GrnJay2 Posted March 10, 2016 Report Share Posted March 10, 2016 We may be traveling north on I-35 through Austin. Our fifth-wheel is 13-7 tall. The bridges/overpasses have some low clearance posted. It's pretty scary. Any recommendations how to get through or around Austin? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
youngfulltimers Posted March 10, 2016 Report Share Posted March 10, 2016 Taking the toll sucks, but you shouldn't take the chance going through I-35—if, for no other reason, SXSW has started. There is also a 13-9 clearance near downtown Austin that would be too close for comfort, in my opinion. I would take Toll 130 that bypasses Austin to the west and spits you out just north of San Antonio. There really isn't a better way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrnJay2 Posted March 10, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2016 Thanks! We'll look for the toll road when we head North. Had some white-knuckle time heading South trying to maneuver into the center of the arch on that 13-9 bridge. We still are a bit mystified that we did not see notification warning of this and that some big trucks were going thru there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TreyandSusan Posted March 10, 2016 Report Share Posted March 10, 2016 According to this TXDMV page, all of the lower clearances are on the lower level of I-35 through Austin. You can take the upper level and avoid these (stay in the 3rd lane from center to avoid accidentally getting on the lower level.) Full disclosure - although we are in Austin 2-3 months each year (home base for us), we are only 13'3" tall. As Youngfulltimer said, avoid driving through Austin during SXSW it is pure craziness there! If you need to pass though Austin soon, find another way around (one person suggested Ulvalde --> Junction --> Brownwood! ). Safe Travels! ~S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al F Posted March 10, 2016 Report Share Posted March 10, 2016 According to this TXDMV page, all of the lower clearances are on the lower level of I-35 through Austin. You can take the upper level and avoid these (stay in the 3rd lane from center to avoid accidentally getting on the lower level.) Full disclosure - although we are in Austin 2-3 months each year (home base for us), we are only 13'3" tall. As Youngfulltimer said, avoid driving through Austin during SXSW it is pure craziness there! If you need to pass though Austin soon, find another way around (one person suggested Ulvalde --> Junction --> Brownwood! ). Safe Travels! ~S I started to say your lane instructions were incorrect until I re-read your post. The third lane from center would put in the right hand lanes, which is where you want to be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al F Posted March 10, 2016 Report Share Posted March 10, 2016 We (unfortunately) travel I-35 at least 4 times a year (8 if you count both northbound and southbound) through Austin and have always just stayed on I-35. The toll road is 16-17 miles longer which is about 20 or more minutes of travel for me, not to mention the extra ~3 gallons of fuel & somewhere between $10 & $20 for tolls. If you don't have a toll pass it may be more expensive. No toll booths. They take a picture of your license plate and mail you a bill. About 5-10 miles south of where you exit I-35 to get on the toll road there is electronic sign showing the travel time going via I-35 or taking the toll. It assumes you will drive at the 80mph speed limit so keep that in mind. I do watch my smart phone to see how bad the traffic is backed up on I-35. If it looks really, really bad, or a major accident, I will take the toll. We always plan our travel to hit Austin after 9am or before 3pm. Earlier or later the traffic really backs up. It is no fun going through Austin on I-35 but then going though most any city driving an RV isn't fun. I pretty much get in the 2nd lane from the right and stay with the traffic and accept the aggravation. If you are coming from Brownsville or Harlingen, you could take US-77 from the Corpus Christi area and bypass both San Antonio & Austin. If going up US-281 from McAllen, US-77 is a bit out of the way. US-281 north of San Antonio is a pleasant drive, once you get about 20 miles north of Loop 1604. However the first 10 miles north of 1604 is a real mess of stop and go traffic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeBeFulltimers Posted March 10, 2016 Report Share Posted March 10, 2016 We may be traveling north on I-35 through Austin. Our fifth-wheel is 13-7 tall. The bridges/overpasses have some low clearance posted. It's pretty scary. Any recommendations how to get through or around Austin? Thanks. I wouldn't let the DOT know about the 13'7" height. They might require you to get an oversize permit and have an escort every time you move it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al F Posted March 10, 2016 Report Share Posted March 10, 2016 I wouldn't let the DOT know about the 13'7" height. They might require you to get an oversize permit and have an escort every time you move it. The Texas DVM here states the max height to 14'. What is also interesting is that max width is 8'6" or 102" using the following "Width is measured from the outside points of the widest extremities, excluding safety devices". Many or most of our larger RV are 101" or 102", but with the awning(s) sticking out we are over width. Awning are not safety devices so they should be included in the width measurements. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TXiceman Posted March 11, 2016 Report Share Posted March 11, 2016 I just avoid Austin and use Hwy 281. The traffic is much more sane and the scenery is more enjoyable. Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kinsa Posted March 11, 2016 Report Share Posted March 11, 2016 I avoid I-35 in Austin like it's the plague. I happily take the extra time and money to take the toll bypass. And as mentioned above, the SxSW is underway. That means lots of extra people in the city. Either take US-281 or the toll bypass if you value your sanity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rynosback Posted March 11, 2016 Report Share Posted March 11, 2016 I went through Austin with no height issues, but I route with my Garmin 760 DZL. The only complaint about 35 is all of the CONSTRUCTION!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duraduk Posted March 11, 2016 Report Share Posted March 11, 2016 My home base is in San Marcos just south of Austin. There are many ways around Austin that don't require one to use the toll roads. Most of the Highways are in very good condition. I've been here since 2007 and have never taken my RV through Austin on I-35 when going north. As some have said check out routing Hwy 281 or checkout Hwy 21 from San Marcos to Bastrop and 95 north out of Bastrop to Temple....... SXSW starts today with a visit by Pres. Obama. Total gridlock today and mostly gridlock for the next two weeks up there....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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