We will be traveling to San Antonio from Knoxville, Tennessee this summer for our oldest sons graduation from basic training. There will be 5 of us going on this 18-19 hour trip. Three of us will be driving to make it straight through, since time off from work is hard to get and flying 5 folks is expensive. I have looked at 3 possible routes that i am considering. The quickest according to mapquest and other software is down I-59 then across Texas on I-10, but i am concerned about Houston traffic. The second would take me down I-59, but cut across I-20 thru Shreveport and then around Dallas. Third is getting off interstates after Shreveport and taking the Highways and state roads through Texas and bypass Dallas and Austin all together. Myself, I would take highways and byways the entire route if time wasn't a factor, but the wife is a get there now and forget the scenery kind. With kids and others, i agree less time is a good thing being cramped in a van. Any experience or advise on Houston traffic or possibly Dallas/Austin pitfalls. We are looking to arrive in San Antonio around 5 pm. on a Wednesday.