Major city · United States
GladewaterGladewater, Texas
Give Gladewater half a day: the downtown antique strip and the museum, then sleep in Longview or Tyler. Only the Opry history justifies a stop.
Gladewater is a small East Texas town on US 80 and US 271, about 20 minutes from Longview and 40 from Tyler. Its draw is a compact downtown of antique shops plus a thin music history: Elvis Presley played the Gladewater Opry early on, and Johnny Cash wrote "I Walk the Line" while based nearby. There is no hotel scene worth planning around and no full day of sights, so treat it as a two-to-four-hour stop inside a Central Piney Woods drive.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (heat and humidity above 35°C (95°F))avoid Jul–Aug (heat and humidity above 95°F (35°C))
- Airports
- TYR · GGG · DFW · DAL
- Nights
- 0–1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Gladewater911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Poison control1-800-222-1222
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Gladewater, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyGladewater is a quiet small town and street crime is low; the real risks are summer heat…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 1-800-222-1222 Poison control
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportTYR Tyler Pounds Regional (About 45 min by car; small, few flights).
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee to goUS$2–4
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekUS$10–25
- Budget bedHighway motel double room, a night, per roomUS$70
- Mid-range bedHighway motel double room, a night, per roomUS$100
- High-end bedHighway motel double room, a night, per roomUS$150
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$110 · High US$200
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- TYR Tyler Pounds Regional (About 45 min by car; small, few flights) · GGG East Texas Regional (Longview) (About 20 min by car; limited service) · DFW Dallas/Fort Worth International (About 2 h 15 min by car; the practical gateway for most visitors) · DAL Dallas Love Field (About 2 h by car)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Feb
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Mar
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Apr
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
May
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jun
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Aug
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Sep
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Nov
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Dec
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Mar (9 rain days), driest Aug (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Gladewater: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
8 rd
Feb
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
8 rd
Mar
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
9 rd
Apr
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
May
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8 rd
Jul
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
7 rd
Aug
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
6 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
7 rd
Oct
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7 rd
Nov
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
8 rd
Dec
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. US 80 runs east–west through town and US 271 north–south; downtown is small enough to walk once parked, but there is no useful local transit for visitors. Distances between the museum, the antique strip and the highway motels are short drives, not walks.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Longview
goDoor to door: About 25 min
US 80 east by car
The nearest full-size town: chain hotels, more restaurants, and the base most visitors should use.
Door to door: About 30 min
US 259 / I-20 by car
Oil-boom downtown and the East Texas Oil Museum; pairs well with Gladewater's own oil history.
Door to door: About 45 min
US 271 south then TX 31, or I-20 west
Rose gardens, museums and the biggest hotel choice in the region.
Marshall
goDoor to door: About 50 min
US 80 east then US 59 north
Brick streets and a historic courthouse square; a good half-day add-on.
Jefferson
goDoor to door: About 1 h 10 min
US 80 east, then TX 49 north
Antebellum houses and a riverfront historic district; the best full-day pairing from Gladewater.
Carthage
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
US 271 south then TX 315
Texas Country Music Hall of Fame; worth it only if you are already heading south.
Karnack
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min
US 80 east then US 59 north
Caddo Lake side trip; go early, the roads and boat launches fill on weekends.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Gladewater in-town motels
A handful of budget motels on the US 80 and US 271 corridors; expect basic rooms, not a walkable hotel district. Book ahead on event weekends.
Longview (about 20 min east)
The nearest real choice of chain hotels and restaurants; the sensible base for this stretch of US 80.
Tyler (about 40 min west)
More hotels, more food, and the rose-garden and museum sights; use it if you are looping the Piney Woods.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- US$60–100 excl. bed
- Mid
- US$100–170 excl. bed
- High
- US$170+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Highway motel double room1 × 1 night × US$100 | US$100 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$110 | US$220 |
| Car fuel, 150 km of local driving1 × US$18 · check | US$18 |
| Museum entry2 × US$5 · check | US$10 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$38 |
| Trip total≈ US$208 per person per day, bed included | US$416 |
check
2026 estimate in US dollars; prices before sales tax. Most visitors pass through rather than sleep here. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee to go | US$2–4 |
| Barbecue plate | US$12–20 |
| Tex-Mex combo plate | US$10–16 |
| Antique-shop small find | US$5–40 |
| Gallon of petrolcheck | US$2.60–3.20 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | US$10–25 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer heat and humidity are the main hazard: plan indoor stops midday in Jul–Aug.
- Downtown shops keep short, irregular hours and many close Sunday and Monday: check before you drive out.
- The Gladewater Opry closed in 2021; the building can be seen from outside only — do not plan a show.
- Small-town speed limits drop fast on US 80 and US 271; watch the signs.
- Cell coverage is fine in town but patchy on rural back roads.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Poison control
- 1-800-222-1222
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
GladewaterGladewater, Texas
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
—
Can you take me to this address?To this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Poison control1-800-222-1222
Embassy
No embassies or consulates in Gladewater; the nearest consulates are in Dallas and Houston, embassies in Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Drive DFW → Gladewater: about 2 h 15 min, roughly 200 km (124 mi) (check)about 2 h 15 min, roughly 124 mi (200 km) (check)
- Drive Longview → Gladewater: about 25 min on US 80
- Drive Tyler → Gladewater: about 45 min via US 271 and TX 31
Say or show
- Where's the Gladewater Museum? — Where is the museum?
- Are y'all open today? — Are you open today?
- How much is this? — How much is it?
- Do you take cards? — Can I pay by card?
- Where's the restroom? — Where is the restroom?
- Thanks, appreciate it — Thank you
Tipping is expected in the US: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, US$1–2 a drink, 15–20% for taxis and rideshare.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Gladewater. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (heat and humidity above 35°C) · month by month →
- 4 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for TYR, GGG and DFW: last sensible arrival times, drive times and overnight fallbacks.
- Downtown walking cluster with verified shop hours and the museum's opening days.
- Place pages for the Gladewater Museum and the former Opry building with confirmed access notes.
- Eat pages for the barbecue and Tex-Mex spots with last orders and closed days.