San Francisco to Laredo, TX - I-40 vs I-10 ?

I will be driving from San Francisco to Laredo, Tx. where I'll be crossing into Mexico. I'm on a bit of a time crunch so will be hoping to do the drive in 3 days.

The two possible routes are:

I-40 and then US 285 south into Texas.

I-10 and then US 285 and US 90 towards Laredo

According to Google Maps, both routes are about the same distance. I'm just wondering which is the better road for drivability along with scenery and places to eat and stay?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions or comments

Honestly, I'd do the following:

Get over to I-5 any way you can. Then get over to Bakersfield using CA-46 (my map isn't handy, but I think this is what I use), temporarily get on CA-99 then CA-58 to I-15. Take I-15 down to I-10 east. Then the other route from Fort Stockton to Laredo.

Bear in mind, these are going to be three very long days on the road, of about 600 miles each, but this the shortest and about the only route you can do in 3 days. If you can get another day, you can talk about something more scenic.

Places to eat and stay -- Through El Paso, you'll be fine in that regard. El Paso to Fort Stockton is rather empty, with only Van Horn to break up the drive and find something to eat. I feel certain that someone with the right software will come on here and tell you where your two overnights should be, fairly evenly spaced apart.


Donna

Following Donna's suggested route, overnights in Blythe and El Paso.

The quickest way from I-5 to CA-58 is in fact CA-46 to CA-99.

Do not take CA-58 all the way to I-15, take it to US-395 south from Kramer Junction to Hesperia. Then take I-15 south to I-215 south to CA-210 east to I-10. This avoids having to go straight through the LA area like you would by simply taking I-5 to I-210.

Hello!

Is there a compelling reason why you're crossing the border at Laredo? It's an extremely busy port of entry, almost as bad as Juarez. Given a choice, I would use Eagle Pass instead; it's far less congested. Mexico Route 57 is a good road that takes you south from Piedras Negras to Monclova, and from there you can continue on to Monterrey, or wherever else you might need to go. I've used both crossings, relatively recently, and there's really no contest. It took me more than three hours to clear the border at Laredo (long, very slow lines for every stage of the document process).

Rick

GLC is correct; I left out a step. (That's what I get for doing this without my atlas in front of me.) I have done CA-58 to US-395 to I-15 to I-10. The 395 portion cuts off a few miles, but there can be some traffic in there. (Of course, Cajon Pass can be a bear any time.)


Donna

I would not take I-15 all the way to I-10 - I'd take I-215 to CA-210. This is shorter and cuts off some traffic-prone areas.

How do you guys feel about this route:

I-5 to Buttonwillow

CA 58 through Bakersfield to Barstow

I-40 to Needles

US 95 to Blythe

I-10 east to AZ 85 (to bypass Phoenix)

AZ 85 to Gilla Band

I-8 east to I-10

Would probably overnight in Needles or Blythe, Las Cruces, and then Laredo

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Originally Posted by Rick Quinn

Is there a compelling reason why you're crossing the border at Laredo?

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I would actually cross at Columbia - from what I've heard, it's easier since immigration, customs and getting the TIP all in the same building.

Okay; I'd still use Piedras Negras, personally, but only because I've been there and I know for sure that it's minimally chaotic. I've heard that the Colombia crossing is less congested than downtown Laredo. Let us know how that works out for you!

Rick

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Originally Posted by delta9

How do you guys feel about this route:

I-5 to Buttonwillow (etc)

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That adds at least an hour to our suggestions.

Choosing to take CA58 instead of the recommended CA46 from I5 to CA99 will take you through a very congested shopping area in Bakersfield, likely meaning some delays.

Choosing to take CA58 all the way to I40 and then US95 instead of cutting down US395/I15 to I10 as previously recommended ads nearly 50 miles to the trip.

So as GLC noted, if you don't mind adding more than an hour to your drive, there is nothing wrong with taking your proposed route over the one that was suggested here.

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Originally Posted by Midwest Michael

Choosing to take CA58 instead of the recommended CA46 from I5 to CA99 will take you through a very congested shopping area in Bakersfield, likely meaning some delays.

