I know somewhere in the forum this was discussed, but I could not find a good route from Florida to Texas. We were specifically interested in what roads to avoid. Somewhere people talked about bad roads on this route and I would like to avoid if possible. So any comments or pointers from the experienced forum would be appreciated. Thanks, Tom
Terry and Jo said
04:29 PM Jan 30, 2013
Tom and Marci,
While I can't help you because I've never been to Florida to travel to Texas, are you wanting to avoid the interstates so you can see more "unique" places or are you wanting your trip to be as quick as possible?
Terry
Howard said
04:32 PM Jan 30, 2013
It depends on how much time you have and how much exploring you want to do along the way. I-10 isn't nearly as bad as it used to be going through Louisiana, so that is the fastest, most direct route, although we usually avoid New Orleans and stay on I-12 north of Lake Pontchartrain. Sometimes, we'll avoid Beaumont and Houston by going south at Orange, TX and heading toward Galveston where we'll take the ferry from Bolivar Peninsula to Galveston and come back up on the south of Houston making a stop at Brazos Bend State Park. From there, we'll take a combination of U.S. Hwys to skirt around San Antonio.
Slower, more scenic routes include U.S. 98 in the southern panhandle of Florida and U.S. 90 through Cajun country in southern Louisiana. There are all kinds of choices depending on your timing and your comfort with non-interstate roads. Enjoy!
ken and cindy said
04:48 PM Jan 30, 2013
What Howard said is spot on. The interstate is clear all the way to Texas.
Camper_Boy said
05:07 PM Jan 30, 2013
Wow, that was fast...I was just poking around and noticed that road conditions on I-10 could be dicey and windshields could get chipped or cracked. If Louisiana is the bad section I will take it slow as always. We generally make our travel day no more than 200 miles and like to just get there because the rig is big. I don't have any real time constraints or deadlines on getting to a destination, I just want get there and then explore area. I geuss I just wanted to see which roads rvdreamers traveled and if they had a preferance or camping destination to recommend. We generally like passport locations and state parks that can accomodate our rig. We will start north out of Florida Ft Myers Beach at end of Feb and continue our full of life travels. I guess I could have said fulltime adventure but it truly is life changing lifestyle. Tom
Neil and Connie said
07:26 PM Jan 30, 2013
We are at Seminole Campground in North Fort Myers and leaving Mar 1. We're stopping by Sarasota for a week, 2 weeks in Gulf Shores, AL to visit family and then will most likely just continue across I-10 to Austin and then to Kerrville for the New Horizons Rally. I-10 is pretty good all the way across from what I remember.
Camper_Boy said
07:51 PM Jan 30, 2013
Thanks, Neil and Connie, Thats what I was trying to understand about I-10. Good to know. We just made reservartions to stay at Spanish Main near Tampa for a first week in March, then on to Stawberry Fest in Plant City. Maybe we will cross paths around Gulf Shores...
Jack Mayer said
09:01 PM Jan 30, 2013
We routinely travel I-10. There are some bouncy sections left, but no worse than any other highways out there,and MOST of it is in decent shape. None of it is bad enough that I would avoid it solely for that reason.
Neil, will we see you guys here at the SKP park in Summerdale before we leave on the 18th of Feb?
Technomadia said
10:45 PM Jan 30, 2013
Last Spring we made the transition between Orlando to Austin. We challenged ourselves to stay only in State Parks along the way.
Here's the route we meandered, with reviews of the stops we made:
We routinely travel I-10. There are some bouncy sections left, but no worse than any other highways out there,and MOST of it is in decent shape. None of it is bad enough that I would avoid it solely for that reason.
Neil, will we see you guys here at the SKP park in Summerdale before we leave on the 18th of Feb?
Afraid not…we leave here Mar 1 and get to Gulf State Park near Summerdale on I think Mar 22. I was looking forward to meeting your bride…I didn't realize she was with you the other day at the Tampa show until Connie told me she was there on the way home in the car. Hopefully we'll cross paths again at the rally in Kerrville if you make it there or perhaps while you're out in CO. We'll be in Colorado Springs for a couple of weeks in mid May then probably through CO again in September or so.
I'm sure we'll run into each other as we travel…we ran into a couple the other day that we had previously seen months ago while we were up in New Hampshire or Maine.
Where are you headed once you leave Summerdale? I know you're working out in CO for the summer and have to finish getting your new truck built…and I'm would bet you're going to be intimately involved in the work on it so that probably means a month or so in TX for you while the bed is built/installed.
