Planning to ride from Los Angeles to Galveston, Texas to vist my mother and brother. I could really use some advice, as this will be my first long solo trip. I'm planning to bring the rain gear, and tools, and looking to leaving early on a Wed morning and arrive late Friday afternoon. My main two options on routes due to time is to take Interstate 10 with a stop around Lordsburg NM and another in San Antonio. The other alternative is to pick-up I 40 and go through albuquerque, New Mexico and stop there, then continue drop down the Texas Pan Handle through Dallas, then stay in Dallas and then go straight through to Galveston. I10 is about 2 hours quicker, but probably not as interesting a ride.

I could really use some good advice.

 

Although you didn't specifically say when (weather/temp issue) you were leaving, my choice would be the slightly longer northern I-40 route. I would prefer the likely better riding weather and being away from the long Texas/Mexico border areas starting at El Paso.

 

Don't go to Dallas. Find a route down through Midland and then on to Houston/Galveston. Might be a little longer because of more rural roads,but don't miss the Central Texas scenery.

 

i live in the tx panhandle. it is usually very windy here in april.

 

That's three 500+ mile days in a row. It's doable, but make sure you're comfortable on the bike. My first concern would be to make sure the seat is comfortable and the handlebars fit you.

Then I'd try a day trip on the weekend to see exactly how many hours it will take to go 550 miles, including stops. Your second day will be slower, and the third one even slower still due to the fact that you'll be tired and sore and will most likely need to stop more often.

I would advise you to drink PLENTY of water, you'll be covering a very arid part of the country and it will be hard to keep yourself hydrated. If you aren't peeing, you aren't drinking enough water. A longsleeve shirt and head covering is a must have as well.

I also eat fairly light on a trip like that, a snack to get going (fruit or yogurt), then a small breakfast in a couple of hours. A couple of more snacks will get me through the day, then I have another light meal when I stop for the night.

As for the routes, I guess I'd just take 10 since you seem to be under a time crunch, but stay away from El Paso/Juarez at night.

 

Better choices if you want a scenic ride for sure, but if time is the main factor I-10 is the way to go. The speed limit on I-10 most fo the way between El Paso and Kerrville, TX is 80 and I usually have my cruise set at 85 or so. Light traffic generally and you can eat some road up.

Avoid going thru San Antonio if possible, I-10 is a pain driving through there. Take Loop 1604 on the north side of town, or cut across more if you have the time. Do NOT try to push the limit on gas in west Texas, its farher between stations that you might think and if you get a headwind out there it can cut your mileage way down. Also do not drive at night in west Texas, there are lots of small deer and other critters that may ruin your trip.

 

Near El Paso, beware of high winds! After Ft. Stockton there is limited gas on sundays.