Driving from S. Texas to St. Louis

[alarimer]

Actually I am going to Illinois just east of St. Loius. There are two ways to go (according to Mapquest and Google Maps- they each give different directions). The main difference is that Google keeps me on 35 to Oklahoma City, where I pick up 44. Mapquest takes me off 35 near Dallas and onto 75, which becomes 69. Neither of those are freeways but I think they are state highways. I just don't know if they are the kind with stoplights in every single town, which will slow things considerably. I am trying to decide which way would be quicker. The Google way is longer but it is all interstate.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. I don't know for sure...

But I suspect the interstates would be faster...

No stoplights and that sort of thing...

They are built for speed...

If you have AAA insurance, you could ask them...

They could certainly give you a definitive answer...

Good luck!

Safe travels, too...

:hi:

[alarimer]

2. Actually the difference is only about 50 miles altogether

So, probably, the interstate would be faster. Or at least about the same amount of time.

[DuckBurp]

3. I agree with Peggy

Stay on I-35 thru OKC, then I-44 thru Tulsa via the turnpike. Mapquest's route may be fewer miles, but would take longer to drive. Also, take I-35W thru Fort Worth instead of I-35E thru Dallas - there is less traffic that way.

[yellowdogintexas]

13. ABSOLUTELY DO take I35-W ! much easier driving and fewer miles as well

not many but much more pleasant due to less congested conditions. What day are you taking this trip? If it is a weekday, and you are hitting the Metroplex around evening rush hour, stop in Burleson, have a nice supper and then proceed through FT Worth. Between about 4pm and 6 pm the northbound traffic from downtown FT Worth is pretty slow moving and heavy until you get past the Western Center and Golden Triangle exits. Downtown Fort Worth sits on the Mixmaster of I35W and I30 if you need a reference point on your maps.

If you are traveling on Sat or Sun however it will be a breeze, and the Dallas side will still be congested.

[alarimer]

17. It will be a weekday.

I will probably hit Dallas around noon or so. I am considering driving to Austin the night before (I have relatives there) so I don't have to make one long drive.

[proud2BlibKansan]

26. Worst traffic outside of California

is in Dallas. I am a regular at Camp Casey and have driven down there 6 or 7 times. I time it to go around Fort Worth when I think it isn't rush hour. But regardless of the time, that interstate backs up somewhere in the Fort Worth area. In July we wanted to stop in Dallas so we took 35E and the traffic was backed up for miles - at 2:00 in the afternoon. Another time we went through Dallas at 10:00 on a Sunday morning and also ran into a traffic jam. What a mess.

And that highway is a mess in Texas. They need to spend some money on resurfacing. It's a great road in OK and KS but horrible in TX.

[DuckBurp]

44. Are you crazy? Resurfacing costs money!

We would have to raise taxes to pay for it!!! This is TEXAS, boy!

[Solon]

4. Going up 44 would be the best bet...

That leads straight into St. Louis County.

[ChoralScholar]

5. 75 is not bad once you get out of DFW Metro

It is 4-lane divided for a great portion of the way. However, if you stay on I-35, you get the added advantage of the Oklahoma Turnpikes being 75mph. Don't forget to stop at the World's Largest McDonald's in Vinita, OK (I-44 exit 283 methinks)

The only reason to go the other way is if you were needing to stop in Fort Smith, Fayetteville, or some such.

[YankeyMCC]

6. Sounds like a trip I made once

Lackland to Scott AFB?

Sorry, I don't remember much to be any more help than those who've already posted.

[LaurenG]

7. I agree with taking 44. Be really careful navigating through St. Louis

through, especially during rush hour. I have nearly missed my exits several times driving through there.

Edited to add that 44 is a toll highway and the many times I've driven it I was in the way going 75 mph. The speed on 44 is quite brisk.

Oh and the signs along the highway that state "Do Not Drive Into Smoke" are interesting. :o

[hippywife]

8. I thought they were interesting

when I first moved to OK, too. But having lived here over ten years now, I do know why they are there. Grassfire season around here can be intense. No doubt lots of out of state folks driving through don't understand the problem and throw lit cigs out the window.

[LaurenG]

10. I knew it was to do with fire, I just didn't realize that

fires were that prevalent. Driving into the smoke would be a bad thing.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

12. Idiot instate folks do the same thing!! (Flick cigs out the window)

I see it everyday and wish I could snatch them up by their hair for it. It really pisses me off.
HW, I didn't know you lived in Oklahoma!
Duckie

[hippywife]

16. Yeah, I've seen plenty of locals

doing it, too. I do smoke but I carry an empty bullion jar with a tight screw on lid. Just drop the lit butt in it and close it tight and it smothers it. Even when there is no fire danger, I still never throw butts out the window.

[alarimer]

18. Interesting signs

Maybe there are a lot of fires?

[hippywife]

9. We live near 75 south of Tulsa.

Even tho I know you won't be on 75 this far north, in this area it is a 4-lane divided highway with lights at some of the little towns that are directly on the route and even goes through some of them without a bypass. Don't know what the rest of it is like. Have a safe trip!

[YellowRubberDuckie]

11. 75 is an interstate of sorts....

I don't know about 69, but 75 will take you from Dallas to Tulsa and will hook up with 44 around there.
Duckie

[SPKrazy]

14. 75/69 will get you to Muskogee

well mostly before any stoplights, then you can catch the turnpike and hook up with I 44 to Missouri. I 35 to OKC is longer and 75/69 is four lane and no lights anymore that I recall until Muskogee from Dallas.

