Houston to Orlando pulling our camper

[nila]

Taking our longest camping trip (Travel Trailer) ever this December from Houston to Orlando (FT. Wilderness) via I-10 and I-75, for those who have done this trip do you have any problems finding camper friendly gas stations alaong the way ?? Thanks...

 

[tiggerdad]

Hi Nila,
We come from Meridian, MS so we catch I 10 at Mobile and come across from there. I pull diesel, so I stick to the big name truckstops due to ease of getting in and out. Their gas pumps typically have lots of room as well. I stick to TA and Pilot as they tend to have more room and better prices. Both have a website where you can locate stores and plan your stops.
This is what I did and it worked out fine. Next trip I'm gonna invest in a fuelbox so I can just fill up one time and make the whole trip.

 

[MommaluvsDis]

We're going to be there at the same time as you! Stop by and say hi. We'll have our DIS Fort sign out.

This will be our first time pulling our 5ver but we drive I-10 all the time. There are easy in easy out truck stops all along the route. I don't foresee you having any problems.

 

[WeCampDisney]

We have towed from Texas many times. I use the book called The Next Exit. It is wonderful. It shows you everything available at every exit on all interstate highways. All RV friendly gas stops are in red letters. All exits are listed by the mile markers so its so easy to plan your next stop. I actually know the range for a tank of gas in my rig so just preplanned my gas stops before I even left home. This really takes the stress out of it for me. The book shows you where all the rest areas and everything else are as well.

 

[bama_ed]

I use this book too, WeCampDisney. You are correct - it's wonderful. It is worth its weight in gold.

Bama ED

PS - note it only applies to interstates and not toll roads or state highways.

 

[nila]

Thanks everyone for the help, just ordered the next exit book from Amazon. Hopefully this will be of great help. Has anyone made this drive from the Houston area without stopping for the night or am I insane ??

 

[NewRVLady]

Its 13 hours from Lafayette La-It has to be 16 hours for you?

I rememeberr a KOA around Tallahasseee years ago on our first trip to WDW-that would be a good stop-right off Interstae

Just beware of the crazy thing that happens when you cross the Mississippi in Baton Rouge-do not go in the far right lane-it becomes an Exit lane when you blend in!!!!

 

[Arenita]

I've made the drive solo from Houston without stopping, but I was not towing a camper.

Enjoy your road trip!

 

[grumpyaggie]

We just made the trip from Central Texas. The best prices for fuel was in the Baytown, Tx area. You can have your pick of truck stops. No surprise the road is in terrible shape. Houston to Orange and I-10 at Baton Rouge are a toss up as to which roads are the worst.
There is a Sam's just east of Baton Rouge, that has good fuel prices. It joins a Bass Pro Shop, therefore easy in and out. They are surrounded by places to eat or enough room to park and eat in the camper.
Just a note, we paid $4.20 for diesel in Florida.
Make trip during the day if possible, as I-10 in Ala., Miss and Fla. are a sight to behold. I thought Fla. was flat, but the northern part of the state is rolling hills and pine trees.

 

[fmtx]

If you have more than one driver, you're not crazy to drive straight through. I drove non-stop from College Station to Ft Wilderness leaving at 5:00pm on March 6. My daughter and her boyfriend and I shared driving. We were pulling a 20ft travel trailer with a Jeep. On our return trip we left Mar 15 at noon. I got the the two Aggies home and continued on to Dallas so the last college student was back in time for her mom's birthday party Sunday at 6:00pm.

Last Spring Break we stopped in Destin going and coming. I much preferred getting on the road and getting where I was going. Never had a problem with gas stations. I don't back up! So, you plan ahead before driving into a parking lot.

 

[stobaugh6]

We are driving from the Houston area in September. We are planning on driving straight thru. My hubby and I will switch off though. We have made this drive a few times without stopping for the night. Good luck!

Heather

 

[WeCampDisney]

Nila, when you get your book, be sure and read the explanation near the front on how to read the book. That will help you to use the book to its fullest advantage. We sometimes drive all the way with only 2 gas stops, no rest. It's 18 hours from Kilgore Tx. When we do stop for some sleep, we stay at the KOA at Milton Fl, it's about 30 min past Pensecola. From there it's about 7 hours. This KOA is so easy on and off I10. Right next to the highway. Have a great trip!

 

[grumpyaggie]

Benton is right about the KOA at Milton, one of the better KOAs. They serve a breakfast to get you on your way.
Do not stay at the KOA in Wildwood, Fla.
Glo and I did trip in a 1 1/2 days, coming and going.

 

[4daubers]

We have stayed at the Milton KOA several times. We've also stayed at Meaher State Park near Mobile, Alabama. Both are safe and great for overnight stays. If taking two days, we push to the Milton KOA. If taking 3 days, we'll stay in Mobile and then a park closer into Orlando.

We also use The Next Exit and try to stop at Pilot or Travel America Plazas. The exits in Florida are very wooded, tight and difficult to see if the stations have diesel and easy access.