I 10 in Texas

You can bypass Houston by taking the free ferry south of Houston from Galveston Island to bolivar Peninsula, Easy route, little traffic and OK for big rigs. Drive the barrier islands, very little traffic and great beaches. Roads are good.

At this time it is easier to get through Houston on I-10 on a weekday between 10AM and 2PM. On the weekends road construction just about stops all traffic. Just do an internet search for Houston traffic before you get here to see the best way to miss traffic.

I drive round trip on I-10 from Florida to Yuma AZ 2 times a year (job thing!). I have a 38 ft and toad and usually driving solo. I HATE Houston! I plan trip to be in Houston on Saturday or Sunday morning. That puts me in San Antonio around 11:00 - so yo kill 2 birds with ons stone.

On one occasion I hit Houston at 4:00 A.M. - that worked also!

We have made that route along TX 105 from Beaumont to Navasota several times. We have stayed several times at the North Houston KOA at Montgomery, Texas--near Conroe and near the Lake but not on it. When we first stayed there it was called 'Haven's Landing' and was not a KOA. But it is still where we stay when in that area.

If you prefer State Parks, you could vary your route just a bit to visit Huntsville State Park, or even Lake Livingston. But the KOA I mentioned is right on 105.

For my part, I'd be sure to drop on down to I-10 before getting to Austin. Maybe just my luck, but I had far rather drive through Houston than the times I've towed through Austin.

Another possibility for a state park stopover is Buescher/Bastrop. I put it in that order because we stayed at Buescher just a few weeks ago. It adjoins Bastrop on the south. Both are in the "Lost Pines" area of Texas.

EDIT TO ADD. If you would prefer to avoid San Antonio, you could work your way around south of Austin to get up to 290 W at Johnson City to visit Fredericksburg and/or Kerrville where you would pick up I-10. We have done that. If your trip is in April you would be in the prime bluebonnet country--if they are good this year.

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate your help. We are thinking of going around like "NMdriver" suggested. We have time on our hands and sounds great. Thanks again !!

Janet

Last time I went thru Houston I swore I would not do that again and so far I have not.

Have driven this route many times with current Motorhome and past 5er. Both can be a pain weekday rush hours. I recommend going thu on the weekend and timing is everything. Go thu San Antonio mid-late afternoon Sat using the North Bypass loop and stay the night at the Rest Area about 30-40 miles East of SA on 10. Get up early and go thu Houston Sunday morning as early as possible directly thu downtown 10. Worked for us every time. Texas has Rest Areas as nice as a lot of campgrounds with Wifi & Security in some and far from the road noise. Good luck!

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

Houston can be as bad as it gets at times or not bad at all. The best time to go through is Saturday or Sunday at 5am or any week day after rush hour like 10 or 11 am. But like someone else said go through at 8 am Monday thru Friday if you want to go nice and slow. At least Houston is pretty much straight through where San Antonio is a lot of Zig Zagging .

Any city, get in at least the second, or better,the third lane & go. If you hit rush hour you can use the HOV lane. Two of you in the vehicle right? The NASCAR drivers over there may not like it but you have every right to be there.

We did I10 through Houston early afternoon rush hours/s a few years back. No worse than any other city done like Seattle, Atlanta or the Washington beltway.

That depends which direction you're driving in.

I will add - the park on the eastern border with LA is well worth the stop. A good time to stretch your legs, take a walk into the swamp on a beautiful long boardwalk, and potty.