Houston, TX to New Orleans, LA?

[10speed]

So I'm currently in Austin, TX headed SE out of the state. I will be in Houston/Galveston in a few days (3-4). I have the whole ACA east coast route and FL Connector, but I need to still get to there. I have had several warnings about travelling through LA, MS, and AL. I'd like to see Baton Rouge, and New Orleans if possible, any tips on a route? Links are also good.

(If it matters - I'm male, white, 27yrs old, solo, on road wheels not knobs, been camping, but not opposed to a hotel if needed)


Thanks folks.
Brian

[geegee]

I rode Orlando to Houston a couple years back, here's my route with a few notes and photos. When I was doing my research, crossing the Mississippi and the Atchafalaya were big factors that ruled out a route through Baton Rouge. Most of US 90 had decent shoulders, and the ferry at Canal Street puts the heart of New Orleans on your itinerary. Save for a few short stretches, the coastal route east of Biloxi as nice new wide bridges and shoulders.

[10speed]

Perhaps I'm an idiot, but what am I'm looking at once I've clicked on your link? I see the comments but no route.

Thanks for the quick reply btw.
Brian

[litespeed]

I was warned against going through Houston so, going west to east, I scooted south along the Galveston waterfront. This is a delightful ride - miles and miles of beautiful beachfront esplanade. It was one of the highlights of all my bicycle touring.

As for crossing Louisiana, avoid US190 at all costs. It's a very bad a bicycling road - narrow two lane, mostly shoulderless and lots of fast traffic. Pick your way on back roads or follow the ACA route. You might try US90 which, paralleling the interstate, should have light traffic and plenty of services.

Generally speaking, Louisiana is a tough bicycling state.

[geegee]

Perhaps I'm an idiot, but what am I'm looking at once I've clicked on your link? I see the comments but no route.

You should see a map with a blue line for the route. If you zoom in, the detail is virtually shows each turn I took. Maybe your browser does not support the map function?

US90 between Lafayette and New Orleans is slated as the future I-49, and much of it has been upgraded to interstate standard with wide shoulders (but a bit busy and boring). Parallel to it are fragments of the Old Spanish Trail, which I suppose could be considered the first "southern tier" route, however its narrow bridges are not much fun when pickup trucks barrel through.

[10speed]

You should see a map with a blue line for the route. If you zoom in, the detail is virtually shows each turn I took. Maybe your browser does not support the map function?

You were right. Must have been the computer in Austin. Thankfully it works at this one in Houston.

I would like to ask if there is a reason you jogged North, instead of taking 90 through Lake Charles. Seems like 90 is the favorite, but you detoured off it there. I have had people tell me to avoid staying in Lake Charles, but Iowa is a fine town.
What was your reasoning? Thanks

And I will probably steal your route and only change the beginning as I'm coming up from Galveston. I have friends in Houston and will be dropped off in Galveston to avoid riding through Houston proper.

Again, I really appreciate the response. I am always grateful for this forum.

[geegee]

I would like to ask if there is a reason you jogged North, instead of taking 90 through Lake Charles. Seems like 90 is the favorite, but you detoured off it there. I have had people tell me to avoid staying in Lake Charles, but Iowa is a fine town.
What was your reasoning? Thanks

From Google street view, none of the bridges though Lake Charles seem cycleable, so I didn't want to take a chance. Plus US 90 west of Lafayette wasn't so great and that road between Crowley and Eunice was so tempting with excellent shoulders as you can see from the photo. At any rate, my end destination was my cousin's place in Waller TX, and going north of Houston made the most sense for me.