Ontario to South Texas trip planning advice

[serban]

I am preparing for the winter trip to South Texas and am looking for advice on overnight places to stop to along the way. We'll enter US in Detroit, take I75 to Cincinnati then from Walton continue on I71 to Louisville, I65 to Nashville, I40 to Little Rock and I30 to Texarkana. From there on through Houston all the way south to a place between Brownsville and McAllen.

This is the first time driving to Texas and, on our previous trips to Florida, we stoped over at KOA journeys. However, at least for the first stop, that will not be an option as they are closed for the winter months at this point. Furthermore, as we had to change departure plans at the last moment, KOAs reservations might not be available on short notice for the subsequent nights either.

I am looking to take it easy and make the trip in approx. 5 days which will put the first stop somewhere before Cincinnati. Any recommendations for overnight places to stop to (or to avoid) on the above route would be highly appreciated.

Thank you,
Serban

 

[jkwilson]

I don’t think I’d do Cincy and Louisville. Go west on US 24 at Toledo, then down 69 to Indy and 70 over to 57 in Illinois or stay on 69 to 64. We have family in the Detroit suburbs and make that trip often with the 5th wheel. Your route takes you through Cincy, Louisville and Nashville. Indy is nothing compared to those.

 

[Steven@147]

I don’t think I’d do Cincy and Louisville. Go west on US 24 at Toledo, then down 69 to Indy and 70 over to 57 in Illinois or stay on 69 to 64. We have family in the Detroit suburbs and make that trip often with the 5th wheel. Your route takes you through Cincy, Louisville and Nashville. Indy is nothing compared to those.

I believe agree with John& Kathy, our home port is Galveston Tx, and every year Nov/Dec we leave Richmond IN (I70 Indiana / Ohio border). I70 construction thru Indy is open no need to take I465.

Take I70 West to Indy, continue West to I57 South, first stop over Marion IL Marion Campground & RV Park (heated water lines).
Then to I55 South toward Memphis - 2nd night stop over Forrest City AR Delta Ridge RV Park off I40.
I40 West to Little Rock AR - I30 south to Texarkana - then US 59 South toward Houston. (US59 4 lane divided - becoming new I69 corridor)
3rd night stopover Carthage TX Carthage RV campground. Next day on to Houston and Sam Houston Tollway - I45 South and into Galveston.

Our Daughter lives near Cincy and we have taken the route thru Cincy - Louis - Nash - Memphis - Little Rock, but do not like it nears as well, too much traffic, too many large cities. As far as road conditions - seems like all the interstates have bad patches no matter which route you take.

 

[Scott'n'Wendy]

When we went to Phoenix last year from North western Ontario, we made our first stop about an hour south of Minneapolis. We had picked out a hotel with a big, easily accessed parking lot (Google earth) and stayed there because, as you say, you need to get further south before CG's ore open. So imo, book one night in a hotel. Next night we stayed at a KOA in Lawrence KS and de-winterized.

 

[dryfly]

There are nice COE parks in both Little Rock and Texarkana. If you then go hwy 59 to Houston there is a great state park in Livingston TX.

 

[jas451]

Yes, traveling this time of the year can be challenging. We have a trip planned 1st of February to Tucson, AZ.
It looks fairly favorable now, projecting ahead, weather wise. Plan to leave KC to Wichita (maybe a motel there)...to Wichita Falls, TX, to Roswell, NM then to Tucson. The weather has been pretty brutal as of late, but the long range forecast (at least for now) calls for 'above average temps' in this part of the country.