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While starting out on a solo trip from St. Louis to Dallas, Tx to Austin, Texas and then out west, my question is about the drive from Austin to Tucson, AZ. I have never driven this part of the USA.
I guess it would be I-10W. How is the drive? Will be leaving that way in mid November. Is it safe? Any sights to see, route to take?
It’s some 900 miles. Where to stay overnight in between?
Advice appreciated
In general terms, yes it's safe but as you would at home or anywhere else on your travels, use common sense and if somewhere or something doesn't feel quite right, keep moving. I-10 is the most direct route with Van Horn TX being the half way point with Fort Stockton and El Paso being the shortest and longest trip you would want on day one, depending on other plans. One option I would consider is to head to Carlsbad NM and then go across the top of El Paso on the Woodrow-Bean Trans mountain route. But that's purely based on preferring to get off Interstate for a while but it does go past Guadalupe mountains and Franklin mountains for nice scenery, but adds an hour and half to drive time.
I will second SWDave's suggestions for overnights. Van Horn is well-positioned, and there are any number of lodging choices.
Weather should NOT be an issue, but it does happen occasionally where the Van Horn section of I-10 gets snow that sticks. That's because of the elevation.
The description of the route around El Paso can be found by clicking HERE.
Donna
So, with route, safety, weather. and over-night stop taken care of, that just leaves a few places to stop along I-10. At about 900 miles from Austin to Tucsonas, you won't have time for a major stop if you plan to make the drive in two days, but there will be plenty of time, and need, for a few shorter breaks to get your eyes off the road and refresh yourself body and soul. Fortunately, we have already searched your route for interesting stops every couple of hours.
AZBuck
Thank you!Quote:
Originally Posted by AZBuck
Well, I leave tomorrow morning and was considering which route to take.
1. St. Louis to Dallas via a stop at Joplin and overnight at Tulsa. This is I-44 to Joplin and then I-69 down to Dallas.
2. St. Louis thru Arkansas…I-67S to Little Rock via I-30W.
Which route to take and are there other suggestions?
US-69 leaves I-44 before you get to Tulsa, there's several hotels in Muskogee. US-67 to I-30 doesn't take much longer, plenty of hotels in Little Rock. I-44 in OK is a toll road.
Thanks. Hate tolls, will go through Little Rock. If I drive past Little Rock, are there any decent city with good food and overnight motel? If it’s best, I can stay overnight in Little Rock.Quote:
Originally Posted by glc
There are hotels all along I-30 between Little Rock and Texarkana. Where there's hotels, there will be restaurants.
Benton, Malvern, Arkadelphia, Hope, all 4 should be acceptable, as would be Texarkana. Off I-30 about 15 miles on US-70 there's Hot Springs which would be the best of all of them, it's a resort area.
It's about 3 hours from Little Rock to Texarkana.
More advice/suggestions needed…. I am writing this from my hotel in Texarkana, TX. I left St. Louis this morning, drove down S67 through Little Rock to Texarkana. Tomorrow, I am in Dallas and will be there till Sunday night.Quote:
Originally Posted by glc
My original plan to go to Austin is no longer as appealing as my friend there was called away. So now, starting at Dallas on Monday and need to return home to the St. Louis area on Friday…gives me 4+ days. Trying to decide a route….
Being that Dallas to STL is a day and a half straight drive, you have almost infinite possibilities. It boils down to what you want to see and do. You don't have enough time to go to Tucson and get back to STL.
Well, thought I would head East but rain is forecast for the next couple of days……Louisiana and Florida ….(New Orleans, Jacksonville)…but now considering west..Quote:
Originally Posted by glc
I would prefer a scenic drive, mountains or water, avoid big city traffic….prefer natural sights and not museums or historical sights..It’s conceivable that I could leave Eules, Tx by Noon on Sunday…
While your interests may vary, I did have a look at I would do if I had five days or so to get from Dallas to St. Louis and wanted some different experiences along the way while not being in too much of a rush. For what it’s worth the following would be my itinerary…
1) Continue south by southwest through Austin to San Antonio. Austin is the capitol, has a vibrant music scene, and a number of interesting museums. San Antonio has the Alamo.
2) Head east to Freeport. The objective here is to see a bit of the Gulf Coast while avoiding Houston. Also in the area are a couple of National Wildlife Refuges, Brazoria and San Bernard.
3) Drive north to Galveston. The objective here is simply to drive the barrier island along the Gulf Coast (and circumvent Houston). There is a toll bridge at San Luis, but it’s ‘only’ $2.
4) Take the ferry across to Port Bolivar. I’ve always been a sucker for ferries, and this one is free!
5) Continue along the coast before heading inland to Beaumont and on to Vicksburg.
6) Head north via Jackson and Memphis to New Madrid, MO, the site of the strongest earthquake ever in the contiguous United States.
7) Return to St. Louis via the Great River Road
AZBuck
Tonight, still confused about where I want to go tomorrow morning from the Dallas area. I considered suggestions but because of weather (rain expected on Monday), think I am considering heading west. I would like to head towards Zion National Park, then to Bryce National Park before heading home to St. Louis. If I do this, I can go via El Paso or via Amarillo…which route is better?
After seeing Bryce National Park, how do I return to St. Louis? Google shows going back on I-70 thru Denver but given my Corvette, uncertain weather can derail me. An alternate suggestiion?
The goal is to return to St. Louis by 17-18th.
If you want to be back by the 18th, I don't know if you have enough time to go to Zion and Bryce. You would be looking at close to 3000 miles by the time you are done, which is 6 days of just driving 10+ hours a day. Something that would be a lot more realistic and should keep you away from winter weather would be a trip to Big Bend.
A bit nervous about going there. Had never even heard of it till you mentioned it. Doesn’t look like there is a nearby city and too many lodging options at my budget. Never been that far south. Also, old brown man in a Corvette in a land of pick up trucks…Quote:
Originally Posted by glc
I picked Zion and/or Bryce but as you said….maybe too much driving.
Maybe I will just head back…
Lodging is quite sparse around Big Bend but it's a great place to visit ! There are still a good few places to visit heading west, you could head to Carlsbad and drive to the Guadalupe mountains (not sure of status for Carlsbad caverns) head across the top of El Paso through the Franklin mountains then head either North towards Albu and Santa Fe or take US70 to White sands and the Lincoln forest where you could visit Capitan (home of Smokey bear) Fort Stanton and the historic town of Lincoln before heading towards Amarillo and home.
Carlsbad Caverns still requires reservations, according to the NPS website. You can call them at 877-444-6777, as there are no reservations at the park at all.
Donna