Anyone know condition of I-10 through New Orleans?

[Diane in Texas]

We are leaving Wednesday to spend Christmas with our son in St. Augustine Fl. - towing our 5th Wheel. Our intent is to go east on I-20 from Dallas to either Shreveport or Jackson Ms. and then head south to I-10. Does anyone know the condition of I-10 through New Orleans since the Hurricane? Is there a loop around New Orleans that would make it easier? Would appreciate any advice from someone who has been through there since the hurricane.

[Diane in Texas]

We are leaving Wednesday to spend Christmas with our son in St. Augustine Fl. - towing our 5th Wheel. Our intent is to go east on I-20 from Dallas to either Shreveport or Jackson Ms. and then head south to I-10. Does anyone know the condition of I-10 through New Orleans since the Hurricane? Is there a loop around New Orleans that would make it easier? Would appreciate any advice from someone who has been through there since the hurricane.

[RustyJC]

Diane,

Unless you want to go through New Orleans, most people take I-12 at Baton Rouge and stay north of the lake.

Rusty

[Don (W5IT)]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by RustyJC:
Diane,

Unless you want to go through New Orleans, most people take I-12 at Baton Rouge and stay north of the lake.

Rusty </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Rusty speaks with wisdom.

The I-20 to Shreveport then going down I-49 to I-10 in Laffayette would be my choice. Then in Baton Rouge I-10 splits. I-10 goes to New Orleans, I-12 continues East and re-joins I-10 in Slidell. The I-12 is the way to go. That way you do not have to deal with the New Orleans traffic and save several miles to boot!

By going I-49 instead of I-55 you will be angleing down where I-55 goes more or less due North and South.

Also I-55 is R O U G H!!!

If'n ya need any info. on eatin places, stoppin places or whatever let me know. I kinda know the area along the I-20, I-49 and I-10 route in TX from Dallas, in LA, MS and AL.

If ya want a "Rest Stop" in Baton ROuge, I can help with that too.

[Diane in Texas]

Thanks, guys - we'll take all of your advice. We do not need to go through New Orleans. I knew this forum would be the best way to get good info. Don, we may contact you when we see what time we'll get away on Wednesday. We don't drive fast, (except when I doze off - and then Bob's foot seems to get a little heavier) and we don't drive after dark. So wherever we are at dusk that's where we'll stop for the night. Thanks again for the advice.

Diane

[Don (W5IT)]

Well towing from Arlington I would guess your drive time would be about what mine is from Hwy-80 and I-20. (The Rip Griffin truckstop was one of my usual fuel stops) I tow right around 70 on the intresting state. (Or just under 70) That will put you in Baton Rouge 7 to 8 hours from when yall leave.

IF yall leave late and decide to make the stop in Lafayette, (About a hour and a half before ya get to Baton Rouge) There is a nice campground in Carencro, LA named "Bayou Wilderness". It HAPPENS to be close to a eatin place named "Prejeans". Good food by MY standards, but more for tourists. When I am in the area I go to some of the "Out of the way places" to eat. (Oldest daughter lives in Carencro)

From Baton Rouge, Pensacola area is about 6 hours drive. Robertsdale AL about 4 hours. There are two campgrounds at the Robertsdale exit. On each side of the interstate.

The Woolmarket exit in MS (Between Gulfport and Biloxi) is between 2 and 3 hours from Baton Rouge. There is a NICE campground at that exit named "Parkers Landing".

It would be nice to have a short "Howdy doo" visit with yall if ya make Baton ROuge a stop. If ya do make Baton Rouge a rest stop (Or longer) I'll supply water and elect (Dump station too) at the shop for yall. (The price is RIGHT for that stop ) One of my favorite eatin places just happens to be a block away named "Brunet's".

Catch Yall Later,
Don

[Traveling Teacher]

Diane:

My husband and I just took a 30-day RV trip leaving Brenham/Houston, TX heading to Florida on I-10, then up the eastern seaboard, etc.

I-10 was one of the worst Interstate Highway systems we encountered beginning on the east side of Houston going all through Louisiana. It's 2-lanes, and the outside lane were most everyone drives, is pitted and patched and extremely bumpy. Our 5th wheel had a lot of things "thrown around" inside after this LONG stretch of road. (The plastic strap that keeps the pocket door held in place while traveling broke. Our refrigerator door came open!!) The better lane is the "fast" lane, but truckers will run over you if you try to stay in that lane and go slower than 80 mph!

Once we got to Baton Rouge, we took Interstate 12 to bypass New Orleans. It meets back with I-10 by Slidell, LA. Once out of Louisiana, I-10 was pretty good.

Hope this helps.

[Don (W5IT)]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Once we got to Baton Rouge, we took Interstate 12 to bypass New Orleans. It meets back with I-10 by Slidell, LA. Once out of Louisiana, I-10 was pretty good. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Teach, the I-10 section she will be on is past the "Roller coaster ride" between Beaumont and Jennings, LA.

They would be hittin it at I-49 going East...

If you think the "Roller Coaster" section of I-10 is bad, go up or down I-55.

I-49 has very few billboards too.

[crudeman]

Hey Don,

Thanks, that is some good campground information etc. we are heading over to Panama City Fl in January and this information on campgrounds is very hepful for us as well.

[Don (W5IT)]

Just returning the favor.... My friends to the West (Texas Boomer's) have helped me many time. I get the chance to help yall some now.

[donna r]

I looked up Parker's Landing on rvparkreviews and your description of NICE and the write-ups about lowlifes and drug deals don't gel. From what is written, I'd never stop here. I trust your judgment, Don, what gives?

donnar

[Don (W5IT)]

Most likely the write ups came shortly after Kartina.

There is also a county boat landing just off of the campground property. (With a fence between the two)

Cathy and I were there in August of this year. We stayed in the area by the store and registration. (West side of the canal) Had NO problems........

There were several fulltimers there at that time. Most of them were headded down to "The Valley" for the winter in yalls neck of the woods. (Rio Grand)

[donna r]

Don, I went back and checked the dates and the last 3 reviews (all bad) were last December, April and this summer. I don't know if anyone else uses www.rvparkreviews.com when they are out there traveling in unfamiliar territory, but I use it a lot. And this place would be crossed off by me quickly with those reviews. I guess it shows that different people can see the same thing differently.