What is the safest route from California to Texas?

The drive from California to Texas is a long one from the West Coast to the South Central United States. With its big cities, long coastline, rolling hill country, and stunning desert landscapes, Texas is packed full of places to explore and several routes will take you there from sunny California.

The 1,350-mile drive from California to Texas takes you across stunning desert landscapes for much of your 19 hours 45 minutes you'll be on the road, but you'll have to pay attention to high temperatures, heavy snowfall and busy roads to stay safe en route.

The drive from California to Texas has plenty on offer, whether you're traveling past Mojave National Preserve and on through Coconino National Forest or sticking to I-10 through Phoenix and Tucson. So, keep reading to discover how to make the drive as safe as possible.

Which route should I take from California to Texas?

A road trip from California to Texas will take you from the Pacific Coast, through Arizona and New Mexico, then towards Texas, the largest of the contiguous states in South Central USA, looking out over the Gulf of Mexico. Both states have a land border with Mexico.

With so many miles to cover, most travelers heading from California to Texas will follow the interstate through Arizona and New Mexico. It's the quickest route across the country, and it's easy to navigate. Depending on your starting point and destination, you'll probably consider using I-10 or I-40.

I-10 is the most southern option, so it's a popular route for travelers starting in Los Angeles. You can follow it all the way from Los Angeles to El Paso and San Antonio, or even on to Houston if you're going that far. Along the way, you'll travel through Phoenix and Tucson in Arizona's Sun Corridor.

I-40 runs further north, so it's a slightly quicker route if you're starting in San Francisco on your way to Dallas or Houston. It's also a popular choice for travelers who want to detour to Las Vegas or the Grand Canyon en route.

If you're traveling from San Francisco to San Antonio or Austin, you'll save an hour or so by linking up with the I-10 route outside LA, but the drive will feel quite different.

Driving on the safest route from California to Texas

A road trip from California to Texas can involve long stretches of desert driving and passes through busy urban areas, so there are some important safety factors you need to take into consideration when you're planning your route.

Whether you travel on I-10 or I-40, you can meet with extreme weather conditions as you travel between California and Texas. On I-40, the road travels at higher altitudes, which brings more challenges for drivers.

You'll need to negotiate heavy traffic at times as these cross-continental routes are used by commercial traffic as well as tourists and locals. With such long distances to cover, accidents due to driver error are common on both routes, and you'll need to make sure your vehicle can stand up to the drive.

Along the way, the roads pass through busy urban areas, where congestion and frequent on and off ramps can make driving a challenge if you're not familiar with the road.

While these are all valid concerns on the route from California to Texas, good planning and alert driving can alleviate many of them.

Stay alert to the actions of other drivers and be prepared to react when necessary. Avoid traveling in winter if possible, or have some flexibility around your travel date so that you can wait out poor road conditions.

There are some other factors specific to each of the routes, so keep on reading to help decide which is the best route for your trip, and how to drive from California to Texas safely.

Driving on Interstate 10

I-10 has been described as the most dangerous highway in America, and it's one of the country's most dangerous roads based on the number of fatalities. That's not surprising, seeing as it's a long and busy road, but there are a few factors to be aware of to help you take the road as safely as possible.

The weather is probably the first thing that comes to mind when you're thinking about how to travel this route safely. This road through the desert sees temperatures soar in summer - Phoenix regularly hits 105 degrees Fahrenheit, and the surrounding desert can be even hotter.

Carry plenty of water and check that your vehicle is in good condition before setting out – you don't want to get stuck by the side of the road in the August heat.

The desert landscape can also contribute to accidents in other ways. It's a spectacular drive, but it can be hard to maintain concentration on some of the long, straight stretches of the road.

With long distances to cover, speed limits are often ignored. Excess speed is a major cause of accidents on this route, so it pays to pay attention to other drivers at all times and to try to think ahead.

Sections of the highway are unlit, and there may not be barriers separating the carriageways. Add to this the fact that a high rate of drinking and driving has been recorded on I-10, and you might want to avoid traveling on this route late at night.

Maybe because it runs close to the international border and links up some of the southwest's largest cities, I-10 also has a reputation for harboring some pretty lawless characters.

Border Patrol officers may be present along the highway, and in rare cases, you might be pulled over for an inspection. There have also been gun crime incidents on or near the highway – these tend to involve law enforcement and known suspects, but even so, it pays to stay alert to your surroundings.

Driving on Interstate 40

If you're starting in San Francisco, take I-5 south towards Bakersfield to connect with I-40, which you can then follow east all the way to Amarillo. From here you'll need to hop onto Route 287 to travel on to Dallas, with I-35 and I-45 taking you on to other major cities if you're traveling further.

The rate of accidents is lower on I-40 than on I-10, but they are still a common occurrence, so stay alert to the conditions around you and be prepared to respond quickly to other drivers. As a major route, the road is usually kept in a good state of repair, but occasional issues, such as potholes, can arise.

This route is also affected by winter weather, and heavy snowfall can cause closures on the interstate. Even if the route looks clear, pay attention to patches of ice, which can make the road slippery in cold weather.

The section between Kingman and Flagstaff rises to 7,000 feet, and while you'll be treated to some amazing mountain views, you'll also have a barrier and plenty of shoulder space between the road and any drop-offs.

There are some steeper sections of the road here, but as long as your vehicle is in good condition, you shouldn't find the climbs challenging. Always pay attention to signage in break check areas.

Things to know that can impact the drive on the safest route from California to Texas

As we've already mentioned, the weather and other road users can both make the drive from California to Texas unpredictable. Temperatures in the desert often drop below freezing at night, so ice can cause problems even in fine weather.

The section around Flagstaff and the High Desert is subject to winter closures, so check state traffic advisories if you're traveling in winter.

Traffic can be heavy on this route as it's popular for truckers and tourists alike. On the I-10 route, you'll have to negotiate some stretches of particularly congested urban freeways.

The speed limit will change as you move between states and where the interstate passes through urban areas. Out of town, the limit is usually 70 in California, 75 in Arizona and New Mexico, and a massive 85 mph in Texas.

It's not uncommon to see drivers exceeding the speed limit – don't be tempted to follow suit, as many accidents on this route are caused by driver error and speed. Take it easy if you're not used to driving at 85 mph.

Both I-10 and I-40 are used heavily by commercial trucks, and you'll need to switch lanes to pass them. However, with 2 to 4 lanes in each direction, it's possible to pass all along the highway unless you hit significant congestion. Speed can be a factor on long, straight stretches of road though, so be aware of drivers coming up fast behind you as you prepare to pass.

Rest stops are available all along the route but there are significant distances between them. Don't leave it too late to fill up with gas in case you find the next rest stop is unexpectedly closed. There are also small towns just off the interstate where you'll usually find a café/fast food restaurant and gas station.

In theory, there is cell phone coverage along most of this route, but as this often relies on partner networks, you might hit areas of weaker coverage.

Tips to drive from California to Texas in the safest way

Our recommendation is to take the I-40 between California and Texas for the safest possible drive, but whichever route you take, there are things you can do to reduce some of the risks of taking this trip.

Whichever route you take, plan ahead for an overnight stay – this trip is too long to safely drive in one go. If possible, have two designated drivers to share the load so you can stay fresh. If not, be sure to take regular rest breaks.

If you're hiring a car, a vehicle with air conditioning can make the trip more comfortable in summer, especially if you decide to take the I-10 route. You're advised to turn it off on long sections of uphill driving though, to avoid overloading your vehicle as you travel up the steeper road towards Flagstaff.

Make sure you carry plenty of water if you're taking this trip in the summer. You might be waiting a while to be picked up if you break down, so we'd recommend taking more than you think you'll need for each stretch of driving.

Local advice is that in heavy snow, you're better off waiting for the road to be cleared than making the trip with snow chains. Consider detouring onto the I-10 route if you're traveling in winter to avoid the risk of snow-related delays. Do not drive in heavy snowfall. Stay in a hotel in Flagstaff or Kingman instead.

You'll be traveling a long way, so make sure you have adequate fuel for your journey. There are gas stations along the interstate, but aim to fuel up when you hit 25% full to avoid running too low.

It's a good idea to check weather and traffic advisories before setting out. Conditions can vary from state to state so start out by checking California Highway Information.

Switch to advisories from the Departments of Transport in Arizona and New Mexico as you make your way cross-country then, when you arrive in Texas, DriveTexas will fill you in on important information.

Be mindful of HGVs and their limitations. Look ahead for heavy trucks crawling along the slow lane. Anticipate this and merge into the fast lane ahead of them.

Alternatives to driving yourself from California to Texas

You might not fancy driving yourself from California to Texas after reading all this. Luckily, there are some great alternatives available on this road.

Although you'll lose out on the feeling of adventure that a road trip brings, there are also regular flights from Los Angeles and San Francisco to Texas. Prices start at around $80 (at the time of writing) but can increase significantly at popular travel times. There are more connections from LA compared to San Francisco, and prices are slightly lower.

If you still want to travel overland, Greyhound offers bus tickets from California to Texas, but you'll need to change at least once along the way. The quickest journey time from LA to San Antonio is 29 hours, including a bus change in Phoenix.

There's also a direct train from LA to Houston, which takes around 36 hours. This train doesn't run daily, so check the current schedule for departure dates.

Best time to drive from California to Texas

As you've already seen, there are some stretches of hot desert driving on both routes. Even though I-40 isn't as extreme as the I-10 through Arizona, it's still a good idea to carry water and ensure your vehicle is in good condition.

Also, be aware that desert temperatures can drop significantly, so carry enough clothes to keep you warm at night, too.

Heavy snow can close parts of I-40 in winter, especially where it travels higher altitudes through Flagstaff and the Kingman Pass. The road will usually be cleared quickly, but you might have to wait out the snowstorm.

Ice can pose problems in winter – the road should be kept clear, but drive cautiously in freezing temperatures. This also applies to I-10.