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I'm driving from Miami to Los Angeles. I had planned to take route 10 the whole way, but people are telling me that it's dangerous (crime), lots of speed traps, etc. in Missippi, Arkansas, Texas, Arizona...
They suggest going up to Atlanta, then St. Louis, then through Denver and Los Vegas. Which is 300 miles longer.
Crime is crime wherever you go. You will find good and bad areas, regardless of which route you take. Use common sense when it comes to safety and you should be fine on either route.
As for the speed traps, you never really know. I've personally heard that Louisiana has the worst speed traps along I10, and parts of East Texas will pull you over for going 5 miles over the posted limit, but who really knows. Each day and each officer/department is different. However, west of San Antionio, the posted speed limit is still 80, which I find pretty cool. :-)
I would stick with the shortest route, unless you have a specific place that you want to visit and/or you are intersted in any site seeing options.
If you are that concerned about the south route, then do the north route, as it is only an extra half day or so driving. Unless you are driving an little rice-burner overloaded with passengers and luggage, or a overloaded rental truck with a car trailer, as I-70 thru the Rocky Mountains will be no fun at all.
I have recent experience (August, 2012) driving I-10 between Los Angeles and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, as well as somewhat older experience (2006) driving I-10 from Florida to Baton Rouge. I see no reason to drive extra miles to avoid it. If there are things you want to see enroute, that should be the determining factor. Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico is located at a fairly short detour north of I-10 and is most worthwhile. On a more northerly route you could visit the Grand Canyon and/or Navajo country (again, with short detours). If you are in a hurry, by all means use I-10.
Are you nuts? Take the 10, it will save you tons of miles and gas. It is also the best weather route at this time of year. I have driven it at least 4 times and it is fine, its an interstate, not a back country road for crying out loud. Unless you get off the interstate in some remote area looking for trouble you won't find it. Spare yourself!
I'm driving from Miami to Los Angeles. I had planned to take route 10 the whole way, but people are telling me that it's dangerous (crime), lots of speed traps, etc. in Missippi, Arkansas, Texas, Arizona...
They suggest going up to Atlanta, then St. Louis, then through Denver and Los Vegas. Which is 300 miles longer.
Anyone have any opinions?
Don't believe everything you hear. I have driven up 95...to Jax...then west on I-10 all the way to Santa Monica, CA. Done it twice...didn't run into problems. Just be careful where you make rest stops. Avoid stopping in small towns particularly in those states you mentioned...stay on I-10, rest in well-lit (if stopping at night) prominently known and busy rest stops. I don't recall I-10 slowing down through cities, towns...just watch your speed...and stay on the posted speed limit. AZ has speed limit of 75 on I-10 (unless it's been changed since I last drove through there)...and drove through at or near that speed all the way across to Blythe, CA. There are speed traps almost any route you take. You may find them even going through Atlanta, St. Louis, Denver. You'll be ok...just take necessary precautions. Important is avoiding making stops at small towns. Get a good road map where official rest stops are shown along the interstate...and stop only at those locations. I'd avoid driving late at night also. When tired or need to sleep, find a good motel along the interstate that's in a busy location and well lit. If you have AAA membership...they should be able to help you plan your route and stay safe.
I would do the extra day, just because I personally think I 10 is so boring. Driving thru Texas is Dullsville. Sage brush, flat. 95 to 80 is a much prettier trip. Just my opinion. If you are going to do a cross country trip...make it worthwhile.
95 to 80?!? good grief - that's a 2 day trip in itself. Highest traffic areas once you pass South of the Border - DC, Baltimore, NJ, just to get to 80 in Pennsylvania. Whoo!
No, I went from Miami to Chicago, turned left....I did not go 95 all the way up. Sure, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska are boring...but I have done the Southern route...and just don't like it.
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