New drivers from Texas-route questions

[Simba's Mom]

We just switched to driving to WDW, after 30 years of flying. From our part of Texas, it's 1300 miles each way, so 2 days. We've done it once, and noticed that crossing the Mississippi River, the traffic was really bad. Is this typical for this time of year (someone mentioned football season)? Any tips on routing? DH basically takes Rte 10 to 75, turning south at Lake City Florida. How does that sound?

 

[OKW Lover]

What part of TX are you coming from? I'm guessing the lower portion since you plan on being on I-10. Crossing the Mississippi at Baton Rouge doesn't have to be bad, its just a question of when you hit that area.

 

[Disney_traveler]

Hello from a fellow Texan! I have driven in late June and mid-March and I can tell you we just always hit traffic at the bridge in Baton Rouge and the tunnel in Mobile. Either it's lots of people on the roads or they are doing some random construction or there's a car broken down which chokes down lanes. Halfway for us is Biloxi Beach, MS and we stay at a casino to give us some fun from the drive and it's usually comped. All adults here so that's why we stay at the casinos.

 

[Simba's Mom]

What part of TX are you coming from? I'm guessing the lower portion since you plan on being on I-10. Crossing the Mississippi at Baton Rouge doesn't have to be bad, its just a question of when you hit that area.

We're coming from very south, 350 miles south of Houston. Is there a good/bad time of day and/or day of the week for that area?

 

[Tigerlulu]

Avoid hitting BR between about 4-6 or so on any given day. Definitely get through by 2 on a Friday or holiday weekend!
Check the bridge area on the waze app when you get off the basin bridge. If you need to detour you'll want that info then.

 

[Tigerlulu]

And if it's a football day, get through early and you won't have an issue.

 

[Tigerlulu]

There are a couple ways to deal with the bridge traffic. If you route north to 190 you can go cross there--it's not far at all. Then jump back on 110 towards 10, assuming traffic is moving on 10 past where the bridge traffic merges in.
Or if you can get onto the bridge, get in the right hand lane and take that exit. You'll go straight and make a left on Louise. It'll run right into 10 and you'll pass the bottleneck.
Not a pretty neighborhood but a common detour and you'll likely have other cars with you doing the same.