gatf4

I'm towing a car trailer all the way to the southern Texas next week and I'm wondering if there's any area to avoid or watch out for? I'm just trying to be safe and plan ahead. Thanks for the input.

Fronty Owner

McAllen...

no seriously, Pharr, Mcallen, Brownsville, all those border towns suck.

Other than that, avoid Arkansas, most speed limits are 10 miles per hour less than you would expect.

Joe N.

I am working in the McAllen area now and when I go back to East Texas I used to take I-35 from San Antonio to Dallas but now I avoid that route. The traffic through San Antonio and Austin is terrible and the last several trips home I spent an extra 1 1/2 hours between San Antonio and Austin due to road construction, wrecks, and the resultant traffic jams. I now stick to the state highways and get home in the same amount of time but with less traffic. Several people have advised me to take Hwy. 59 through Houston but Houston is legendary for bad traffic jams and I am reluctant to try that route. Houston does have some loops since the last time I was there so next time home I plan to try Hwy 59.

All interstates through Arkansas have speed limits of 70 and many of the state roads are also 70 but a lot of the Arkansas roads are so curvy and/or steep, especially the western side of the state, that 70 is not possible.

If you stick to interstate then time try your trip through San Antonio between 10 AM and no later than 2 PM on weekdays and avoid San Antonio anytime it is raining. The people there don't know how to drive in the rain and you will see several wrecks which means you will spend lots of time creeping or sitting still. Weekends are not as bad as weekdays but the middle of the day is still better than any other time.

Joe N.

McAllen is pretty nice city. I am working in an area along the Rio Grande from McAllen to Roma and it is not that bad down here as long as you stay in the more modern areas. It is just hot. Last Friday I measured 103* at our worksite in Rio Grande City and when I was driving in the overhead on the truck showed 110*.

McAllen is a modern city and the whole area is growing rapidly. We are upgrading the electrical system because of the growth in the area. However, I won't be moving my family down here. I am looking forward to getting back to East Texas where we have some water and trees taller than 15 feet.

bmoeller

We went to San Antonio in March. Wish I had a map handy to tell you the way went for sure. From Dallas we went south to Waco or so, cut across west to 281, to San Antonio. You do go through some towns this way, but is still faster. A lot of 281 is 4 lane. 60-70mph, depending where you are at. A lot more scenic stuff to look at, and a bit hilly, but not to bad.

If I remember, I'll grab the atlas tomorrow, and get back to you.

hotdram

I vouch for 281 instead of I-35
You can hop on 67 South from South I-35E South out of Dallas or I-35W out of Fort Worth (if you are coming down I-35, I would take the I-35W through Forth Worth).
Take 67 to 220 (south west of Glen Rose) and 220 to Hico, where you pick up 281. Mostly 4 lane 65-70 mph as stated before, and you make better time than 35, which will have more traffic, usually and accident or two and some construction. You avoid Austin using this, but you will still go through San Antonio. Time it right and it isn't bad, as stated before.
281 is a lot more relaxing than 35. 281 will take you all the way to McAllen.

gatf4

Thanks for all the replies guys I'll check the map when I get home. Any nice places to go for a swim near Mcallen? It was forty and rain/snow mix here in Chicago today, maybe I'll bring my suit with me. Besides I'm not to thrilled about showering at a truck stop A hotel is out of the question because I won't be letting my truck and trailer out of my sight.

kelley15

Rio Grande River is nice swimming... Wear a biohazard suit ! Seriously I was born in Mcallen and still have lots of family there. Want some good swimming head to south Padre Island. Around an hour trip. Dont forget to go to Reynosa Mexico. Get on 10th street and head south you cant miss it.

gatf4

Thanks Kely15, Biohazard suit or passport, it's a toss-up on that one Maybe I'll head to S. Padre

SBishop

gatf4,
I think the guys have missed a few places to avoid. Let me list them for you;

Chicago, St. Louis, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Houston.

gatf4

Now thats funny

original_tsp

Don't need a passport for Mexico. Don't drive into it though. Park on this side and walk across. I have lived in Texas most of my life (24 years there, 1 year here now) and I vouch for South Padre Island. Austin and San Antonio aren't as bad as people are making it seem if you time it right. If you hit Austin around 11 in the morning, you should have absolutely no problems. 281 is a lot more scenic though. I just prefer 35, but to each his own.

RustyJC

Just my humble experience-based opinion. I'd go US281 since anywhere on I-35 from Hillsboro (where I-35E and I-35W join) south to San Antonio can become a parking lot when there's a traffic accident, and there are LOTS of them - at least every time I try to use I-35!

Rusty

gatf4

Hopefuly if things go well I'll be headed down that way Sunday night after 5pm so traffic should not be an issue . I have to be in Brownwood Monday A.m. so we'll see how that goes.