Cities with RV Parks are shown in blue type.
The other listed cities on I-10, in green type
are included for orientation.

I-10 and TEXAS

   El Paso greets our entry into Texas. El Paso is the home of Fort Bliss, an installation that has been very much in the news because of casualties in Iraq. There is a lot of history in El Paso but it requires us to be stopped more than just a few hours to see anything of significance. We suggest phoning the Convention and Visitors' Bureau at 915-534-0600 or 800-351-6024 for hints and information for what you can see.
   Almost everybody knows Texas is a big state. Few realize how that translates into the time it takes to cross it. It is about 881 miles along I-10 from New Mexico to Louisiana. From El Paso it is about 135 miles to Van Horn which is the next town in which you will find an RV park. Driving another 47 miles brings you to the I-20 interchange which is the route to Fort Worth, Dallas, Atlanta GA and points east. Sonora (exit 392) has some very interesting tourist attractions including a cavern which is quite beautiful. Outside, at least during the summer months, they put on a special cowboy/western show. There are also guided tours and many other optional activities. For more information you may phone the Sonora Visitors' Center at 915-387-3105.
   Continuing east on your way to San Antonio you'll pass a few small towns some of which have RV parks but nothing exciting. If you're into art — paintings that is — Kerrville (exit 508) has a full-time exhibition of what is known as cowboy art in their Cowboy Artists of America Museum. if this might be of interest you can phone 830-896-2553 for more information.
   San Antonio is quite a place. A large city with a small town feel. Looking down on San Antonia you would notice 3 concentric rings -- like a target with a bulls eye in the center. These are San Antonio's belt highways and allow quicker access to the many points of interest. They can also be used to help you skirt the heavier traffic when driving from one side of town to the other. I-10 forms a 'V' in San Antonio, -- coming in from the northwest, looping around the south end of downtown and then exiting to the northeast. Eastbound traffic can avoid all of this by exiting I-10 at 556-A and following Loop 1604 east. 1604 eventually loops to the south and meets up with I-10 at I-10 exit 587. Most of 1604 is freeway; the part that isn't is still excellent highway.
   Also, central to San Antonio, is the San Antonio River (once the cause of severe flooding) and its impoundments, Elmendorf Lake. The star of the nautical show, however, is their 'river walk' (Paseo del Rio), a very successful urban renewal project. Stroll along the river, enjoy a beverage, even a snack, on an outside table or shop in one of the many boutiques; this is a place designed for relaxation. If you're pulling a toad, and if you're eastbound, park your rig at one of the RV parks on Gambier Rd (exit 580). If you're westbound, park you rig at one of the RV parks along I-410 near I-10 exit 564-A. Thus, when you depart in the morning you will be driving in the opposite direction of most of the rush hour traffic.

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   San Antonio has an excellent Visitors' Information Center (it's even located by the Alamo). Phone them at 210-207-6700 or 800-447-3372 ext 6748 (toll-free) for hints and information about what to see in San Antonio.
   Houston, almost 100 miles east of San Antonio, is a complicated and complex metropolis. The dozens of suburban communities, nearly indistinguishable from Houston itself, all make for a nightmare for drivers not familiar with the area. Streets, even freeways, frequently change names and highways signs are frequently meaningful only to locals. If you want a pep talk on Houston, phone the Visitors' Bureau at 713-437-5200 or 800-449-8786 (toll-free). Give them enough time and they'll even send you a tourist package on the area. Folks traveling with kids (young and old) frequently want to see the Houston Space Center. Sorry, folks, it's not in Houston! It is about 25 miles southeast off I-45 on TX-1 (NASA Rd). It is open to tourists. Call them at 281-244-2100 or 800-972-0369 (toll-free) for visiting hours and other information.
   If you're just 'passing through' Houston you'll probably want to go around. In any case, try your best to avoid rush hours. If you think they're bad in a car; they're traumatic if driving a rig. Our favorite bypass (from west to east but if you're westbound just reverse the directions) is to exit I-10 at 751 to head north on TX-6 (Addicks Satsuma Rd). Just before crossing US-290 freeway, TX-6 becomes FM-1960. Continue on this highway as it continues to loop around the Houston megapolis. Where it crosses I-45 and the Hardy Toll Highway 1960 starts heading straight west to Dayton and TX-321 (Cleveland St). Turn right on 321, go 0.2 mi southeast and turn left on US-90. Now continue your way east on 90 all the way to exit 851 of I-10 in Beaumont. If you are westbound be sure you don't miss the two turns in Dayton which take you from US-90 to FM-1960. From Dayton, US-90 dives straight into central Houston.
   Beaumont, Orange and their sibling to the south are all about oil and shipping. I think it is still true that the largest concentration of oil refineries is in this area. In fact, the first oil well in Texas was right here. If you're interested, there is a museum about 3 miles south of downtown Beaumont (Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown Museum) dedicated to the history of the petroleum industry in Texas. Phone 409-835-0823 fo information.

contributed by Bob Masters

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American Interstate System Texas Directory of RV Parks near I-10 Exits (from West to East)

I-10 and TEXAS

American Interstate System
Texas Directory
of
RV Parks near I-10 Exits
(from West to East)