Routing Question

I need a little expertise from the Texas area travelers. When we leave Rayford after the Spring Rally we want to go to north central IL. We are contemplating different routes. I10 east to I55 and up. TX 59 up to Texarkana or ??? Any thoughts on road conditions, construction, previous recent experiences? Thanks.

Hi Ray, We used I10 to 55 in Dec. 08. I thought from Huston east 10 was very rough compared to the Ca. to Huston section. We were in our MH at the time. I55 to 81 was good. Thats just my assesment but remember I live in the state that makes the list every year for rough roads. Boy did I get a wake up after a 8000 mile trip, could not wait to get back on 81. Good luck on the trip. Bill

Ray LeTourneau said:

I need a little expertise from the Texas area travelers. When we leave Rayford after the Spring Rally we want to go to north central IL. We are contemplating different routes. I10 east to I55 and up. TX 59 up to Texarkana or ??? Any thoughts on road conditions, construction, previous recent experiences? Thanks.

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So much of this depends on the time of day you want to leave. If you time it right and leave the rallie at the right time, you can get from Houston to Oklahom and never hit 5 o'clock traffic.

US 59 is under construction and it goes through 1,000 little towns before it gets to Texarkana. Sooner or later, it will grow up and become IH-69. It's old and slow...and generally a mess...but, you can get a RC-Cola and a moon pie anywhere north of Cleveland.

Nobody in their right mind wants to drive from the rallie to New Orleans via IH-10...at least not towing much more than a motorcycle. The contruction alone boggles the mind. Even if you take the Sam Houston Parkway you still have to deal with IH-10 to IH-12 in Louisiana. And, Lake Charles can be a real trip too.

Your best bet, already being 40 miles north of houston, would be 35N through Dallas and make your connections that way...unless, you just have this burning need to go through Louisiana. There is a nice KOA just across the Texas/OK border...stayed there often. There's two truck stops, a McDonalds, and a place that sells ham sandwiches and BBQ...how could you pass THAT up?

When they know I'm comining...they kill another pig.

Ray
When we go to Goshen in June we will be taking I10 to I-55 . I have been thru Louisiana recently and there has been great improvements on the interstate. I-59 to Texarkana must have 200 red lights and 15 little towns. I would dodge 35 if i could, not really a good time of day to deal with Dallas Fort Worth area. We are looking forward to visiting with you and Linn next week in Houston.
Bill

Ray,
I hate going US59 out of Houston. From Houston to Texarkana there are lots of small towns you will go through, although the road is 4 lanes and divided most all of way. Although if you are not in a giant hurry it is not a bad drive as I have taken that way many times. I do not like I45 to Dallas because from Ennis to beyond Dallas you have heavy Dallas traffic. I think it is worse than Houston traffic. When I go that way I will take I45 North to Tx 242. East on 242 to US59 then take US59 north to I20. Then I take I20 east through Shreveport and follow I20 over to I55. Then north on I55. I sometimes even follow I20 over to I65 and then go north through Nashville. Although the advantage of taking I55 north from Jackson is you can stop off In Tunica/Robinsonville at all of the Casinos there spending the night at Sams Town of The Hollywood or the Grand. They all have great RV parks, great food and machines that more than willing to take your money. We can talk more at the Houston Rally. See Ya

Thanks for the info so far. My biggest desire is to take the best road conditions and keep the suspension in one piece. I know it's a crap shoot pretty much either way so new territory is always interesting. We've been the I35 route twice and never been east of Houston on 10. Still gathering input till we leave Rayford. At that point it may be a coin toss.

Hey Ray,

Maybe we'll have a 2-RV convoy to IL from TX I am heading back with the RV on Monday after the rally. Was thinking of stopping in Memphis (for BBQ, not Elvis).

I have to be home by Easter though. Directive from the home boss

Jim

Jim Beletti said:

Hey Ray,

Maybe we'll have a 2-RV convoy to IL from TX I am heading back with the RV on Monday after the rally. Was thinking of stopping in Memphis (for BBQ, not Elvis).

I have to be home by Easter though. Directive from the home boss

Jim

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We could do that! Our destination is right down the road from yours. There's safety in numbers ya know. We'll talk about it at the rally.

osims said:

Ray
I would dodge 35 if i could, not really a good time of day to deal with Dallas Fort Worth area. We are looking forward to visiting with you and Linn next week in Houston.
Bill

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I-35 thru Dallas really depends on the time of day or night...and did anyone tell you about the Highway 75 bypass? Took it a couple of years ago, and never even saw Dallas.

ray letourneau said:

thanks for the info so far. My biggest desire is to take the best road conditions and keep the suspension in one piece. I know it's a crap shoot pretty much either way so new territory is always interesting. We've been the i35 route twice and never been east of houston on 10. Still gathering input till we leave rayford. At that point it may be a coin toss.

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ray - i would take the direct route to texarkana and then head north. I live on i-10 near lake charles and it is still pretty rough. They are improving it, but still it ain't the best. Food is the best so come on over. I will see you at rayford and would be happy to give you road info for louisiana. You do not want to hit i-10 at baton rouge east bound in the morning or east bound in the evening. Bottle neck city. Rest of i-10 is easy sailing. Kenny

Jim Beletti said:

Hey Ray,

Maybe we'll have a 2-RV convoy to IL from TX I am heading back with the RV on Monday after the rally. Was thinking of stopping in Memphis (for BBQ, not Elvis).

I have to be home by Easter though. Directive from the home boss

Jim

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They have some excellent Bar-b-que at Sams Town Casino in Tunica Mississippi (35 miles south of Dallas). I will tell you more about it at the Rally. Nice RV park there too. I got pictures of it I will show you.

I've gone I10 a number of times and I think the rough road reputation if exaggerated. I have found it to be no worst than most of the other roads in the US. Maybe some of that money Obama is giving away can make the roads smoother. I would vote for that. I agree that Baton Rouge is tough getting through it but have found it to be better between 1030am - 130pm unless you wait till night.

We drove I-10 last spring all the way to Florida and did not find it as bad as people say it is and lots to see and do. If you worry about the roads you will not be driving anywhere, just drive slow and take in as much scenery as driving will allow. BTW we prefer driving the back roads and not the interstates just so we can see the other America.