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Thanks! I didn't know that

Now - if you make this drive in off days/hours, you may be able to get away with taking I-5 all the way to I-210/CA-210 to I-10. With no significant traffic, this would save you at least half an hour because it's shorter. Most mapping programs will send you that way, but they don't take traffic into consideration.

Even though longer, I would most likely take CA-46/CA-99/CA-58/US-395/I-15/I-215/CA-210 to I-10 just to stay off the LA freeway insanity if nothing else. The only possible bottleneck here is I-15 over Cajon Pass on a Sunday afternoon/evening, with everyone returning to LA from a weekend in Vegas.

Taking AZ-85 to I-8 to avoid Phoenix would be a decent alternate, but it is longer.

I will be driving from San Francisco to Laredo, Tx. I've got my drive mapped out as far as El Paso where I will spend a night.

From El Paso it looks like the two possible routes are:
I-10 to Fort Stockton and then US 285 and US 90 to Laredo
I-10 to Sonora and then US 277 to TX 55 to US 83 to Laredo

According to Google Maps, the first route is a little shorter/faster. I'm just wondering which is the better road for drivability

Thanks in advance for any suggestions or comments

Moderator Note: Please keep all questions about the same trip in the same thread.

Welcome to RTA!

I personally would lean toward the first route, simply because it involves interstates and US highways, which typically get maintained a little better. Also, if it's shorter, it means less time on the road.

My questions though ... when are you traveling, and hopefully you are planning to take at least 3 days to make this trip? At almost 1800 miles, it's not something you can do in 2 days. Where are you planning to make your first overnight? Also, another reason I ask about 'when" is because even southern routes like I-10 can become an issue if you hit a winter storm. They simply don't have the equipment available to deal with it quickly like those states in the northern areas.

Donna

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Originally Posted by DonnaR57

Welcome to RTA!

My questions though ... when are you traveling, and hopefully you are planning to take at least 3 days to make this trip? At almost 1800 miles, it's not something you can do in 2 days. Where are you planning to make your first overnight? Also, another reason I ask about 'when" is because even southern routes like I-10 can become an issue if you hit a winter storm. They simply don't have the equipment available to deal with it quickly like those states in the northern areas.
Donna

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Hi Donna,

We're doing the drive in late April so hopefully the weather won't be an issue. We will spend 3 days driving from San Francisco to Laredo - overnighting in Blythe, CA, El Paso, and then Laredo before crossing the border and driving 4 more days to our home in Merida. I'd like to make the drive more leisurely but we're traveling all our stuff and 3 cats...

It sounds like you've got your route pretty well mapped out--let us know how it goes with that border crossing. Out of curiosity, what route are you taking from Laredo to Merida? My last piece of advice would be to make very sure you stay well west of Mexico City and the State of Mexico. The police in that area are notorious for pulling over vehicles with foreign plates, and manufacturing infractions (which they'll happily dismiss if you pay the fine on the spot, in cash). "La mordida" (the bite) is a lot less common than it used to be, but I can tell you--from personal experience--that it's alive and well (and hungry) in the State of Mexico!

The fact that you're hauling down your pets and all your gear tells me your new life in the Yucatan is working out for you. Congratulations--and safe travels!

Rick

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rick Quinn

It sounds like you've got your route pretty well mapped out--let us know how it goes with that border crossing. Out of curiosity, what route are you taking from Laredo to Merida? My last piece of advice would be to make very sure you stay well west of Mexico City and the State of Mexico The police in that area are notorious for pulling over vehicles with foreign plates, and manufacturing infractions (which they'll happily dismiss if you pay the fine on the spot, in cash). "La mordida" (the bite) is a lot less common than it used to be, but I can tell you--from personal experience--that it's alive and well (and hungry) in the State of Mexico! .

