Driving From Texas to Los Angeles using i 40 or i 10

[AksarbeN]

I’d go for the I-40 route. You can hit Albq NM from Dallas about 650 miles, drive a little further west depending on time to Grants +70miles, or Gallup +130 miles which will be your halfway mark of the trip. The mileage calculated on google is from city centers so it may vary in actual distances. The last time I remember the drives along I-40 I was always lucky to find a good hotel near the interstate that was reasonable in price.

The total trip mileage would be pushing it for me as I don’t like driving more than 8 hours a day and when you add pit stops for gas, food or just to stretch your legs it eats up the time, but a necessary evil if you want to be safe.

Personally I'd make it a two and a half day trip with the extra night on the road and less hours behind the steering wheel. I dislike leaving early in the morning and getting in late at night just to limit the days on the road!

The I-10 southern route is about the same total mileage as the I-40.

google route map below:
https://goo.gl/maps/RCuc9wc3EWz


.

[munna21977]

I will take 287 to Amarillo and then join I-40 towards Albuquerque. Its a fantastic stretch for driving with less traffic as compared to I-10.

[Kibby]

Originally Posted by johntruong62

Hello

I plan to drive alone from Dallas Texas to Los Angeles in a week.
I am wondering which route is better to drive, i 40 or i 10, as I don't have long distance driving experiences
Also I need to know can it be possible to stop only a night for this long travel? or it's better to stop 2 nights?
where will be to stops to stay in hotel?
Thank you everyone in advance

I've driven to El Paso and on to Southern Arizona twice in the last two years. Road conditions good, not a lot of trucks (big problem on 1-40 which I also drive) - Las Cruces is the place to stay for sure.

I think traffic is lighter on I-10/I-20 and the speed limits are higher. The scenery isn't great, but the goal is to get there fast. Start early in the morning and you do all your driving in daylight. Even when speed limits were 55 miles per hour - we did the Dallas to San Diego trips in 2 days.