Major city · United States
LongviewLongview, Texas
Give Longview one night as an I-20 stop between Dallas and Shreveport, or skip it: the museums take half a day, not two.
Longview is an East Texas oil-and-timber town of about 80,000 on Interstate 20, roughly 2 hours east of Dallas and 1 hour west of Shreveport. Its draw is small and local: two downtown museums, an arboretum, a summer concert series and cheap highway lodging. Most travellers use it as a break in a drive, or as a base for Kilgore, Gladewater and Marshall.
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), late May–Jun (storms)
- Airports
- GGG · DFW · SHV
- Nights
- 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.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Longview911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Longview Police non-emergency903-237-1199
- Poison Control (24 h)1-800-222-1222
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 Longview, 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
- SafetyLongview is a normal East Texas city: the real risks are summer heat, spring storms and driving at night on I-20.
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 · 903-237-1199 Longview Police non-emergency · 1-800-222-1222 Poison Control (24 h)
- 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.
- AirportcheckGGG East Texas Regional Airport (Mostly a general-aviation field; American Eagle runs daily flights to and from Dallas/Fort Worth (check current…
- Getting aroundA car is the practical choice: sights, motels and the mall sit on Loop 281 and I-20, and sidewalks are patchy.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–5
- Sit-down mealSit-down dinner, one mainAdd 18–22% tip.$14–28
- BeerBeer at a bar$5–8
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–30
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (Longview Museum of Fine Arts)Free under 12; open Tue–Fri 10:00–16:00, Sat 10:00–14:00.Free under 12; open Tue–Fri 10:00 AM–4:00 PM, Sat 10:00 AM–2:00 PM.$5
- Budget bedHighway motel double room, a night, per roomUS$60
- Mid-range bedHighway motel double room, a night, per roomUS$95
- High-end bedHighway motel double room, a night, per roomUS$160
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
- GGG East Texas Regional Airport (Mostly a general-aviation field; American Eagle runs daily flights to and from Dallas/Fort Worth (check current schedule).) · DFW Dallas/Fort Worth International (Main gateway; about 2 h 15 min by car on I-20.) · SHV Shreveport Regional (About 1 h east on I-20; useful for one-way drives.)
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
Care*
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jun
Avoid
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–Apr, Oct–Nov. Mixed: May. Avoid: Jun–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.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Longview: 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
A car is the practical choice: sights, motels and the mall sit on Loop 281 and I-20, and sidewalks are patchy. COLT city buses run fixed routes across town but are slow and infrequent — check the current map and times. Greyhound serves a downtown bus station. Amtrak's Texas Eagle stops in Longview on the Dallas–St. Louis line, so you can arrive without a car and use taxis or rideshares.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 20 min
I-20 east, about 15 min by car
Oil-boom downtown and the East Texas Oil Museum; half a day.
Gladewater
goDoor to door: About 20 min
US 80 west, about 15 min by car
Antique shops and a small music heritage; pair with Longview in one afternoon.
Marshall
goDoor to door: About 35 min
I-20 east, about 30 min by car; also an Amtrak stop
Brick streets, a historic courthouse square and a well-known pottery and gift stop.
Door to door: About 45 min
TX 31 west, about 40 min by car
Bigger food and shopping scene; rose gardens in spring.
Jefferson
goDoor to door: About 1 h
US 80 east then TX 49 north, about 1 h by car
Best full day out: historic riverport streets and a steam-era rail line.
Carthage
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
TX 149 south then US 79, about 1 h by car
Courthouse square and country-music history; thin on its own, better combined.
Karnack
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min
I-20 east then US 59 north, about 1 h 15 min by car
Caddo Lake gateway; go for a boat tour, not the town itself.
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.
I-20 and Loop 281 (the loop)
Chain motels, the mall and free parking; best for one night with a car.
Downtown
Walkable to both museums, Heritage Plaza and a few restaurants; thin hotel supply, so book ahead.
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
- $60–100 excl. bed
- Mid
- $100–170 excl. bed
- High
- $170+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Highway motel double room1 × 1 night × US$95 | US$95 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$110 | US$220 |
| Rental car, one day1 × US$70 | US$70 |
| Fuel, Dallas to Longview and back1 × US$45 | US$45 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$46 |
| Trip total≈ US$253 per person per day, bed included | US$506 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $2–5 |
| Burger or chili plate at a local bakery-and-burger joint | $10–16 |
| Sit-down dinner, one mainAdd 18–22% tip. | $14–28 |
| Museum entry (Longview Museum of Fine Arts)Free under 12; open Tue–Fri 10:00–16:00, Sat 10:00–14:00.Free under 12; open Tue–Fri 10:00 AM–4:00 PM, Sat 10:00 AM–2:00 PM. | $5 |
| Beer at a bar | $5–8 |
| Rideshare across town | $10–20 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $10–30 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Distances assume a car; without one, plan around COLT routes and rideshares.
- Summer heat and humidity: carry water and do outdoor stops before 11:00.Summer heat and humidity: carry water and do outdoor stops before 11:00 AM.
- Spring brings severe-storm and tornado watches; keep a weather app and know your shelter.
- Some downtown blocks are quiet after dark; stay on lit streets.
- Prices are shown before sales tax, and tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Longview Police non-emergency
- 903-237-1199
- Poison Control (24 h)
- 1-800-222-1222
Pocket card
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LongviewLongview, Texas
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No consulates in Longview; national embassies are in Washington, DC, and many countries keep consulates in Dallas or Houston (check yours).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Rideshare downtown to Loop 281: $12–20
- Amtrak Texas Eagle, Dallas to Longview: about $20–40 coach, 2 h 30 min (check)
- Greyhound, Dallas to Longview: about $20–35, 2 h 30 min (check)
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the restroom?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- How far is it? — How far is it?
English is the working language; Spanish is common in East Texas.
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 Longview. 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), late May–Jun (storms) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 2 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 GGG and DFW: last flight and last Amtrak arrival, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Three walking clusters with rescue anchors: downtown museums and Heritage Plaza, the arboretum and Cotton Street, the loop and the mall.
- Place pages with verified hours and cutoffs (Gregg County Historical Museum, Longview Museum of Fine Arts, Longview Arboretum) and eat pages with last orders.
- Storm and heat fixtures so summer and spring days can go green or amber.
Sources
Ask about Longview
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