Hi all, I'll be heading from North Carolina west to Texas and New Mexico. I'll be taking my time and be on the road from about Dec 9th to the 21st. I-20 would make the trip shorter. Is I-20 okay for this time of year or should I drop down to I-10?

Because of the road conditions on I-10 I would take 20. Some places on I-10 is rough.

I10 can tough with semi traffic. Baton Rouge can be busy unless you hit mid-day. Although it is scenic the 26 mile bridge after Baton Rouge can be a pain if windy as you are almost tree top level. We will be taking I20 back from TX this spring.

Either one has rough sections and heavy traffic thru Louisiana. I20 is more likely to be affected by weather. On either the best time thru large metro areas is weekends especially in the morning.

Take I10 and stop off on the beach for a day or two near high Island/Crystal Beach, Texas. You can park right on the beach with a $10.00 per year permit available a lot of places. Pretty good shelling exists.PM me for details or start a new thread.And yes that tow vehicle and fiver will drive very nicely on the beach.

Can't advises on I-10 or I-20 East of San Antonio, however to get to New Mexico via I-20 you will be using the 10 as well. Western terminus of I-20 is in West Texas out by Pecos where it connects with I-10. Most times should not have any snow, but occasionally it does come our way. Even in December. I believe I-10 was closed & several people were killed on it from Van Horn to El Paso a few weeks ago due to ice & snow conditions. It was closed for a short time between Las Cruces & El Paso as well. I-10 at times can be closed between Cruces & Wilcox due to snow. Not often in December.Weather does what it wants, no matter what is normal. Always good to check the road conditions ahead of time or at least check the weather forecast. Even if it does snow, the norm is it not last more than a day, maybe two. Just in case, I'll pass on some info in case you neat a place to rest & eat:Las Cruces Area & Southern NM Mexican Food plus camping and attractions in the area. At least try a Green Chile Cheese Burger. VideoTaste of NM Pecans: Stahmanns or Salopek In Las Cruces: Hacienda RV Resort and Siesta RV Park are the easiest to get to, just of I-10 exit 140. Las Cruces KOA and Sunny Acres RV Park off I-10 exit 135. KOA on the mesa over looking the Mesilla Valley, Sunny Acres in the Valley. Park Reviews Siesta RV has gravel roads & pads, Hacienda RV has paved roads, maybe concrete pads. Sunny Acres more into town, maybe cramped??? Leasburg Dam State Park is about 17 miles N of Las Cruces on I-25. With Fort Selden State Mon't near by. A young Douglas Mac Arthur called the fort home while his father was post commander in the late 1880s.Info for Tucson, a really neat town & area: :) Clicky an old post some links may not be working anymore.I-20 area near Odessa/Midland, TX: An Older Post.More misc information TX, NM, AZ.

I-20 or I-10 | Good Sam Community

15 Replies

Bea_PA
Explorer
Dec 12, 2013
There is a motel in Las Cruces that has a campground, it is called Coachlight, a passport America park about 1 mile from old town Mesilla and the wonderful La Posta Mexican restaurant. We always stop coming and going when on I-10 to eat there. You can check the reviews at rvparkreviews.com We had 50 amp for 18 a night last winter.
Atlee
Explorer II
Dec 11, 2013
What bridge on I-20 is fun?

Terryallan wrote:
I'd take 10. And if you like military history. Stop at Mobil Bay, and see the WW II Submarine, Battleship, and planes.
I never cared for I-20. When I drove. I actually had the tilt my head to one side to keep it from beating on the roof the road was so bumpy. And we had an Air Ride cab. Plus, I actually saw the trailer tandems on a passing big truck leave the road on one of the dips. So I like 10 better. Of course the bridge on 20 is fun.
PawPaw_n_Gram
Explorer
Dec 10, 2013
Just watch the weather.

Personally, I'd take I-20, but I've only lived in Dallas for 26 years and made about round 100 trips back home on I-20 or I-30.

But if the weather forecast starts to get bad, go south young man - go south.
AlabamaTraveler
Explorer
Dec 10, 2013
We have been out west several times. We always go out on one hwy and come back on another. We have traveled I10, I20, I40, and I70. They are all about the same...good stretches and bad stretches. Just be safe and Happy Camping......
paulj
Explorer II
Dec 03, 2013
Later this week they are predicting below freezing and some snow along I20 (Dallas-FW), and cold/rain (but above freezing) along I10 (San Antonio).

Yes, a cold front can drop down far enough to produce ice and sleet along I10 (and even into northern Mexico), but those conditions are more common in north Texas.
nazpaz
Explorer
Dec 03, 2013
You didn't say just where in NC you are starting from but, in general the difference between traveling I10 and I20 will be around 125 miles.

I doubt the weather will be an issue either way although it's possible. Dallas and points east had a scare just prior to Thanksgiving. Houston and I10 didn't but I've seen some ice storms west of San Antonio on I10 that shut everything down.

I'd say the I10 route is a bit more interesting (Gulf coast from the Florida panhandle through the Houston area), then San Antonio and the Hill Country on I10. Then a lot of open country to the junction of I20/I10. On I20 you'd have Shreveport, Dallas, Abilene, then many miles of West Texas to the I10/I20 junction at Van Horn.

So it's your call. I10 is longer, probably will have better weather, and passes through more interesting places. I20 is shorter and the weather probably won't be a factor.

I'll be interested in seeing you post what you decide to do.
Heisenberg
Explorer
Dec 03, 2013
If your main goal is getting there then I/20 is the answer. Very seldom is it snowed out and when it is the weather changes in a couple of days.
Terryallan
Explorer II
Dec 03, 2013
I'd take 10. And if you like military history. Stop at Mobil Bay, and see the WW II Submarine, Battleship, and planes.
I never cared for I-20. When I drove. I actually had the tilt my head to one side to keep it from beating on the roof the road was so bumpy. And we had an Air Ride cab. Plus, I actually saw the trailer tandems on a passing big truck leave the road on one of the dips. So I like 10 better. Of course the bridge on 20 is fun.
Captain_Happy
Explorer
Dec 02, 2013
Jusy a quick note about traveling I-20 to I-10. If yiur thinking about spending a night at an RV park from Big Springs to Pecos, Texas. Forget it. with all the Oil Field workers in the area, all the parks are completely full. I came back thru this area 3 weeks ago coming from Arizona. Stayed in Van Horn for the night. When you get there you'll completely understand why everything is full. Unbelievable.
Hank85713
Explorer
Dec 02, 2013
I have traveled 10/20 over the years during the time frame you indicated and yes the roads can be closed due to snow, and when I did it was in dallas eastward one year. I dont like 10 as its too far south and makes it a longer tiring trip particularly when going north to get to van horn. 20 is pretty much a straight shot and there are enough pull offs and rv parks to deal with most contingencies.

When doing any travel as you know, the weather determines what you do and we never ever really know what 'ma nature' is going to do for certain now do we? be vigilant is the main thing and enjoy as best ya can.