| |
Subject |
Author |
Date Posted |
Forum
|
 |
Denton TX-
What's the latest on the traffic mess in Denton,TX.
Is it best to go thru on US380, around the north loop 288 or
around the south side loop (426)
We'll be going thru mid morning on Sat. MS Streets and Trips recommends the south side loop (426) and can't see why. Our final destination is Decatur.
|
grey`eagle
|
05/17/12 11:06am |
Roads and Routes
|
|
RE: Dallas,tx to colorado springs
We're a 100 miles east of Dallas and take FM1061 both ways. Been doing so for the last 6 or 7 years. It's the shorter of all four options from Amarillo.
US87/US287 thru Dumas is not an option for us due to the massive re-building of a RR overpass just west of US287 on US87 by the city park.
The 4th option you don't see mentioned is north on US287 from Amarillo for 35 miles to TX354 west to Hartley then US385 to Dalhart. This route is the exact same as going thru Dumas, less the construction and massive traffic on US287 at Walmart south of town.
Just watch your speed real close going thru Channing and Hartley. There's a local smokey that hangs out behind one of the vacant buildings and catches a boat load of speeders.
|
grey`eagle
|
05/07/12 04:10pm |
Roads and Routes
|
|
RE: TX HWY 31 Waco to Tyler
Strongly recommend not towing thru Tyler. When you get to Tyler take Loop 323 north, around to US271 north to I-30, then east to TXK.
|
grey`eagle
|
04/04/12 06:52pm |
Roads and Routes
|
|
RE: Route from Big Bend National Park to Carlsbad Caverns
Depends on which side of BBNP you leaving from.
Panther Junction or east as in Rio Grande Village, then north on US385 to Ft Stockton.
If on the west side as in Terlingua or Study Butte, then north on TX118 up to Ft Davis as stated above.
The best prices on fuel will be in Ft. Stockton and if you need very much then it might be best to go thru Ft. Stockton. Alpine prices will be slightly higher that Ft. Stockton or Pecos.
|
grey`eagle
|
03/30/12 08:16am |
Roads and Routes
|
|
RE: waco,tx to jackson hole, wy
I would highly recommend staying completely away from the DFW area and I-35. It's longer and the traffic is terrible.
Another option is to stay on US84 all the way to Lubbock, then I-27 to Amarillo, thence US287 to I-70. This route bypasses Raton Pass.
Or - you can take the bypass around Amarillo to FM1061 up to US385 to Dalhart, then US64 to Raton, thence I-25 to Denver. This takes you across Raton Pass, which is no big deal. We use the route every year towing a 30ft 5ver.
|
grey`eagle
|
03/29/12 08:47am |
Roads and Routes
|
|
RE: Texas Hill Country Wildflowers
And everybody said lady Bird Johnson never did any thing. She the reason wild flowers are every where in that part of Texas. She had the whole country side seeded.
The wild flowers act was but just one of the major efforts that were passed during the Johnson Administration, primarly due to the efforts of Lady Bird Johnson.
Most don't realize that HBA65, which the wildflower effort is part of, also covers requirement that no billboards be allowed within the rights of way along the Interstate System.
A major part of bill pertains to the removal or the hiding of wrecking or junk yards from view along the Interstates and US Federally funded roads.
As a word of caution, the TX Bluebonnets are our state flower, don't get caught trampling, picking, or harvesting the seed of the flowers.
|
grey`eagle
|
03/28/12 04:19pm |
Roads and Routes
|
|
RE: I-35 from San Marcos to Dallas
steelpony5555...Tell me more about toll road 130. I started to take it the other day going to Cibolo, TX. but was told the toll is expensive. I decided to go on through Austin on I-35. I like the idea of no traffic on 130....
Austin TX130 toll rates.
|
grey`eagle
|
03/26/12 10:34am |
Roads and Routes
|
|
RE: I-35 from San Marcos to Dallas
You've probably found this out already. The problem areas are Dallas (I-35E) then starting at about Temple and lasting to almost San Antonio.
You can avoid these areas by taking I-35 south to Denton, then I-35W thru Ft Worth, getting back on I-35 at Hillsboro. Continue south to Waco, then exit onto US77 all the way down to the RGV. There is a bypass around the west side of Victoria and the only other major traffic area will be Corpus Christi and that's no big deal.
If there is any kind of accident and especially if serious injuries or death occur, TX Dot will shut the entire system down until it's completely cleared. This makes for one big parking lot between San Antonio and Dallas. Folks just don't realize just how many 100,000's of cars and trucks use I-35 north and south 24/7.
