Best routes from St. Louis to San Antonio.

[soldiermedic]

I am gearing up to head to Texas for the summer this coming Thursday, and wanted peoples opinion on short cuts, best routes, and constructions. I have made the trip a couple of times, but I took the expensive way of Hwy 44 through Missouri to 35 south all the way to San Antonio. I am hoping to avoid alot of construction and tolls (H.E. Bailey turnpike...I'm looking at you).

Amy has the Tom Tom and I will be going off of yahoo maps.

What are you best suggestions?

Steve

[DKB_SATX]

I absolutely despise I35 between DFW and San Antonio. We moved from SA about 4 years ago, and we rehabbed a house here in Fort Worth before we moved, which involved lots of travel between the two. I much prefer US281 through the Hill Country, there's less traffic and the view is better.

You can just stick with I44 all the way to Wichita Falls, TX and then pick up US Highway 281 there. It adds about 20 miles to the trip, and as I recall you're going to be pulling a u-haul so you may not have any real time difference if you're keeping it down to 65ish for towing.

[DKB_SATX]

Well, duh... I just realized you said you now want to AVOID I44. I can't offer any useful advice north of the TX border, really. We've just blown through OK on cruise control in a car when we've had to go that way, and paid the tolls.

I stand by my recommendation of 281 through the Hill Country, though. You'll just have to figure out a good way to get to it.

[bwoodtx]

Steve,

if it was me, I would take I55 to Memphis the catch I40 to Little Rock, then I30 to Texarkana, then you can take either I30 to I35 and south. From Memphis to SA is about 12 hours and then Memphis to STL is about 5?

[Melody Ranch]

Nahhh! I make the trip all the time. Get on 44, including the very short section on the toll rd, off at Big Cabin (watch the outrageous speed trap there) an south on 69 to Dallas where it changes over to 35 and a straight shot to San Antonio. Avoid Dallas between 3 and 6. Avoid Austin if at all possible...use the 130 loop around...that is a toll.

[soldiermedic]

Perhaps I should have broken my trip up a little more.

Thursday leave St. Louis and stop over night in Little Elm, TX (N. Dallas)

Friday leave in the AM and head to Harker Heights to meet up with Top and see his progress on Abby, and then head the rest of the way to San Antonio. As long as I hit S.A. by 6pm to get Collin then I am good.

No need to avoid Hwy 44. Just wanted real alternatives to H.E. Baily Pike.

Steve

[FC7039]

Being from the St. Louis area and now living in the Dallas area for 20+ years, I have made the Dallas to St. Louis trip countless times. I second Melody Ranch's route. I done the 30 to Memphis. I been through Tulsa. I been through OK City. Though 69/75 from Big Cabin south is no joy, it is the fastest. If you want to avoid tolls (you cannot avoid the toll from MO St. line to Big Cabin), but when you get to McKinney TX, take 380 over to Little Elm and avoid the Hwy, 121 toll. 121 would be faster though.

[bwoodtx]

Hey Steve, If I'm back in town this weekend maybe we could get together and meet. I am currently in Las Cruces, NM on a project

[SmokelessJoe]

[QUOTE=Avoid Austin if at all possible...[/QUOTE]


AUSTIN is one of the coolest places in America!



Sergei

[Lance M]

Originally Posted by SmokelessJoe

AUSTIN is one of the coolest places in America!



Sergei

It is a GREAT place to see for sure. Driving through there is the worst though.

Steve,
I see Melody and FC7039 both agree with the route I sent you. That makes it three! What time do you think you'll be here? The wife would love to make you a nice bowl of pasta for lunch. Looking forward to seeing you again. (and for you to see the fruits of my labor)

[soldiermedic]

Looks like I will take 44 to 69. 69 to 380, and 35 the rest of the way.

Top...I can leave Dallas anytime. Not sure how fast the tow limit is on the roads there, but I figure 65 MPH is what I'll be doing. I can shoot for 1100-1200 on Fritag.

Steve

[CanoeStream]

I've generally taken I-35 south of OK city through Norman, Ardmore & Denton. Just before arriving at Ft. Worth, take a westerly around on 820 to I-20. This section of 820 is not heavily urbanized -- a pleasure compared to the alternatives.

From I-20, catch 281 south to Stephenville and you're home free to Lampasas. We came north this way not a month ago -- clear sailing.

Crossing over thru Cleburne from I-35 to Hico and 281 is to be avoided! Scores of miles with lights, traffic & go-slow. Can't say I'm partial to the long crossing from Belton to Lampasas either.

Yes, southward on I-35 through Austin at rush hour (from 3:00PM to about 7:00PM) is maximum punishment. Entering S.A. on 281 in morning rush hour is bad news from Bulverde south. Likewise going north from S.A. in evening rush.