I35 W through Ft. Worth

[JBright11]

Will be heading south from Thackerville OK to Horseshoe Ridge in Wimberly, TX in a couple of days.
Route takes me straight through Ft Worth on I35 W. Have read a ton of horror stories about this route and many plan to totally avoid it.
Has anyone been this way lately? Would you plan around Ft Worth, or just grit your teeth and go straight through?

 

[Russellvh]

Like any metropolitan area it depends on the day, time of day and weather. Most of the construction areas are north of the downtown area. If you can take the HOV it cost $ but eliminates a lot of the congestion areas. Watch the signs very carefully. If your not familiar the freeway is I-35W and the HOV can be called HOV or possibly Express lanes. A lot of other highways intersect. 820 will be marked east and west but, in parts, it runs north and south. The down town area can have exits from the left so don’t depend on always being the right lane. Several of the right lanes may be exit only and the exit lane may be rather short.

Don’t get in a hurry be alert and it can be a smooth ride saving money as opposed to trying to find roads around it.

 

[JBright11]

We should be coming through right around the noon hour.
I have the KTag which is supposed to work on Texas toll roads.

 

[Russellvh]

Not sure about the KTag. I have the NTTA. They told me mine worked anywhere. “No Problem”. When I got to New England I found out it didn’t work up there. Love the Wimberly area. The Texas hill country is truly Gods country.

 

[DKRITTER]

We should be coming through right around the noon hour.
I have the KTag which is supposed to work on Texas toll roads.

Excellent, both on timing and on the Toll Tag, my TxTag works in KS.
We live right outside of FTW and will highly recommend taking the Toll rd. I know it's a few bucks and most folks would rather save it but, if time and sanity is important take the toll.
You can jump on the Toll a little south of 114/Texas Motor Speedway. Take it to the southern edge of downtown with ease. South of downtown is only an issue in rush hour in the afternoon.

Pay attention coming through Denton. A lot of traffic and lane changes.

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

Another problem area is I-35 from Temple to San Marcos. The traffic is some of the worst I've ever driven in.

 

[Vetl82]

We should be coming through right around the noon hour.
I have the KTag which is supposed to work on Texas toll roads.

Ktag works in Texas and some places in Florida, we have gone through Ft. Worth and get in HOV and it's easy easy, we go to the Rio Grand Valley from Northwest Arkansas. We take I35 down to Temple TX and drop down to Rockdale TX and take highway 77 down to Victoria TX then take highway 59 to George West TX to Hwy 281 to I2.

 

[DKRITTER]

Just a couple of thoughts this morning;

If you're committed to I-35, be sure and take the toll around Austin. Pick it up a little North of Georgetown, take it to Buda. 35 in Austin is the worst.

If you have the time take a look at 281 out of either FTW or go a little west out of Gainesville and down missing FTW completely. It's about 50 miles farther but a leisurely drive 2 hoursish longer.

 

[JBright11]

Took the toll lanes and had no issues at all through Ft. Worth.

The worst part of the entire trip was from Thackerville, Ok south on 35. Construction with very tight rough lanes and copious tractor trailer traffic made it very stressful.

Austin was not a lot of fun either, but got through with little delay.

Thanks everyone!

 

[Vetl82]

Do you

Took the toll lanes and had no issues at all through Ft. Worth.

The worst part of the entire trip was from Thackerville, Ok south on 35. Construction with very tight rough lanes and copious tractor trailer traffic made it very stressful.

Austin was not a lot of fun either, but got through with little delay.

Thanks everyone!

Take highway 59 from Gainesville to 281?

 

[JBright11]

Unfortunately no. Was already on the road and did not see your suggestion. Filed it away for the return trip.