best driving route from ohio to texas (Houston, Dallas: wedding, construction)

[phospho]

Hello, I just registered, and I'm hoping someone here might have done this drive before. I have searched so much on these forums for people's experiences, and either there's nothing out there, or I'm doing something wrong

I've made the drive from Columbus to Houston before. I went there doing OH-KY-TN-AR-TX (entering through Texarkana)and on the way back doing TX-OK-MO-IL-IN-OH. I was wondering if someone had any other suggestions. I love driving, and wouldn't mind doing another route with better scenery, or simply to go through different/more states, even if it means an extra couple hundred miles (not more than a couple though!). I know it might be a stupid question, but I'm a third year medical student at OSU, and my life revolves around studying - I really need this trip - however, I do have to do it in one stretch like last time, i.e. just bathroom breaks. There's a wedding on Sunday afternoon, and I can't leave OH before Saturday morning, and I have to be back in OH for my Tuesday morning classes. My last drive was also in one stretch - so I've definitely done the 25 hour drive in one day (one long day). I've been doing clinicals these days at school, so I am used to staying up for 2 days (or 3 if need be).

Again, I would appreciate any feedback (or even advice on road conditions).

Many thanks in advance

[UNT_Eagle]

hello,

Just wanted to suggest to you a third route that you might want to look into.
Have you considered flying? You can get to Houston in about 2 1/2 hours if you flew out of CMH. However, try looking into I-65 through Nashville, Tn to Birmingham, AL and onto Mobile, then hitting I-10 West to Houston. It will take you longer obviously but you would see beaches and drive through New Orleans if you wanted to.
Good luck

[TexasNick]

You say you want to drive....and it looks like you ended up in Houston and came into Texas from the North East, correct? If so, that area is OK, but the real beauty of Texas is in the centeral/south central region. See if you can go in through Dallas and head down to San Antonio and then make the turn to Houston. This will set you back a couple of hours, but if you want a scenic drive then that's the way to go.

[Watchful]

This won't work for you because of the time parameters....but someone with a little more time would enjoy traveling from Nashville TN to Natchez MS via the Natchez Trace Parkway. Speed limit is 50 mph but it is wonderfully pleasant travel with no big rigs. Lots of historical stuff along the way.

If you do it, try to get the audio cassettes or CD's that give commentary!

[DFWMike]

Originally Posted by UNT_Eagle

hello,

Just wanted to suggest to you a third route that you might want to look into.
Have you considered flying? You can get to Houston in about 2 1/2 hours if you flew out of CMH. However, try looking into I-65 through Nashville, Tn to Birmingham, AL and onto Mobile, then hitting I-10 West to Houston. It will take you longer obviously but you would see beaches and drive through New Orleans if you wanted to.
Good luck

Ditto in my opinion. This is really the only alternative route remaining for you imho. Is there a reason you're choosing Texas though, just curious, lots of more interesting drives through the Carolinas or New England that you could do in the same period of time. Just a thought, sounds fun, wish I was in line to do something like that, have gotten far to reliant on plane travel the last few years, would love to do a good road trip.

Taking this route would send you through about 70 miles of South Louisana swamps, cajun country and some beautiful Mississippi country.

[jfre81]

The Gulf Coast drive along I-10 is gorgeous. It'll be fun.
If anyone around Beaumont/Port Arthur could tell us if they're done with all that construction along I-10 just inside the Texas border with Louisiana (Sabine River). I got stuck there for awhile coming in from NC in January.

[Mally66]

Hey there,

I'll be doing a very similar trip - Akron to Dallas - in a few weeks. We're also planning on doing OH-KY-TN-AR-TX (entering through Texarkana)and on the way back doing TX-OK-MO-IL-IN-OH. (or vice versa)

Any suggestions on which route is better to take on the way down vs. the return?

Also, we will be making an overnight stop, preferrably about 2/3 of the way on both legs of the trip. Suggestions for good overnight places to stop and sites to see are appreciated as well.

We want to drive pretty much straight through, but don't mind making a few worthwhile stops for must-see things - like the St. Louis arch, scenic overlooks, & great places to eat.

Also traveling with children, so suggestions on child-friendly sites are appreciated.

Thanks in advance!