Driving from Texas??? What route still works?

[HaleyB]

Last time we went right through NOLA... on the I-10 from Austin.

I here people mention another route sometimes, I think it is longer but I don't know if the I-10 will be open and flowing by the end of this month. So can anyone tell me what this other route is and how long it takes (If you know how long from Dallas I can figure it out). Is it the 80 people take? It looks like it takes you way north of where you want to be...

Maybe I need to join AAA.

 

[kc73]

I'm in Canton, 1 hour east of Dallas. We were also going to take I-10 through New Orleans, but changed our route after seeing all the damage to that highway & the roads near the coast. We are leaving Oct. 7th & are not counting on the roads to be repaired by then. Our new route is 1062 miles & will take 17 hours "just driving" time. We're going I-20 to montgomery, Al, then south on 231 to Dothan, Al, then 84 & 27 to Tallahassee. Then, I-10 to I-75. This route is about the same mileage & distance wise as the other route we had planned to take, just not nearly as scenic! Of course, from Austin it would be longer, since we're starting out north of you. Hope this helps some! Have a great trip!!!

 

[HaleyB]

Thanks, that is exactly what I was looking for. Now we have to decide if we should drive straigh tthrough or look for a room on the way. We are a little worried that hotels will be full all the way there.

 

[Chuck S]

Thanks for posting this. We are doubtful I-10/1-12 will be repaired by our December trip...and even of the road is open, gas and lodging may be hard to find. Amtrak from San Antonio isn't running, either...as it goes right through New Orleans. Maybe they'll have the tracks repaired by then and we can take the train...if not, I guess it will be the Northern Route through Montgomery.

 

[diskid@heart]

Thanks for posting this question - our trip is in Nov and I'm questioning the travel too. We intended to drive, but I'm not sure now. I'm kicking myself for not purchasing the airline tickets through Southwest yesterday (last day).

Thanks for the route posted I was looking for an alternate route!

 

[trampslady]

Is cutting off i-20 at Jackson (down 49 to Mobile) not an option right now? That's how we drove in March. We're headed down again in November. I dread adding more time to the drive! If we go Montgomery way, does that mean we shave off the awfully boring panhandle drive? If so, it may be worth it!

 

[kc73]

I'd also thought about going down I49 to Mobile, but with all the damage near the coast, didn't want to risk it. Better safe than sorry & have to detour somewhere! Also, I failed to mention earlier that at the Al border, we're getting off I20 and onto 80 going E to Montgomery. This will cut off a large part of the "dreaded panhandle drive"! I was trying to get away from that as well, so maybe this will help some. If any of you come up with a better route, please pass it along. I'm still open to suggestions!

28 Days & Counting!!!