Austin, TX to Tucson, AZ

[ZeeBabar]

While starting out on a solo trip from St. Louis to Dallas, Tx to Austin, Texas and then out west, my question is about the drive from Austin to Tucson, AZ. I have never driven this part of the USA.

I guess it would be I-10W. How is the drive? Will be leaving that way in mid November. Is it safe? Any sights to see, route to take?

It’s some 900 miles. Where to stay overnight in between?

Advice appreciated

[Southwest Dave]

In general terms, yes it's safe but as you would at home or anywhere else on your travels, use common sense and if somewhere or something doesn't feel quite right, keep moving. I-10 is the most direct route with Van Horn TX being the half way point with Fort Stockton and El Paso being the shortest and longest trip you would want on day one, depending on other plans. One option I would consider is to head to Carlsbad NM and then go across the top of El Paso on the Woodrow-Bean Trans mountain route. But that's purely based on preferring to get off Interstate for a while but it does go past Guadalupe mountains and Franklin mountains for nice scenery, but adds an hour and half to drive time.

[DonnaR57]

I will second SWDave's suggestions for overnights. Van Horn is well-positioned, and there are any number of lodging choices.

Weather should NOT be an issue, but it does happen occasionally where the Van Horn section of I-10 gets snow that sticks. That's because of the elevation.

The description of the route around El Paso can be found by clicking HERE.


Donna

[AZBuck]

So, with route, safety, weather. and over-night stop taken care of, that just leaves a few places to stop along I-10. At about 900 miles from Austin to Tucsonas, you won't have time for a major stop if you plan to make the drive in two days, but there will be plenty of time, and need, for a few shorter breaks to get your eyes off the road and refresh yourself body and soul. Fortunately, we have already searched your route for interesting stops every couple of hours.

AZBuck

[ZeeBabar]

So, with route, safety, weather. and over-night stop taken care of, that just leaves a few places to stop along I-10. At about 900 miles from Austin to Tucsonas, you won't have time for a major stop if you plan to make the drive in two days, but there will be plenty of time, and need, for a few shorter breaks to get your eyes off the road and refresh yourself body and soul. Fortunately, we have already searched your route for interesting stops every couple of hours.

AZBuck

Thank you!

[ZeeBabar]

Well, I leave tomorrow morning and was considering which route to take.

1. St. Louis to Dallas via a stop at Joplin and overnight at Tulsa. This is I-44 to Joplin and then I-69 down to Dallas.

2. St. Louis thru Arkansas…I-67S to Little Rock via I-30W.

Which route to take and are there other suggestions?

[glc]

US-69 leaves I-44 before you get to Tulsa, there's several hotels in Muskogee. US-67 to I-30 doesn't take much longer, plenty of hotels in Little Rock. I-44 in OK is a toll road.

[ZeeBabar]

US-69 leaves I-44 before you get to Tulsa, there's several hotels in Muskogee. US-67 to I-30 doesn't take much longer, plenty of hotels in Little Rock. I-44 in OK is a toll road.

Thanks. Hate tolls, will go through Little Rock. If I drive past Little Rock, are there any decent city with good food and overnight motel? If it’s best, I can stay overnight in Little Rock.

[glc]

There are hotels all along I-30 between Little Rock and Texarkana. Where there's hotels, there will be restaurants.

Benton, Malvern, Arkadelphia, Hope, all 4 should be acceptable, as would be Texarkana. Off I-30 about 15 miles on US-70 there's Hot Springs which would be the best of all of them, it's a resort area.

It's about 3 hours from Little Rock to Texarkana.

[ZeeBabar]

There are hotels all along I-30 between Little Rock and Texarkana. Where there's hotels, there will be restaurants.

Benton, Malvern, Arkadelphia, Hope, all 4 should be acceptable, as would be Texarkana. Off I-30 about 15 miles on US-70 there's Hot Springs which would be the best of all of them, it's a resort area.

It's about 3 hours from Little Rock to Texarkana.

More advice/suggestions needed…. I am writing this from my hotel in Texarkana, TX. I left St. Louis this morning, drove down S67 through Little Rock to Texarkana. Tomorrow, I am in Dallas and will be there till Sunday night.

My original plan to go to Austin is no longer as appealing as my friend there was called away. So now, starting at Dallas on Monday and need to return home to the St. Louis area on Friday…gives me 4+ days. Trying to decide a route….