Austin to NE TX, best route?

[WhiplashTX]

I occasionally take trips to Longview and this time I will be going to Hot Springs. Not looking forward to the drive with a trailer and looking for some suggestions on the best route. As I see I have four choices.

1). 79 and then up 259. Been this way and it's a lot of small towns with some single lane highway.

2). I35 to Waco and then 31 over to Tyler. Been this way also and again, lots of little towns.

3). I35 up to the split and taking 34 around Dallas through Ennis and Terrel. I've never been on highway 34 so could use some input.

4). I35 and then I30. Dallas, shudder, horrible memories.

[Mule Skinner]

From San Antonio to Longview and back we always did option 2. Makes for a long drive with the small towns on 31.

[SmTx]

I've gone that way from San Marcos and have taken 79. I'd do that again if for nothing else than to keep me away from all the drivers that can't get off their phones on 35.

[C.W.Ashby]

I used to drive to the east coast A LOT. Waco to 31 was my favorite way. Small towns but I never hit a "35 shutdown" and traffic was never bad.

[Burnadell]

Option 1 unless you can be assured that I-35 is flowing smoothly with no wrecks or construction.

[Pstraw]

79 to Henderson, 43 to Marshall, 59 to Texarkana, then I-30E would be my recommendation.

[175gr7.62]

I live in Longview and have made the trip back and forth to Austin hundreds of times. 35 to Waco, 31 to the west side of Tyler, 49 up to I-20. If you are continuing on to Hot Springs get off of 20 at at Longview and take 259 and go all the way to 155 north of Ore City. Take that over to 59 and then head north to Texarkana.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mtltx]

Kinda depends on what day your leaving. If it’s during the week then I would go option 4.

If it’s a wknd I would go option 2

[Goldeneagle]

Option 1 unless you can be assured that I-35 is flowing smoothly with no wrecks or construction.

There's been construction on 35 for 50 years. Why would they stop now?

[Rwc]

Option 1 unless you can be assured that I-35 is flowing smoothly with no wrecks or construction.

I-35 will not be flowing smoothly through Waco........I promise!


Rwc

[RascalArms]

Hwy 34 from Ennis to Terrell is a beautiful drive with lots of Trump flags!! [emoji106][emoji106] That said, Opt 1 and 2 are better IMO.

[RR 314]

Man, I roll with No. 4. Before the shut-down I lived on 35. It is what it is but certainly tolerable.

[meltingfeather]

I do what Waze tells me because traffic is such a huge variable.