Boston to Dallas

[imported_tracy]

Hi,
We will be driving from boston to dallas in a couple of weeks. Mapquest recommends I90 to cleveland and then cutting down thru tennessee, to hot springs AR on I40 then picking up I30 to dallas. MSN (Mapblast) recommends staying more north thru indianapolis, down thru st. louis then thru OK to dallas.

Wondering if anyone has taken either of these routes.
thanks

[Mark Sedenquist]

I have driven each route a number of times over the years. Depending upon weather, road construction and seasonal events, either road might be more desireable. I guess the question is what is your highest priority (speed, scenery, attactions, shopping, etc.) on the way?

[imported_tracy]

Hi,
Our priority is definitely speed!!

[John in Dallas]

Force map to go onto 84 southwest to Scranton and on to 81 south. Take 81 so to 40 west in TN. Next would be the bypass of 430 to 30 at Little Rock then on Dallas. See if the Miles are close to your current trips maps. This route will be faster due to no traffic, only south of Little Rock you will have about 15 miles of road work, you can move just a pain due to small lanes. I would not go out west to Indy only for the traffic and lost time as well as it is ugly and bad roads in many places. If you like to drive fast, in all but VA on 81 you can find groups of cars running at and over 80 MPH. Gas may be lower cost in VA, TN and AK. TX is lower then the north normally, I do the cross close to this run 4+ times a year and love it most time in Cruse Control due to low traffic great weather and roads.

[Nate45]

Hi I wish to make this same trip but my focus is more on scenery and attractions, could you give me some advice?

[glc]

Welcome to RTA, Nate!

Please start a new thread and provide as many details as you can - start and end points, how many people with approximate ages, how much time you have, and what everyone's interests are.

[Lifemagician]

Nate, here is a paragraph to get you started. You really cannot do what you want to do without paper maps, which you will see, have all those attractions marked on it, and highlight the scenic routes:

Start with maps. Not GPS, not software, not Google, but real honest-to-god paper maps that show you your entire route, that you can mark up (and erase), that you can stick pins in, and that show something about the land you'll be driving through. Those are your essential tool in any RoadTrip planning process. Start by marking all the places you know you want to visit. Then connect the dots. Then look for more places of interest and scenic routes along the lines connecting the dots. Repeat until you've got as many sites and roads as you think you want.

When you have noted all the places you want, and the routes between them, feel free to post again for feedback, advice and suggestions.

Lifey