Mark Serley said
04:24 AM Jan 31, 2013
we live in pensacola and travel a lot to ocala. I-10 from I-75 west is extremely boring. we like to take 27 thru perry florida and catch I-10 at exit 225 to come home. very few vehicles and about the same amount of time, very relaxing, beats the rush on 75 and some of the boredom of 10, not all however. but we enjoy I-10 thru alabama and into miss and louisiana. louisiana has some pretty rough stretches on the elevations thru the bog areas. i agree with howard about I-12 to baton rouge to catch I-10 at the great mississippi. good luck traveling. mark
Camper_Boy said
04:38 PM Jan 31, 2013
Thanks, Mark...I will definitely take your advice and that of others. I new I could get relevent feedback here...thats why I read read the forums regularly. Thanks, All
On another note...Are any Dreamers traveling from Fl to Tx this early spring?
Jack Mayer said
05:59 PM Jan 31, 2013
Neil and Connie wrote:
Where are you headed once you leave Summerdale? I know you're working out in CO for the summer and have to finish getting your new truck built…and I'm would bet you're going to be intimately involved in the work on it so that probably means a month or so in TX for you while the bed is built/installed.
You guessed correctly, Neil. We are headed to Kilgore, TX (right off I-20, near Longview) on Feb 18 to get the truck bed done. The build is the month of March and whatever part of April it takes. Then we will visit friends in Hill Counrty (Marble Falls), and head for New Horizons. Headed through Junction City on the way to CO for the summer.
rclvnv said
02:41 AM Feb 2, 2013
We travel from Las Vegas to Palm Harbor Fl & back each year, at varying times. The route you have been given is what we take. I-12 around New Orleans works very well. Last trip found the sections in Louisiana better than in the past. Agree 75 very boring, but have always had time issues. Next trip will be at whatever pace we choose, so we might try going down 98. Plan to spend a month in Hill Country. Buckhorn Lake Resort is a favorite.
TXRVr said
03:57 PM Feb 2, 2013
Neil and Connie wrote:
We are at Seminole Campground in North Fort Myers and leaving Mar 1. We're stopping by Sarasota for a week, 2 weeks in Gulf Shores, AL to visit family and then will most likely just continue across I-10 to Austin and then to Kerrville for the New Horizons Rally. I-10 is pretty good all the way across from what I remember.
I-10 doesn't go through Austin. But if one is going there from Houston it would be on Highway 290 which is an excellent four laner. Be sure to stop in Brenham and tour the Blue Bell ice cream factory. Free samples at the end. OH, soooo good.
Camper_Boy said
05:19 PM Feb 2, 2013
Thanks Tex...I do love ice cream and can't keep Marci away from it...we will definitely visit. Thanks for the tip.
Terry and Jo said
03:06 PM Feb 3, 2013
TXRVr wrote:
Camper_Boy wrote:
Thanks Tex...I do love ice cream and can't keep Marci away from it...we will definitely visit. Thanks for the tip.
Oh no, I didn't know that. Now you're gonna hate me for the advise. Blue Bell is some of the best ice cream that you will ever taste. You will be be leaving RV contents on the side of the road to make room for many gallons of it.
Well, if either of you get a chance to try Braum's Ice Cream (mostly in Texas, Oklahoma that I know of), you might change your minds about what is best. Sadly, Jo and I live only 3/4 of a mile from one of their stores. (Did I ever mention that I'm a "fat old guy?")
Braum's dairy and factory are located in central Oklahoma, so they spread out from there. I have no idea what other states have their stores. I'm thinking that Kansas might.
Terry
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Sunday 3rd of February 2013 03:07:23 PM
TXRVr said
05:29 PM Feb 3, 2013
Camper_Boy wrote:
Thanks Tex...I do love ice cream and can't keep Marci away from it...we will definitely visit. Thanks for the tip.
Oh no, I didn't know that. Now you're gonna hate me for the advise. Blue Bell is some of the best ice cream that you will ever taste. You will be be leaving RV contents on the side of the road to make room for many gallons of it.
Camper_Boy said
12:08 AM Feb 4, 2013
I think we have both you guys beat...we have been to the Ben and Jerry's factory and they definitely have the best ice cream especially the Chunky Monkey flavor...LOL
oh we are fat tooo...but love the better things in life...
bjoyce said
02:57 AM Feb 4, 2013
Braum's is in southern Kansas since I know they have one in Hutchinson. They also have decent burgers. But Kansas is also where Freddy's Frozen Custard is based, which is quite good.
