4huskers
Texas
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There's major construction impacting I35W in North Ft. Worth. You'll notice the slowdown starting around N. Tarrant Parkway and it will last until you're past Loop 820 where all the work is being done. It's not too bad if you miss rush hour.
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SolidAxleDurango
OK, USA
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Joined: 01/02/2003
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My Dad (lives in San Antonio) wants to constantly talk about routes I drive (although he nearly never laves his city)... And he is pretty insistent I drive down 281... I have no problem navigating the minimal-moderate traffic (depending on time of day) I encounter in Dallas while towing my 40' 5er.. I think old people (like my dad) obsess over this. Just go. 
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steelpony5555
Copperas Cove Texas
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Ok 281 is great and is mostly 4 lane good hwy and 70-75 mph speed limit. If going to north Austin you will want to jump to 183 also 4 lane but there is a short section in North Austin that's toll road unless you jump off at Leander and Cedar Park but you'll be going thru a commercial district(stop lights). But it's not too bad and it's the way I go since Tx's toll roads are fairly expensive. If going to south Austin stay on 281 till Blanco and hang a left on 290. If you go down 35w it's not bad at times, it's the way I go up to DFW all the time even though I am right here on 281. From Ft Worth to the split at Hillsboro is great, after Hillsboro all the way to Temple it will be bad because there is lots of road construction since they are widening it out to 3 lanes which should tell you that yes it is crowded and any little fender bender or just because means it can turn into a parking lot. But be prepared for 70 mph bumper to bumper if traffic is flowing. Once you hit Georgetown just north of Austin it will be crowded till you hit downtown Austin where you will probably come to a stop and creep thru Austin. And it don't matter if it's rush hour or 3am it can and usually is a slow moving parking lot. Unless you take the toll road 130 around Austin and then it's a deserted roadway with an 80 mph speed limit.
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BB_TX
McKinney, Texas
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Joined: 04/04/2005
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steelpony5555 wrote:Ok 281 is great and is mostly 4 lane good hwy and 70-75 mph speed limit. ..........
US 281 in Oklahoma from north of Lawton to the Texas border (which is also I-44) is 4 lane. But US 281 in Texas is almost all 2 lane from Wichita Falls to Lampasas. Mostly a quiet country highway, but passes thru numerous small towns with the expected traffic lights and town speed limits.
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steelpony5555
Copperas Cove Texas
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That's true Lampasas north it is 2 lane but with climbing lanes for the so called hills, but still 70 mph and very little traffic at least as far north as Hico. Most of the towns are up towards I-20 and above. I travel mainly the southern route to San Antonio. That section other then a 5 mile stretch is 4 lane though.
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rosspulliam
Lawrence, KS
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Joined: 08/27/2005
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4huskers wrote:There's major construction impacting I35W in North Ft. Worth. You'll notice the slowdown starting around N. Tarrant Parkway and it will last until you're past Loop 820 where all the work is being done. It's not too bad if you miss rush hour.
Other than whatever random construction that happens in Oklahoma on I-35 constantly, this should be all the construction you hit on I-35. As others have said try to avoid taking I-35E through Dallas. Stay in the right lane coming into Denton and you can't miss the fork.
I just drove through FTW on Saturday and the construction isn't bad, but it backed up even at 9 am on a Saturday. It'll be all about timing, I'm guessing that entire 15 miles of road is an absolute nightmare during rush hour.
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Scottybdiving
Spicewood, TX
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I live about 10 mi from 281, west of Austin, so it is a no-brainer for me.. I take it when driving to DFW or further north, as well as San Antonio. It's 4 lane from Blanco to Lampassas, and very nice two lane the rest of the way. It certainly isn'y faster but much less stressful. I have driven all the way to Wichita Falls going to OKC, and I have cut off at Hico to Glenrose and Clebourne to hit I-35W
I will do about anything to stay off of I-35.
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Paul in Texas
Colorado
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I 35 will be faster, but alt route is more scenic. If you are not pushed for time, 281 is a good drive, lots of neat stores to look into, but more small towns to stop / slow through. It is true, 183 is congested at peak times, and part of it is a toll road, but by the time you get there, you have missed a lot of the I 35 congestion / construction. Given plenty of time, I'd go the scenic route thru Wichita Falls, Mineral Wells, Stephenville, Lampasas, then Cedar Park, and Austin.
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Scottybdiving
Spicewood, TX
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Now that I have a large toy hauler, I will no longer be using 281. On the maiden voyage of my new Cyclone 4100, we took our normal route up 281 N. It is a great drive in a car or truck, but too much up and down for a heavy rig. It worked the engine and tranny too hard and my fuel mileage was dismal. When I hit I-35 at Alvarado, it was like a breath of fresh air. I normally dislike i-35 and avoid it whenever possible. I now have to re-think my choices for routes and will use the interstate any chance i get. Maybe when I get an F-450, in the not too distant future, with it's 4.30 gears, i will feel differently.
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