I-10 West Safety Issues

[sandra_c]

I am so glad I found this website. I am going to be traveling with my children this week. It is the first time I have ever traveled alone and done all the driving. Unfortunately I will not have a co-pilot on this trip to help with the details.

We will be leaving Houston heading to Arizona, I would really love to cut down on the drive time and travel the I-10 West route, but I am apprehensive in doing so, because of all the media booha regarding safety or lack of, along the Mexico border. Is there truth in what is being said "that I-10 West (El Paso/Mexico Border) is the most dangerous road in America", or is that propaganda and hype?

Is I-10 West safe to travel? Where should I stop and fill up the vehicle? Are there any cell phone dead zones I need to be made aware of? Are the roads actually safer in daytime than they are in the night? Are there any no no spots I should be made aware of?

Thank you in advance to any and all who take the time to read and respond to this post. May you have safe travels and pleasant journeys.

[AZBuck]

Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America Forums!

I-10 runs right through my hometown and is my main means of getting connected to the rest of the Interstate System. I have driven its entire length from Santa Monica (L.A.) to Jacksonville, and while it's not my favorite bit of road, I have no real issues with its safety. In particular, you seem to be worried about the stretch from El Paso to where it starts heading a bit more northerly in central Arizona. It is true that this stretch of road gets its fair share of smugglers, both of people and drugs, due to its proximity to the border. But these people are generally trying to keep a very low profile and will not bother you. Let the Border Patrol (instantly recognizable in their green and white SUVs) handle them. There is a small chance that you may have to stop for an inspection, but this has as much to do with bringing fruits and vegetables (and any hitch hiking bugs) into an intense agricultural area as it will anything else. Cell phone service is as good as along any major Intestate, which is to say good. I can't guarantee that there are NO deadspots, but I wouldn't worry about them. (Disclaimer: I don't own a cell phone and don't consider it safety equipment.) There are plenty of travelers services at the exits along I-10, and if you follow the rule-of-thumb of filling up when your gas gauge gets near ¼, you'll be fine. My major gripe with I-10 between Texas and Arizona is just the typical urban congestion around El Paso, Tucson and Phoenix. In particular, you should be aware that all the exits/entrances in downtown Tucson between 22nd street on the east (south) and Prince Road on the west (north) are closed due to construction. You can use I-10 through town, you just won't be able to get on/off.
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AZBuck

[Midwest Michael]

Welcome to the RTA forum!

I think your concerns and the rumors you've heard are pretty greatly overstated.

I've never heard I-10 refered to in the way you've described, and I really don't know why it would be any more or less dangerous than any other interstate highway. The only thing I could even think of is some human smuggling and other border related issues, but I can't think of anything that is so widespread that you have to be concern. I've driven I-10 in New Mexico and Arizona many times and never had a concern about my safety.

Fill up when you need gas, there will be plenty of stops and stations along the way. You could focus on Truck Stops/Travel Plazas if you want to be assured of having lots of other people around. Cell Phone coverage is usually pretty good along the interstate, but its not universal and there may be some areas where you don't get reception.

Finally, yes it is safer to travel during the day, but that is true with any road and route. You simply can see farther down the road during the day than with headlights, and you'll be more likely to suffer from fatique driving in the dark.

[Quebec Gen]

Just like Buck, I have driven its entire length from Cali to Florida and I can assure you that I-10 is a very safe interstate. I have also traveled by myself on most secondary roads that run along the border from California to Texas and I even driven on a few stretches of Mexican highways with a friend of mine and nothing bad happened. Anyway, I seriously doubt any drug smuggler would want to hang out anywhere near I-10 since it's a crowded area and the border patrolers are overly present. And even if they did, they won't want to get noticed just like any illegal immigrant. Plus, except for the El Paso area, I-10 doesn't run that close to the border.

[sandra_c]

Thank you to all who responded to my post, I must admit the apprehensiveness has been kicked aside and replaced with excitement as I read the responses. After reading the responses I went to the atlas and mapped out the trip. The children and I are very excited about stopping at Boot Hill and later visiting Tombstone. If there are any other really awesome places that don't stray too far off the beaten path of I-10 I sure would be interested in hearing about them. Thanks again for taking the worry out of the travel for me.

Sandra

[Midwest Michael]

Check out this thread, its about a trip from LA to Texas, but its got a lot of good ideas for things to do close to I-10 along your route.

[Quebec Gen]

right here!