Traveling I-10 West

Ditto I-12 to avoid NOLA. The real bad (rough) stretch of I-10 is right around Sulphur, LA west of Lake Charles. I don't take I-210 around Lake Charles, but I admit the I-10 bridge over the Calcasieu River is old, narrow and steep. Before you get to the TX state line the interstate goes to 3 lanes and is pretty good. Then there is currently construction just as you enter TX in Orange, making the highway rough with narrow lanes. Traversing Houston is always an experience. Bad traffic during rush hour, which is starts early and ends late, especially on holiday weekends. Outside of rush hour, you move faster, but people in cars zip around and make crazy lane changes. You might consider looping around I-610 to the north, but watch the lane changes needed to maintain your route and know that the traffic won't really be much better. The least stressful way is Sam Houston Tollway looping around to the north. More expensive, more miles, but less stressful.

Good luck and safe travels!