I am planning a trip that goes from New Orleans to Galveston (and then to Houston), and cannot decide on a Beaumont-to-Galveston route. I've identified 2 routes, and have some questions:

route #1: I-10 all the way to Houston, then 146 South and Rt. 45 South

route #2: I-10 to Winnie, then 124 South, 87 West, and the Port Bolivar ferry

I have these questions for people who are familiar with this part of Texas:

1. Are there advantages or disadvantages to each of these routes?

2. Route #2 goes through a town called High Island, which (from what I have read) is on a high plateau. Does the road at this point go up and down a steep hill or cliff?

3. For Route #1, are there any alternatives (other than Route #2) that would let me avoid heavy truck traffic? An article I read indicates the section of Route #1 just east of Houston is dangerous for small cars due to heavy use by truckers.

1. Advantage of the ferry is it's a easy drive, and save you a few miles. Disadvantage is that you may need to wait up to 15 minutes for the ferry, and the ferry is of course much slower than a car on the freeway, so it'll take longer.

2. You must be kidding... The vocabulary of SE Texas do not include "high plateau", "up", "down", "steep hill" or "cliff".

3. Big portion of traffic on 146 consist of truck, including tankers, but traffic is relatively light. It's not like you're be bumper to bumper with big rigs. Alternately, you can take Beltway 8 instead of 146.

Also, let me tell you there's serious construction going on on I-10 just east of Beaumont. I suggest you take TX62 (I-10 exit 873) to 73 through Port Arthur instead of Beaumont; regardless which option you take.

The first drive will be quicker by about a half hour, the second drive will be much more interesting if you like driving on less traveled pathways.

High Island does rise some, but not to the degree you describe. It is on top of a giant salt dome. Here is an interesting tidbit. At 38 feet, it is the highest point along the Gulf Coast between the Yucatan Peninsula and Mobile, Alabama. The area is legendary among birders.

Thank you for all the information. It is very helpful. I have some related questions:

1. Is Route 73 (Port Arthur to Winnie) a 2-lane or 4-lane road?

2. My trip will be in September. Do you happen to know if the I-10 construction east of Beaumont is scheduled to end by then?

3. Regarding the terrain: Where I live, it is completely flat, and I always have problems driving on steep grades when I travel. Can anyone tell me whether the Route 124 drive up to (and down from) High Island involves a steep incline up and down a high plateau?

1. Rte 62 is 4-lane, with one traffic light between I-10 and 73. Rte 73 through Bridge City is 6-lane, but there are about 5 traffic lights and speed limit is 45. However, if you stay at 45, you should only have to stop once or twice. After that, it's 4-lane freeway past Port Arthur. Between Port Arthur and Winnie, it's 4-lane divided roadway, but not freeway. Speed limit is 70, there's one one-lane ramp, and I believe one traffic light. No traffic any time of the day.

2. Construction have been going on east of Beaumont for 4-5 years. So, I doubt it'll be over by September. Sometimes it's just narrow lanes; sometimes they shut down one lane and traffic back up for miles. The narrow lanes are pretty bad when there's heavy rain, which is common in this part of the country.

3. Please forget about steep grades. They do not exist here. Let me repeat, do not exist. Steepest thing may be the ramp onto or out of the ferry.

1. My guess is Route 73 is a two-lane highway. A Taxes road map will be your best source of info.

2. I doubt if construction on I-10 will ever be completed. However, the Texas Department of Transportation claims construction in Beaumont will be completed by June. I will be leive it when I see it. I would check the TXDOT website in September for current road conditions. http://www.dot.state.tx.us/

3. Personally, I don't know what the graident is. My guess is it is pretty mild.

Thank you. The information all of you have given me is very helpful.

TX73 is 4-lane, divided highway, but not access-control, between Port Arthur and Winnie. TX124 and 87 from Winnie to the Port Bolivar ferry are two-lane.

38 feet is nothing. Much taller will be the bridges you take from New Orleans to Galveston. The I-10 bridge at Lake Charles is old, narrow and steep; the I-45 bridge to Galveston Island is also tall and steep; while the 146 bridge over the ship channel is a very tall (but not steep) cable-stayed beauty. The road deck reaches a height of 178 feet, which is like 4.5 times High Island...