Does anybody ever avoid the rush hour I-20 traffic by taking US-67 to the 171 which joins I-20 west of DFW in Weatherford? I was thinking of going that way today but stayed on I-20 which turned out to not be that bad. It's an extra 20 miles so I wasn't sure if it might be worth it.
That section of I-20 is rarely that bad. If you have to cross DFW, I 20 is the way to go, any time of day. Now if you observed a major crash through there in google maps, with 5 miles of stop and go, then deviation options might be worth looking into. I’ve not run across 171 but doesn’t look like a worthwhile option typically speaking.
I've run 171 many times. It's two lane but good road. But that's a lot out of the way to go from I20 down 67 to Cleburne then back up 171 to Weatherford. Maybe if there is a major freeway shutdown on I20. Otherwise, I20 is the best. Can get slow down the big hill until after 360 but still better than going the other way.
The “problem” on IH20 is usually in Arlington at Hwy 360. Just too many vehicles. Use Lane Two to get thru. And, no, It isn’t “the fast lane” despite the CB Rambos. The other problem is in intersecting with three Interstates and some US highways. About the only way to avoid D/FW traffic is to use the Bankhead Highway (US-82). But as it’s so far OOR its next to not worth it. Just expect to lose roughly an hour between Terrell, TX and Weatherford; an approximate 100-mile stretch. Plug that into planning. The ideal plan has you at either location above by/before 1300. Later than that and all bets are off till past 2100. (And, I strongly recommend a short break for supplies and bathroom).
In this case, I was in South Dallas going west, more bypassing Fort Worth than Dallas, and didn't want to deal with I-20, especially since it was my third time that day. But I'll remember the Hwy 59 suggestion.
West of Fort Worth one is free to roam. Not so from east of Dallas. Important to have destination in mind. Doesn’t take much of a mistake from the east to compound a delay.
There are some days you can cross all of dfw during rush hour using i20 with barely any slow down. Only takes one accident though.
