First long trip, AZ to FL route help
We are planning our first long trip in our new 32' class A motorhome starting May 1 traveling with 2 medium sized dogs. Right now we are looking at going I40 out of AZ to NM, pick up US84 out of San...
Forum Discussion
RE: I-10 in LA
I have driven this in the past month.
The very worst section is actually the last 16 miles in Texas from Orange to the LA state line. Construction project has the surface in horrible condition, especially eastbound. Avoid that no matter what else you do.
The only construction on I-10 other than th bridge rebuild in Lake Charles is from the I-49 junction eastward for about 15 miles, and only at overpasses. This can be a slight delay with short rough stretches of pavement.
The Atchafalaya Causeway is smooth and in very good shape. Frankly I-30 from Dallas to Texarkana is rougher. But the causeway is essentially a 35 mile long bridge. If there is an accident or lane closure - you are stuck with no exits or no alternates - maybe for hours.
Baton Rouge - did not notice any construction, however the day we drove in from Lafayette to see a sick relative - I-12 was closed. In both directions due to a fallen power line across all traffic lanes - all traffic was stopped for four hours. As you would expect - the whole city was in gridlock.
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Your route - I grew up an hour east of Texarkana just off US-82. Other than visiting my brothers and sisters, other relatives and a couple friends, I’d never stop there. Lake Wright Pattman COE parks south and west of Texarkana are nice. Have visited Shady Pines RV west of Texarkana on US-67, but never stayed there. Looks nice and I’ve heard many people who like it. Lake Claiborne SP (LA) is also a nice place to stop in that area.
If you are going to be farther north, Arkansas has the second best state parks in the nation - behind only Oregon. Millwood SP north of Texarkana is probably the least attractive in the state. White Oak Lake east of Prescott is very nice. Many folks like to visit Crater of Diamonds SP near Murfreesboro. Have never been there though I practically grew up at COE parks on Lake Greeson. Some years 30 or more weekends.
(In 2013 my family celebrated our 50th consecutive year of at least one of us camping at Kirby Landing on Lake Greeson).
When I leave that area headed to Florida, I cut east on I-20 to Rayville/ US-425. South on US-425 to Natchez, MS. Good well rated Passport America park - Riverview RV onnthe West Bank of the Mississippi. Natchez SP is a very good alternative. If you must have cell service - don’t stay at the SP. Natchez is a fabulous place to visit.
Take US-98 east from Natchez. Either turn south on I-55 to I-12 and a couple nice state parks on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain near Mandeville. Like to stay there and drive across the causeway to visit New Orleans.
Or you can take US-98 all the way across Mississippi to Mobile. Where we always stay with some cousins with a yard/ shop big enough that I don’t have to unhook my rig.
Beyond that, we are usually headed to Fort Lauderdale - more relatives- and just push down the interstates.
I have driven this in the past month.
The very worst section is actually the last 16 miles in Texas from Orange to the LA state line. Construction project has the surface in horrible condition, especially eastbound. Avoid that no matter what else you do.
The only construction on I-10 other than th bridge rebuild in Lake Charles is from the I-49 junction eastward for about 15 miles, and only at overpasses. This can be a slight delay with short rough stretches of pavement.
The Atchafalaya Causeway is smooth and in very good shape. Frankly I-30 from Dallas to Texarkana is rougher. But the causeway is essentially a 35 mile long bridge. If there is an accident or lane closure - you are stuck with no exits or no alternates - maybe for hours.
Baton Rouge - did not notice any construction, however the day we drove in from Lafayette to see a sick relative - I-12 was closed. In both directions due to a fallen power line across all traffic lanes - all traffic was stopped for four hours. As you would expect - the whole city was in gridlock.
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Your route - I grew up an hour east of Texarkana just off US-82. Other than visiting my brothers and sisters, other relatives and a couple friends, I’d never stop there. Lake Wright Pattman COE parks south and west of Texarkana are nice. Have visited Shady Pines RV west of Texarkana on US-67, but never stayed there. Looks nice and I’ve heard many people who like it. Lake Claiborne SP (LA) is also a nice place to stop in that area.
If you are going to be farther north, Arkansas has the second best state parks in the nation - behind only Oregon. Millwood SP north of Texarkana is probably the least attractive in the state. White Oak Lake east of Prescott is very nice. Many folks like to visit Crater of Diamonds SP near Murfreesboro. Have never been there though I practically grew up at COE parks on Lake Greeson. Some years 30 or more weekends.
(In 2013 my family celebrated our 50th consecutive year of at least one of us camping at Kirby Landing on Lake Greeson).
When I leave that area headed to Florida, I cut east on I-20 to Rayville/ US-425. South on US-425 to Natchez, MS. Good well rated Passport America park - Riverview RV onnthe West Bank of the Mississippi. Natchez SP is a very good alternative. If you must have cell service - don’t stay at the SP. Natchez is a fabulous place to visit.
Take US-98 east from Natchez. Either turn south on I-55 to I-12 and a couple nice state parks on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain near Mandeville. Like to stay there and drive across the causeway to visit New Orleans.
Or you can take US-98 all the way across Mississippi to Mobile. Where we always stay with some cousins with a yard/ shop big enough that I don’t have to unhook my rig.
Beyond that, we are usually headed to Fort Lauderdale - more relatives- and just push down the interstates.
