Routing question

[lostinfla]

Sorry if I'm in the wrong place for this, but we are soon to be traveling west through Tx running I 20. I've heard rumors of bad road conditions (potholes) and was looking for some concrete (pun) information from those who have traveled that route recently. It doesn't look like there's much of a choice traveling west other than I 10. Anybody??

 

[redbaron]

I 20 is 20x better than I 10.

 

[redbaron]

2 weeks ago we left Texas for Florida. We took the I 20 to Louisiana and then cut down to the 10. In a jeep, the 10 was ok. In an rv, it's rough. Prefer to take the rv to Jackson before dropping down to limit time on the 10.

 

[DKRITTER]

Sorry if I'm in the wrong place for this, but we are soon to be traveling west through Tx running I 20. I've heard rumors of bad road conditions (potholes) and was looking for some concrete (pun) information from those who have traveled that route recently. It doesn't look like there's much of a choice traveling west other than I 10. Anybody??

I-20 in Texas is very good and I-10 is as well.

The issue is Louisiana they just don't maintain their roads as well. I-10 is much worse and I-20 is less worse.

If you decide on 20 and are coming thru DFW stay on I-20 it's the lesser of the evils. Timing is everything, 10:00AM to 3:00PM is the best time. We won't go thru DFW after 3:00, we will spend the night and go thru the next day. Sunday at 11:00 is the best.

It would be easier for us if we knew what your A to B was.

 

[lostinfla]

Here's what I have so far. Starting in Ft. Myers Fl to Boardman Oregon then back to Jacksonville. We're heading up to join with our 23 yr old son who's finished his first 4 years in the Coast Guard up in Ilwaco Wa. and starting his next station on the Cutter Heron out of Jacksonville. We'll be his motel for the trip back. Good to have him a little closer!

 

[L884593]

Sorry if I'm in the wrong place for this, but we are soon to be traveling west through Tx running I 20. I've heard rumors of bad road conditions (potholes) and was looking for some concrete (pun) information from those who have traveled that route recently. It doesn't look like there's much of a choice traveling west other than I 10. Anybody??

Hello from Texas !! No pot holes-in fact-we recently traveled from east state line to Dallas(~200 miles) and it's all concrete and no holes. I have not heard of any issues coming from the west, but, that doesn't mean there isn't. Depending on where you are heading it's I20 from Louisiana line to Pecos Tx; outside Pecos you'll hit I10 to El paso. it's about 636 miles. Lived here all 59 times around the sun, all over, if you need "stop, gas, food,etc' information be glad to help.

 

[L884593]

come to think of it you may have heard information on I-10, which runs along Louisiana coast to Houston; now it's pretty rough due to recent hurricanes and all but you won't coming that way.

 

[L884593]

DKDrifter is correct-stay on I20 thru DFW(Don't drift off to 80/635 around dallas-its a nightmare at times). After 3pm I20 can be pretty snarled around Arlington-we caught it many times and it's just a snails past when it's packed

 

[BGMAC]

I have driven many times from Tn to Salem Or and used I70 and I80. Both are fine. If you use I70 you will go through a toll area to get around Denver. Not bad. Taking I25 north can be crowded depending on rush hour, but we love going through Hwy 287. Beautiful views.

I70 or I80 route would be fine.

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

Thank your son for his USCG service. “Coasties” are highly regarded up here in the Pacific Northwest. They are, literally, “life savers.”

TJ

 

[lostinfla]

Thanks TJ, I'm a pretty proud dad! Thanks all here for your insight and recommendations. We've managed to miss the heart of Texas in past trips out west, so we wanted to experience it this year. Can't wait to hit the road!

 

[redbaron]

Your fort myers route to the DFW area is the way I take it as well.

DFW to Phoenix, I usually take a huge detour thru ABQ, so I take 287 North to Amarillo, or take alterante routes thru carlsbad, as long as I end up in ABQ for my fix of Gardunos and the Christmas Sauce.

Phoenix to Yakima is the route I typically take in the RV.

 

[BGMAC]

I have driven many times from Tn to Salem Or and used I70 and I80. Both are fine. If you use I70 you will go through a toll area to get around Denver. Not bad. Taking I25 north can be crowded depending on rush hour, but we love going through Hwy 287. Beautiful views.

