Day 4: Tucson, Arizona to Fort Stockton, Texas
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We were mid-way through the trip and honestly, we were on the fence about staying in Tucson an extra night. We had been pushing hard and really liked the Radisson Suites Tucson, plus we were super tired. However, the drive from Arizona to West Texas is famously long and empty, so we decided to push forward and drive on to Fort Stockton, Texas.
The Drive: We left at 11:00 AM and arrived at 8:30 PM Central time after 8.5 hours of driving time. This stretch of I-10 is desolate. If you are doing this route, be prepared for hours of desert scenery with very few towns in between. Stock up on water and snacks before you leave Tucson or El Paso!
The Drive: We left at 11:00 AM and arrived at 8:30 PM Central time after 8.5 hours of driving time. This stretch of I-10 is desolate. If you are doing this route, be prepared for hours of desert scenery with very few towns in between. Stock up on water and snacks before you leave Tucson or El Paso!
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We stayed at La Quinta Inn Fort Stockton. We paid no pet fee which is typical for La Quinta (and a major reason we often look for this chain). Before booking I highly recommend reviewing my original blog Cross Country with Three Dogs where I explain all the necessary steps to make reservations when traveling with pets.
The Hotel Reality Check: To be brutally honest, the hotel in Fort Stockton is run down and felt like a typical roadside motel that has seen better days. The area designated to walk dogs wasn't picked up by previous guests, so it was pretty nasty. Even the pups were looking at me like, "Mom, gross!"
However, it was cheap, and location is everything here. Fort Stockton is literally the strategic halfway point. It is the only place to stay after Tucson without driving several more hours into the emptiness of West Texas. We survived, and sometimes that's all you need from a hotel.
However, it was cheap, and location is everything here. Fort Stockton is literally the strategic halfway point. It is the only place to stay after Tucson without driving several more hours into the emptiness of West Texas. We survived, and sometimes that's all you need from a hotel.
Dinner Salvation: Despite the hotel, we did have a great meal Texas style at K-Bob's Steakhouse that night.(See my full review in the link!) Good food can fix a lot of travel stress. We were glad to be on the road and head to Houston the next day!
Check out my day-by-day posts for details about each hotel and area.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing!