Travel suggestion/question

[1msucub]

I don't recall this particular route being discussed before.....but just to change up the scenery a bit and bypass the joy that is Wilmer, Alabama, how much of an idiot would I be to head south at Lucedale towards Moss Point and take I10 over to Mobile? I know it's quite a bit farther, but what is it like driving on 63? I don't mind a bit extra on time so long as we aren't stopping every five to ten minutes like that stretch after the state line on 98. Suggestions?

 

[Shmuley]

I think a lot depends on when you go through Wilmer/Semmes. ..............................................................

We've gone through at times when we sailed through. And we've gone through at times when it's hellacious. The 63 route is significantly more mileage but it's 4 lanes without a ton of traffic or lights. Unfortunately both routes lead to the same f'n bottlenock at the tunnel.

 

[RocketDawg]

I don't know where you're coming from, and I don't know where Wilmer is. But the last time I went to Mobile from Mississippi I took Hwy 45 all the way, as I recall. And there were no traffic problems. Picked up 10 in downtown Mobile and went on to my destination, which was Destin. Can't remember where I got off to go south to Destin, but that was the worst part of the trip.

 

[patdog]

63 is a good 4-lane highway without much traffic. There's a red light at Hurley, and a couple more just before you get to I-10, but that's about it. It is a good bit further mileage wise though.

 

[rem101]

I don't know anything about Wilmer, AL, but 63 is great. 4 lane the whole way and no traffic. That's the only way I go to Starkville now that 63 and 45 are 4 laned.

 

[patdog]

How is 63 from Lucedale to 45 now? I made the trip up from Pascagoula to Starkville for a basketball game about 10 years ago and that stretch was hell.

 

[rem101]

Great. 4 lane, no traffic. From 10 to 82. Not much to look at, and if you don't stop in buckatunna, you're screwed.

 

[DirtyDog]

A little longer but easy cruisin'

The route through 63 is a little longer, but easy cruising'. It'll probably add about 20 minutes to your drive. While you can drive fast on the 4-lane, it is a bit longer. For the guys that go through 98 - Moffett Road, try going north on 65 and hitting the bypass (165?) into downtown Mobile. You end up on Water Street, keep straight and you loop right into the tunnel bypassing a lot of the traffic jam during holidays or rush hours.

 

[Lawdawg.sixpack]

Or cut thru Saraland, down to the bridge, and avoid the tunnel.

The 63 route isn't bad. Further but prob not much difference time wise.

 

[Grayton]

Tunnel Bypass

I think a lot depends on when you go through Wilmer/Semmes. ..............................................................

We've gone through at times when we sailed through. And we've gone through at times when it's hellacious. The 63 route is significantly more mileage but it's 4 lanes without a ton of traffic or lights. Unfortunately both routes lead to the same f'n bottlenock at the tunnel.

There is a way to bypass the tunnel. Go through Wilmer, when you get to Semmes and go over the Hosea (whatever) bridge (over the railroad tracks), go about 2 miles then take a left onto Scillenger Rd. Proceed until it runs out and take a right onto a lightly traveled 4-line highway (can't remember the number). Proceed to I-65. Take I-65 South for about a mile or 2, then exit onto I-165. Take the Bay Bridge exit and cross the Dolly Parton bridge. Proceed and you'll end up on I-10 east of the tunnel.

 

[1msucub]

Thanks for the tips; I'm coming from western DeSoto County, so 55 to Jackson and then over is pretty much locked in. I think I'll head south at Lucedale on 63 since y'all say it's a good road. I just want to crawl out of my skin on that stretch from the state line to Mobile.

 

[AzzurriDawg4]

Every time I've taken the Schillinger Rd. route, I've felt like it's taken much longer than the usual route. However, everyone claims its the tits.

I will say this, the bypass around Niceville to the Bay Bridge makes the end of the trip MUCH better. Glad they finally completed that.

 

[katfsh]

when you start getting close to the tunnel stay in the right lanes, take canal st exit, stay straight go under i-10 road will split take N. Jackson st. turn right on government and then stay in left lane and take the bankhead tunnel. We always stay on the parkway across the bay

 

[The Peeper]

Grayton speaks the truth. Last year did this for 1st time, brother in law said no, its longer but I took it anyway and he did Moffet to 65 to 10. He sat in 3 hours of tunnel traffic while I sat at the pool at the condo. I'm not even sure we stopped at a light, clear sailing along the Bay and into Daphne/Spanish Fort area. Then, I also went South on 98 in Daphne instead of over to the usual highway 59. South on 98, to 42 to 49 to 16 and finally to 59. Avoided all of that traffic through Loxley, Foley, Robertsdale etc. It was 2 lane all the way but smooth sailing and a big time saver. It kept making the GPS go haywire but was awesome because I have no patience in traffic.

 

[mcdawg22]

We are always going the opposite way of traffic now and we have no problems. When I drove back home to Florida on Memorial Day, the bay way was backed up to the Spanish Fort exit, I was glad I wasn't going that way.

 

[Lee Corso]

The State of Alabama has gotten into a pissing war. I used to live in Lucedale long ago. Longer, I would go Hwy. 63 to I-10.

http://www.wkrg.com/story/22488245/new-highway-98-86-million-spent-decade-to-go