Thread: driving directions 98 or Foley Expy

Originally Posted by Rockinchef88

Have fun going down highway 49 in Mississippi. I thought Louisiana roads were bad till I went through there back in October. You might need a new suspension for your vehicle by the time you get through it.

That is not what I want to hear! Part of me was wondering if we should just take I-20 all the way to Meridian, MS and then take 45 down to Mobile. But I haven't seen anyone suggest that route yet for people coming from the west. Everyone says to take 20 to Jackson and then 49 down to Hburg.

At 4:00 pm today, east bound I-10 was already backed up 1.5 miles at the tunnel and not much better in the bridge after you get out of the tunnel. And today is Wednesday.

Sounds like the making of a Chevy Chase movie.

When I go up to Clarke County, I go on up the Beach Express, then take 59 up to Bay Minette so I can cross back to the west on I65 over the Dolly Parton bridges. I've been stuck on the I 10 Bayway parking lot too many times, and heaven forbid there's a wreck instead of just normal traffic backup. Glad I don't have to deal with it eastbound.

Oops. Didn't mean to hijack the thread away from how to get to Gulf Shores/Orange Beach/Ft. Morgan. Just sayin' that I hate the I 10 Bayway. Will never, never, never, ever use it to evacuate from a storm.

Originally Posted by john g

Sounds like the making of a Chevy Chase movie.

Originally Posted by mforbesiii

That is not what I want to hear! Part of me was wondering if we should just take I-20 all the way to Meridian, MS and then take 45 down to Mobile. But I haven't seen anyone suggest that route yet for people coming from the west. Everyone says to take 20 to Jackson and then 49 down to Hburg.

FYI 45 from Meridian to the Alabama line is all new construction 4 lane. No stop lights, 65 mph, and in better shape than I 20 even. Bypasses all the small towns till you get to Bama. You can make good time from Meridian to Mobile that way. I avoid 49 whenever possible, though that might be a little shorter for you. Too many small towns and stoplights for me, and as was said the road itself stinks.

Originally Posted by MSBassist

FYI 45 from Meridian to the Alabama line is all new construction 4 lane. No stop lights, 65 mph, and in better shape than I 20 even. Bypasses all the small towns till you get to Bama. You can make good time from Meridian to Mobile that way. I avoid 49 whenever possible, though that might be a little shorter for you. Too many small towns and stoplights for me, and as was said the road itself stinks.

I second taking 45 down from Meridian. Its a nice easy drive and its a great road til you get to the Alabama line. Its not all that far on the two lane and you will be able to cut across to I65 easily. Then I 165 and you will be able to choose either the old tunnel or the I 10 tunnel if you want to go that way or take I 65 north and hit hwy 59 down to I 10. I would definitely recommend taking the beach express. Its a lot faster and not nearly as many stop lights.

I'll third US45 from Meridian, but go on the I-165 spur and take the Bridge (marked as Hazmat route, I think it's exit 2 off 165. You'll get on I-10 east of the tunnels.

On a Saturday I would not take 59. From I-10 take either AL181 to 98 to CR65 to CR10, or the Beach Express.

Edit: BTW, take 158 (Industrial Pkwy) from US45 to I-65.

Edit2: Gas stations are not plentiful on US 45. Fill up in Meridian.

Originally Posted by frednic

I'll third US45 from Meridian, but go on the I-165 spur and take the Bridge (marked as Hazmat route, I think it's exit 2 off 165. You'll get on I-10 east of the tunnels.

On a Saturday I would not take 59. From I-10 take either AL181 to 98 to CR65 to CR10, or the Beach Express.

Edit: BTW, take 158 (Industrial Pkwy) from US 45 to I-65.

Edit2: Gas stations are not plentiful on US 45. Fill up in Meridian.

That's a good route to avoid the heavy traffic on the main hiways.
But you can avoid the tunnels altogether by taking the Hwy 43 (Hazmat) exit off the I-165 and crossing the Mobile River on the Cochran Bridge (Alt 90)
https://www.google.com/maps/@30.7401...0271447,12.79z

This rejoins Hwy 90/98 just east of the Bankhead tunnel and you can stay on that road (taking Hwy 31 East) from Spanish Fort all the way to Hwy 181.

It's an even better return route to avoid delays on I-10 westbound during peak traffic slowdowns ;-)

Pier#r, since you travel that frequently, would you take 181 or the Beach Express on a Saturday?