X Country drive advice.......Florida to CA with a Texas stop over...

[Joe Bob]

Will be heading back to CA via I-10 but taking a detour to Dallas/Plano area. Florida has been fun, nobody died.....Vero Beach is as exciting as watching mud dry.....
Haven't seen a p-car in 10 days.

I-10 West to the I-45 north looks good or is the I-49 North to I-20 West better?

[Joe Bob]

Also want to avoid any flooding from the recent storms.

[Seahawk]

I have done each a number of times. The shortest route with the least possible traffic is really the answer.

If the weather is good, I know so really pretty non-Interstate roads after Dallas.

Drive safe.

Edit: This is s great website for road conditions, closures, etc.: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/trafficinfo/

[chuckr]

I'd do I-49 to I-20 west. Avoid Houston !
Speed limit is a posted 75, you can do 80 without a problem, once in Texas.

[bivenator]

10 west to 45 north at the junction in Houston is not advisable. It is at least 4 hours from Houston to dallas on 45 north. If you need to get to dallas from I 10 I would recommend getting north before getting to Houston.

[vash]

i would invest time to duck into Austin. after that, keep it short and sweet.

i would go I-10. boring as Vero Beach i'm sure, but get it over with.

big bonus if you hit Fabens texas at dinner time. hook a left at the exit until you get to Cattleman's Land and Cattle company. GREAT GREAT steak. i grew up there, so my taste are bias..i'd put that steak up against any i've had..west coast.

if you get a Margarita..order it at the bar. they skimp on the tequila everywhere else.

then hit Phx and have breakfast with Sid.

[Tobra]

What will you be driving?

Take the north loop when you get to Houston and then 290 to Austin. 45 between Houston and DFW can suck, especially on a Friday afternoon. Liable to be cops on 290.

[Joe Bob]

The Honduh. The cabriolet wouldn't take the amount of crap I'm hauling.

[motion]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

Will be heading back to CA via I-10 but taking a detour to Dallas/Plano area. Florida has been fun, nobody died.....Vero Beach is as exciting as watching mud dry.....
Haven't seen a p-car in 10 days.

I-10 West to the I-45 north looks good or is the I-49 North to I-20 West better?

I'm a couple days ahead of you again...

We're in Lubbock, TX right now. Our Mercedes is so loaded down the ass is dragging across all the packed snow and ice here in town. Highways have been no problem. On to ABQ tomorrow.

Miami was a blast. Head further south next time, yo. Its like a 3rd world country right here in the USA. Awesome!

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by Tobra

What will you be driving?

Take the north loop when you get to Houston and then 290 to Austin. 45 between Houston and DFW can suck, especially on a Friday afternoon. Liable to be cops on 290.

Do Not Follow These Directions. US290 is under serious construction and has closures at times.

If going to Dallas and you cannot avoid, on the east side of Houston, take I-610 to I-45 North.

A stop in Austin is much more fun than Dallas. Stay on I-10 through Houston, avoiding rush hour. I-10 has an HOV on the west side of town. 30 miles outside Houston, I-10's speed limit goes up to 75 mph. Continue west to Columbus and take TX-71 to Austin. The speed limit on TX-71 is also 75 mph!

I-35 in Austin is a NIGHTMARE. 6th Street is still the place to go for bars, etc.

[red-beard]

If you end up just heading West on I-10, in San Antonio, take FM-1604 (north loop) to avoid going through San Antonio. FM-1604 is a 2 lane road for maybe 2-3 miles. After that, it becomes like an interstate highway. It connects back to I-10 on the Northwest side of the city.

[stomachmonkey]

Are you planning on stopping in Plano/Dallas for the evening?

Visiting anyone in particular or "just because"?

[Tobra]

They are finally fixing 290? About time.

A lot of farm to market roads can get you around big cities, some are better than others. Time of day you hit town will make a difference too. If you don't hit at rush hour, you might just sail through Houston on the 10.

A lot of good food in Baton Rouge

[mattdavis11]

I-49 to Shreveport, west on I-20.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by Tobra

They are finally fixing 290? About time.

They are changing US290 and I-610 so that the exits are separated and the flow does not combine. You can get to US290 from I10 and the reverse without getting on I-610.

US290 is also being expanded, and will be similar to the way I-10 was expanded in the 2005-2008 time frame. It will be 4 main lanes per side, 3 frontage road lanes and 2 HOV lanes per side.

I still think they should have built a toll road over Hempstead Hwy (the old US290) first, then started construction on US290.

You should see the plans for downtown and getting rid of the Pierce Elevated hwy. The idea is to sink I-45 below grade and then have green space over the top.




Think of how STUPID that idea is, in Houston. It will flood evey time it rains.

The other primary idea is to funnel all traffic from 45 onto I-10, then build a new I-45 on the East side of US-59/I-69. This is almost as equally stupid!

[Joe Bob]

Thanks but I don't think I will be anywhere near US 290.

[Tobra]

So is it going to be haul ass on 10 the whole way?

Originally Posted by red-beard

Think of how STUPID that idea is, in Houston. It will flood every time it rains.

I guess they forgot that water flows downhill.

[Joe Bob]

Side trip is out.....friend is flooded out and the cold burst pipes.

I-10 all the way, thanks for the help.

[red-beard]

JB: Remember to take FN-1604 in San Antonio

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

I-10 all the way, thanks for the help.

Depending on weather, take Route 70 out of Lordsburg, NM then route 60 into Phoenix.

It saves 60/70 miles easy and gets you off the interstate for a bit.