We live in Shreveport and have usually taken I-49 to I-10. But the last couple of times, we took I-20 to Jackson, MS and then picked up US49 to Hattiesburg. Then head to Mobile on 98. Pick up I-65 to I-10 (only a few miles) to cut off the drive through town. Just across Mobile Bay is the nicest Comfort Suites you have ever seen. Real nice folks there. Also a Hampton Inn right across the street. It takes us about 14 hours for the entire trip from Shreveport, so add in about 3 hours from Dallas and you should be able to make it in 17 hours. Last month, we drove straight down from Shreveport - left about 12:30AM and arrived at the AKL about 3:30 PM. Hit Mobile about 7AM - a Friday morning and traffic wasn't bad. We plan to do this again in March, only I'm getting some sleep before we leave!