I got tangled up in on of these situations a few years back and had to sit for over four hours, not fun.
|
grey`eagle
|
03/25/12 07:23pm |
Roads and Routes
|
|
RE: I-80 good weather driving
There's a 50/50 chance of rain, also there is a 50/50 chance of partly cloudy, in addition of a 50/50 chance of sunshine.
Worst case scenario is a 50/50 chance of severe crosswinds.
|
grey`eagle
|
02/27/12 04:14pm |
Roads and Routes
|
|
RE: Mapping with Elevations
If these 6-10 numbers are based on difficulty level, thats one thing, if they are based on actual gradients, then that's a horse of different color.
Saying that a 6 is hardly noticeable is not quite true and doesn't give the entire story.
ie - a 6% gradient less than 5000 ft msl is one thing, a 6% grade above 5000 ft up to 7500 ft is expotentially more difficult. A 6% grade from 7500 ft msl up to 10,000 ft is even more so. Above 10,000 ft it becomes a challenge depending on the load factor and condition of the tow vehicle.
Gradient is easily figured using the formula of G% = rise over run.
ie - a vertical rise of 150 ft in a half mile of approx 2500 ft (run) is 6% gradient expressed as 6% not .06 percent.
If you have a 6% grade that goes on for two or three miles, I'll assure you, you'll darn well notice the performance (strain) on your tow vehicle. This especially true if you're maxed out weight wise.
Also, don't get lulled into the statement of "you won't have any trouble with your rig". All internal combustion engines are susceptable to the same set of physics, diesels are less affected due to the blowers (turbos) that most gas engines lack.
ie - an internal combustion engine will loose approx 3.5% of torque (HP) per 1000 ft rise in elevation. At 10,000 ft this engines will loose 35% of rated torque (HP) provided the temps are standard, which hardly ever happens. On a normal day in the Rockies, a non turbo engine will lose upwards to 45% HP due to temp rise alone.
The issue with diesel powered engines is super heated radiator water temps and transmission oil temps. The weakest link in the equation of the diesel engine will be the radiator hoses. The water pressure becomes so extremely intense that it will blow a hole in the side of tank. Truck turbo engines all work on the same set of principles which are barometric pressure and ambient (free air) temps. If you have a tubo that will not go into high blower mode, then you can expect severely degraded performance, which will become a serious issue the higher up you go.
|
grey`eagle
|
02/25/12 05:03pm |
Roads and Routes
|
|
RE: North of Houston FM1960
We don't mind paying tolls but don't want to have to get the transponder.
All the toll roads in TX are now electronic. They take a shot of your license plate and send you a bill. It amounts to about 30/40% more than a transponder.
If you'll plan your trip through in mid morning to mid afternoon, it shuldn't be all that bad.
|
grey`eagle
|
02/13/12 07:37pm |
Roads and Routes
|
|
RE: North of Houston FM1960
Last time I was on 1960, it was a mess with signal lights bumper to bumper all the way around.
I'm sure it's as bad now as then. My estimate is that will take you 3x longer than using 610 or the toll road.
My suggestion is stay off.
|
grey`eagle
|
02/13/12 04:21pm |
Roads and Routes
|
|
RE: Plano, Texas to Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Regarding taking US70, I don't recommend doing so.
Best overall time is to stay on US287 into Amarillo and take Loop 335 on the east side of Amarillo, south and west around to I-27 down toward Canyon.
TX 217 off of I-27 is the only way into and out of the park if towing.
US70 from Vernon, wonders around all over west TX, first SW the NW, then west and finally NW. It's a good road but zig zags all over the place.
If you can get hold of a Texas Atlas, ie "The Roads of Texas, you'll see what I'm talking about.
|
grey`eagle
|
02/12/12 03:19pm |
Roads and Routes
|
|
RE: D-FW Texas, want to avoid
Ken O
I sent you a PM with another alternative route. Gives a little more Interstate time and still keeps you away from DFW.
|
grey`eagle
|
01/24/12 10:52am |
Roads and Routes
|
|
RE: D-FW Texas, want to avoid
Depending on what part of AZ you're headed, you can south off of US82 in several places if the WX starts to turn bad.
One being Wichita Falls, on U82/US277 down to Abilene, then I-20.
Another is to stay on US82 to Lubbock, then turn SW on US62/US385 down to Odessa.
Or you can stay on US82 all the way to Alamogordo, then US70 toward Las Cruces.
Just keep a close eye on all of the TX panhandle.
