Hi folks! we need a good route to avoid driving thru San Antonio . We're overniting in Junction TX off I-10, heading to Mission Texas/McAllen tomorrow. I heard there was a bypass route that avoided san antonio. thanks! Darlene

You could take the 410 around San Antonio then 37 just West of Corpus and 77 down to the valley. It's been years since I've traveled 281. It was mostly a 2 lane road with the towns far between and not much to look at.

From Junction, take 83 south all the way down to highway 44 and take that east over to Alice and 281. the only "bad" stretch is when you first get on 44, for about 15 miles to Encinal, after that it's a good two lane road, no problems.Fuel up in Encinal at the Love's.If that doesn't sound so good, take I 10 down to Loop 1604 and take that south (to the right) and go all the way around to 281. You'll have some traffic, but it's all pretty straight forward.

You can take I-10 to Kerrville then hit hwy 173 in Kerrville down to Divine and on to Plesanton and I-37 south. Good roads and very light traffic.

It has been a while, but seems like I always took the 410 way back when. But looking on Google Maps, there seems to be another more outer Loop: (when southbound) I-10 Exit 555 onto Loop 1604 (West) to I-37 South. Also way back when, for McAllen, I'd take US 281 (Exit 72) just before Three Rivers. But I-37 wasn't there yet. Many, Many Moons Ago, I'd normally use 281 to get to and from Harlingen. 281 goes fairly straight down to Edinburgh or up to San Antonio. Had to do some backroads to cut across to Harlingen (cutting over toward Raymondville). However, the last time we drove down to Harlingen, I followed I-37 to I-69/US 77 Exit 14 near the outer edge of Corpus Christi. US 281 is mostly two lane, then & now it seems. As for scenery, I can't remember much of a difference between 281 & 77. Kind of liked it myself, very south Texas ranch county. More populated via 77. However, I believe the scenery might be a little less sand & more trees using 281. IMHO. I-69 upon becoming US 77, but it's a divided hwy. much like an interstate (most of the way) to Raymondville, where it become I-69 again. Not much in the way of communities between Kingsville & Raymondville as I remember things. I always remember stories my Mom told of crossing that area back in 1932 (leaving the Valley after the '32 Hurricane) with her family in a Model T Ford when driving along there in Air Conditioned Comfort. Just a long sandy track back then. The Model T did very well in the deep sand. Another family had a more low slung vehicle which had much more trouble getting through the sand. They did return some years later. Ha!Take I-2 (US 83) from Harlingen to Mission, a quick shot.Need Information: Texas Travel Information Center at Harlingen, US 77/83, serving both directions (2021 W., Harrison, Harlingen). The Info Center is down below the interchange (I-69 & I-2) which is elevated.Post Edit: Seems San Antonio Folks & others feel staying on I-10 is the Best Route (Google Maps also had it routed that way). For some reason I did not realize or think of Route 1604 as having stop lights. Sure wouldn't want to take that one for sure. Good to know these things.Camreal wrote:You can take I-10 to Kerrville then hit hwy 173 in Kerrville down to Divine and on to Plesanton and I-37 south. Good roads and very light traffic. Think this might not be such as bad plan in the future. If I happen to drive back down there. Someone else added "at Kerrville, take Tx173 and join I-37 near Pleasanton. This will add about 30 minutes to the trip though". Like most large cities, using the 410 or I-10 around mid-day after all the rush hour traffic has calmed down can both be a breeze. As it was for the OP in her BTW.Believe I would still take the 410 (making sure it was not during rush hour) as the OP, if doing the I-10 'straight', one would have to do a zig zag from the10 to the 35 in midtown to start going south. Shouldn't to extreme to do I believe. Believe I have done this in the past.