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From Laredo we will take the toll highways and overnight in Matehuala, Puebla, and Villahermosa. We're planning on taking the Arco Norte bypass around the eastern part Mexico City. I don't know of any routes that would take us west. I'm not worried about "La mordida" - the key is to not let the police intimidate you and insist for the ticket. Playing dumb and acting like you don't understand spanish also helps. If worse comes to worse, I can always call up my Mexican lawyer "to translate" :)

That'll work. If your chosen route does cross into the State of Mexico, even for a short distance, you should be aware of the "Hoy No Circula" regulations. In Mexico City and the surrounding State of Mexico, as part of their initiative to improve the abominable air quality, every vehicle must remain parked, off the road altogether, one day out of every week. The "off" day for a given vehicle is determined by the last digit of your license plate, and if you're caught driving on any public street or highway on your nominal "off" day, there are hefty fines. Tourists and vehicles with foreign plates are subject to this rule, the same as every local vehicle, and that gives the State Police a handy excuse to stop you. (That's what happened to me). To avoid trouble of that nature, you can get what's called a Pase Turistico, which gives you a 14 day exemption to the regulations. Apply in advance of your trip, online, or through the Mexican Consulate; just let them know your approximate travel dates.

Rick

Every-time I drive to Cali from North TX. I always think if they extend I70 all the way to US101 somewhere near San Jose CA area.. that could simplify road travel plans for many. That's extension is long due. We have technology to poke a 50 mile or so tunnel underneath Sierra Nevada mountain range if needed.

I've thought that for years, but it's probably not the technology, it's probably the cost. Over the mountains would probably be cheaper than through the mountains. The other issues are probably getting the land rights, land conservation, animal rights, etc.

There's always US-50 "the loneliest highway" all the way through Nevada, past Fallon, until it runs into I-80. It might be less expensive for them to turn 50 into an interstate. Whether they'd do it or not, is anyone's guess. Hah.


Donna

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Originally Posted by jm98

We have technology to poke a 50 mile or so tunnel underneath Sierra Nevada mountain range if needed.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by DonnaR57

but it's probably not the technology

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Well....there is the problem of supplying fresh air to the entire length of a 50 mile tunnel. Otherwise, it's going to fill up with CO2 and CO pretty quickly, and then it's just a race to see which kills the most drivers fastest.

Later Addition
For comparison, consider the Mont Blanc Tunnel under the Alps between Italy and France. It's 7¼ miles long, so only about one-seventh the length we're talking about. The toll for the tunnel is $50 one way at current exchange rates, which if linearly extrapolated would mean a toll of $350 for a 50 mile tunnel under the Sierra Nevada. In March, 1999 a truck caught fire near the mid-point of the tunnel. The fire lasted 53 hours, spread to 35 other vehicles, created intense heat and toxic fumes, and killed 39 people.

AZBuck

I'm going to be driving from the San Francisco area to Southern Texas over 4 days in early April. I was thinking of taking I-40 most of the way and then heading south on US 285 into Texas. I've read that parts of US 285 are dangerous so now I'm wondering if I should avoid that route and go another way?

Moderator Note: Merged Again. Please do not continue to create new threads to ask additional questions about this same trip.

No, the road is not dangerous, as long as you're being a safe driver.

It is going to be at least a couple hours slower than the route we previously recommended, and you'd previously indicated you were thinking of taking, however.

Thanks - Originally we were going to do the drive over 3 days taking I-10 but we want to limit our driving time to under 9 hours/day so we're adding an extra day to the trip. I'm was thinking that I-40 might be a more pleasant/scenic with more options for breaking up the drive

With 4 days this would meet your requirements of being on the road for under 9 hours a day, but will still likely equate to an average of a bit over 8 hours including rest stops etc.

I-5 to CA-46 to CA-99 to CA-58 to I-40 to US-285 to US-90 to US-277 to US-83 to I-35 would work very well. Figure overnights around Needles CA, Albuquerque NM, and Ft. Stockton TX.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AZBuck

Well....there is the problem of supplying fresh air to the entire length of a 50 mile tunnel. Otherwise, it's going to fill up with CO2 and CO pretty quickly, and then it's just a race to see which kills the most drivers fastest.

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Personally, it would freak me out to be in 50-mile tunnel through one of the most geo-active mountain ranges in the world.

The Rockies aren't nearly as active with fault-lines and such, but I always get a little nervous when I am driving through the Eisenhower Tunnel -- although most of my concern is hitting that lovely stretch of ice right after the tunnel on the east bound side in the winter months.

I assisted in a rescue during a crash and fire in a short tunnel in LA one time. Breathing was... very questionable during that incident and that tunnel was short enough to see both ends at the same time. Plenty of fresh air -- and without breathing apparatus it was almost impossible to breath in the tunnel.

Just my two cents...

Mark