:hi:

long drive though. good luck!

[GOPisEvil]

15. Sounds like a trip I've made.

When last we drove from San Antonio to east of St. Louis, we took interstates all the way. Had to pay some tolls on the turnpike in OK, but there were no slowdowns. It's been a long time though.

[alarimer]

19. I am thinking that's what I will do.

The actually difference in miles is only about 50.

[datasuspect]

20. interstate is faster

but less interesting.

i like the stoplights in the little towns.

and the hamburgers.

[proud2BlibKansan]

21. 35 to OK City

75 is sometimes 4 lane and sometimes not. Take 35 to 44. Then you are on 4 lane interstate all the way. 75 is a pretty route but it is better in the summer. This time of year, take 35.

[alarimer]

22. That seems like the consensus

If I had more time I would take a more leisurely route.

[proud2BlibKansan]

25. I live in KC and have driven to Texas more times than I care to count

Take 35. You will get to OK City about 3 to 4 hours after Dallas. Oh and take 35W around DFW. That will save you an hour.

[SPKrazy]

24. that used to be true

the only places i can think of it being true now are mccalaster and muskogee

but interstates are fine too

[alarimer]

23. Well Pat Robertson says I-35 is a holy highway

so I should probably take that.

http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2007/12/highway_to_hysteria.php

I hope I don't run into any purity sieges.

[DuckBurp]

27. I highly recommend stopping at the Czech Stop on I-35

for kollaches (spelling?) in West, Texas, between Waco and Hillsboro. Eazy on, easy off the Interstate on the east side of the road. A great snack or meal. It is mandatory stop anytime I am driving through there.

[GOPisEvil]

29. Oh HELL yes.

:thumbsup:

[alarimer]

31. I'll try to remember that

I should be ready for a break then.

[yellowdogintexas]

37. oh definitely do that. Kolaches are great and that place is the Mother Church

of kolaches.
Seriously when you get to Hillsboro, take the 35W route. It hooks back together just south of Denton.
The time you are traveling should let you sail right through Fort Worth.

[tammywammy]

40. I believe there are a few billboards for the West stop

for kolaches. yum yum.

[VenusRising]

28. If you go up through OKC...

Make sure you take quarters for the toll roads just across the border into Oklahoma.

Have a safe trip....it's a long, sucky one!

:hi:

[alarimer]

30. Yes

I always have quarters for laundry so I guess I will get some more. Most of 35 in Kansas is toll as well, as I found out earlier this fall.

[zingaro]

32. I can't help with how you GET here but

44 through St Louis is undergoing lots of construction right now, plus we have another of our major highways in the middle of a shutdown/renovation as well. My best advice is to take 44 through the city if you need to but check here http://maps.modot.mo.gov/travelerinformation/TravelerInformation.aspx closer to your travel time.

One other option is to slide onto 270 S when you get in close and go around the actual city by taking the 255 loop into Illinois. If you're interested, I'd be happy to help with better directions. St Louis is a PITA at the moment, traffically speaking. :)

[alarimer]

33. Well I am actually going to New Baden, IL

So I have to get from 44 to 64. I always use loops around cities if they exist; I'd rather not go through any downtown area if I can avoid it. I can't remember if the directions from Mapquest/Google go through or around St. Louis.

[darkstar]

34. Hey...I live in Belleville

Don;t know what brings you in, but if you have time for a coffee or something or need anything while in these parts, holler.

:hi:

[alarimer]

35. I am going to visit my sister over Christmas

Her husband is in the AF at Scott. My aunt and cousin live in Mattoon (not sure where that is exactly) so we are doing a Christmas dinner on Sunday with them. Besides that, I am not sure what is on the agenda. My niece and nephew will probably want me to play video games with them (and they will beat me for sure LOL) or something.

But I will let you know.

[darkstar]

38. Hey thanks for replying...

I guess I thought you'd be hear sooner from your OP. Planning ahead, unlike me.....

Curiously, I'll be in NE Louisiana while you're up, so no luck this time.

Enjoy yourself and good luck w/ the video games, OK?

:hi:

[alarimer]

41. Yes just trying to plan ahead

I drove to Minnesota for my Grandmother's funeral this fall and we took 35 the whole way. St. Louis is not on that route and I figured someone here would know for sure. I think the interstate is the way to go this time. Wish I had time for more leisurely driving.

[zingaro]

36. Oh, hey, we have friends in

Mascoutah. Let me ask them which way they'd go if they were coming up on 44E.

[tammywammy]

39. Take 35 in Texas

And when you get to Hillsboro be sure to get on I-35W. The Ft. Worth side will be easier to maneuver than Dallas, plus probably less traffic.

[yellowdogintexas]

42. Hi Tammywammy, do you think we have made it clear the preferred route is 35W? LOL

Merry Christmas!!

[CreekDog]

43. The question you should ask is not *how* but *why*

:popcorn:

[fudge stripe cookays]

45. reprehensor and I just did part of this a couple months ago.

Definitely stick with 35 as much as you can through Texas. We lived east of Dallas, so took I-30 to Little Rock, then Little Rock to St. Louis.

Not bad. If you take 75 up into Oklahoma, I believe you're going to be dealing with more toll roads. Depends on what your budget is.

We had to plan our trip with respect to lodgings that would take our 100 pound dog and a cat overnight, and we succeeded with Holiday Inns in Little Rock and one south of St. Louis.