I10 vs I40

[Winnebago2015]

Hi folks,
Please advise, in late March we'll be traveling/driving our MH class "A" from the LA area to Dallas TX for a family reunion pulling a Jeep Cherokee, I was told that I10 is a bit longer, but less hilly as you will, is that correct?, never drove that route, please note that, as a retirees, we are kind of new to the whole experience and appreciate all your input.

God Bless,
Gerard

[Winnebago2015]

Thank you Guys,
Must say, a divided group, but a lot of option for me to consider, a great input folks, kind of familiar I10 and Tucson, years back our daughter went to UOA, so there were many trips, the problem always was the darn sand storms,and there are truly "wide open spaces" so kind of leaning toward I40 and I20. Last fall we drove to Denver, I15 to I70, Vail pass and Eisenhower tunnel very tough for MH and pull, but our Winnebago take us thru, slowly but we made it OK, all depends on the weather, will keep you post-it and ask for advise in case I am lost (it comes very easy for me, you know)

[RayChez]

mileshuff wrote:
They have been repaving I-40 between Kingman and Flagstaff which has been rough in prior years. Not sure whats been completed but the areas I've driven recently in AZ have been fine.

I prefer I-40 as its far more scenic. There is a moderate grade from Ash Fork to Williams AZ then lesser grades most of the rest of the way.

Snow is rather rare in the Williams/Flagstaff area in Late March. If weather is clear, I-40 is the easy choice. Scenic and lots of great places to stop and explore as well as far lower traffic. I-10 is just too boring! El Paso is a mess to drive thru!!

Drove I-40 in October from California to New Mexico for the balloon fiesta and the road was good all the way. You might get a few small spots that might need repairing, but over all it was a great trip.

[campigloo]

If you decide to take 10 the side trip to Big Bend is very worth the detour. It sounds like you have ample time so a little trek along the Gulf coast is really nice. That time of year the blue bonnets should be blooming in the hill country.

[mileshuff]

They have been repaving I-40 between Kingman and Flagstaff which has been rough in prior years. Not sure whats been completed but the areas I've driven recently in AZ have been fine.

I prefer I-40 as its far more scenic. There is a moderate grade from Ash Fork to Williams AZ then lesser grades most of the rest of the way.

Snow is rather rare in the Williams/Flagstaff area in Late March. If weather is clear, I-40 is the easy choice. Scenic and lots of great places to stop and explore as well as far lower traffic. I-10 is just too boring! El Paso is a mess to drive thru!!

[Winnebago2015]

After reading all of your guys input, the "toss up" sounds like a good idea, all depends on the weather, I might postpone the trip till the first week of April, it seams to me that most of you prefer the I10 to I20, will check the weather condition shortly before take-off. FYI,last fall we drove to Denver I15 to I70 and got to tell you, the climbs-Vail pass and Eisenhower tunnel were tough, but we made it with no problem.
Thanks a bunch guys.

[Executive45]

You skip all the L.A. traffic by taking 210 all the way to San Bernardino. But, the OP said he's coming FROM L.A. so I am assuming he's already in that mess and knows how to get out of it...that said, I don't know which is worse, LA or DFW..:W....Dennis

[Chum_lee]

I know you didn't put this in your list of options but would you consider taking the 405 from LA south to San Diego then I 8 east to I 10 then onward to Texas? The traffic through LA on I 10 can be/is horrendous until you get out of the metro area. (Riverside) In March as previously mentioned portions of I 40 can be closed for days in severe weather. (expect it because its the right season and this is an El Nino year) Taking I 8 keeps you well south of the higher altitude cold weather plus you get to see the coastline to San Diego before heading east. The only hilly section +-4200' MSL) is just east of San Diego for about 75 miles until you hit Imperial County. (very doable) I've done it many times in my 30' class a gasser. Then the route is fairly flat the rest of the way. Your choice. Enjoy.

P.S.: I agree with barmcd. I 40 is horrible around the Flagstaff area. I was just there two months ago. Very rough!

Chum lee

[barmcd]

I-40 around Flagstaff is some of the roughest interstate I've driven on outside of I-10 and I-20 in Lousiana.

[Captain_Happy]

When to get to Buckeye, AZ, turn south toward Gila Bend, and take I-8 over to Tucson. And then get back on I-10. Then only hilly part to your whole trip will be around Benson, AZ, and in the mountains of west Texas. But nothing like I-40 hills up to Flagstaff, and down into Santa Rosa, NM

[greg121]

If on 10 drove around El Paso.

[tatest]

My way of looking at it, I-40 doesn't go to Dallas. It goes to Oklahoma City, at best a three hour drive from the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

I-10 doesn't go to Dallas either, but at least in succession you can take I-10 to I-20 to skim south of Dallas, or I-10 to I-20 to I-30 to go through the heart of Dallas.

If you want to take I-40 for the purpose of visiting some of the interesting places along the way, I suggest taking I-40 east to Amarillo, then US-287 into Fort Worth. But that dumps you into heavy suburban traffic about 30-40 miles outside Fort Worth, maybe 60 miles outside whatever your Dallas area destination might be.

Traffic is so messy around the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex that I try to approach my actual destination from outside. There are lots of approaches to the DFW area, you can circle around and then drive into your suburban destination, if your destination is one of the suburbs. For example, if destination is Arlington, my route is I-20 across the south fringe, then maybe 360 north. If Denton, I'll go to Oklahoma City then come down I-35. If McKinney or Plano, I would take US-82 across to Sherman and come down US-75, rather than go into the middle of Dallas and come back out.

[Dick_A]

Moved from class A forum.

[RayChez]

From Los Angeles to Dallas I would take I-40 much better road. You might hit some snow in Flagstaff, but they usually keep the road in pretty good shape. I have driven I-40 hundreds of times.

I-10 you can get some nasty dust storms west of Phoenix.

[2gypsies1]

I-40 was closed completely the end of April one year because of a snowstorm. We boondocked right on the highway along with the semis. 🙂

I-40 doesn't really have mountains as such. It's a gradual climb here and there. It's the freak weather it gets that's bothersome.