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kevmel · 02-24-2022, 02:58 PM

We're traveling from Florida to Austin, TX in our new Class-C towing a compact car on a tow dolly. I realize that we will be going through, or near, some major metropolitan areas. We are looking for suggestions to help avoid heavy traffic congestion and major highway construction projects, if at all possible. Thanks in advance for any help.

rk911 · 02-24-2022, 05:13 PM

- every state maintains a website that reports road construction and usually current road traffic congestion. using your favorite search engine search for "<state name> road construction.

- plan to be through or around the major cities either on weekends or between 10a-2p during weekdays

- I-10 between Baton Rouge and the Texas line is a real character builder. be sure to use extra Polident on your dentures.

carybosse · 02-24-2022, 05:39 PM

I can't speak to large swaths of your travels. My thoughts are:

Baton Rouge - crossing the Mississippi River. I assume you are coming in on I-10 into Louisiana, switch to I-12 at Slidell, LA as you cross the state line. At Baton Rouge, avoid rush hour. In the years of BC (Before Covid) rush hour starts at at about 5:30 AM with the chemical plants shift change and went through about 9 AM with the state workers (Baton Rouge is state capital.) In the afternoon, it starts back around 1:30 AM with shift change and goes to maybe 6 PM?

In Baton Rouge, you transition back to I-10 coming up from New Orleans and head across the River. Make your lane changes early, it is effectively a left exit. The ramp to the bridge has a 35 MPH speed limit on it as I remember - many a trucker has landed in the park below after flipping the truck.

Houston is, well Houston. Someone may be able to suggest a route to escape around the north side of Houston and into Austin.

Probably useful to know your destination in Austin. On east side of Austin, okay. If west of Austin, there are probably a lot of considerations. To me, the good camping is west of Austin in the hill country.

TXiceman · 02-24-2022, 06:52 PM

Currently I-10 west of Houston from Katy past Sealy has major construction with narrow lanes and lots of speeding truckers. It moves goof until there is an accident that closes it. You might be in for a 3 plus hour wait to get moving again.

If you come through Houton, during the week, plan on no earlier than 9 or 10 AM and through before 2 or 3 PM, but with an accident, all that changes.

If you come through Houston, take Hwy 290 out to the northwest corner to Hempstead and on to Austin. The Austin traffic is crazy. On the east side of Houston pick up the Beltway 8 or Sam Houston Toll road. You can pick up hwy 290 on the NW corner of Houston. Not sure it thay have a toll by mail or the cost.
https://www.hctra.org/Home

What is your destination in Austin?

Ken

kevmel · 02-25-2022, 09:34 AM

Thanks so much. I was looking at a couple maps but they don't tell the real story. We have relatives and friends in several spots in Austin. We'll be OK with their help once we arrive. They were not that familiar with the Houston area enough to give us good advice. Thanks again.

**hamm2018** · 02-25-2022, 09:44 AM

On I-10 west you will encounter construction 5 miles from the Texas state line to almost Houston area. Beaumont area is horribly with construction. The Welcome Center on I-10 is a pain in/out, short run on getting back on I-10, be careful there.
Compared to how I-10 used to be in Louisiana, it was a dream to drive this trip. No construction around Lake Charles, Baton Rouge areas this trip. We came from Gulf State Park between Christmas and New Year's Day this trip.

SteveJ. · 02-25-2022, 09:54 AM

When we head to the SW from FLA we jump up to US 84 near Enterprise or OPP, AL or angle up to catch it with US98 out of Mobile. We take that into LA28 to I-49 in Alexandria to LA6 to TX103 to TX7. From there you can find a back road route or just head to I-35. We keep going west from there or drop down and head west on US190.

Not interstate but a decent back woods route with no large metro areas and avoids the mess that is always there in Baton Rouge. Pleasant boondock camping available at the junction of US84 and LA28 at a boat landing. Large parking lot, prettier than a Walmart.

Vibeman · 02-25-2022, 10:17 AM

We just did that trip last month with a class A towing a car. We took I-10 from Florida to just past Baton Rouge then jogged north to get on US-190. Took that west to Jasper TX then on west via other roads through Livingston, College Station, then to Austin. Mostly good road, though not Interstate. Much more scenic than I-10 and totally avoids Houston. We enjoy staying off the Interstates whenever possible/practical. Most Texas state roads are good, wide, fast, except you have to slow down for towns.

johnhicks · 02-25-2022, 07:13 PM

One thing about Texas roads; it's legal to pass on the right shoulder, so don't be surprised by pickups whizzing by.

TB673 · 02-25-2022, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vibeman

We just did that trip last month with a class A towing a car. We took I-10 from Florida to just past Bato n Rouge then jogged north to get on US-190. Took that west to Jasper TX then on west via other roads through Livingston, College Station, then to Austin. Mostly good road, though not Interstate. Much more scenic than I-10 and totally avoids Houston. We enjoy staying off the Interstates whenever possible/practical. Most Texas state roads are good, wide, fast, except you have to slow down for towns.

Amen to the good, wide, and FAST. I was on a 2 lane Tx. state route going from San Angelo towards El Paso, and the 1st speed limit sign I saw said "SPEED LIMIT 75 MPH". Yikes. Thank God that there were passing lanes to let the traffic go by. Definitely not used to that speed on a 2 lane.

Tim

TXiceman · 02-25-2022, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnhicks

One thing about Texas roads; it's legal to pass on the right shoulder, so don't be surprised by pickups whizzing by.

TOTALLY FALSE

In Texas, a driver can drive on an improved shoulder to the right of the roadway if it is necessary and safe to do so, but only: To stop, stand, or park. To accelerate before entering the main traveled lane of traffic. To decelerate before making a right turn.

The Texas Transportation Code §545.058 prohibits drivers from driving on the shoulder unless it is necessary and done safely, “but only: to stop, stand, or park; to accelerate before entering the main traveled lane of traffic; ... as permitted or required by an official traffic-control device; or.Jan 28, 2018.

Section 545.057 - Passing To The Right (a) An operator may pass to the right of another vehicle only if conditions permit safely passing to the right and: (1) the vehicle being passed is making or about to make a left turn; and (2) the operator is: (A) on a highway having unobstructed pavement not occupied by parked ...

Please do not contribute to any more crazy drivers in Texas. We have too many as it is.