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
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