I70 or I80 route would be fine.

 

[DKRITTER]

Can I go with you, looks like a great trip. A couple of comments regarding the Texas section.

We have stayed at the KOA in Shreveport and be very mindful of the huge pine trees it's a little tight.
If you're just passing through DFW I'd stay either east or west of the metroplex depending on what time of day you get here. Terrell or Weatherford
It would be a big day (350 miles) but leave Shreveport, should be in DFW midday and then to Abilene. We really like the Whistle Stop RV in Abilene. The Perini Ranch Steakhouse in Buffalo Gap is excellent, you'll love the atmosphere.
If you have Harvest Host both Big Spring and Midland have great places. Van Horn has a nice place called Mt View RVP.
Grew up in El Paso and still have family there. When we go we stay at the El Paso West RVP (behind Camping World). If your just passing thru I would look at the Hacienda in Cruces. Go to La Posta in old Mesilla great Mexican food.

 

[DKRITTER]

P.S.

If you do not have the TSD Logistics Fuel card I would strongly recommend it.

It is a fuel discount fleet card. Not a credit card, not a debit card. They do an ACH a couple of days after you fuel and send you a receipt, very good fuel discounts. Lots of info on here and IRV2.

 

[lostinfla]

Yup, we've stayed at Shreveport KOA in '18, and yes I do have a TDS card. We saved a boatload last year with it. Paid 1.40 up in Alabama, not expecting those prices again tho... Thanks for all the TX tips! We are scheduled to pass through DFW on a Sunday. I always figure Atlanta for Sunday mornings so I stayed with that for DFW.

 

[redbaron]

Yup, we've stayed at Shreveport KOA in '18, and yes I do have a TDS card. We saved a boatload last year with it. Paid 1.40 up in Alabama, not expecting those prices again tho... Thanks for all the TX tips! We are scheduled to pass through DFW on a Sunday. I always figure Atlanta for Sunday mornings so I stayed with that for DFW.

Atlanta on a sunday is far worse than DFW on any weekday, any hour!! You will be just fine in DFW.

Just keep in mind on Sundays, the freeways are less busy, so its "Race Day"!!!

 

[DKRITTER]

Yup, we've stayed at Shreveport KOA in '18, and yes I do have a TDS card. We saved a boatload last year with it. Paid 1.40 up in Alabama, not expecting those prices again tho... Thanks for all the TX tips! We are scheduled to pass through DFW on a Sunday. I always figure Atlanta for Sunday mornings so I stayed with that for DFW.

We just came back from Louisiana a few weeks ago. The difference in Fuel prices from last October and now is almost $.80 a gallon. Why, Why, Why

 

[Pablo]

I have driven many times from Tn to Salem Or and used I70 and I80. Both are fine. If you use I70 you will go through a toll area to get around Denver. Not bad. Taking I25 north can be crowded depending on rush hour, but we love going through Hwy 287. Beautiful views.

I70 or I80 route would be fine.

If you are coming I-70 West you will not pay tolls if you take I-270 West. It goes southeast northwest, it is a 7 mile long freeway and you end up on I-25 North. Yes, do not take it after 3 p.m. because it is a very slow go.
word of caution be very very careful when you drive I-25 North between Longmont and Fort Collins. Two lane highway on each side but very very fast. Lots of accidents happen in that stretch. Leave a lot of space between you and the car in front of you. Folks drive way too fast on that stretch of highway.

 

[DKRITTER]

El Paso route Plan B

Sometimes I-10 thru El Paso can be a mess, there is a Plan B

As you come into El Paso from Van Horn there is a Loop 375 that goes around to the east, take it all the way to US 54. (You can go straight but you'll have to climb the mountain and come down the other side.)
Turn north on 54 a few miles, as it bends NE exit and drive up MLK Blvd to NM 404 just across the TX/NM line.
Turn west on 404 to I-10.
404 is what we called Anthony Gap road growing up, it is a low spot (pass) in the mountain and you'll barely notice the rise and fall.
We've done I-10 many times and 375/404 many times if I-10 is a mess.