Route advice, Toronto to San Diego in mid April.

[Bham]

I'm planning a trip from Toronto to San Diego in mid April. This will be my first long trip in my 45' Show Hauler. I'm concerned about crossing at Detroit, didn't like the area around the border crossing the last time I went through. We didn't feel safe in a minivan, let alone a big rig. Does anybody have suggestions as to routes to take that are likely to avoid snow and bad neighbourhoods?

[Ret Syntst]

When we lived in Mississauga we crossed at Sarnia / Port Huron. Took I69 to Indianapolis and then I70 to St. Louis then I44 to Oklahoma City. I40 to Albuquerque, I25 to Las Cruces, I10 passed Tucson and then I8. We stop in Yuma but it goes thru to San Diego. This gets you south pretty fast and could be early enough for an uneventful trip through tornado alley. No mountain passes to speak of and lots of places to overnight (Walmarts etc..).

[skigramp]

I suggest you plot a route through:

• Port Huron
• Lansing, MI
• Indianapolis, IN
• Oklahoma City, OK
• Albuquerque, NM
• Las Cruces, NM
• Tucson, AZ
• San Diego, CA

I have driven most of this route ... it is a very safe ... it does have some toll roads in Oklahoma but the tolls are reasonable ...

[Bham]

I think that will save me a day.

[skigramp]

there is actually a great "shortcut" near Las Cruces, NM

Hwy 26 from Hatch, NM to Deming, NM is a great road ... wide shoulders and passing lanes ... it saves miles and avoids the hill climbl west of Las Cruces ... the down side is you will miss the opportunity to have a meal in Mesilla (the "old town" area in south Las Cruces)