VanMar said
03:07 AM Feb 4, 2013
Terry and Jo wrote:
Braum's dairy and factory are located in central Oklahoma, so they spread out from there. I have no idea what other states have their stores. I'm thinking that Kansas might.
Terry
Terry,
SW Missouri has several. There are at least three here in Springfield.
Vance
Terry and Jo said
03:30 AM Feb 4, 2013
Ha! There are Braum's stores in both Kansas and Missouri.....
.....sounds like I can "spread out" a little.
Uuuuuh.....
.....with my travel that is.
Terry
Neil and Connie said
03:43 AM Feb 4, 2013
TXRVr wrote:
I-10 doesn't go through Austin. But if one is going there from Houston it would be on Highway 290 which is an excellent four laner. Be sure to stop in Brenham and tour the Blue Bell ice cream factory. Free samples at the end. OH, soooo good.
Yeah, I knew that but didn't remember where we need to get off 10 to head over to Austin and didn't go look at google maps to verify. Blue Bell Ice Cream samples sound most excellent.
Camper_Boy said
05:17 PM Feb 4, 2013
Wow, I think this post has taken a turn from the road the ice cream parlor...oh well things do come down to feel good foods in the end.
MaryBee said
10:46 PM Feb 18, 2013
If you are heading toward Texas down I-10 before April of 2013 and need a sleep over, the dh and I are workamping at Frog City RV Park off exit 92 in Duson, Louisiana thru April 7! We would love to see a fellow RVD traveller! Our park is right off the interstate for easy off/on with big pull thru sites so you don't have to un-hook your toad.
Yes, I-10 in Louisiana is a bit better but there are a few dicey stretches (18 mile bridge) and watch coming on and off over passes because I think those are the worst. But really I-10 is no worse then most of the other interstates in our blessed country. :) all have there good spots and bads stops KWIM?
Safe travel!
Camper_Boy said
03:19 AM Feb 19, 2013
Hey MaryBee, Not sure of our timing...but it will be before April sometime...we will keep that park in mind. Thanks
MaryBee said
06:21 AM Feb 19, 2013
Camper_Boy wrote:
Hey MaryBee, Not sure of our timing...but it will be before April sometime...we will keep that park in mind. Thanks
No problem safe travels to you! LOL, I noticed you are also a Michigander! I am from West Michigan by Grand Rapids!
rclvnv said
11:04 PM Feb 19, 2013
We've stayed at Frog City down & back for three years in a row, always enjoyable and the workcampers were always super. Sorry we won't be back there 'till fall. Last took this trip in August, agree with the bridge comment and that there are still some rough spots, for sure. The I-12 around NOL has always worked well for us. FWIW, our favorite place in the Hill Country is Buckhorn Lake RV resort. The town of Kerrville is a place we like. Great family-owned Ford dealer there too, if you have that brand and need service. R
MaryBee said
02:30 AM Feb 20, 2013
rclvnv wrote:
We've stayed at Frog City down & back for three years in a row, always enjoyable and the workcampers were always super.
Glad to hear your stay at Frog City was a good one and that the Workampers were nice!
This is a pretty good place to work and we are treated well here. Actually, Frog City is looking to fill our positon for the summer months if you know of anyone that may be interested. The dh and I hate to leave and had considered staying here thru November but I really miss my Grandkids and so I want to go back home for the Spring/Summer.
I know somewhere in the forum this was discussed, but I could not find a good route from Florida to Texas. We were specifically interested in what roads to avoid. Somewhere people talked about bad roads on this route and I would like to avoid if possible. So any comments or pointers from the experienced forum would be appreciated. Thanks, Tom
Tom and Marci,
While I can't help you because I've never been to Florida to travel to Texas, are you wanting to avoid the interstates so you can see more "unique" places or are you wanting your trip to be as quick as possible?
Terry
It depends on how much time you have and how much exploring you want to do along the way. I-10 isn't nearly as bad as it used to be going through Louisiana, so that is the fastest, most direct route, although we usually avoid New Orleans and stay on I-12 north of Lake Pontchartrain. Sometimes, we'll avoid Beaumont and Houston by going south at Orange, TX and heading toward Galveston where we'll take the ferry from Bolivar Peninsula to Galveston and come back up on the south of Houston making a stop at Brazos Bend State Park. From there, we'll take a combination of U.S. Hwys to skirt around San Antonio.
Slower, more scenic routes include U.S. 98 in the southern panhandle of Florida and U.S. 90 through Cajun country in southern Louisiana. There are all kinds of choices depending on your timing and your comfort with non-interstate roads. Enjoy!
