We have driven from Shreveport to Austin many times by traveling I-20 west from Shreveport to I-35, just east of Dallas, then taking 35 south to Austin. We took our 5th wheel last time and there was a great deal of construction for most of the way on 35. I am considering either taking I-20 west to Marshall then taking Hwy 79 to Round Rock or taking I-20 west to Tyler then taking Hwy 31 to Waco. We have gone both of these routes before but never pulling a trailer. My concern is finding places to buy diesel.
Has anyone ever taken either of these routes while pulling a big trailer. We are too tall to get into regular service stations and I really don't like the idea of having to drop the trailer to fuel up.
We go to Austin by taking 59 at Marshall to 79. 79 to 35. There is a lot of construction on 35 near Austin. Since we visit friends in Lexington, TX. We take 77 to 21 and follow the signs around Austin to get to south 35. This bypasses most of the construction around Austin.
I am going to take the liberty to repost what was posted a couple of weeks ago. I hope it is of some help to you and does not offend the original poster.
"I would suggest taking U.S. 59 from Texarka to Marshall, I-20 to just north of Tyler, U.S. 271 to the Tyler Loop, then Texas 31 through Athens and Corsicana to Waco. 31 is 4-lane almost all the way to Waco, and the short distance which is not, is not heavily traveled at most times of the day. The only drawback is about a mile of very narrow 4-lane through downtown Corsicana (there is no loop). The road through Corsicana curves, and you have to be on your toes to keep a wide trailer in your own lane. The concrete curbs are black, instead of white, where 18-wheelers routinely run over them when negotiating the curves through town. My brother lives in Gun Barrel City (near Athens), and we often tow an equipment trailer between Clifton and Gun Barrel City, and sometimes our RV. Except for downtown Corsicana, it is an easy trip. We also use this route when we are going to Monroe, La., on I-20.
Once in Waco, you can take I-35, of course, to Austin. However, if you don't like wall-to-wall 18-wheelers, Mexican and otherwise, you can take Hwy 77 to Rockdale, then take 79 from Rockdale to Austin, and avoid many miles of intimidating trucks. There are some steep and very long hills between Waco and Austin on I-35, and the 18-wheelers, Mexican or not, geared to run in the flatlands, run down the hills as fast as they will go in order to get up as much speed as possible before climbing the next one. The stretch of Interstate 35 between Temple and Hillsboro averages about 2 fatal accidents a week. The stretches between Temple and Austin, and Hillsboro to Dallas, average higher.
Older (57), wiser, and rarely in a hurry anymore, we quit using I-35 between Dallas and San Antonio several years ago, towing or not. Living 35 miles NW of Waco (14 miles from the Western White House), we use U.S 281 when we go to Austin or San Antonio, and I-35W from Hillsboro to Forth Worth, or I-35W to Alvarado, then U.S. 67 to Dallas. Before NAFTA, I-35 from San Antonio to Dallas was nerve-racking. Since NAFTA, it's downright dangerous, and the cemeteries bear the proof. "
Lots of RV's travel Hwy 31 and lots of open gas/store stops with room---Corsicana is a little tight but doable
05 Trail Bay 27DS
07 Tundra SR5 4.7
00 Harley Electra Glide (My Baby)
07 Civic for cheap gas
Margarita machine---nothing better then sittin in the shade on a hot day sippin a Margie!
steelpony5555 wrote: Lots of RV's travel Hwy 31 and lots of open gas/store stops with room---Corsicana is a little tight but doable
If you take 77 south to Lexington. There is a Shell station that has good prices and easy access for a large RV. It is about 250 miles from Shreveport. Lots of other places on 79 but we use the Shell because we usually stop there for a couple of days.
Easy now, you can take US 79 down to Round Rock with no problem. In Buffalo there are a couple of fuel stops that work for 18 wheelers so a fiver should have no problem. 79 is a good road we take it all the time. If your destination is North Austin stay on 79 through Taylor. If you destination is Central Austin, take 79 to 77 to 290. South Austin, then 79 to 77 to 21 to 71. Whatever way you go, fuel is not an issue. Enjoy the trip.
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