A Texas map reveals one of the most geographically diverse states in the entire United States. Consequently, understanding the state layout helps with travel planning, business decisions, and general knowledge of the Lone Star State. This guide covers Texas geography, regions, major cities, counties, and the best maps available online.
Texas Size and Geography
Texas covers 268,596 square miles, making it the second-largest state after Alaska. Furthermore, the distance from the eastern border to the western tip near El Paso is approximately 773 miles. The distance from the northern Panhandle to the southern tip at Brownsville is about 801 miles. As a result, driving across Texas in any direction takes a full day of travel at highway speeds.
Major Geographic Regions of Texas
Texas spans multiple distinct geographic regions, each with different terrain, climate, and culture. Additionally, each region has different economic characteristics and attracts different types of residents and visitors.
- East Texas — Piney Woods: Dense forests, rolling hills, lakes. Cities include Tyler, Nacogdoches, and Lufkin.
- Central Texas — Hill Country: Limestone hills, spring-fed rivers, wineries. Cities include Fredericksburg and Kerrville.
- North Texas — Metroplex: Dallas-Fort Worth metro area, flat prairie, major economic hub of the state.
- South Texas — Rio Grande Valley: Border culture, citrus farming. Cities include Laredo, McAllen, and Brownsville.
- West Texas — Trans-Pecos: Desert landscape, Big Bend National Park, Guadalupe Mountains. Sparse population.
- The Panhandle — High Plains: Flat elevated terrain, agriculture, oil production. Amarillo is the major city.
- Gulf Coast: Beaches, petrochemical industry, wetlands. Houston, Corpus Christi, and Galveston anchor this region.
Texas County Map
Texas has 254 counties — more than any other US state. Harris County covering Houston is the most populated with over 4.7 million residents. In contrast, Loving County in West Texas is the least populated county in the entire United States with fewer than 100 residents. Use our interactive Texas County Map tool to explore all 254 counties with population and area data.
Major Texas Cities on the Map
Texas contains four of the ten largest cities in the United States. Therefore, the state map is anchored by major urban centers spread across its enormous land area. Houston anchors the southeast, Dallas-Fort Worth dominates the north, San Antonio sits in the south-central region, and Austin occupies the geographic center as the state capital.
Texas Borders and Neighboring States
Texas shares borders with Oklahoma to the north (separated by the Red River), Arkansas and Louisiana to the northeast and east, New Mexico to the west, and Mexico to the south via the Rio Grande. Furthermore, Texas shares approximately 1,255 miles of international border with Mexico — one of the longest of any US state.
Texas Time Zones on the Map
Most of Texas observes Central Time. However, the far western part including El Paso and surrounding Trans-Pecos counties observes Mountain Time — one hour behind the rest of the state. As a result, Texas is one of the few US states that spans two time zones simultaneously.
Best Texas Maps Online
Several excellent digital map resources cover Texas in detail. Google Maps and Apple Maps handle navigation. The Texas Department of Transportation at txdot.gov publishes official highway maps. Additionally, the Texas State Library maintains county boundary maps for all 254 counties, and the US Geological Survey provides free topographic maps of Texas terrain.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many counties does Texas have?
Texas has 254 counties — more than any other US state. They range from tiny Rockwall County at 149 square miles to massive Brewster County at over 6,000 square miles.
What are the major regions of Texas?
Texas has several major geographic regions including East Texas (Piney Woods), Central Texas (Hill Country), North Texas (Metroplex), South Texas, West Texas (Trans-Pecos), the Panhandle, and the Gulf Coast.
How big is Texas compared to other states?
Texas is the second-largest US state at 268,596 square miles. Only Alaska is larger. Texas spans multiple climate zones from humid subtropical in the east to desert in the west.
What river forms the border between Texas and Mexico?
The Rio Grande forms the entire southern and western border between Texas and Mexico, stretching approximately 1,255 miles along the international boundary.
What are the largest cities in Texas by population?
The largest Texas cities are Houston (2.3 million), San Antonio (1.5 million), Dallas (1.3 million), Austin (1 million), and Fort Worth (935,000) as of 2025 estimates.
Explore Texas geography with our interactive Texas County Map tool. You can also use our Texas ZIP Code Finder for location-specific data. Additionally, learn about Texas State Parks spread across all these geographic regions.
