Route Southern MO to Mercedes, TX

Oak Creek and Coffee Creek are two of the best RV parks in northern Texas. Been to both several times while on the road and with Good Sam groups.

Either is worth the stop.

There is a real nice fish restaurant on the I-20 north service road where it crosses the Brazos River between the two.

Have never stayed at Oak Creek. We usually spend the night going and coming at Coffee Creek, about a mile north of the US-281/I-20 intersection on 281. It's a Passport America camp as well. Very nice camp, highly rated.

GM

PS... there is a really nice RV park in Weatherford TX right off I-20 just a few miles east of US281 called Oak Creek RV Park. http://www.oakcreekrvpark.com/ Long level paved pull thrus.

Ditto Grey Mountain. That's the route we took.

Where in So. Missouri?
I-44 through Missouri and Oklahoma to Wichita Falls, TX. Then US281 south to San Antonio (This route has already been suggested) 281 is two lane in parts, four lane in others. Good road, pass through some towns, but that's not a problem for us. We've been taking that route from our home in SW Oklahoma for years. Pretty drive.

GM

Or you could stay East. Let's just start at Fayetteville, AR, down to Fort Smith--a super highway for sure. From there I always take OK 112 down to Poteau then US 59 past Heavner to US 259 which winds through the Ouchita Mountains. I always enjoy this drive though it gets monotonous over the miles to Broken Bow, OK. You could stay on 259 all the way to near Lake 'o The Pines (3 miles from our house).

One possibility would be to take TX 155 at that point all the way to Palestine, TX (through Tyler--there is a loop around), where you would pick up US 79 S. Another possibility is to stay on US 259 through Longview to Henderson where you would pick up US 79.

For my part I would stay on US 79 to Rockdale, TX, where I would join US 77 South. This allows me to avoid both Austin and San Antonio--which I greatly desire to do. You can actually stay on US 77 all the way to the Valley.

At least you have a choice. I have towed a 34' fifth-wheel over every mile of this--and some miles many times.

Lots of small towns, including the one where we live. If I can answer any question send a PM.

As long as you don't hit the area around McKinney north of Dallas on US 75 between 6:30 and 9:30 am - you can go quickly down to I-635 - take it to the east and follow it around to I-35 on the south side.

As usual traffic is a bit thick in such an area - but moves at 55-65 most of the time.

When you get through Mesquite down to where I-20 joins the road - you want to be in the left lane because of the way I-20 joins on the left. Watch for idiots trying to come across three lanes to make the quick exit to US-175.

Between Hillsboro where I-35E and I-35W join - through Waco down to Austin there are three or four areas of construction. Nothing major to delay you most of the time if there isn't a wreck.

Austin and San Antonio can be challenging.

Austin is a straight shot through town - but usually crowded. Very common to encounter stop and go traffic on I-35.

There is a tollway and a new tollway to bypass Austin, San Marcos, New Braunfels - Hwy 130. The full tolls can be up to $36.09. I went through last in October when there was a special - normal auto rate for all - it was $6.49 because I have a NTTA Toll Tag.

San Antonio - take 410 around the east side of town.


US-69 between I-40 and McAlester is a bad washboard road.

An option to consider is going farther west and avoiding all the cities.

If you go to west a bit - I-40 to OKC - I-44 to Wichita Falls - US 281 to San Antonio - the total route is only about 100 miles longer - but avoids Dallas and Austin. Maybe 1 1/2-2 hours longer.

US 281 from the north straight thru San Antonio is a pretty easy city freeway. Certainly not as stressful or difficult as Dallas or Austin.

If you are coming down US 69 in Oklahoma, then avoid Dallas with this loop: Sherman (Tx) to Greenville to Terell to Ennis to connect with I-35 south of Dallas. It's two lanes, but good road that I've used several times. Don't know your route in Missouri, but US 69 crosses I-44 and I-40.

The more eastern route through Houston involves a lot of hills and curves in Arkansas or western Oklahoma. I prefer US 69 in Oklahoma, which is good four-lane road.

PS: I meant eastern Oklahoma

Here is the route we would take.
I live in the Dallas area.
Although this does go through Dallas, it takes the 635 to I-20 loop to the south side which is typically not bad traffic if not during rush hours.

MO to TX