Need travelling advice - Austin to St Lousi (Dallas, McKinney: buy, construction)

[reachvali]

Hi all,

I live in Austin, Tx. Planning to drive to St Louis, MO on Wednesday (23)/Thursday (24) and return on Sunday (12/27).

This is the first time I am traveling such a long distance so I need suggestions.

Which one is the best route to reach the destination safely?
Safe stops for the family to take small breaks.

Please let me know your suggestions.

Thanks
Aadil

[centralaustinite]

I always do it in two days! This is my route, I-35 to Dallas (just try to avoid rush hour, we rarely encounter delays), then some quick switching in Dallas, follow the signs, exit 428A to I-30, then exit 46 to US Hwy 75 to McKinney and onto Oklahoma, I love taking Oklahoma Hwy 69 through eastern OK. We spend the night in Muskogee and then take I-44, which is toll road in OK on up to Saint Louis.

If you love interstate driving, just go left on I-35 and go through Ft Worth and on up to Oklahoma City, and then on I-44 to Tulsa and then on to Saint Louis.

[reachvali]

thanks for the advice.

Do you suggest a specific place to stay in Muskogee?

thanks
Aadil

[centralaustinite]

Muskogee has a Holiday Inn Express and a Hampton Inn just off the Hwy.

If you take the interstate all the way, try to stay in Tulsa.

[reachvali]

Thanks. I appreacite it.

[dburatti]

No offense to any Sooners, but driving through OK sucks. The roads are in poor shape, a lot of small towns, and tolls. I drove through it twice in one year, both the route proposed above and I-35 all the way. 35 wasn't as bad, but still not pleasant.

I prefer driving to Dallas to I-30 to 40 to 55. It's slightly longer but without all the crap.

Try one way up and the other down.

Also, the fha driving conditions web site is a good reference to check for construction and is usually kept up to date.

D

[centralaustinite]

Originally Posted by dburatti

I prefer driving to Dallas to I-30 to 40 to 55. It's slightly longer but without all the crap.

D

I had completely forgotten about that route! If it looks like the weather is going to be bad, definitely consider it. I haven't gone up to StL in the winter for five years. (I make the extended family come to ME!)

I have a soft spot for eastern Oklahoma and Hwy 69, not sure why. But the trip through the lakes would be terrible if there was snow or freezing rain. I usually drive it in the summer.

good luck, I hope you have good weather.

[RowdysMom]

Take Amtrak - jump on in Austin, jump off in St. Louis (well, maybe buy a ticket ) - sleep all night and wake up bright and early in St. Louis!

Just a thought........

[centralaustinite]

Amtrak is usually booked solid this time of year! It is a 22 hour train trip to St Louis. It can be fun but requires a zen-like attitude.