Marilyn and I are planning to take the bus on our longest trip yet. We plan to leave Roanoke, VA a few days after easter and meet my daughter and her family in San Antonia, TX. I want to allow four days (three nights, arriving on the fourth day) for the trip down, then wander back along the Gulf coast for a while before heading home. Looking at the map, I'm thinking I-81 south toward Knoxville, then to Chattanooga, Birmingham, Meridian, and on through Hattiesburg. I'll plan on heading west on I-10 to San Antonio.
We hope to do the Riverwalk and Alamo things, maybe the Jazzfest in N'awlins, and hit a beach somewhere along the Gulf. I'll greatly appreciate any suggestions re. routes, stopover spots, etc. if you have any.
Dennis
Don't forget the casinos when you get to Lake Charles. If Nothing else for the food. Try not to come through Houston during the day. About 6:45 the traffic thins out for clear driving. I drove from Nasville to Memphis and came down 55 to a little east of Baton Rouge then took 12 to I-10 on into Houston. Made two stops and it was a 15hr trip (spent a little bit of time eating a burger). Roads were smooth and no trouble. Good luck
Dennis do you want to be on the beach going also not much out of the way and it will get you around Houston.
If you do take the Winnie exit head south (great sea food place in Winnie)towards the Gulf take the Bolivar Ferry ( free) over to Galveston then over to Surf Side there is a toll bridge across San Louis pass you can then head northwest to San Antonio or you can stay on the Gulf till Corpus Christi then head north plenty of seafood and BBQ in that area and a nice drive in the country and fuel prices are good off the beaten path there .
good luck
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The USS Alabama in Mobile is a can't miss!
Dennis;
Sounds like a fun trip, we stay at the fying J's they allow you to park in front and the RV isle has the fuel at the cash price on a credit card.
Keep your eye on the temperature gauge, San Antonio can get hot.
John
When you come through Chattanooga, be sure to give us a shout. 863-303-4008. We could enjoy a meal together or just a cup of coffee. And if want to overnight, we can give you a 30A hookup, and access to a city water fill and a waste dump.
If you want to stopover in Beaumont, Tx call me at 409 880-9192.
I agree with Dallas about Houston.
One loop I took around the NW side turned out to have many, many traffic lights. Won't go there again.
As I remember the one around the south side is not so bad but it has been a few years since I took it.
Dennis, Houston is not bad to drive in hit it between 10 and 3 not many problems only for a wreck or construction work just stay on I 10 straight through in the middle lane .
I 10 will be marked on the paving and with overhead signs also don't take any loop the 610 is under construction and stay off the toll roads you will do fine when you get to Katy then you can relax and take a deep breath because from Baytown to Katy it is all one town.
fwiw I drive I 10 three times a year at least right through the middle of Houston
good luck
We are 45 miles west of Houston just south of I-10. I have water and 50 amp service if you need a stop over. 713 530 9182
Wow, thanks everybody. I waited a day to reply. I've learned that if I reply too quickly, there are a few more comments that trickle in. Well, I opened the thread and was real happy to see all your comments. And some very generous offers for hitching posts, so THANKS, guys. Before I put the finishing touches on my itinerary, however you spell that word, I might take you up on your offers. I have already sent you a pm, Dallas. I do plan to take you up on your offer, at least for a cup of coffee, if not more, and would consider it a privilege to meet more of my BB friends. Also, we made a reservation at Southern Comfort for our return trip.
John, thanks for the tip re. the fuel prices at Flying J. Didn't know that. Luvrbus, I'm coming through Houston on Sat. so hoping traffic will be a little lighter. Besides, what's a little traffic. Remind me to tell you guys about the time I blocked two lanes in Charlotte and had to break my own personal record to unhook the toad...LOL! Keystone Kops! When I cleared up, there was a guy sitting there in his car watching. He said, You know, I was gonna tell you that you could just go on down that block and make a turnaround, but you were just too fast. HA! When you're good, you're good! Of course, if I had been really good, I would not have tried that u-turn. But that's another story.
Finally, don't any of you offer me any alcohol, because that when I tell other stories like this one.
Dennis
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Dennis,
Flying J just as you hit Houston/Baytown I think, like Clifford said even Saturday go though between 9 and 3 just stay on I-10 right thought, WHAT THE signs.
John
I got all that. Thanks, Guys!
Dennis
Dennis F/J is at the Thomson Rd exit in Baytown on the south side of I 10 easy to get in and out of ,leaving there go out of the north parking lot if you try to go out on Thomson it can be a bitch with all the truck traffic. If you need a wash job there is a truck wash across the street from F/J
oops forgot to tell you the RV island is the 1st entrance
good luck
I am a big convert to staying off the interstate, driving 55, enjoying the view, taking your time. That is how I enjoy America in a bus. The worst parts of our trips are done driving on the interstate highways. All of the memorable places are always on the roads less traveled. I will ask my friend who helps me with my trips what he recommends.
