Agree. MS and AL, too. I've been driving from Dallas to FL at least two to three times a yr for over 20 yrs to visit family. If you have a Hispanic name with TX plates, be prepared to be asked to step out of the car in any of those states no matter how polite or respectful you. If in Louisiana, show 'em your CHL and rave about LSU football and the SEC. If in AL, do the same about the Roll Tide and Auburn being such great powerhouse football teams. And if in FL, strike up a conversation to find out which college team the officer likes (FSU, UF or Miami, depending what part of the state you're in), then rave about it and you should be good to go - lol.Pariah3j wrote:If you have TX plates, watch yourself in LA territory - apparently, the State Police love Texans and want to stop and chat with us as often is possible.
If travelling through I-10 across southern Louisiana, don't go over the speed limit across the Atchafalaya basin. Same for I-10 across the Mobile Bay bridge and right when you cross into Florida near Pensacola. If you have time, check out the USS Alabama battleship in Mobile Bay. Also, Vicksburg (if taking I-20 east) has some cool Civil War monuments, and Biloxi has some nice casinos and good buffets, especially the Beau Rivage.
If taking I-20 East, it's actually faster to keep going til you get to Jackson, MS, then head south on US 49 to Hattiesburg, then southeast on US 98 to Mobile where you take I-65 South to I-10. When you get to Hattiesburg, take the I-59 loop east of Hattiesburg to US 98 to avoid the lights. Be forewarned of occasional speed traps on US 98.
Lots of folks think it's faster to take I-49 south from Shreveport to I-10 in Lafayette, but I've found that route to be about 20-60 minutes longer, especially if you run into traffic in Baton Rouge on I-12. If you do go down I-49 to Lafayette, make sure to fill up your tank before-hand. That stretch of highway doesn't have as many gas stations as the others.