San Francisco to Laredo, TX - I-40 vs I-10 ?

[delta9]

I will be driving from San Francisco to Laredo, Tx. where I'll be crossing into Mexico. I'm on a bit of a time crunch so will be hoping to do the drive in 3 days.

The two possible routes are:

I-40 and then US 285 south into Texas.

I-10 and then US 285 and US 90 towards Laredo

According to Google Maps, both routes are about the same distance. I'm just wondering which is the better road for drivability along with scenery and places to eat and stay?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions or comments

[DonnaR57]

Honestly, I'd do the following:

Get over to I-5 any way you can. Then get over to Bakersfield using CA-46 (my map isn't handy, but I think this is what I use), temporarily get on CA-99 then CA-58 to I-15. Take I-15 down to I-10 east. Then the other route from Fort Stockton to Laredo.

Bear in mind, these are going to be three very long days on the road, of about 600 miles each, but this the shortest and about the only route you can do in 3 days. If you can get another day, you can talk about something more scenic.

Places to eat and stay -- Through El Paso, you'll be fine in that regard. El Paso to Fort Stockton is rather empty, with only Van Horn to break up the drive and find something to eat. I feel certain that someone with the right software will come on here and tell you where your two overnights should be, fairly evenly spaced apart.


Donna

[glc]

Following Donna's suggested route, overnights in Blythe and El Paso.

The quickest way from I-5 to CA-58 is in fact CA-46 to CA-99.

Do not take CA-58 all the way to I-15, take it to US-395 south from Kramer Junction to Hesperia. Then take I-15 south to I-215 south to CA-210 east to I-10. This avoids having to go straight through the LA area like you would by simply taking I-5 to I-210.

[Rick Quinn]

Hello!

Is there a compelling reason why you're crossing the border at Laredo? It's an extremely busy port of entry, almost as bad as Juarez. Given a choice, I would use Eagle Pass instead; it's far less congested. Mexico Route 57 is a good road that takes you south from Piedras Negras to Monclova, and from there you can continue on to Monterrey, or wherever else you might need to go. I've used both crossings, relatively recently, and there's really no contest. It took me more than three hours to clear the border at Laredo (long, very slow lines for every stage of the document process).

Rick

[DonnaR57]

GLC is correct; I left out a step. (That's what I get for doing this without my atlas in front of me.) I have done CA-58 to US-395 to I-15 to I-10. The 395 portion cuts off a few miles, but there can be some traffic in there. (Of course, Cajon Pass can be a bear any time.)


Donna

[glc]

I would not take I-15 all the way to I-10 - I'd take I-215 to CA-210. This is shorter and cuts off some traffic-prone areas.

[delta9]

How do you guys feel about this route:

I-5 to Buttonwillow

CA 58 through Bakersfield to Barstow

I-40 to Needles

US 95 to Blythe

I-10 east to AZ 85 (to bypass Phoenix)

AZ 85 to Gilla Band

I-8 east to I-10

Would probably overnight in Needles or Blythe, Las Cruces, and then Laredo

[delta9]

Is there a compelling reason why you're crossing the border at Laredo?

I would actually cross at Columbia - from what I've heard, it's easier since immigration, customs and getting the TIP all in the same building.

[Rick Quinn]

Okay; I'd still use Piedras Negras, personally, but only because I've been there and I know for sure that it's minimally chaotic. I've heard that the Colombia crossing is less congested than downtown Laredo. Let us know how that works out for you!

Rick

[glc]

How do you guys feel about this route:

I-5 to Buttonwillow (etc)

That adds at least an hour to our suggestions.