Driving to San Francisco to Austin TX in Dec??? (El Paso: motels, live)

[honeybear3529]

I am thinking of driving from San Francisco to Austin TX in Dec to check out places since I have to move due to work. I am wondering if anyone knows if it's possible to drive without having to deal with the snow? I know it doesn't snow in Austin TX but does it snow in my route? Any way to avoid it?
Also, is it possible to drive in 3 days instead of 4 days?

Thanks!

[ATX Wahine]

Hi. I’m originally from SF but live here now. I’ve made that journey many, many times. You *may* encounter some snow in NM and AZ but unless it’s blizzard levels of weather, the interstate will be well-groomed and dry and you should do fine. So far it’s been a very mild winter and you may see no snow at all. You most likely won’t see any in Texas at all. It’s all dependent of course on the forecast but the southern route between CA and TX is usually winter safe.

We usually leave early, and stay one night in Phoenix and one night in El Paso. You can definitely do it in three days of driving.

[VAF84]

Google Map is pretty straight forward. They recommend the route I had in mind; drive down to LA then take I-10 all the way. Can't imagine there'd be snow on that route. Google also says 27 hours. No reason you couldn't get there in two days each way. If you mean 3 days roundtrip, possible but I don't recommend. Without a second driver you're probably endangering your life and others; not to mention the fact that you won't even have time to get a feel for Austin's layout.

I've done Austin to LA many years ago in about 23 hours? Had a back up driver I switched off with, and didn't stop. Very miserable.

[ATX Wahine]

We avoid LA entirely and go from I-5 through the Tehachapi Pass (Hwy 58) then out to I-10. Driving through LA at the beginning of a trip that long can make you question your sanity.

[Need4Camaro]

CA-58 meets I-40 not I-10, you have to come down I-15 into LA to get to I-10 -- There's a few back roads in the desert I guess you can hop between though like U.S. 95 or U.S. 93.

LA should be okay to drive through right now given the Pandemic

I went U.S. 101 to LA (scenic), catch I-210, head East to I-10, everything on I-10 should be fine as far as snow goes. I-40 is higher elevation through Arizona and New Mexico for much longer stretches so your chances of meeting snow are much higher.

You can do I-5 too but I find U.S. 101 more interesting, although its also longer.

I remember when CA-58 wasn't fully freeway standards in some areas, mainly east of the mountains. Most of that has changed though, its a pretty nice road. I personally feel it needs to be re-signed as I-40.

As for driving it in 3 or 4 days? I personally could probably pull it off in 2 days or less but I drive super long hours. The distance between routes however doesn't really change that drastically. The environments is what changes the most.

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by honeybear3529

I am thinking of driving from San Francisco to Austin TX in Dec to check out places since I have to move due to work. I am wondering if anyone knows if it's possible to drive without having to deal with the snow? I know it doesn't snow in Austin TX but does it snow in my route? Any way to avoid it?
Also, is it possible to drive in 3 days instead of 4 days?

Thanks!

If you try to go on 40 which is much more scenic you are going to hit snow. the non-snow route is going to be to go south to la and get on 10 and then go east but is not scenic at all. You will can still hit snow in the mountains crossing into texas.

My personal opinion is that even with covid, flying is much safer than driving. Try to get an N95 mask which protects you more than others (they are not really allowed in california) and try to get a nonstop so you dont have to hang out in an extra airport.

[ATX Wahine]

Originally Posted by Need4Camaro

CA-58 meets I-40 not I-10, you have to come down I-15 into LA to get to I-10 -- There's a few back roads in the desert I guess you can hop between though like U.S. 95 or U.S. 93.

.

We use U.S.Route 95. It’s not a back road.

[ATX Wahine]

Originally Posted by Austin97

If you try to go on 40 which is much more scenic you are going to hit snow. the non-snow route is going to be to go south to la and get on 10 and then go east but is not scenic at all. You will can still hit snow in the mountains crossing into texas.

My personal opinion is that even with covid, flying is much safer than driving. Try to get an N95 mask which protects you more than others (they are not really allowed in california) and try to get a nonstop so you dont have to hang out in an extra airport.

I agree with 97 here. I’ve flown to CA and back twice during COVID on nonstop flights wearing an N-95 and found the experience very easy - planes were half-empty every time. 3-1/2 hours versus 3 days in a car with multiple stops for gas, food, and motels .... ehhh ... I’d fly.

[Need4Camaro]

Originally Posted by ATX Wahine

We use U.S.Route 95. It’s not a back road.

Fair point, I haven't used U.S. 95 between I-40 and Phoenix though. I have used it between I-40 and Las Vegas though. Supposedly it is going to be converted into an interstate (I-11) over time. Because the way I drive (I tend mostly to try to get as much over with as possible in as short of time as possible) I try my best not to deviate from freeways. For me personally they are more predictable, easier to manage cruise control and passing opportunities, and more forgiving to fatigue in the event you do get tired and have nowhere to stop.

Edit: Disregard the above, I was thinking U.S. 93. I've never used U.S. 95.

[ATX Wahine]

Originally Posted by Need4Camaro

Fair point, I haven't used U.S. 95 between I-40 and Phoenix though. I have used it between I-40 and Las Vegas though. Supposedly it is going to be converted into an interstate (I-11) over time. Because the way I drive (I tend mostly to try to get as much over with as possible in as short of time as possible) I try my best not to deviate from freeways. For me personally they are more predictable, easier to manage cruise control and passing opportunities, and more forgiving to fatigue in the event you do get tired and have nowhere to stop.

It comes down to whether or not one wants to avoid LA. For San Franciscans, taking 80 to 580 to 205 to 5 then south is a smooth direct route. It will get you down to Bakersfield quick. From there you either A) climb the Grapevine then enter urban traffic insanity, or B) kick back and take the chill desert route. 101 from SF to LA takes forever.