Looking for best route from Houston to Abilene. Never been this way before and not sure if there's interesting sites along the way, or best just to take it direct. Have 2 kids along (ages 13 & 12), so scenery is NOT of interest to them!

It's a pretty long drive, and really not many interesting sites to stop, unless you want to visit Dallas and/or Fort Worth.

Otherwise, just drive straight. I-45 North to Corsicana, US287 to Ft. Worth, and then I-20 West. That'd be the fastest way.

Well, that is the most direct route, but it is also the most boring. With two kids in the car, you'll want to stop a few times along the way at some place besides a truck stop. ;-)

Personally, I'd get a good atlas and make your own route through Central Texas. How about going from Houston to Austin on 290, then up 183 to Brownwood, 67 over to Coleman, and 84 up to Abilene? I've not driven on the 290 portion, but I have driven on the other roads, and they are all good ones. Most are 4-lane divided highway (aside from small portions of 183), and there are lots of cute little towns with good places to stop.