Texas to California

[Midwest Michael]

Welcome to the RTA Forum!

Let me first start by clearing up some things you posted that aren't quite right about I-10 and I-8.

Neither Interstate goes into Mexico.

I-10 stays north of Juarez. While Juarez reputation as a dangerous city is well earned, the violence has really not spilled across the border. In fact, its Texas neighbor El Paso, which I-10 goes through, is actually ranked as one of the safest cities in the US.

I-8 does run very close to the border, but it also never crosses into Mexico, nor the Mexican city of Mexicali.

You may run into some border patrol checkpoints along either route, but there really is no need to have any extra worry about taking either route.

Now as far as Phoenix goes, there is a loop around the city - AZ-101. However, it goes into the far north suburbs and would really make no sense at all for you to use that as a way to avoid the city. If you want to bypass Phoenix, the route to take is I-8 to Gila Bend, and then go north on AZ-85 and rejoin I-10 at Buckeye.

[Courtnie Edgar]

I didnt mean it went into Mexico, I meant it ran right along the border. So let me make sure I got this right..Stay on Interstate 10, then get on Interstate 8 and take it to Highway 85, then get back on Interstate 10? Is there any long stretches without gas stations or anything like that on that route? I was told 10 goes through Death Valley..

[Southwest Dave]

I10 goes nowhere near Death Valley and you should have no problems with refuelling stops with a little common sense applied. [Just don't run too low on gas in the first place]

[Midwest Michael]

I didnt mean it went into Mexico, I meant it ran right along the border.

Yes, but you did say that you thought I-8 went through Mexicali, which is a city in Mexico.

So let me make sure I got this right..Stay on Interstate 10, then get on Interstate 8 and take it to Highway 85, then get back on Interstate 10? Is there any long stretches without gas stations or anything like that on that route? I was told 10 goes through Death Valley..

I really think this is where getting out a good map would be invaluable.

Death Valley isn't even close to I-10. The freeway is about 200 miles south of DV.

The Phoenix Bypass I described is a route that gets significant travel, and there are even signs directing people to use it as an option to bypass Phoenix. There will be very little services between the major towns (Casa Grande, Gila Bend, and Buckeye) but that is not really different than anywhere else on your trip. You're still looking at only about 50 miles between your longest gaps in services. Again, if you look at a good map, this route should jump out at you.