It can get real nasty in a matter of a few hours in that entire area.
|
grey`eagle
|
01/21/12 09:05am |
Roads and Routes
|
|
RE: D-FW Texas, want to avoid
I got a kick from the signs warning you of lower speed limits when entering small towns...mphh
Those advance warnings of lower speeds are there for a reason.
It used to be in Texas that "Barney" aka Smokey Bear, would hang out where the speed limit would suddenly drop from 70 to 45 and zap as you go by the 45 mph speed limit sign with an easy 10 over.
In other words, a significant revenue generator, aka "speed trap"
They nabbed the wrong person one too many times and the TX legislature changed the laws to warnings signs in advance and no more than 15 mph reduction at a given spot.
When this law went into effect it basically killed off all the small town speed traps in the state. They also changed the law that the small towns had to send 90% of all traffic fines to the state general fund. They figured out real quick that were losing more than it cost to write the ticket
|
grey`eagle
|
01/20/12 01:22pm |
Roads and Routes
|
|
RE: D-FW Texas, want to avoid
US 82 is a good road all the way across North TX, and it’s a major east west route.
We use it all the time, however it’s a tad bit risky this time of year due to ice, more so that snow.
Also, you don’t need to waste any time getting across and thru NE TX this time of year. We don’t have snow plows or removal equipment down here and have to stay put until it starts to melt. I-40 from Amarillo to Albuquerque can be a real PITA with snow drift closures
I would recommend the following, come into NE TX on I-30, turn south at Texarkana on US59 down to Tenaha (TX), At Teneha, turn west on US 84 to Waco, get on I-35 South for a short distance down to the south side of Waco, take the loop west (TX6) around to US84 west.
Stay on US 84 to Goldthwaite, then turn south on TX16 down to San Saba. At San Saba, turn west on US190 all the way out to I-10. There are several places along US190 that you can turn south down to I-10, if your prefer.
This routing takes you thru the TX Hill country and keeps you completely away from the mad house traffic between Dallas and San Antonio, especially that area around Austin-Roundrock. These roads are all good and there is no shortage of fuel or supplies anywhere along the route, until you get into far west TX.
There are several other options and we’ve tried about every one when we head west or SW out of NE TX. Keep in mind that the residual traffic effect of the Metro-Mess extends out to a 75 mile radius in all directions
|
grey`eagle
|
01/20/12 09:57am |
Roads and Routes
|
|
RE: Austin to Portland - safest route this time of year?
Between Accu WX , NOAA WX , and The WX Channel you can come to a reasonable guess as to which will the best route.
As an amateur meteorologist for the past 40+ years, I can assure you that you will have two areas to keep a close watch.
Those will the fronts (storm systems) that come on shore in the LAX area and those in the Portland (PDX) and Seattle (SEA) area.
If you go west on I-10 thru NM and AZ those systems that develop in the southern parts of NM and AZ will not normally be an issue. Going west on I-40, especially between Amarillo and Albuquerque can be very risky this time of year.
|
grey`eagle
|
01/16/12 03:48pm |
Roads and Routes
|
|
RE: Route around Dallas, Tx.
BB_TX gives the best over all route. We do this 2x a year and there's simply no better way.
One small hint, US82 is about 3 to 4 miles north of Bells, TX.
When you get to Gainesville, watch the exit onto I-35 north, it's a tad tricky.
Don't recommend coming into Dallas, then taking LBJ/I-635 around the east to north side of Dallas. There's always some fender bender traffic jam, where some idiot was on a cell phone or texting.
Besides, the residual DFW traffic starts in Greenville on I-30 and it's always heavy into Dallas.
|
grey`eagle
|
01/12/12 12:12pm |
Roads and Routes
|
|
RE: I30 through middle of Dallas & Fort Worth or I20 bypass ?
Use the Dallas North Tollway to transit Dallas, north to south, it sure beats I-30 or heaven forbid US-75.
Very true, but take a look at where the NTTA starts and stops.
The southern most end is right smack dab in the middle of downtown Dallas. Getting on or off of the NTTA in downtown is not something anyone unfamiliar with that area, would want to do.
The northern most terminus is US380 right in the middle of all that mess between McKinney on the east and Denton on the west.
I-30 runs right thru the middle of downtown Dallas, but it runs east and west. The tollway basically parallels US75 on a north south line.
With regard to I-30, it still boils down to go thru or go around, with I-635 - I-20 being the least painful.
|
grey`eagle
|
01/08/12 09:30am |
Roads and Routes
|
|
