Advice Needed

[Rondo]

We'll be heading from Baton Rouge west to Arizona and wondering which route to take. Would you take I-10 or I-20? I've heard I-10 is really rough through Louisiana and can beat everything and everyone up so just wondering if we should head up to I-20 and take it over to I-10 in Texas or just take I-10 all the way from Baton Rouge? Thanks for any advice you might have!

[Texan]

I would probably stay on I-10 this time of the year as it is usually much milder weather on I-10. It can be a little rough in Louisiana but when you get in Texas it is pretty smooth sailing all the way to Az. This is your more direct route so you will save a little time staying in I-10. Safe Travels.

[RoadRunnerTR21]

Some areas of I-20 in Louisiana is rougher than a cob. This is especially true around Shreveport. I'd just stay on I-10.

[mazboy]

I-10. Just remember that western texas there are very few gas stations....MAKE sure you have fuel. This is from personal experience....got a head wind and it wiped out my fuel and it was pain.

[fatcatzzz]

I would say I-10. Better chance of staying out of the snow. The hills around Tucson just got a dusting of snow yesterday. Bring a jacket as it's been chilly here in AZ. 28 deg. in Quartzsite this morning.

[DQDick]

We usually stay on I-10, but as stated above, avoid Shreveport if at all possible. They've redone the road on both sides of town, for the most part, but just thrown cold patch in the holes in town for many years. That stretch of road is sponsored by the national association of shock and tire sellers

[twindman]

I was on I10 one time in that area. The seams in the pavement apparently were spaced exactly to the harmonic frequency of my truck/trailer. It was bucking terribly even at 50 mph. I stopped for gas to check the map and asked a guy at the pump about it. He said it stopped a few miles east so we stayed on but not sure I would try it again. Although this was 10 years ago.

[dfb]

Going into LOUISIANA on the 10 was the worst section of road EVER!!! Lost our trim pieces, window coverings, dishes came down, shower door cam off track. Drivers should sue whoever is in charge of that area! It’s like a third world country.. another bad one is going into Oklahoma City..

[BB_TX]

The comments above about Shreveport and rough I-20 are very true. BUT. If you take 3132 (inner loop expy) from I-49 on the south side of Shreveport to I-20 west you will miss that very rough part. From there on it is very good highway, especially once you reach TX.

And if you hit the DFW area after 10 am and before 3 pm weekdays, or on a weekend, I-20 around the south side of the DFW metromess is typically freeflowing with little traffic problem barring construction or an accident. Don't know about I-10 thru Houston and San Antonio.

[DadsHemi]

Shreveport is horable, this time of year and with how the storms have been along I-20 in take 10. We took 20 from Alabama and skip between the storms and only hit rain leaving Al. What part of Az are you headed because they just got pounded along 20 with snow late last week.

[Maury]

Agree with nearly all those writing. I-10 has some "bucking" but about the time I was going to get off the road, it stopped! We always take I-10 even if . . .

[oddjobal]

I have done both roads. I would stick with I-10. If you are planning a sightseeing trip, that route takes you past some interesting places. As they said some of the southern states roads are like driving on a wash board. I did CA to Fla, up to NC and I-40 back. I used a lot of Passport America. Good savings. Enjoy your trip and stay safe

[Beau2010]

We came from NOLA thru Phoenix in December up I-49 to I-20 thru El Paso on I-10. While Shreveport area is terrible, we went that way to avoid the mess around Houston. Hit DFW late morning early afternoon and same for El Paso with not much problem. Must watch the weather tho.

[laprezgpoc]

I 10 is rough from West La into East Tx. There are some other rough spots here or there - as with most freeways. Guess the big difference will be going through Dallas vs Houston. Our favorite (for scenery and Houston avoidance) is to head down to Galveston Island and then back up to San Antonio. Gaveston Island State Park is a winner (except for the mosquitoes). Around San Antonio is the loop 1693 (think that is the number).

[Hblick48]

We did I10 from Florida to Los Angeles in November. Road a little rough in Louisiana and El Paso. Otherwise smooth sailing. Have a safe trip.

[twindman]

When you get near El Paso, take the loop bypass - SH 375 to Highway 54. Then straight north onto Farm to Market 3255 and NM404 to I10 north of Anthony. The road thru El Paso is horrible, confusing, and busy. This route completely bypasses the main part of town and four lane until you get to the FM road and that is a non-busy highway.
And believe me on this - my daughter lived there 3 years and I about got lost with just the truck and trying to read the highway signs - very confusing in places.

[timandsusan]

We travel west from San Antonio on I-10 every year. Yes, take 375 around El Paso, I stay on it even going over the short mountain pass that has a short grade of 8% to get to I-10 west of downtown El Paso. Getting thru Houston on I-10 is usually congested. A few years ago, we planned our trip going west from Louisiana to pass thru Houston on Sunday Morning--sure worked well for us.

[jeffba]

Originally Posted by laprezgpoc

I 10 is rough from West La into East Tx. There are some other rough spots here or there - as with most freeways. Guess the big difference will be going through Dallas vs Houston. Our favorite (for scenery and Houston avoidance) is to head down to Galveston Island and then back up to San Antonio. Gaveston Island State Park is a winner (except for the mosquitoes). Around San Antonio is the loop 1693 (think that is the number).

1604 and 410 are loops around San Antonio.

Need to lookup twindman's route around El Paso. it looks tempting.

[K0LCB]

Ron, I would stay on I-10. All roads in Louisiana are rough.

[awheeler]

If you are going to Arizona from Baton Rouge I see no reason why you would drive all the way to Shreveport to get there. Unless of course you like to drive out of the way to get to somewhere. Some do, and I do on occasion, but the best route is I10. I just drove it a month ago and yes, it is bumpy and traffic through Houston is terrible, but it is the best option. Just take your time. As you get to the other side of Houston - along about Katy, Texas you will find truck stops that have plenty of parking.