John&Joey
Northern MN
(Baby it's cold outside)
Senior Member
Joined: 05/20/2007
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
|
Seems like several members like to take Hwy 77 down to the RGV. I would like to bypass some of the I35 traffic south of Austin by taking Hwy 77.
Any problems with taking Hwy 79 (north of Austin) to Hwy 77 then taking the "back way" into Rockport. Which would be 239 to Tivoli, then south on 35. The park I'll be going to is between Rockport and Fulton.
|
skipnchar
Topeka Kansas USA
Senior Member
Joined: 12/17/2003
View Profile
|
Certainly wouldn't be any PROBLEM taking that route but I've never seen more than minimal traffic on I-35 or I-37 heading south of Austin other than going through San Antonio. Taking the Anderson Loop and going AROUND SA (route 1604) will miss 99% of the traffic of San Antonio even. Good luck / skip
2004 F-250 SCREW Long Bed (new)
OR 2004 F-150 HD (85,000 towing miles)
Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
We have enough YOUTH...how about a fountain of SMART
|
SquareTriangle
South Texas, USA
Senior Member
Joined: 09/04/2002
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
|
The only suggestion I would have would be to take 77S at Waco, don't wait until Austin. Stay with 77 all the way around Victoria to the Victoria county line where you can take 239 over to State 35 and go south on to Rockport. Skip, above says "minimal traffic" through Austin. It is my experience that I35 from Waco to SA is terrible. I avoid it at all costs. I also see going through SA to get to Rockport as being way way out of the way! One is going a good 100 miles farther west than one has to that way. Just MHO as a resident of the great state of TEXAS!
The "Old SquareTriangle" and the DW
2003 Dodge 2500 Quad Cab CTD 4X4 6spd
2005 Jayco Eagle 298 BHS
Tekonsha P3 and Hensley Arrow
Travelin Texas every chance we get!
|
1995brave
San Antonio, TX
Senior Member
Joined: 01/24/2006
View Profile
 Offline
|
skipnchar wrote: Taking the Anderson Loop and going AROUND SA (route 1604) will miss 99% of the traffic of San Antonio even.
Not a good idea taking 1604 around the city anymore. The only time 1604 is not crowded anymore is early morning (before 6am) and late evening (after 8pm).
|
grey`eagle
N31° 55’ W95° 30’ ----- ESE of One Tree, TX
Senior Member
Joined: 07/06/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
SquareTriangle wrote:The only suggestion I would have would be to take 77S at Waco, don't wait until Austin.
This is best advise and route you'll ever find.
When we were still living in the northern part of the DFW area, we always cut off on US77 south at Waco.
Going to Rockport area, then it's 239 at Tivoli, if continuing to So Padre, then US77 all the way.
Going down I-35 starts to be a real PITA beginning just about Temple and goes all the way to past San Antonio. You may get thru the Roundrock/Austin boondoggle with no problems and again you might sit in landlocked traffic for no telling how long.
Yes, there's a bypass toll road around Austin, but it's a $20 bill plus change. Pretty hefty for such a short distance.
'04 F-250 PSD TV
'04 CF28CK Cruiser
Now enjoying mother earth at ground level and one mile per minute.
|
|
|
Drippin
Dripping Springs, TX
Senior Member
Joined: 08/09/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
Living here in the Austin area I would agree with the grey'eagle and SquareTriangle. Do whatever you can to avoid I35 from Georgetown to SA. For a city of our size we have by far the worst traffic I have ever seen. Now if you don't mind travelling after 10PM then stay on I35.
A man, his wife, their son, Cody the Goldendoodle and Sadie the Shepherd.
2008 Laredo 284BHS, 2007 Dodge Ram 2500 Quad Cab 4X4 6.7CTD, Equal-i-zer, P3, Subaru RG4300iS
|
TexasH
Katy, TX
Full Member
Joined: 02/24/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
I've driven the route from Victoria- US 77 out of Victoria to TX 239, South to TX 35, then south to Rockport. They are good roads, and little traffic or small towns to contend with. Friends have traveled US 77 from Waco to Victoria and they say it is a good route. I agree with other posters that you want to avoid I35 thru Austin and San Antonio at all costs!
While you're in Rockport, take trip back up TX35 to Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, and check out the Whooping Cranes that spend the winter there, or take a boat trip out of Rockport up the Intracoastal Waterway to see them. Well worth the effort.
And don't miss THE BIG FISHERMAN south of Rockport. Excellent seafood, huge servings, really reasonable prices. If you go for dinner, go early or expect a wait for a table. But it is worth the wait!!!
|
John&Joey
Northern MN
(Baby it's cold outside)
Senior Member
Joined: 05/20/2007
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
|
Thanks for all of the good input everyone. Right now we're in a park in Georgetown (wonderful by the way) but I'm done with traffic while driving the MH/Toad. It really does seem to just keep getting worst south of here.
Wished I would have turned off in Waco like others said, but our plan was to spend a month outside of SA, so down I35 we went. Might hit SA on the way back north when I'm up to the challenge though. Got to see River walk and the Alamo. 
Thanks again,
John
|
nfun2
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Full Member
Joined: 09/15/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
Ditto TexasH's recommendation on The Big Fisherman. Try lunch and get the seafood sampler. Last year it included 4 pieces of fried fish, four fried shrimp, one stuffed shrimp, one stuffed crab a baked potatoe and a cup of seafood gumbo for (get this) $6.95.
|
grey`eagle
N31° 55’ W95° 30’ ----- ESE of One Tree, TX
Senior Member
Joined: 07/06/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
John&Joey wrote:-snip- Wished I would have turned off in Waco like others said,
If you're still in Georgetown, it's not to late to take an alternate to avoid Austin/Roundrock and SAT.
Take TX 29 N.E. out of G'town (you may have to ask directions on how to find it)
Go about four or five miles to TX 95, then south to Yoakum.
At Yoakum take US77A down to Refugio, then turn south on US77 to the RGV.
If you're headed for Aransas Pass area, then you can turn southeast at Sinton, otherwise stay on US77 to RGV.
These roads are all good roads and well maintained. They show as red roads on the Rand McNally atlas. Most will have wide shoulders with an occasional narrow shoulder but not often.
|
|
|
