Google Map suggests driving through Austin and Fredericksburg taking highway 290. I am not familiar with 290 beyond Austin. So I wonder if it would be a faster/easier drive going south a bit using I-35 (San Marcos),1604, and then I-10. TIA

I would do 290 thru Fred and avoid 35 and 1604. Very common for that stretch of 1604 to be backed up.

i think it completely depends on time of day. If you can hit 35 at san marcos, 1604 to i-10 isn't a terrible way to go, though, as noted above it does back up at times.

Austin traffic blows, so you can have just as much back up, if not more trying to get out of town on 290. Plus, there are what feels like a million lights on 290 on your way through dripping springs. After dripping springs, its not too bad.

Definitely 290 through Fred. That drive is long enough and going down to SA and back up doesn't make it shorter. And Fred would be a good lunchtime stop.

Grew up in EP. Made that drive many many times years ago. Now live in SA. Take 290 and avoid 35 and 1604.

These days, the regular Texas highways, FM/RM roads are great.

Back in February, I did take I-10 all the way from El Paso to San Antonio but that was because of the snow. I didn't want to risk driving into a snowstorm on the smaller roads.

But, 4 years ago, I got off I-10 near Iraan and drove the backroads to Waco. It worked out great.

I recommend Coopers BBQ in Junction.
http://coopersbbqjunction.com/

Never thought I 10 ran near Iraan

rugger74 said:

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Never thought I 10 ran near Iraan

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In the perspective of 1-10 running across Texas, 10-20 miles off I-10 with exits signs heading going both ways is "near"