Travel thru Dallas (Houston, Fort Worth, Arlington: commuter, maps, directions)

[HutchHoney]

Traveling thru Dallas from Wichita to Houston on Friday, December 23, 2011 about 5:00 pm. Thinking about taking I 35E to highway 12 south to I 20, east on I 20 to I 45 to Houston. Avoids going thru downtown Dallas. Recognize it may increase driving time but would it be less traffic? Any thoughts?

[Photography]

That's a good route to avoid going through downtown. You may experience some traffic on Loop 12 heading south, but it's better than going through the downtown mixmaster.

[BigT3x]

Seems like more trouble than it's worth. Commuter traffic will be light that close to Christmas. The normal route will be a hassle if there's an accident on 35 or 45. Your new route will be a hassle if there is an accident on 35, 12, 20, or 45. Doesn't sound like a good trade off to me.

[MckinneyOwnr]

Loop 12 doesn't quite hit I-20, you'd need to take 408 to hit I-20, then take that to I-45. I think it'll save you a little bit of time, but not much.

[RockyJoe817]

Although my opinion would be the direct route directly to downtown Dallas I-45 then south.

Have you considered the alternative bypassing Dallas completely and coming down 35W to I-20 towards Waxahachie and Corsicana.

MapQuest Maps - Driving Directions - Map

You may also consider cutting through 35W straight south to I-20. South of Fort Worth to Dallas.
Or
(shortcut 287) at Downtown Fort Worth.
Downtown Fort Worth 287 to 820 East to I-20 Arlington then to Dallas I-45.
Dallas I-45 directly south to Houston.