Getting to Grayton from Dallas

[OSR]

My family and I are heading down to Grayton in October, yeah! However, we have not made the drive since Katrina and Rita. Any advice on how the back roads are doing? Stick to the interstates? Any shortcuts, good stops for toddlers or overall advice would be greatly appreciated.

TIA, OSR

 

[cpete]

Doing the Drive in one day or splittting it up?

 

[OSR]

One day. Not worth the hassle of dragging 2 little ones into a hotel. They don't sleep anyway.

 

[Beach Runner]

I'll ask my sister. Normally she drives by herself with the dogs, and her husband and the kids fly to/from Ft. Walton. The kids are just too impatient for such a long drive. She says it's easier to drive by herself than have them in the car for hours and hours. There's only so many DVD's they can watch before they get bored with that.

 

[Rita]

My family and I are heading down to Grayton in October, yeah! However, we have not made the drive since Katrina and Rita. Any advice on how the back roads are doing? Stick to the interstates? Any shortcuts, good stops for toddlers or overall advice would be greatly appreciated.

TIA, OSR

OSR
Glad you asked this as I had also been wondering how traffic congestion was in Baton Rouge... After Katrina the population exploded there and as I was reading, their infrastructure was having trouble handling it.... sooo, since then we've been going I20 through Vicksburg (about 5.5 hrs from Dallas) to Jackson, MS then down through Mobile. I think the "southern" route through Lafayette and Baton Rouge may be shorter. Would like to hear from someone on traffic situation going through Baton Rouge.

.

 

[30A Skunkape]

Here is the official fastest route. I-20 to Shreveport. I-49 from Shreveport to Opelousas. Take Hwy 190 from Opelousas to Port Allen, Louisiana and catch I-10 in Port Allen(taking Hwy 190 instead of going all the way to Lafayette to catch I-10 saves you about 30 minutes, but do NOT speed on 190 through the little towns, especially Krotz Springs). Once you get to Baton Rouge on I-10, take the I-12 east and bypass New Orleans. You will meet up with I-10 again in Slidell. Take I-10 to the Defuniak Springs exit, Hwy 331 in Walton County and head south. You will be in SOWAL! However, some folks are saying there is roadwork on 331 south;you can exit I-10 at Niceville (Exit 86 I think) and take the Mid Bay bridge to Destin and then go east to SOWAL. I used to live in Shreveport, so I promise you this is quicker than the Jackson, Miss. route (I have tried them both). Depending on where in the Metroplex you are coming from, get ready for a solid 9.5 to 10 hours in the car. :shock:

 

[Miss Kitty]

Well thanks skunkape! We have never taken that route before...even after driving down since 1986!!! We had decided we liked the Jackson to Mobile route better than going down through LA. It takes us a good 12 hours. I would be in heaven if this route was only 10!

 

[30A Skunkape]

Well thanks skunkape! We have never taken that route before...even after driving down since 1986!!! We had decided we liked the Jackson to Mobile route better than going down through LA. It takes us a good 12 hours. I would be in heaven if this route was only 10!

I am assuming you won't linger at one of those video poker casinos in Cajun Country where they bring you boudin and beer Miss Kitty:funn:

 

[Miss Kitty]

I am assuming you won't linger at one of those video poker casinos in Cajun Country where they bring you boudin and beer Miss Kitty:funn:

Only if they have that Le Tumbler coin game. We could be very late to SoWal. Can you really make it to SoWal in 10 hours this way? Why are you saving time on back roads?

 

[30A Skunkape]

Only if they have that Le Tumbler coin game. We could be very late to SoWal. Can you really make it to SoWal in 10 hours this way? Why are you saving time on back roads?

Here is the math, and please note that when I drive I don't stop much. Dallas to Shreveport 3 hours (obviously longer from the western side of town) Shreveport to Covington, La 5 hours. Covington to SOWAL 4 to 4.5 hours. Oops, did I say 10 hours?:roll: OK, I drive a little faster, these are average times. I still think the coastal route is quicker than the Jackson way. Done both. OK, serious caveat-if you hit Baton Rouge anywhere between 4-6 PM, you tack an extra 45 minutes to the trip due to the traffic (on a weekday). You could always fly Miss Kitty!