DoxieMom, Dallas/FT Worth is doable but it's all about timing. You need to hit it early on the weekends. If heading south I like to stage at WinStar Casino off exit 1 in Oklahoma. Wake up early on Saturday, fuel up there, then hit Dallas/FT Worth a couple hours later. Not too bad at all. Sunday mornings is the easiest.
For Austin my trick is to take the toll road just east of it. It starts north of George Town and goes all the way down to I10 (last I heard.) Cost is 25 or so dollars for a MH with tow. Very low stress drive.
I don't do Houston with a rig anymore. Life is just too short. ;)
