Texas to Florida route

[RV Pirate]

Does anyone know a decent route from the Ft Worth area to Florida? Trying to avoid as much of I 20 in Louisiana as possible. Can't believe they call that an interstate, especially around Shreveport. I think I lost a kidney out there somewhere. Also want to avoid Mobile Alabama and that tunnel. An hour or 2 out of the way to avoid all that mess would be worth it. Thanks

[Chance]

There are not a lot of choices for direct Interstate routes. I-10 through Louisiana isn't any better in my opinion, plus it'll take you through Mobile and tunnel area. In September I drove from Dallas to Florida on I-20 and didn't find it that bad by comparison. The fastest route traveling east on I-20 took me through Mobile tunnel anyway.

Other routes staying on Interstates to avoid both I-20 and tunnel would take you North, and I'm guessing would add much more than an hour or two. I'd consider I-30 towards Arkansas and then southeast to Atlanta, but that's going to add a lot of miles and time.

[Mr Sunshine]

Have run several routes from Florida to Dallas and back over the years, and my chosen route is from I-10 at Mobile up US 49 to i-20 west of Vicksburg. The casino at Vicksburg has a great buffet and a RV park, and you really should stop at the Military Park and the ironclad ship there.

I-10, I-20, US 49, all have areas that are not all that great. I-10 is good in Florida. A big gap in the pavement on I-10 just east of Texas broke glasses and the frame on my 5th wheel camper once, several years ago. Keystone fixed the frame, even though the warranty was long past!

[Travelin' Texans]

Just went round trip from Arizona to Florida for Disney cruise, other than a few rough patches wasn't too bad. We've been through the Mobile tunnel with our 5er with no problems, the 1st time had a very high pucker factor.
IIRC, tunnel clearance is 16'.

[RV Pirate]

Thanks guys

[italiavb]

What is your concern about the Mobile tunnel. I have been through it several times over the last several years. First with a 5th wheel and now with a 40’ class a.

[RV Pirate]

I've been through it in my truck a few times. Just looking for an alternate route to avoid that whole Charlie Foxtrot of the Mobile Bay area.
Not the most scenic route to be sure.

[Chance]

Funny how everyone's perceptions and preferences differ. I actually like driving over the bay, particularly when eastbound towards Spanish Fort. It also lets me know I'm very close to entering Florida; and the Florida panhandle is my favorite part between Houston and south Florida.


By the way, isn't there a sign against driving through tunnel with propane? I no longer have propane so don't pay close attention.

[RV Pirate]

Propane in the tunnel was also one of my concerns. And you're right, Florida panhandle is pretty awesome, especially around Destin to Tallahassee.. I live on the east coast of Florida, Amelia Island, on the marsh. I guess I'm more used to the prestine tidal marshes and bays where I live. IMO, Mobile bay doesn't come close. I'm just surprised that there's not a slightly more northerly interstate that bypasses that area and gets you more directly to I-20 considering how many people travel across to Texas and beyond. Once you're thru the tunnel, there's a few highway changes to to Vicksburg where we pick up I-20.

[Mr Sunshine]

Some tunnels have a propane warning. The warning is that you are supposed to turn off the propane tank before going through the tunnel. Always a good idea, with or without a sign.

The mobile tunnel is nothing to worry about. I've been over a few highway bridges in this country that were much scarier.

[italiavb]

That is true. This summer I went through the Portsmouth Virginia tunnel and I had to actually stop and prove my propane tank valve was closed.

[gmc]

Did the Mobile tunnel twice this month in the Hurricane... No issue at all and wouldn't hesitate to do it again. Driving through Atlanta is much worse!
Signs about no trucks with hazardous cargo... No checkpoint.

No such thing as a direct route from there to Little Rock though...lol. Some signs for a future expansion of I-69... But no signs of work on it.

[Travelin' Texans]

Just east of Lake Charles go north on Highway 165 (IIRC it's exit 41) about 20 miles to Coushatta Casino Red Shoes Rv park, great park & nice casino, if you're into that. We stay at least one night every time we go that way & play with their card & can usually get a night or 2 free in the rv park, we're not big gamblers either.

[scrubjaysnest]

We take US 84 from Andalusia AL to the FT Worth area all the time.
I-10 West to US 331 then AL 55, over night at Open Pond. Several good CG's along the way ACOE and USFS. In TX get off US 84 at I-49 head north to Ennis then take US 287.
AL and LA is 2 lane while MS is 4 lane. It is very rare to run into slow traffic but it can happen around the small towns.

[Tearstone]

This past week, we were in Shreveport. I would also concur the I-20 roadway was pretty bad all the way until we got to the Texas state line.

The RV park at Diamond Jacks is not too shabby, but that Casino itself, not so much.