Driving to Florida for Xmas -- safest route?

[PatrickS]

I'll be driving with my family to Florida for the Christmas
and New Years holidays and was wondering:

1. Should I have any concerns about passing through the
New Orleans area, or would I be better off going through
Jackson MS. I.e.

Option A:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&g ... 8&z=6&om=1

Option B:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&g ... 8&z=6&om=1

2. Any concerns about overnighting in/near Mobile, AL?

3. Any reciprocity (or other practical) issues I should be aware of, for the States we'll be passing through?

Thanks.

[KBCraig]

I suggest I-20 through Jackson. I-10 is currently closed between Baton Rouge and Lafayette and won't re-open until December (gas well explosion).

Plus, by taking I-20, you avoid the NOLA-area police. They have a bad reputation, well earned.

[PatrickS]

I knew I could count on some good info/advice from this forum

(and, BTW, I'm a fellow Ron Paul supporter, trying to hope...)

[Liberty]

You really aren't that close New Orleans when you take I-12. You might want to familiarize yourself with the laws of the towns your going through, but the basics will serve you well.
Don't carry into a Casino. Biloxi casinos are a great place to stop for an overnight fine dining fancy hotels, at reasonable rates, even if you don't wish to gamble. Biloxi is pretty safe near the main areas. Its not New Orleans.

I believe you are fine going into restraunts that happen to serve liquer . Alabama you cant go to any public outdoor meeting armed. And in every state but Texas I would beware of the No guns sign. I can vouch for the Biloxi police being pretty CHL friendly.

Something happened and I10 east at Lafeyette. It is messed up, a gas leak or explosion and the main road is blocked till Dec. 4th. It should be cleared up by the time you leave though.

[Liberty]

I suggest I-20 through Jackson. I-10 is currently closed between Baton Rouge and Lafayette and won't re-open until December (gas well explosion).

Plus, by taking I-20, you avoid the NOLA-area police. They have a bad reputation, well earned.

I-12 pretty much bypasses New Orleans, Traffic moves 75-80 or higher and I seldom see anyone pulled over, but I have seen some spectacular accidents many involving airborne tactics.

[NORTEXED]

We drive to Pensacola quite regularly, and go 20 to Jackson > 49 to Hattiesburg > 98 to Mobile and pick up 10 to Pensacola. Rds. are good, and it's a pretty drive. 49 and 98 are much better than they used to be.

[Keith B]

We drive to Pensacola quite regularly, and go 20 to Jackson > 49 to Hattiesburg > 98 to Mobile and pick up 10 to Pensacola. Rds. are good, and it's a pretty drive. 49 and 98 are much better than they used to be.

Used to spend a lot of time in Destin and 49 & 98 are good roads now. I-20 through East texas is not the best, but not much better routes without taking a long way around.

Drive carefullly and have a great trip!

[PatrickS]

Thanks for all the advice. We'll be taking the Jackson/Hattiesburg/Mobile route.

[cxm]

Interesting... we are driving to Florida too... from Flower Mound...so similar route.

The route via Shreveport, Jackson, Hattisburg, Mobile, Pensacola is the fastest route now that the four lane highway is open from Hattisburg to the Alabama border... there is only about a 20 mile strech that isn't multi lane.

No reason to go to New Orleans.... have not lost anything there...

We have more issues with the return trip because our dog travels with us... hard to find place to stay with him on the return leg... nothing you would want to stay in between Hattisburg and Shreveport... and if you are in Shreveport you might as well come home. We tried LaQuinta in Monroe La (takes pets) but it was dumpy, in a bad area and had pretty low class people around... security guard in the parking lot no less!!!! My wife and I were both armed and still felt uncomfortable.

We don't exactly love LaQuinta, but they all take dogs and can be the only choice at times....

Anyway, I20 to Jackson is best...

V/r

Chuck

I'll be driving with my family to Florida for the Christmas
and New Years holidays and was wondering:

1. Should I have any concerns about passing through the
New Orleans area, or would I be better off going through
Jackson MS. I.e.

Option A:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&g ... 8&z=6&om=1

Option B:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&g ... 8&z=6&om=1

2. Any concerns about overnighting in/near Mobile, AL?

3. Any reciprocity (or other practical) issues I should be aware of, for the States we'll be passing through?

Thanks.