Forum Discussion

Pine_Barren's avatar
Pine_Barren
Explorer
Aug 10, 2019

I-20 in Mississippi

In the process of planning a trip out west to Colorado was wondering what the condition of I-20 though Mississippi, Louisiana is like. It is mostly smooth or will it beat you to death. I’m pulling a 32 foot fifth wheel.
  • padredw wrote:
    The two spots that trouble me are in Jackson, MS and in Shreveport. Knowing that, I just slow down. that means that 99% (a figure of speech, obviously) of I-20 is fine through Mississippi and Louisiana.

    There is a good bypass around to the north in Shreveport. I think it better than going straight through.


    Be aware of the bridge across Cross Lake on the bypass around Shreveport. This bridge was built to prevent liquid spills getting into the lake since it is Shreveport's drinking water supply. The normal grade of our highways being a bit lower on the outside reverses on this bridge. The roadway is lower on the left side thus allowing any spilled liquids to run to the center where it enters a drain system that runs off the ends of the bridge to a retention pond.

    What does this mean to us drivers? Hold on to your steering wheel when you enter this bridge because your vehicle will want to turn left. You will have to hold a little right pressure on the wheel all the way across. It isn't a real hazard as long as you know it or aren't asleep at the switch when you enter the bridge.
  • one_strange_texan wrote:
    Second Chance wrote:
    Most of Mississippi is OK (a few bad spots here and there). I-20 through Louisiana, especially around and through Shreveport, is one of the worst roads in the country. I-8 across southern Louisiana is about the same, too.

    Rob


    I agree with most of what you said, except for the part about I-8. Interstate 8 is in Arizona & California, connecting the Phoenix area to San Diego as I-10 bears off to the northwest to connect to Los Angeles.

    I believe it is I-10 in Louisiana you are referring to. I think it Is rougher than I-20, especially around Lake Charles, not to mention the construction on the long Atchafalaya bridge.


    Oops! You're right. (And, yes, I was thinking of I-10 in Louisiana.)

    Rob
  • Second Chance wrote:
    Most of Mississippi is OK (a few bad spots here and there). I-20 through Louisiana, especially around and through Shreveport, is one of the worst roads in the country. I-8 across southern Louisiana is about the same, too.

    Rob


    I agree with most of what you said, except for the part about I-8. Interstate 8 is in Arizona & California, connecting the Phoenix area to San Diego as I-10 bears off to the northwest to connect to Los Angeles.

    I believe it is I-10 in Louisiana you are referring to. I think it Is rougher than I-20, especially around Lake Charles, not to mention the construction on the long Atchafalaya bridge.
  • Thank you for the replies trying to get routes figured out where I don’t get beat to death like I-65 and I-59 around Birmingham, Al does to you
  • The two spots that trouble me are in Jackson, MS and in Shreveport. Knowing that, I just slow down. that means that 99% (a figure of speech, obviously) of I-20 is fine through Mississippi and Louisiana.

    There is a good bypass around to the north in Shreveport. I think it better than going straight through.
  • Most of Mississippi is OK (a few bad spots here and there). I-20 through Louisiana, especially around and through Shreveport, is one of the worst roads in the country. I-8 across southern Louisiana is about the same, too.

    Rob