Southern Tier route - how bad is Baton Rouge?

[Beaker49k]

Planning on doing the Southern Tier route, starting September 10, 2016. We are wondering how bad the route is in/around Baton Rouge? Any thoughts/suggestions would be welcomed.

Gene

[John Nettles]

If you mean from the New Roads junction (LA-10 & US-61) south into Baton Rouge, it is not that bad.  Lots of traffic on US-61  but it is on a 4-lane divide highway with a wide shoulder that has a non-interferring rumble strip.  Four of us did it and it was no big deal.  We rode it on a trip from New Orleans to Tulsa and we would do it again.

Once in BR, the traffic is worse and the shoulder ends so that wasn't overly pleasant so we went through the neighborhoods instead. 

As a side note, due to the recent flooding, be sure to verify your accommodations have openings as the construction workers and displaced home owners may take up a lot of the occupancy.

John

[Beaker49k]

John,

Thanks!

We are concerned about the impact of the flooding...

[John Nettles]

I would just call a bike shop in BR or send a question to a WarmShowers host.