Austin, TX to Toronto, ON in December

[babubangla]

Me and my wife planning to go on a road trip for 10 days in last week of December. This would be our first road trip experience ever. We would love to drive through some scenic roads and stay in some destination for couple of days and preferably get back to Austin using a different route. We also want to avoid driving in heavy snow--never drove in snow. Being a novice, we don't have any idea--where to go and which route to take.
We would appreciate any ideas for a 10-day road trip from Austin.

[PNW Judy]

Welcome!

What types of things do you want to see? Cities? Hiking? Camping? Hotels? Clubs? Theme parks? Historical sites? If we know better what you want to do and see, it will help with the advice.

And what have you already seen that you don't want to re-visit?

[babubangla]

Thanks for your feedback.

I visited Grand Canyon last year and we are flying into Denver to see the mountains this week. I guess we could take these two out of plan this time. But we would certainly love to see places like those... beautiful natural attractions.

I appreciate your thoughts on this.

[babubangla]

I am planning a 15-day road trip from Austin, TX to Toronto, ON during 3rd week of December. I want to spend 8/9 days on the road and spend 5/6 days in destination. I also want to use a different route on the way back.

Any indeas on the route planning and places to see on the way?

[Mark Sedenquist]

I am planning a 15-day road trip from Austin, TX to Toronto, ON during 3rd week of December. I want to spend 8/9 days on the road and spend 5/6 days in destination. I also want to use a different route on the way back.

I am not sure you really have time for this -- but in broad strokes, I would suggest the Great River Road with a return along part of the Appalachian Trail. It is trickier to plan any road trip to Toronto in December -- so far, it has been a very mild Fall in that area, but my record on this Forum about weather predictions is very suspect.

By the most direct route the distance between Austin and Toronto is 1700 miles, so in winter driving conditions, need to figure about 64 hours for this shortest route (round trip) which would be eight days with eight hours of travel per day. Which is already the limit of what you indicated you want to drive. If you were to follow some of the GRR or some of the Appalachian Trail it will add 2-3 days of travel time. So, I guess it would be helpful to know where you want to place the priorities for this trip -- scenery, nice places to stay, shopping, quickest route???

Mark

[babubangla]

So, I guess it would be helpful to know where you want to place the priorities for this trip -- scenery, nice places to stay, shopping, quickest route???
Mark

I appreciate your feedback.
No scenery preference-- there is always something to see on every road. If there are sometihng special to see, that would be a bonus.

I would appreciate if you could recommend me a route based on the following:

1. Prefer to avoid driving on the snow as much as possible. quickest and safest route is the first priority.

2. Like to use a different route on the way back-- without significantly increasing driving time/miles.

[Midwest Michael]

Since you have a pretty good chance of seeing snow on any route you take, the only way you'll be able to avoid snow is if you are lucky and decide your route en route based on the forecast.

I'm also not sure what would constitute the "safest route." Its a question that's often asked, but I've never seen an Interstate that was much more or less safe than any other.

That said, I might do something like I-30 to Little Rock, I-40 to Nashville, I-65 to Indy, and then I-69 to Canada and across southern Ontario one direction.

Then the other way, I'd probably head towards Buffalo taking I-90 to Erie, then South via I-79 and/or I-77 into Virginia, then down to New Orleans via I-81, I-75, and I-59, finishing your trip on I-10.

There are a lot of possible variations on those route that are possible, but that would be a basic framework to start with.

[Mark Sedenquist]

1. Prefer to avoid driving on the snow as much as possible

This year, there is very good chance that you will hit snow as early as Ft. Worth and you will probably be enjoying elements of that white stuff until you return to central Texas. Like Michael says, you need to watch the daily weather reports and adjust accordingly.

Mark

[babubangla]

I'm also not sure what would constitute the "safest route." Its a question that's often asked, but I've never seen an Interstate that was much more or less safe than any other.

I was not concerned with "crime" safety, my main concern is "slippery road" safety.

On my way to Toronto, I am now considering one of the following routes:

1) I-35 to Dallas, I-30 to Little Rock, I-40 to Memphis, I-55 + I-57 + I-64 to Louisville, I-71 + I-75 to Toledo, then I-69 to Canada

2) I-35 to Dallas, I-30 to Little Rock, I-40 to Memphis, I-55 + I-57 to Illinois, then I-94 + I-69 to Canada

3) I-35 to Oklahoma, I-44 to St. Luis, then I-70 + I-57 + I-69 to Canada

Is any of the routes has advantage or disadvantage compare to others?

On my way back to Texas, I would like to see Niagara, Mammoth Cave and Hot Springs. Any other special natural attractions on the way out or way in?

Thanks again for feedback.

[Midwest Michael]

I was not concerned with "crime" safety, my main concern is "slippery road" safety.

Again, that's pretty much going to exculsively be a factor of weather. This time of year you can hit snow or ice almost everywhere along your route.

Any of the three routes you've listed would work fine (although I-69 doesn't go near Toledo). I would certainly pick any one of them primarily based on the weather forecast for the time you are traveling.

The routes I previously suggested take you right by Hot Springs, AK, Mamoth Cave, and Niagra. The New River Gorge, Smokey Mountains, and the St. Louis Arch are just a few of the other many options you'd have depending on which route you take.