OTR Little Rock to Phoenix

[Kwajdiver]

Arthur,

I can't find Rt 635 on the map...  Hummmmm, don't find Mesquite either.....

Help.......

Ed, sounds like a plan.......

Bill (still smiling)

[HighTechRedneck]

I-635 is the loop around north and east Dallas.  I-30 comes into the loop at about the 2 o'clock position.    Mesquite is a Dallas suburb at about the 3 o'clock position on the loop.  On the map it looks to be about 4-5 miles down the loop.  I-635 south merges into I-20 a little past the 4 o'clock position.

Google Map of Dallas, TX

Close-up map

Satellite view (just for kicks)

[Runcutter]

Well, I just lost my entire post because the jpeg I created for you was too large.  I emailed it to the address in your profile - hope it went through. 

Crossing the Texas Border on I-30 at Texarkana, stop at the Texas rest area for a state map (not the attractive blonde, the state map).  Texarkana is also your last decent opportunity for a variety of restaurants.  Continuing west on I-30, you'll pass through Greenville.  Some time later you'll cross a decent size lake (Ray Hubbard) - you'll see a railroad trestle on your right.  That's Rockwall, Mesquite is next - an eastern Dallas suburb.  In that area, you'll see your first view of the Dallas skyline.  I-635 comes up soon, it's the ring road (sort of) around Dallas.  You want I-635 SOUTH, which, if I remember correctly, is the first ramp - hope you don't mind heights.  Since it's a ring road, it turns from south to west, and voila, you're on I-20 without making any turns at all.  I-20 rejoins I-30 around Fort Worth.

If you miss the 635 south ramp, you could continue on I-30 through downtown Dallas, but it's pretty unpleasant for a few miles going through the mixmaster - I hate it in a car - and you have to be very watchful of highway signs for lane choice.  Shorter, but more unpleasant.

IF you miss the 635 south ramp, your better bet is to take 635 north, which also turns west.  The north side traffic is busier, so grab a middle lane and pray.  Northwest of Dallas you'll see signs for DFW airport and State 121 South/West (center and left lane).  Follow that, stay in these two lanes to flow to 121 West (through the Grapevine Funnel), 121 west to 820 south, and that'll put you on I-30.  You'll be east of Fort Worth, but going through Fort Worth on I-30 is a picnic compared to Dallas.

This gives you options, but probably tells you that, if it were me, I'd watch real hard for that 635 SOUTH sign.   

Have a good trip, and remember, the Texarkana stop is for the state map, not the blonde.  If you get in a bind, you have my phone number - I should be in the office most of the day tomorrow.

Arthur

[Kwajdiver]

Arthur,

Thank you so much for e-mail the map.... It all makes sense now......

I will be looking for the South exit.......

Bill

[Kwajdiver]

0930    Texsarkana  Flying J truck stop,,,,122.8 Gallons of fuel,  $324.19   or 2.63 a gallon.

The old hound is running great.  Need to check tire air pressure, will do that next stop....

On The Road......


Bill

[Kwajdiver]

10pm   Parked at Paul (Dreamscape) and Becky, Abilene, Tx. For the night.   Really nice folks, went out to dinner and of couse talked buses.  Paul took me over to see how his coach is coming alone.  Looks real nice, they are going to have a real nice ride when completed.

One head light went out today.  Will replace the low beam bulb sometime tomorrow.  Not a real problem, since I'm driving during day light hours.  Plus have my fog lights.

The power steering pump is still leaking a little, not enough to worry about.  Hope that, with use, the seals will seal them self up....   

A little rain today, AFTER, I passed Dallas. Pulled over in a Rest Area and took a nap.  The Rain-X on the windsheild worked great.  Arthur, thanks for the helpful driving hints around Dallas.  Really helped.  Was cool going over the tall overpass, would make a great photo.....   oh yes,,, the blond was not working today at the Welcome Station... I did get the map.....

