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.
