Route to Texas

[old turbo]

Going to South Texas,Rio Grand Valley from Michigan Jan 1. What is the best route? Can I bypass Chicago?

[haslcs]

when i lived in mich i took 69 south to indianapolis then 70 west to effingham then 57 south 55 southwest memphis then 40 west to little rock then 30west to texarkana then 59 south to carthage then79 to rockdale then 77 to the rio grand vally. 59 79 and 77 are two lane roads but are very wide and most of the speed limits are 70 in the country and you get to see a lot of country. i am sure others will be along to give other directions. but have a safe trip and ejoy.

[Bill and Ann]

We go the same way as haslcs to Memphis but then we take 79 South just at West Memphis and stay on 79 until just before Shreveport where we jump onto 1-20 to Shreveport. Just west of Shreveport we jump on 79 South again and go to Rockdale then onto 77. No big cities or heavy traffic using this route. Just slower speeds which we don't mind when towing. Don't know where you are going in Tx. but this gets you there.

[OntMont]

Either of those routes will work fine. Just a matter of whether you want to use the Interstate between Memphis and Texarkana, or take the more leisurely 79 route. PadreD is the expert on routes through East Texas, and I think these would be his suggestions as well.

(By the way, since you mention Chicago, are you coming from the U.P? I Guess that might require coming through Chicago, unless you can go through the L.P. on I-75, I have no experience on either of those routes).

Where will you be in the RGV? We are heading there soon ourselves and will be at Bentsen Palm Village near Mission, along with several other MOC members. Look us up if wish.

[padredw]

Thanks, OntMont, my friend,I have to say that my own preference would be pretty much as hasics has outlined. I do not find Little Rock and Texarkana to be any problem at all, so I would stay on I-30 to Texarkana. The details are matters of personal preference, but I find all these suggestions to be good ones, especially in the Texas portions.

[Mrs. CountryGuy]

We took 69 south to I 70, west to Effingham, south on the 55 and 57 through Missouri to I 40, Little Rock, to Texarkana, via I 30, as many have pointed out.

For those that remember the Missouri section of this ride, it was ROUGH, it is NOT rough now, they fixed the roads! What a great pleasant surprise that was!! yeeeeeeeehaw