Passed a East bound Silver Eagle just outside of Fort Worth, on I-20.  Blue with strips, or was that purple...

Bedtime,,,,,, starting at day break again,,,,, West bound and down,  toward El Paso... another 500 miles, maybe more.....

Bill

[gus]

busguy01,

I have to agree with you on I 10 thru west Texas and I didn't remember the winds either. We were planning to take the southern route next month but you have talked me out of it unless the weather to Amarillo is just too bad.

We took I 40 last year because the southern route was too hot and liked the run from Amarillo to Las Cruses, very scenic.

[Kwajdiver]

2:40pm


Sitting about 50 miles east of El Paso at a rest area.  The drive has been nice....  A little wind, every now and then, but nothing write home about....  Temp is very pleasant.....

Passed an East bound Eagle on I-20 West of Midland.   Pass a blue MCI East bound on I-10 around Sierra Blanca.  It was Blue with ribbons.   I was too busy waving to see any other details......

Plan to blow through El Paso and keep going.  Need to buy oil sometime....  Put three quarts in this morning.
The gen set sounds a little rough... been running it to play the home stereo system,  I know, not the best way to use the stereo.  Will work on that soon.....


Bill

[Dreamscape]

Hello Bill,

Was great you were able to stop by last night. Glad it all worked out. Very nice to meet another Bus Nut and swap stories along with wants and needs for our coaches.

You have a great coach to tinker with. Everything will come together as you want it.

After you left this morning, (Abilene and Hawley), we had strong storms most of the day. No damaging hail, just losts of rain. Glad you made it out on the road in time.

Have a great trip to Phoenix.

Keep in touch.

Paul and Becky

[Runcutter]

Bill, its good you made it through Dallas when you did - it's been a mess all day, particularly along your route.  You had good timing.  Glad the information helped. 

Arthur

[Kwajdiver]

930pm

I'm just East of Bronson (I-10), pulled into a Rest Area for the night.   I take back what I said about the wind.  It kicked up a little after my last post from El Paso.  Nothing real bad, but had to stay on my toes for 25 miles.

It did rain for a 100 miles after I departed Paul's.  Only once did I think about pulling off the hiway, then it let up and the sun came out.  Sure is pretty country out here.    This is the longest trip I have made with the bus since buying it last October.

Todays trip, about 700 miles.   

Bought 80.5 gallons of fuel @ $2.79 a gallon.

Bill

[HighTechRedneck]

Glad your trip is going so well and you are able to enjoy it.

It was my experience last year that the further west you go the higher the fuel prices.  Brace yourself, as I recall, the fuel prices took a sharp step up in the Phoenix area.

[Kwajdiver]

Early morning start,,,,,  5am.

Stop to top off the tank at the Pilot Traver Center Eloy, Az  116.75 gallons @ $2.779 per gallon = $324.45
I could save a few bucks if I was paying cash.... 

Also weight the bus while I was there.   
Front Axle  11,080lbs
Rear  Axle  22,440lbs
Goss         33,520lbs

Now I need to reread the threads about tire pressure.

10 more miles down the road and stopped and had the bus washes.   Took the little washing army about 6 minutes.  Was fun to watch......

Rolled into Phoenix around 8:45am.   Presently parked at Wal-Mart Scottsdale, (which has No Overnight Parking signs all over the parking lot), don't believe they are overnight friendly.

Need to find a cheap RV park here in Scottsdale.   Should be here a couple months. 

End of trip,   

Bill
In Scottsdale, Az

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hi Bill,

Glad your trip was safe!

It felt like we were all with you......Now, back to reality!

Thanks for the postings of the trip!
Nick-

[bus05eagle]

Bill, you will have to leave Scottsdale to find a rv park there was one here but its hard to get a bus into i don't know were you will be working but the rv parks are on I17, Mesa and AP junction but forget about the cheap part they forbid parking where i live or i would let you park here