Ontario Canada to Texas

[Alain_P]

We are from East of Ottawa and on the road to Texas as we speak. We crossed at Thousand Island Bridge and took I-81 all the way to I-77 as we will stop in Panama City Beach Florida before going to Port Aranzas (Corpus Christi) and eventually to South Padre Island just before Christmas.
For me, taking I-81 is good as it avoids a lot of big cities although some might find it a bit hilly. I would rather drive through hills than being stuck in endless traffic!
Enjoy the road.

[SailorSam]

I live a bit west of Detroit MI and went down to San Antonio this past spring. Below is our list of stops and other way points for the trip down and back. Trip home was specifically designed to take us up west side of Dallas.Fort Worth area avoiding the highest population areas and stop in Branson MO. I target drive days to be about 300 miles or 5-6 hours. Hope this helps.

Lake Loramie State Park
Starve Hollow SRA, Starve-Hollow State Recreation Area, 4345 S 275 W, Vallonia, IN 47281, USA11
South Markum CG site 53
Willow Beach Park Site F-04
Brushy Creek Park Site E109
Sonny Rv Park
La Grange, TX 78945, USA1
Travelers World RV Park San Antonio
Lampasas TX
US 281 / Tx-114 intersection
A+ RV Park
Brush Creek Recreation Area Site 18
102 US-412, Alpena, AR 72611, USA
Indian Point Park site 4 near Branson MO
Hinton RV Park, Sikeston, MO 63801
Hawthorn County Park, Hawthorn Park- Vigo County Parks
Brookville Mounds State Rec Site C25

[arboldt]

Originally Posted by harris155

For a first time trip look up the Natchez Trace Parkway. A 450 mile lighty travelled National Park road from Nashville to Natchez. NO, ZERO stop signs.
Runs NE/SW. Three free dry camping sites along the Parkway.

Also lots of dry camping on the Texas beaches.

Lots of cheap, free casino camping down the mighty Mississippi River.

We love taking the Natchez Trace between Texas and Michigan. 50 mph max and NO commercial traffic. Much more relaxing than the interstates, but, yes, it's a bit slower. It skirts Tupelo and Jackson Mississippi (good fuel stops) Unfortunately still have to go thru Beaumont and Houston.
BTW 30 years ago we volunteer-drove for a teen drum & bugle corps, and found the Port Huron/Sarnia US port of entry to be the MOST unfriendly. For us it was better going through Detroit even though I hate going through cities.

[Winterbagoal]

We've done the Ontario to Texas and parts west run a few times without too many problems, using pretty much a different route each time. We live in Sarnia, so our crossing point is predetermined. The I-69 to Indy start is a good way to start, gives you options for the rest of the trip. After that, weather (wind, cold, snow/ice) may come into play. You just adapt to it, as necessary. We'll be in the Corpus Christi area, South Padre and Mustang Island areas from early December to early January, if all goes as planned. For you Canadian snowbirds mind the outside temps and weather. Cold roadways can become icy with a touch of precip and a temp dip below freezing, and black ice isn't uncommon along these routes after dark, in some cases. Enjoy the trip, it's worth the drive down I-65/55/45/35.

[Fred.Ferret]

For the first night going South we usually stay at the Pokagon State Park just across the border in Indiana on Interstate 69. It is open year round and electric sites are available.
We usually stay there on the way back home as well.
Have a great trip.

[harris155]

How is the salt air and dew out on Mustang Island?

[creativepart]

It's humid and it's an island so it's surrounded with salt water... so, yeah there's a real need to rinse off the coach. We've never stayed more than 5 or 6 days. So, I give the coach a good wash when we get home. If I stayed for the winter I'd probably do a good rinse or light wash every month, or every few weeks if I saw rust forming. My bike seems to get some rust to show up pretty quickly. But not much problem for the RV.

[jacwjames]

Originally Posted by harris155

For a first time trip look up the Natchez Trace Parkway. A 450 mile lighty travelled National Park road from Nashville to Natchez. NO, ZERO stop signs.
Runs NE/SW. Three free dry camping sites along the Parkway.

I drove this last Nov, talk about a change of pace. Speed limit is ~45-50 mph so if you are in a hurry you won't like it but I enjoyed the drive and did stay at one of the campgrounds, which are first come first serve. There were some construction zones, not sure the status a year later.

[RPerk]

Originally Posted by creativepart

It's humid and it's an island so it's surrounded with salt water... so, yeah there's a real need to rinse off the coach. We've never stayed more than 5 or 6 days. So, I give the coach a good wash when we get home. If I stayed for the winter I'd probably do a good rinse or light wash every month, or every few weeks if I saw rust forming. My bike seems to get some rust to show up pretty quickly. But not much problem for the RV.

Have you ever tried something like Salt Away?

[creativepart]

Originally Posted by RPerk

Have you ever tried something like Salt Away?

Nope. Never heard of it. We only go there once a year for a week or less.

[Wayne M]

I live in Texas City, TX, 14 miles from Galveston. I've been North, South, East and West from this location. All of the routes described will get you there.

If by chance you do come down I-69 towards Houston I would suggest getting off around Livinston, TX and take Hwy-146 to Galveston, spend a little time there and then take The Blue Water Highway (Hwy-257) out of Galveston and follow you GPS over to Hwy 35S

Yes, some stop and go but a much more relaxing ride than a freeway and much more scenic.

If you are interested in that route, give me a holler and I'll give some detailed information. Also, water is free at my house, coffee also.

[Mr.Goodbar]

Originally Posted by Vibeman

You can cross the border at Sarnia then get on I-69 west. Take it to Indianapolis IN then get on I-70-W Take it to Effingham IL.

When you approach northeast side of Indy on I-69,

1) TAKE I-465 West/South to go around the city on the north and west sides to I-70W

OR

2) TAKE I-465 South/West to go around the city on the east and south sides to I-70W

I-70 thru the downtown area is close for major reconstruction until April 2023. You CANNOT go thru the downtown area on either I-65 or I-70.

[RPerk]

Originally Posted by Mr.Goodbar

When you approach northeast side of Indy on I-69,

1) TAKE I-465 West/South to go around the city on the north and west sides to I-70W

OR

2) TAKE I-465 South/West to go around the city on the east and south sides to I-70W

I-70 thru the downtown area is close for major reconstruction until April 2023. You CANNOT go thru the downtown area on either I-65 or I-70.

Thank you Mr.Goodbar. Very good to know as RV Life Trip Wizard had us on I-70 through Indy. It is not updated with the closure.

[Winterbagoal]

Originally Posted by Vibeman

We live in Michigan but only 30 miles from Sarnia and travel to south Texas every year. You can cross the border at Sarnia then get on I-69 west. Take it to Indianapolis IN then get on I-70-W Take it to Effingham IL then go south on I-57, then I-55 to West Memphis Arkansas Take I-40 west to Little Rock Arkansas then I-30 to Texarkana. From there it’s a pretty straight shot through Houston to Corpus Christie. Maybe you like huge freeways and heavy traffic, but if not then go around Houston, through College Station. Many ways to do this so just pick your route. Most all secondary roads in Texas are great. Two lanes, but wide, smooth, and fast.

Old thread, but that's the route we have taken in the past. Works well. I'm in Sarnia.