuit. Oakwood Cemetery (1601 Navasota St, Austin, TX 78702) is Austin’s oldest public cemetery. Visitors over the years have reported orb sightings, cold spots, and the sensation of being watched—even during daylight hours.
Pair this with a drive through downtown’s historic core:
- The Driskill Hotel (604 Brazos St, Austin, TX 78701) is widely acknowledged as one of the city’s most haunted places. Reports include the ghost of a young girl who fell on the grand staircase, Colonel Driskill’s apparition, and spectral activity in room 525.
- Littlefield House on the UT campus is rumored to be haunted by Alice Littlefield, including piano music from empty rooms and flickering lights at odd hours.
You can loop these locations into a short “haunted downtown drive” that’s easy yet full of chilling stops.
3. Manual Driving Academy – Confidence for the Night Roads
While not strictly a haunted route, slipping in a driving skills recommendation here is strategic (and meets your guideline). If you’re planning to drive after dark—on winding backroads, under moonlit skies, or past haunted stretches—having better control, confidence, and muscle memory can make all the difference.
Manual Driving Academy offers professional instruction in night / rural / advanced driving, and their gift certificates never expire. With sharper skills, what would make your heart skip a beat becomes simply another road to conquer.
4. Haunted Tunnel under MoPac (Foster / Shoal Creek area)
A more urban, lesser-known spooky stretch: local lore mentions a half-mile tunnel under MoPac at the corner of Foster and Shoal Creek Blvd. Some describe it as a narrow, slightly curved tunnel that ends up near Spicewood and MoPac. It’s pitch dark in many parts, and legends claim ghostly presences or shadows lurking inside. This could be a quick-but-chilling detour on your way out of central Austin.
Directions: Intersection of Foster & Shoal Creek Blvd, heading under MoPac, emerging near Spicewood / MoPac ramp area.
Caveats: Be careful with safety, visibility, and legality—always assess road conditions and local rules.
5. Demon’s Road / Bowden Road (Huntsville area)
For those willing to trek further out, Demon’s Road (officially Bowden Road) near Huntsville, Texas, is one of the state’s more intense haunted routes. Stories abound of occult rituals, glowing lights, a ghost boy on a tricycle, and even “tagalong” spirits that supposedly follow drivers home. The road leads in places to Martha Chapel Cemetery, where visitors have claimed hands bursting from graves.
Distance from Austin: Approximately 80–100 miles (depending on route), making this a serious night drive or overnight haunting trip.
Tip: Visit in a group, go early in the evening (before midnight), and ensure your vehicle is dependable. Use a map or GPS—cell signal may drop in rural zones.
6. Ghost Town & Cemetery Drive: McDuff, Bastrop County
Closer to home yet still off the beaten path is the ghost town of McDuff, Texas. Once situated along a stage route between Bastrop and Austin, little remains of the old town today. What does endure is the McDuff (J J Manor) Cemetery, located near the Travis-Bastrop county line along FM 969 and Upper Elgin River Road.
It’s not a guaranteed ghost sighting route, but the desolate rural roads, fading structures, and quiet graveyard make it perfect for a twilight drive when you want subtle chills over full-on terror.
Extended Adventures & Spooky Road-Trips from Austin
- Jefferson, Texas: About 3–4 hours northeast, this small town is often touted as one of Texas’s most haunted. Historic homes, haunted hotels (like the Excelsior House), and ghost tours await.
- Lockhart / Caldwell County ghost walks: On the way south toward San Antonio, towns like Lockhart host seasonal ghost walks and tours. Pair these with segments of dark country roads for extra effect.
- Texas haunted-byways route: Use Travel Texas’s haunted road trip guide to string together a multi-day trip through haunted locales across central and east Texas.
Conclusion
When the moon is high and the road stretches ahead like a dark ribbon, few thrills match the quiet tension of a haunted drive. Whether you’re cruising through Austin’s historic streets, venturing into rural county roads, or chasing legends in ghost towns, each mile promises a brush with stories that refuse to stay buried. Gather a few brave friends, check your headlights, plan your route—and don’t forget to leave a bit of room for the unexplained.
If you want to feel confident behind the wheel—whether on twisting rural roads, under low moonlight, or in the darkest stretches—book a lesson with Manual Driving Academy in Austin. Whether you’re prepping for spooky night drives or just sharpening your skills, their instructors can help you feel safer and more in control. Visit Manual Driving Academy Austin to schedule.
