Avoiding New Orleans on I10

[ArchHoagland]

We are going from California to Florida on Interstate 10 next week and as I look at the route it appears that taking I12 in Baton Rouge would be a good idea to avoid all the traffic around New Orleans.

Any thoughts or comments?

[John_Joey]

Did that last spring. It was OK, but I sure wouldn't brag about it. It's still going to require two hands on the wheel.

[Sully2]

ArchHoagland wrote:
We are going from California to Florida on Interstate 10 next week and as I look at the route it appears that taking I12 in Baton Rouge would be a good idea to avoid all the traffic around New Orleans.

Any thoughts or comments?

You got it Arch....take I12

[wmm1955]

The interchange from I12 back to I10 in Slidell is really rough, so be careful. It's concrete slab and a lot of it has buckled. It's only for a few miles, after that it's all good.

[Teacher_s_Pet]

Pavement on I12 WB right now, seems better than the rest of I10 in LA to us in the past. Getting ready to stop at Hammond LA Camping World to look around and eat lunch.

[ArchHoagland]

sdianel....I had just looked at that RV park last night. Looks really nice and if we are at a stopping time will stay there. We are headed to Ft Lauderdale for a cruise and will go to 75 and take the turnpike to our campground....Twin Lakes in Ft Lauderdale. Anybody ever stay there?

Thanks for the tips on the best time to go through Baton Rouge. However the ship leaves on the 22 and our trip heading there will be based on maximum mileage per day in daylight hours, arriving before dark at campgrounds along the way.

I was worried about weather as I won't drive in high winds but the long term 10 day forecasts are showing excellent weather so I'm happy about that.

We went down the west side of Florida a few years ago so will explore the east side this time. Sure have some smooth roads in Florida!

[wa8yxm]

Gee.. If I ever take that route I need to stop in New Orleans.. have friend there.

[tatest]

I always take I-12 if not actually going to New Orleans, but my experience, usually hitting Baton Rouge late afternoon, is that route can also be slow going, with backups at the interchanges making it difficult to get into the correct lanes. The greater part of the New Orleans-Baton Rouge metropolitan area is along the I-12 corridor, B-R to Slidell and north.

[rgatijnet1]

Last time across I-12 I thought the pavement was rough but doable. As mentioned, traffic through Baton Rouge during peak traffic times can be a little daunting but still much better than any of the alternatives.

[Laman]

One hint, be sure to time you passage through Baton Rouge from 10am to 2pm or else you will run into N.O. style traffic. I-12 was built specifically to cut across that southern I-10 loop to N.O.

[Teacher_s_Pet]

sdianel wrote:
where in Florida are you headed? If you're going to the gulf coast (west), you can exit and take US19 south. Slower pace, good road. Then you can cut over on Hwy 54 to get to I-75 if you're going farther south or to the east coast.

One of our favorite routes, slow going but not where near the fast traffic found on I75.

[sdianel_-acct_c]

where in Florida are you headed? If you're going to the gulf coast (west), you can exit and take US19 south. Slower pace, good road. Then you can cut over on Hwy 54 to get to I-75 if you're going farther south or to the east coast.

[sdianel_-acct_c]

yep I-12. There is a campground we like in Livingston LA. Lakeside RV Park. Also if you want water and electric only, Ticfaw State Park is nearby.

[TucsonJim]

It's a pretty nice route. We took it this summer. Lots less traffic.