Thanks for all of your replies. US 82 sounds worse with every post! We will probably follow the advice of Jayne1973 and take I-30 to the outskirts of Dallas. We may even decide to take I-20 all the way to Dallas. My DH is greatful to anyone who helps him avoid a teeth-grinding drive across the country!

I haven't heard any comments about US 287, so assume that it is an acceptable choice. We will check all routes for construction delays, etc. closer to trip time.

Why not fly and enjoy the 4 corners area?
M

US287 is a major route from Fort Worth to Amarillo, and is very fast with only stoplights in Wichita Falls. It is definitely a good route.

Where would you pick up I-20? Here's my suggestion, travel through Arkansas and time it so that you end up in Jefferson, Texas and spend the night in a B&B, there's a fabulous restaurant there whose name I can't remember it's either Stillwater or Stumpwater Inn.

Get up, drive to Kilgore Texas along the backroads and stop and see the East Texas Oil Museum. Kilgore has gone through lots of effort to recreate its downtown like it was during the oil boom. It's a very small, unique museum.

Then get on I-20 and drive into Dallas in time for lunch. Stop and see the 6th Floor Museum. If you've never done it, it is worth the stop.

Of if you want to keep driving on, stop in Ft. Worth at one of its fabulous museums. after that, someone else is going to have to help you out.

Whatever you do, avoid I-10 through Houston. We have a major construction project going for the next five years and until that's finished, I-10 through the city will be unbearable -- except from about 9 p.m. through about 5 a.m.

We drive from Houston to South Carolina at least annually (family in Charleston) and a much more interesting route is I-20 across. The advice you've received from others is right on the mark.

Regardless, your spouse is right: it is a LONG drive...

Jim

JimF, we'll be driving from New Orleans through to San Antonio next month and cannot avoid I-10 through Houston. Does the construction project include 610 or should we just go around Houston altogether, using the Sam Houston tollway? The day will be long enough witout construction delays.

carolynn, I'm not familiar with where the contruction is since I'm not currently in Houston, but for your route I would suggest taking I-10 to the Sam Houston Toll Road in Pasadena, cutting across I-45, then getting back on I-10 outside of town.

Someone else might have a better suggestion, though.

carolynn - The worst traffic on I-10 is between the West Loop (I-610) and the West Sam Houston Tollway (Beltway 8). Therefore, taking the 610 will not really help. [There's also construction on I-10 just east of Downtown, but shouldn't slow you down too much.]

Taking the Sam Houston Tollway around will add a lot of miles and tolls. There may be significantly delays at the tollplazas too during PM rush, unless you have the electronic tag. Not a particularly good alternative.

Your best bet is to go through Houston as early as possible. If you leave NO early in the morning, you'll pass through Houston around lunch time, and traffic can't be that bad during that.

And if you have 2 or more people in the vehicle, you can use the HOV on I-10 West from 1pm to 8pm. 3+ persons only from 5pm to 6pm. The entry point is before I-610. If available, use it even if the main lanes may look okay at that point.

Statia and rkkwan, Thanks both for the advice. I've printed it to have handy for the day we're passing through.

Sorry I did not see your question earlier.

Your best bet is to try to hit Houston when the High Occupancy Vehicles lane is open westbound -- in the afternoon. The HOV lane begins just east of the loop with a left lane entry. It is worth timing for your journey because if you get on it, you can watch most of the construction and traffic snarls as you whiz past. I'll check and post again, but I believe it opens west bound at about 3 p.m.

The Sam Houston tollroad is not a realistic alternative, because where it intersects with I-10 on the west side is usually in the midst of crawling traffic for about 10 more miles.

If you have to travel I-10 we'll figure out a way to get you through our fair city as expediently as possible, but we're still stuck in this for a few more years.

Jim

It would help if I read other people's posts more closely before jumping to respond... I apologize, rkkwan, you had already provided the information needed, and the HOV lanes, as you said, are available westbound for two people between 1 and 8 p.m., with the exception of the 5 - 6 p.m. hour, when you must have three.

One additional help to you, Ellijay, is to go to the web page http://www.ridemetro.org/services/HO...ty/katyhov.asp
and print out the map which will give you all the detail you need to navigate your husband through.

Good luck!

Jim

Ellijay, sorry, I didn't mean to hijack your thread, but when JimF mentioned construction in Houston, I jumped in with my question.

JimF, thanks again. You're right there will all the good advice (my San Antonio question).

I've printed out your response, and HOV map. We'll definitely time it for the opening up of the westbound HOV lane if you or rkkwan can let me know when that is.

Ellijay, there was just an interesting article in Trave & Leisure Magazine about driving across TX this past month. Had interesting places to stop, eat & drink & sleep along the way. Might be worth a read...

carolynn - Westbound HOV on Katy Freeway (I-10 West) opens at 1pm. I don't know if how prompt they open it up. And at that time of the day, traffic really isn't that bad.

Thanks tpatricco for the Travel and Leisure advice. I'll go by the library tomorrow and look it up.

And carolyn, you're forgiven for hijacking my post! I have enjoyed reading all of the good ideas and suggestions that Fodorites have given. I think Texas folks love their state, and I'm looking forward to my first visit!

Ellijay, let me know if you don't have luck finding the mag. I think I still have mine...would be glad to scan & e-mail it to you if need be.

[email protected] Trish