To all the truck or cross country drivers!!!?

Question

Which is the best route to drive from Washington state to Dallas, Tx? The last drive I took was very long and draining. I took I-5 all the way through CA then I-10 straight to I-20 to Dallas. Please give your best opinion. Thanks..

Answer 1

I did a mapquest from Main street Seattle, WA to main street Dallas, TX....only because you mentioned I-5 in the question...here is best choice by mapquest.  

[140-155] S Main St,  Seattle, WA 98104

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  Directions from A to B:

1: Start out going EAST on S MAIN ST toward OCCIDENTAL AVE S. 0.1 miMap

2: Turn RIGHT onto 2ND AVE EXT S. 0.1 miMap Avoid

3: Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto 4TH AVE S. 0.4 miMap Avoid

4: Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto ramp. 0.1 miMap Avoid

5: Turn LEFT onto S ATLANTIC ST/ EDGAR MARTINEZ DR S. 0.0 miMap Avoid

6: Merge onto I-90 E. 108.5 miMap Avoid

7: Merge onto I-82 E via EXIT 110 toward YAKIMA (Crossing into OREGON). 143.3 miMap Avoid

8: Merge onto I-84 E via the exit on the LEFT toward PENDLETON (Passing through IDAHO, then crossing into UTAH). 555.1 miMap Avoid

9: Merge onto I-84 E via EXIT 340 toward RIVERDALE/ CHEYENNE. 39.1 miMap Avoid

10: Merge onto I-80 E via the exit on the LEFT toward CHEYENNE (Crossing into WYOMING). 388.4 miMap Avoid

11: Merge onto I-25 S/ US-87 S via EXIT 359A toward DENVER (Crossing into COLORADO). 79.8 miMap Avoid

12: Take the E-470 TOLLWAY exit, EXIT 228, toward LIMON/ DENVER INT'L AIRPORT. 1.0 miMap Avoid

13: Merge onto E 470 S (Portions toll). 24.6 miMap Avoid

14: Take EXIT 20 toward I-70/ LIMON/ AURORA/ DENVER. 0.5 miMap Avoid

15: Stay STRAIGHT to go onto E-470 S. 0.4 miMap Avoid

16: Merge onto I-70 E via the ramp on the LEFT toward LIMON (Crossing into KANSAS). 410.5 miMap Avoid

17: Merge onto I-135 S via EXIT 250A toward WICHITA (Portions toll). 96.0 miMap Avoid

18: Merge onto I-35 S toward WELLINGTON/ OKLAHOMA CITY (Portions toll) (Crossing into OKLAHOMA). 145.0 miMap Avoid

19: Keep LEFT to take I-35 S via EXIT 133 toward OKLAHOMA CITY/ DALLAS (Crossing into TEXAS). 170.4 miMap Avoid

20: Take I-35E S toward DALLAS. 39.4 miMap Avoid

21: Take the COMMERCE ST EAST exit, EXIT 428E, toward REUNION BLVD. 0.2 miMap Avoid

22: Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto COMMERCE ST. 0.2 miMap Avoid

23: Stay STRAIGHT to go onto MAIN ST. 0.3 miMap Avoid

24: End at [840-851] Main St Dallas, TX 75202  Map

Estimated Time: 31.0 hours 40 minutes      Estimated Distance: 2203.41 miles

[840-851] Main St,  Dallas, TX 75202

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Total Estimated Time: 31.0 hours 40 minutesTotal Estimated Distance: 2203.41 miles

Answer 2

The route we usually take....(we haul fish and plants out of Seattle/Portland to all points east, and Texas is a frequent destination).

I 90 to I 82 to I 84 in Oregon.  Follow I 84 all the way to Utah where it joins with I 80.  I 80 across Wyoming to I 25 in Cheyenne.  I 25 south through Colorado, to US 87 in New Mexico.  US 87 to US 287 in Texas; this will join with I-40 in Amarillo, but be sure to get off the interstate & follow 287.  US 287 will take you right into the Dallas/Fort Worth metro area (on the Ft. Worth side), and I trust you can figure out where to go from there.  US 287 is a good road; it's four-lane all the way, and for the last half of it, it's an expressway, with exits & no stop lights.  

According to my map software, it saves you about 90 miles to go this way (versus the suggestion before mine) and it's an hour and 15 minutes quicker.  It takes a total of about 32-34 hours to complete in a truck....I've driven team with my husband for the past 3 years and I forget how long it takes if you stop at night.  In a car you'll be able to make better time than us truckers; you've got a higher speed limit in WA, OR & ID, and you won't be slowed down on hills.

So either way you choose, it's not that much of a difference.  In a heavily loaded truck, the route thru Kansas that the guy above me suggested would be good because it's flatter....but in a car, that's not a factor.  It's up to you....weather should be fine right now and personally, the route through Colorado/New Mexico is a lot prettier this time of year :)

Answer 3

Here is the part of the country I am familiar with that may hep you on your next drive.  If you are anywhere near the coast, by all means head south on highway 101 and catch the Pacific Coast Highway aka highway 1.  I rode my bicycle from Seattle to San Francisco way back in 2000.  Absolutely a great trip.  From there I would angle toward the southern half of Utah.  For me I found the starkness of Utah very compelling.  

Or another route would be to look for roads in the mountains.  Which are numerous between your home and the Lone Star State.  

Good Luck and have a Great Trip

Answer 4

I would take the back roads thru the mountains in the winter before taking I-5 all the way thru Cali, LOL. (ok, maybe a little overly dramatic there).. Ok... Seriously... For me it depends on the time of year, weight of my load and fuel prices.. Generally I run 84 - 80 - 25 - 70 - 135 - 35....  Unless I see shutdowns on 84 or 80 (winter). In that case i'd take 90 to 25..