Driving - Dallas, TX to Brazil, IN

[SandrA9810]

Well because most people around here believe in the open road, rather than highway in the sky methods. You're probably much better help.

My aunt wants to drive out to Indiana again this year to see the family. And well since last year was the first time in like 14 yrs that I've seen the family, I really want to do this trip again this year.

Last year, we got an ok start in the morning. Made it to some little city in Arkansas to meet up with a family friend for lunch, which of course took a couple hours out of driving time. We stayed at a Days Inn on the side of the highway and my aunt was NOT happy with the accommodations. We also drove a little longer into the night because of lunch, and the never ending rain storm we had to stay right under. The second half of the trip was done in good timing, and we made it into town around dinner time.

I honestly don't remember the exact route we took, and we sure don't want to stay in the same hotel again. My aunt also made the suggestion of driving straight through, which according to google is a 13hr drive.

So give me suggestions on which way to take, and the best locations for stopping for the night. I know there's going to be two drivers (I did all but 4hrs on the last 2,000 mile trip), but I don't think we can sit in the car long enough to complete it driving straight through. I'm sure we'll try to start around 5/6am on the highway. I want to try and make reservations early through priceline to get my aunt her fancy hotel, but still shave some money off the budget.
And if any one is near an area we'll be passing through, let me know if there's any road construction or stuff I should worry about. Last year, I decided to head down I40 in Kentucky toward Tennessee. Yeah, saw the signs that there were an accident and traffic was being rerouted a really far off distance. We stopped and had lunch with a family member, so I figured the accident should be cleared up. Yeah, we ran into this...
http://landslides-gib.blogspot.com/2009/10/rock-slide-problem-on-interstate-i-40.html

I was already planning on heading through the Smokey National Park, but this just put us on the side road a little earlier than planned. Or else I would've headed back to 75 to continue the trek south to Florida.

So yeah, help??

 

[Judy in Texas]

I recommend an entirely different route. I live on the Fort Worth side of the metroplex and my family is in Ohio. I used to take the route through Little Rock, Memphis, Nashville, Cinncinnati... Then I found the route through St Louis and I like it much better. Fewer towns, less traffic. St Louis is the only town of size between here and Brazil, Indiana.

Take 75 north out of Dallas. At Atoka, Oklahoma take 69 to Big Cabin and get on 44 East. 44 is a toll road but you won't be on it long. Watch for Springfield, Missouri. At exit 80 on the south side of the interchange, there's a nice Krystal Aire with a Ruby Tuesday right next door. The coupon books you get at rest stops usually have coupons. Rullo is the next town I've stay in. Exit 184 has a number of hotels. St James is next. I haven't stayed there but I ALWAYS stop at the St James winery. The Pink Catawba is wonderful. In St Louis, watch for the route 55. Take it over the Mississipi River. The next town I've stayed in is Collinsville, Illinois. Lots of hotels and restaurants at exit 11. Take 70 east (no town listed). Once you get through Terra Haute Indiana, watch for exit 23 North to Brazil.

Safe travels.

 

[SandrA9810]

Thanks. It says it only adds in an hour of driving time, but if it takes us away from traffic, it'll save us time in the long run.

 

[Judy in Texas]

According to Mapquest, the route through St Louis is 23 miles shorter. I think it's the traffic lights in the smaller Oklahoma towns on Rt 69 that makes the route a bit slower.

 

[SandrA9810]

Well it's been decided, heading straight through. My aunt wants to get the most out of her vacation time. So we're gonna leave monday night. Thanks to many long night trips from Disney back home (when I was living in Ft Lauderdale), I've gotten pretty good at the long haul night driving. So the plan is to head out before 8pm, and I'll probably be done around 2-3am. My aunt will take over for a few hours until the sunrises, stop and have breakfast. Then I'll finish the drive. We should get into town between lunch and dinner.