I-10 across Louisana?

GWDawg1 has it right. This is the way to go. US-45 does not have much traffic any time of day.
Take I-20 to just past Meridian, MS, then take US 45 to 158 south of Citronelle across to I65 South, take Exit 9 and bypass Mobile and the tunnel, pick up I10 just past the docks and continue east on I-10 to the Destin exit you want. I've done the route from Meridian to Destin twice this year, good roads, not a lot of big trucks, roads and exits are well marked.

In light of the reports of construction around Baton Rouge and Slidell, some variation of this route would be advisable:

My choice is I20 to Jackson, Ms. Go south on hwy 49 to Hattiesburg then south on I59 to Hwy 98. Take hwy 98 to Lucedale, Ms. Turn south on Hwy 63 to I10. Then I10 the rest of the way.

I have never used the Hwy 63 portion of this route as I have always stayed on US 98 into Mobile. I don't know which might be better -- but . . .

In Mobile I have always taken I-65 south to I-10 and have never had a slowdown right through the tunnel. There is some congestion a few miles before you get to I-65, but I have never let that bother me.

My real point of this post--unless there has been some development that I'm not aware of, Mobile has never been a problem for me--full freeway speed and normal speed in the tunnel.

I would suggest avoiding Baton Rouge and Mobile if possible. Also The construction at Slidell. I-10 between Lafayette and Baton Rouge has had some major delays because of construction. Do not go through Baton Rouge Eastbound after 2PM and don't go westbound in the mourning.

We hit the I-10 eastbound section just past 59 in april. The road was so bumpy I could barely steer. No warning the road surface was so poor. Had to drop my speed below 40 and it was still very rough.

BayouBoys wrote:
You may want to avoid the Slidell area. There is a major construction project going on at the I10/12/59 split. The work is going on at night and not sure what affect it will have, but the local news talks about it every night.

I traveled I-10 Westbound last week and the traffic Eastbound on I-10 at Slidell was backed up for several miles and barely moving. That was a Sunday afternoon. No issues Eastbound.

Just made that trip. Returned home on Monday.

jmaotto wrote:
My choice is I20 to Jackson, Ms. Go south on hwy 49 to Hattiesburg then south on I59 to Hwy 98. Take hwy 98 to Lucedale, Ms. Turn south on Hwy 63 to I10. Then I10 the rest of the way.

Yep, that is pretty good route. Looks like we don't live that far apart. You are in Rockwall and I live between Quinlan and Greenville. Howdy neighbor!

My choice is I20 to Jackson, Ms. Go south on hwy 49 to Hattiesburg then south on I59 to Hwy 98. Take hwy 98 to Lucedale, Ms. Turn south on Hwy 63 to I10. Then I10 the rest of the way.

patperry2766 wrote:
Were gonna be headed down there the 1st part of August. My thinking is I-20 to Jackson MS, Hwy 49 to Mobile then I-10 the rest of the way. Would be interested in hearing the outcome once your trip is over.

We went that route when we went to Gulf Shores last year. The route is fine. We will be traveling with three granddaughters this time and I think we will need plenty of road side rest areas. On that route, when you leave Hattiesburg, there are no road side parks that I remember.

After my original post I was reminded (gently) that with girls, there would need to be plenty of stops.

Thanks for all the input,
Phillip

Were gonna be headed down there the 1st part of August. My thinking is I-20 to Jackson MS, Hwy 49 to Mobile then I-10 the rest of the way. Would be interested in hearing the outcome once your trip is over.