Spring Break Tour - KC to San Antonio

[shuster]

On March 12 my daughter and I are going to try something new. We have taken many day trips but this one is going to be a little different because it will last for seven. I purchased an 09 LT about three months ago and it needs some miles. We have good riding gear, maps, GPS routes, credit cards, route plans, tools, hotel reservations, autocom, satellite radio, camera, Cuban cigars, water,good places to eat and a goal. To return home safely. We are planning about 380 miles a day along the interstate...around the big cities...two days to get there, three goof off and two to get back. We plan to stop every hour to stretch the legs...maintain hydration and take in the sights. Neighbors will have our route plans with check points...etc...etc..What I don't have that I turn to this forum for is experience. Any thoughts? :confused:

[grifscoots]

What I don't have that I turn to this forum for is experience. Any thoughts? :confused:Spontaniaty?:D

[davidpweis]

Some might disagree with me, but I say "stay off the freeways". I hate those trucks; Its much more fun to watch the towns go by, pace is slower, and usually there is zero traffic; much safer.

Here is a route I'd take if I was to go KC to San Antonio. Don't forget to stop in lockhart for bbq. :wave
Or you could just play in the ozarks..

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=san+antonio%5C&daddr=FM-1283+to:Ranch+Rd+1050+to:Ranch+Rd+337+to:TX-16+to:TX-46+to:29.883518,-97.671204+to:TX-21+to:W+Oak+St%2FUS-79%2FUS-84+to:TX-155+to:AR-27%2FAR-70+to:AR-7+to:MO-13+to:Kansas+City,+MO&hl=en&geocode=%3BFdQlwwEdMNka-g%3BFeShwwEd3AoQ-g%3BFX5gxQEdhGQO-g%3BFXr6xQEdnLcW-g%3BFX6HxgEd3PId-g%3B%3BFch9zAEd2jw1-g%3BFYRo5AEdOnBM-g%3BFciz9QEdKFlc-g%3BFZbACwIdrO1r-g%3BFRglIAIdGMpz-g%3BFVhpPAIdOHxv-g%3B&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=6&sz=9&via=1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12&sll=30.06434,-98.237&sspn=1.666264,2.460938&ie=UTF8&t=p&ll=34.506557,-93.999023&spn=12.677772,19.6875&z=6

[shuster]

David: Thanks for the back roads idea. I took a look at the map you recommended and I think it is a good option. Thanks for the BBQ recommendation. I trust the new LT is treating u well. :)

[donscoin]

That route looks good to me. I also prefer to stay off of the interstate. On the return trip take a look at OK 10. It runs up the eastern side of Oklahoma. I have never done it on a MC but my wife and I rode it on bicycles a few years ago. Very nice route. If you take it, don't miss robbers cave. Don

[clay]

I have ridden to San Antonio several times, each time a different route. I-35 is a mind numbingly boring ride, but the fastest. Dallas/Ft.Worth traffic can be a nightmare. Be sure to stay on I-35 S West, it takes you through Ft. Worth rather than Dallas. For some reason Austin has been a real pain the last several times I have been through there. I don't know why exactly, but the traffic is just horrible. Maybe we are just spoiled in KC.
If you are anywhere near Llano TX, Coopers BBQ is outstanding, some good riding over there in the Hill Country.

Have Fun and Good Luck,
DCH

[deanwoolsey]

As you know it can snow around here easily into April. I applaud your optimism. Given the winter we've had so far my bet is you'll be ok. I might be tempted to make some preliminary backup plans for a friend with a trailer though just in case.

[ibbones]

. We are planning about 380 miles a day along the interstate... :confused:I bet if you get on an Interstate, you will burn up 380 miles before you get tired of sitting. Look at some back roads like the one mentioned unless you are in a hurry to get there and you will enjoy it soo much more.

[katnapinn]

I. For some reason Austin has been a real pain the last several times I have been through there. I don't know why exactly, but the traffic is just horrible.
DCH
Yep Austin traffic SUCKS Take it from me I live here!!! If your on IH 35 and want to just get around Austin catch TOLL ROAD 130 (http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Georgetown&state=TX&country=US&latitude=30.6325&longitude=-97.676903&geocode=CITY) . It will cost you 3 or 4 bucks but save you up to a hour or more in time stuck in traffic.

[clay]

Yep Austin traffic SUCKS Take it from me I live here!!! If your on IH 35 and want to just get around Austin catch TOLL ROAD 130 (http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Georgetown&state=TX&country=US&latitude=30.6325&longitude=-97.676903&geocode=CITY) . It will cost you 3 or 4 bucks but save you up to a hour or more in time stuck in traffic.


Thanks for that, I'll try it next time.

DCH

[grifscoots]

Yep Austin traffic SUCKS Take it from me I live here!!! If your on IH 35 and want to just get around Austin catch TOLL ROAD 130 (http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Georgetown&state=TX&country=US&latitude=30.6325&longitude=-97.676903&geocode=CITY) . It will cost you 3 or 4 bucks but save you up to a hour or more in time stuck in traffic.And the beauty thang is you don't have to have a toll pass. They take a pic of your license plate and mail you a bill.

[davidpweis]

David: Thanks for the back roads idea. I took a look at the map you recommended and I think it is a good option. Thanks for the BBQ recommendation. I trust the new LT is treating u well. :)

No problem. I did the route up to springfield (BTW: From springfield, take 125; a great MC road.

I'm planning several trips this year, including SA to NY, and SA to orlando; I do a mixture of backroads / or main roads, and use interstates only when I want to travel real distances;

Coming from the North East area, I'm always amazed at how few people there are on the roads, and how much space there really is in the US. (I think I saw 10 cars over 100 miles driving 125 in MO. )

I'm enjoying mine; thanks

U enjoy your ride;

D

[WildBil]

Which one of you are the Cubans for? :dance:

Seriously, sounds like a fun ride.

My SO and I are going from IL down to central Arkansas the last week of March and boy, are we hoping for some warm air after the winter we had. Mid Dec - Jan rarely broke freezing, and had lots of single digits.

Bil

[radar41]

On March 12 my daughter and I . . . . . . . . Any thoughts? :confused:

Yes, I have several thoughts!! It doesn't matter how you get there or where you are going. The important thing is you are going to be spending time with your daughter!!! This trip will be SPECIAL time you and she will remember for the rest of your life!!!

So regardless of what happens on the trip, enjoy the time with her, and be glad she wants to spend time with "the old man".

[shuster]

Hey thanks for all the feedback. Cubans are for me...being a college student, she cant afford them. Thanks for the tip about the Austin traffic, BBQ, and time with my daughter. I tell her this is going to be a big job and at any time she can call it off. We have the equipment to ride in the cold but if it snows...well we may be on a plane to someplace a lot warmer than San Antonio. She came home this weekend from University and we discussed the route. We agreed on a split of 2 and 4 lane each way. I continue to build multiple routes on Mapsource, downloading them to the Garmin.

Studying Photo and Journalism in school this should be quite an opportunity for her to "put that book learning" to work. I am going to work with her and see if we can submit an article for the BMW owners magazine. It would be amazing if she could get an article in there from her point of view. ( :rolleyes: :rolleyes: 2009 miles - 2nd Seat :rolleyes: :rolleyes: )

Thank You