We are at Seminole Campground in North Fort Myers and leaving Mar 1. We're stopping by Sarasota for a week, 2 weeks in Gulf Shores, AL to visit family and then will most likely just continue across I-10 to Austin and then to Kerrville for the New Horizons Rally. I-10 is pretty good all the way across from what I remember.
Thanks, Neil and Connie, Thats what I was trying to understand about I-10. Good to know. We just made reservartions to stay at Spanish Main near Tampa for a first week in March, then on to Stawberry Fest in Plant City. Maybe we will cross paths around Gulf Shores...
Neil, will we see you guys here at the SKP park in Summerdale before we leave on the 18th of Feb?
Last Spring we made the transition between Orlando to Austin. We challenged ourselves to stay only in State Parks along the way.
Here's the route we meandered, with reviews of the stops we made:
http://www.technomadia.com/2012/05/our-state-park-trail-to-texas/
Enjoy,
- Cherie
Afraid not…we leave here Mar 1 and get to Gulf State Park near Summerdale on I think Mar 22. I was looking forward to meeting your bride…I didn't realize she was with you the other day at the Tampa show until Connie told me she was there on the way home in the car. Hopefully we'll cross paths again at the rally in Kerrville if you make it there or perhaps while you're out in CO. We'll be in Colorado Springs for a couple of weeks in mid May then probably through CO again in September or so.
I'm sure we'll run into each other as we travel…we ran into a couple the other day that we had previously seen months ago while we were up in New Hampshire or Maine.
Where are you headed once you leave Summerdale? I know you're working out in CO for the summer and have to finish getting your new truck built…and I'm would bet you're going to be intimately involved in the work on it so that probably means a month or so in TX for you while the bed is built/installed.
On another note...Are any Dreamers traveling from Fl to Tx this early spring?
You guessed correctly, Neil. We are headed to Kilgore, TX (right off I-20, near Longview) on Feb 18 to get the truck bed done. The build is the month of March and whatever part of April it takes. Then we will visit friends in Hill Counrty (Marble Falls), and head for New Horizons. Headed through Junction City on the way to CO for the summer.
I-10 doesn't go through Austin. But if one is going there from Houston it would be on Highway 290 which is an excellent four laner. Be sure to stop in Brenham and tour the Blue Bell ice cream factory. Free samples at the end. OH, soooo good.
Thanks Tex...I do love ice cream and can't keep Marci away from it...we will definitely visit. Thanks for the tip.
Well, if either of you get a chance to try Braum's Ice Cream (mostly in Texas, Oklahoma that I know of), you might change your minds about what is best. Sadly, Jo and I live only 3/4 of a mile from one of their stores. (Did I ever mention that I'm a "fat old guy?")
Braum's dairy and factory are located in central Oklahoma, so they spread out from there. I have no idea what other states have their stores. I'm thinking that Kansas might.
Terry
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Sunday 3rd of February 2013 03:07:23 PM
Oh no, I didn't know that. Now you're gonna hate me for the advise. Blue Bell is some of the best ice cream that you will ever taste. You will be be leaving RV contents on the side of the road to make room for many gallons of it.
oh we are fat tooo...but love the better things in life...
Terry,
SW Missouri has several. There are at least three here in Springfield.
Vance
Ha! There are Braum's stores in both Kansas and Missouri.....
.....sounds like I can "spread out" a little.
Uuuuuh.....
.....with my travel that is.
Terry
Yeah, I knew that but didn't remember where we need to get off 10 to head over to Austin and didn't go look at google maps to verify. Blue Bell Ice Cream samples sound most excellent.
at Frog City RV Park off exit 92 in Duson, Louisiana thru April 7! We would love to see a fellow RVD traveller! Our
park is right off the interstate for easy off/on with big pull thru sites so you don't have to un-hook your toad.
Yes, I-10 in Louisiana is a bit better but there are a few dicey stretches (18 mile bridge) and watch coming on and off over passes
because I think those are the worst. But really I-10 is no worse then most of the other interstates in our
blessed country. :) all have there good spots and bads stops KWIM?
Safe travel!
Hey MaryBee, Not sure of our timing...but it will be before April sometime...we will keep that park in mind. Thanks
No problem safe travels to you! LOL, I noticed you are also a Michigander! I am from West Michigan by Grand Rapids!
Glad to hear your stay at Frog City was a good one and that the Workampers were nice!
This is a pretty good place to work and we are treated well here. Actually, Frog City is looking to fill our positon for the summer months if you know of anyone that may be interested. The dh and I hate to leave and had considered staying here thru November but
I really miss my Grandkids and so I want to go back home for the Spring/Summer.