Traveling I-10 West

I live in SW Louisiana, and have driven I-10 in this region many, many times. From the Florida state line to San Antonio there are a number of points to be aware of.

1, Mobile bay, if you are there early in the morning be aware of the chance of heavy fog, also if passing through the Mobile bay I-10 tunnel in the afternoon the exit of the tunnel can be blindingly backlit by the not yet setting sun.

2, Bypass New Orleans, take I-12 across I-10 to I-10 where I-10 make its horse shoe dip down to New Orleans

3, Don't hit Baton Rouge at rush hour, the population of Baton Rouge sky rocketed after Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005 as everyone that could left New Orleans and relocated their businesses farther inland. There have been little if any freeway improvements since then, so the roads turn into gridlock for about 3-4 hours in the morning and 3-4 hours in the evening.

4, The atchafalaya basin bridge, about 15 miles of elevated causeway, has many of the same rush hour problems mentioned above, and if there is a accident on the bridge, be glad you are in an RV, because you may be at a standstill for several hours.

5, Now you get about 75 miles boredom

6, Lake Charles, take the I-210 bypass around town, you don't want to take the I-10 Bridge in an RV, it is 75+ years old, has no shoulders, and is one of the steepest bridges on the interstate highway system anywhere in the US. The I-210 bridge is still 40+ years old, has no shoulder, but is much more modern and not nearly as steep as the I-10 bridge, this bypass will only add a couple of miles to your trip, and may well save you on time.


I-10


vs
I-210


7, The section of I-10 from Orange TX all the way to Houston can be very busy, most of this is still only 2 lanes each direction, but is carrying the way more traffic than a 3 lane wide section should be asked to carry.

8, Houston, rule one don't hit Houston at rush hour, rule 2 see rule 1, there is no good way around Houston, so stick to I-10 it is about 75 miles of continuous city traffic east to west, including the 23 mile long Katy Freeway section of I-10, the widest section of freeway in the US. 26 lanes wide in some places

Just traveled it a month ago. From Lake Charles to Beaumont is the worst of the worst! In my opinion, it was dangerous...and few others on the road seem to recognize that. I changed my route home because of it.

Went through Louisiana on east bound I-10 in 2005. The worst road I have EVER been on.

Yeah the sections in FL, AL and MS are all fine but the road in LA always is in horrible condition. They get money from the FEDS to maintain the interstate but the fact that the prisons have lots of Louisiana politicians in them may give you a hint of why the roads are so bad.

Once into Texas I-10 is OK once again.

I-10 through Louisiana is one of the WORST roads in the country.

Horrible, horrible, horrible.

Do NOT take I-10 through New Orleans. Do not take I-610 either. Avoid it all. Take I-12 around New Orleans if you MUST take I-10 across the state.

There have also been a bunch of random shootings on the I-10 in New Orleans. But, the bone-breaking pavement is even worse than being shot at.

Multiple Random Shootings on I-10 in New Orleans

Avoid.

^^X2^^
I dont know if it's still there but I hit a bump that threw my slide out of whack and my closet door was off by a 1/4 of going in the hole. I messed and messed with the slide before I got it right.

There is a very rough section of I 10 in the western side of Louisiana.
It is the elevated section that is over a bayou.
I had to slow down to about 50-55 mph.
I also, turned on my 4 way flashers.
I don't remember how long it lasts. Lasted for several miles.
Hang on!!
Expect it, slow down and you will survive.
Pat