If you try to drive as many of the America's Scenic Byways (http://www.byways.org/) as you can, going to and from your destination, you would be off to a good start.
Have a good time and drive safe.
Whew!....I had to edit that mess. I hope it is better now.
Quote from: Barn Owl on April 01, 2010, 09:12:58 PM
I am a big convert to staying off the interstate, driving 55, enjoying the view, taking your time. That is how I enjoy America in a bus. The worst parts of our trips are done driving on the interstate highways. All of the memorable places are always on the roads less traveled. I will ask my friend who helps me with my trips what he recommends.
IF you try to drive as many of the America's Scenic Byways (http://www.byways.org/) as you can going to and from your destination, and you would be off to a good start.
Have a good time and drive safe.
I agree. About the only time we get on an interstate is when we have to go through a large city such as Atlanta. Charlotte, etc. We also try to stay out of cities, spending most of our time on rural roads and in rural areas. Of course, being retired makes a big difference in our choice of roads LOL. Jack
What about the Natchez Trace Parkway for a bit? Runs south west. Goes in the direction you need for Texas. Agree with bypassing Houston via the ferry, if time permits.
Time is a problem. You will have four fairly long days sitting and looking at world arriving through then windshield. And the sun will be in our face all afternoon. I have A times split the driving into into two periods with a nap/tourist spot in the middle.
Good luck and enjoy the trip.
QuoteI want to allow four days (three nights, arriving on the fourth day) for the trip down
I don't think time will be an issue.....
I agree with barn owl. The trip down the Trace would be well worth it. It is a very relaxing ride to cover the distance from nashville to natchez.
uncle ned
Hmmm, ....Trace...Nashville...... Natches....I'm studying my maps.....Thx, Guys
Dennis
Dennis, if you have a day to spend lots to see in the Baytown area as it only a few miles from the San Jacinto battlegrounds, monument ,the battleship Texas and NASA then you have the board walk at Kemah plenty to see and do in that area.
good luck
Quote from: Now Just Dallas on March 31, 2010, 04:16:28 PM
Dennis,
We stayed at Shepard State Park in Ms. for a few days before we headed over to Biloxi to help Kwajdiver with his MC9. It was still pretty beat up from Katrina at that time, but I've been told it's much nicer now.
http://mississippistateparks.reserveamerica.com/ms/Shepard/Campground/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=MS&parkId=156849 (http://mississippistateparks.reserveamerica.com/ms/Shepard/Campground/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=MS&parkId=156849)
We also stayed at Southern Comfort Camping Resort in Biloxi. We were put in a not so great spot because our bus looks, ummm, "not so great", but, everyone was friendly, gracious and willing to lend an ear or a hand at anytime. It's one of the few RV resorts I've ever been to that wasn't so stuffy that they had their craniums in the lower colon.
There is a shuttle bus, (free) to the various casino's. If you happen to get Martha as a driver, she'll talk your ear off, is a full timer in a fifth wheel and has always wanted a bus. She'll also stop anywhere on the route to let you pick up a few groceries, a 12 pack of beer, or just to look out at the ocean. I hope she is still there.
http://www.southerncomfortcampingresort.com/ (http://www.southerncomfortcampingresort.com/)
If it were me, I would never willing drive through the Houston area at any time. You'll have a better time driving the SR's and US highways and connect to the freeway as far out of the metro areas as possible.
Hint: if you have vehicles behind you in Texas, drive on the shoulder and let them pass... it's expected, unlike any other state in the Union. You won't get a ticket for it, and you will get a bunch of full hand waves or flashed tail lights to say thank you.
If you happen to come close to us, you would be welcome to stop in for the night, or the week, notwithstanding my recent post about stupidity.
Com on Dallas, everyone knows it is the lower intestine, not the lower colin!!
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LOL
Actually unless they have a very long neck they won't reach the colen only the rectum. might get some hair to the sigmoid.
Dennis,
Have you left on your trip? I'm in New braunfels TX about 20 miles north of San Antonio. Give me a call at 830 625 1696 or a p m.
Richard
Hey Richard,
Thanks for your response. I would love to share a cup of coffee or an adult beverage. We'll be at the KOA which I think is on the south side of San Antonio. Gotta recheck my map. Plan to arrive there Sat. evening April 10th. I'll call you.
We will arrive then to accomodate my daughters limited schedule, then take a more leisurely pace getting home. Have not finalized those plans, but plan to check out the Southern Comfort park near Boloxi.
Dennis