Gulf Route from Florida to Arizona?

[Harley_Dude]

Members here helped me set up a route from London, Ont. to Ocala Florida some time during the latter part of January.

We'll be leaving the Crystal River area of Florida and would like to make our way along the Gulf and end up in Sedona, Az. Then on to the Grand Canyon and home sometime in early April.

It looks like I'd take #98 to #10 across Texas.

Looking for nice stops along the way and inviting RV places to park our trailer and stay a few days. Thanks for your input.

[Jim_Shoe]

Just be aware that taking I-10 blindly will take you through New Orleans. Not a bad place to be, but if you take I-12 when you get the chance, you'll stay north of New Orleans, and I-12 changes back to I-10 again after you've passed Lake Ponchartrain. Saves about 40 miles.

[sdianel_-acct_c]

At Tallahassee, get off I-10 and take US90 east to Alt 90 East back to I-10 through the tunnel at Mobile. Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores Alabama is worth a stop. USS Alabama at Mobile is a small military park. Or we stop in Chattahoochee at East Bank Corps of Engineers campground on Lake Seminole. Another stop we like is Live Oak Landing in Freeport FL. Just for an overnight stop we use KOA in Milton. Pull thrus and you don't have to unhook. If you want to see New Orleans, take I-310 to US90 go back east on US90 to Bayou Segnette State Park To get into New Orleans, you can drive to the ferry in Algiers Point. Don't miss the World War II Museum in New Orleans. From Bayou Segnette State Park, go west on US90 and stop at the Tabasco Factory at Avery Island near New Iberia. Near Fort Stockton TX we enjoyed Balmorhea State Park which has a beautiful spring. Like an oasis in the desert.

[mileshuff]

Keep in mind that Arizona north of Sedona around Flagstaff and Grand Canyon can see significant snow in March and occasionally in early April.

We really enjoy Williams, AZ 55 miles south of the Grand Canyon. Fun old route 66 town with plenty of fun sites to see including Bearizona, Deer Farm, Zip line, old train to Grand Canyon plus lots around Flagstaff. We stay at Grand Canyon Railway RV park which is directly next door to the train station (morning gun fight show before train leaves for GC).

From Sedona to Grand Canyon you'll want to head back to I-17 then north to Flagstaff (do not take 89a). From there you can take 40 to Williams then north to GC or go thru Flagstaff to Humphreys/180/Fort Valley Rd. to GC. The latter is slightly shorter and more scenic but a little slower rd.

[dahkota]

I would also take 90 to Del Rio. And from there, dip down to Big Bend National Park. If you have your bike (and even if you don't) drive from Terlingua west along the border (route 170) for some of the most beautiful landscapes in Texas. In Terlingua, stay at BJs RV Park - you will not find friendlier hosts anywhere.

From there you can go north and check out Marfa and the other small towns on your way to Carlsbad. Fort Davis is also an interesting stop to wander or stretch your legs.

In New Mexico, I can recommend City of Rocks state park, particularly if you can dry camp. The camp sites are among the rock formations.

In Arizona, if you have the time, check out the Dragoon Mountains. Then head down to Bisbee, a really cool town.

[Teacher_s_Pet]

We find I-10 in West Texas to be very boring. If you aren't in a big hurry take US90 at San Antonio to Del Rio. You'll find small towns about 50-60 miles apart, that are very interesting. Top off your fuel tank at Del Rio since it's over 300 miles of ranch land, mesquite and hills to I-10 at Van Horn. Langtry TX was the location of Judge Roy Bean's court, "Law West of the Pecos", nice little historic site. Alpine has a few nice RV parks as does Sanderson and Marfa, home of "The Marfa Lights".

BTW London's a neat town, spent a bit of time there during my working life with a customer who distributed building products for my employer.