Route Southern MO to Mercedes, TX
Is there a good route from southern Missouri to Mercedes, TX that avoids Dallas and Houiston? Also, trying to avaid a route that has a lot of small towns on it. Thanks.
Forum Discussion
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.
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.