Iraqvet05 wrote:It's been years since I've traveled 281. It was mostly a 2 lane road with the towns far between and not much to look at.281 is one of the most heavily congested roads in the city now. If it's been a while since you've been there you'd be amazed at the suburban sprawl. I've said this on the forum before and a search would have brought it up, but I would avoid both 410 and 1604 to get through San Antonio. They are both out of way and heavily travelled. You are much better off taking IH10 all the way through town. Avoid normal rush hours (7-9 and 4-6) and you'll breeze right through. San Antonio is mostly populated around it's bypasses, and the traffic is horrible along its two loops.

best route to bypass san antonio tx heading south

17 Replies

tatest
Explorer II
Jun 30, 2013
Answer (take US-83) retracted, question was asked more than a week ago, he should be there by now.
Darbuk
Explorer
Jun 29, 2013
the 281 heading south is quite drivable. you have to go thru a few small towns, but we made good time .
DesertHawk
Explorer
Jun 21, 2013
Darbuk wrote:
BTW: we took the 410 loop west around noon today. Very easy, steady traffic to the 37south. Thanks again everyone? Heading to Mission to pick up parents, then on to Paris, TN.
The Bukowski Bounder

Thanks the BTW and Safe Travels Bukowski Bounders!

:C Just in case you go via Las Cruces on your way back to AZ.
Las Cruces Area & Southern NM Mexican Food plus camping and attractions in the area. At least try a Green Chile Cheese Burger. Video

Taste of NM Pecans: Stahmanns or Salopek

:h If you happened to take US 281, let us know how the road was. Just curious. Been thinking about another trip back.
Darbuk
Explorer
Jun 21, 2013
BTW: we took the 410 loop west around noon today. Very easy, steady traffic to the 37south. Thanks again everyone? Heading to Mission to pick up parents, then on to Paris, TN.
The Bukowski Bounder
ronfisherman
Moderator
Jun 21, 2013
The northern part of 173 is a nice drive threw part of hill country.
DougE
Explorer
Jun 21, 2013
If you want the quickest way go I10 into San Antonio, I37 out, then take US281 near Three Rivers. Do not take the Anderson Loop 1604 around San Antonio.
If you want to avoid San Antonio entirely, leave I10 at Kerrville, take Tx173 and join I37 near Pleasanton. This will add about 30 minutes to the trip though.
Darbuk
Explorer
Jun 21, 2013
Tremendous tips and options! Thanks to all of you!!! My hubby is tired from fighting the wind all day yesterday from Van Horn so if I can help him avoid heavy traffic he'll be happier! Safe travels!!
skipnchar
Explorer
Jun 21, 2013
The "Anderson loop" is the most direct route around SA. Take the loop to the EAST side of town and there has always been only light traffic, few stop lights and generally 60 MPH speed limits all the way through town. MOST of the route is rural, not urban and you won't even know you ARE in town. If you take the Western loop there are LOTS of stop lights and much more traffic. I BELIEVE that this is 1604 (highway number)
1995brave
Nomad
Jun 21, 2013
Take it from someone that lives in San Antonio, do not take 1604, North and west side is like a parking lot, South and East side is two lane with traffic lights and stop signs. 410 is also heavy on traffic during the daytime.
If heading East/West stay on I-10, if heading North/South stay on I-35/I-37.
ronfisherman
Moderator
Jun 21, 2013
Camreal wrote:
You can take I-10 to Kerrville then hit hwy 173 in Kerrville down to Divine and on to Plesanton and I-37 south. Good roads and very light traffic.

This is the route we took from Kerrville in February on our way back from the Sweetheart Rally. Good trip. We did pickup 281 at exit 72 on 37.
As others have stated. If you are going through San Antonio midday (10am to 2pm). Just take I 10 to I 37 to 281. Should be no problems.

Forum Discussion

best route to bypass san antonio tx heading south

17 Replies

About Bucket List Trips

Related Content

San Antonio

Oxygenics Fury RV Handheld Shower head --COLD drip

San Antonio

Stonewall, TX to San Antonio, TX

San Antonio