new orleans road trip

[dog]

what is the best time of year to travel from san jose ca to new orleans la? I want to take about 4 weeks there and back

[crazy joe]

Just a guess but I would say June
Never been to either place.

[Mark222]

The diciest weather would be the western mountains to cross I would think. Lived near N.O. in the past, not too many extreme winter weather days in the region to worry about.  Have seen snow in Jackson MS in Jan & Feb before, but by March things are pretty much greening up in that part of the world.  And bad winter weather in the deep South only lasts about a day or so.

Mark

[fxrp]

Summer is the off season for New Orleans bcause of the summer heat and humidity. The rates go up in October.

A group of us is traveling to New Orleans right after Labor Day this year (arriving September 7th). Don't know what route you're planning but for comfortable weather on the Gulf Coast I would go in late spring/early summer or late summer/early fall. Sprng/summer could be rainy; fall is a much dryer climate in the South.

Call one of the hotels and ask them when the rates go down in the spring.

Paul

[akajjmon]

Summer is the off season for New Orleans bcause of the summer heat and humidity. The rates go up in October.

A group of us is traveling to New Orleans right after Labor Day this year (arriving September 7th). Don't know what route you're planning but for comfortable weather on the Gulf Coast I would go in late spring/early summer or late summer/early fall. Sprng/summer could be rainy; fall is a much dryer climate in the South.

Call one of the hotels and ask them when the rates go down in the spring.

Paul

Paul said it better than I would have been able to. I live in Louisiana. Spring can be real short between cold,wet and danged hot, summer is too hot, Late summer/ fall end of Sept. to mid Nov. is great! and if you plan your ride through the hill country of Arkansas you can check out some nice scenery and leaves changing colors if your into that sort of thing. Watch your speed, them stories about speed traps and cops in the south are true! If your I/Q is higher than your total # of teeth...you qualify!

[guido4198]

I made a similar run, (only difference being mine started and ended in S.E. Georgia) the first week of November. I was blessed with awesome weather the entire time. June-July-August is absolutely the WORST time to visit New Orleans. A lot depends on how you route it. Mine was the "Southern run"...through the South portions of each state, into San Diego with a brief side trip to TJ...then North up the California coast.

[Ed Y]

Presently, I live about 100 miles north of New Orleans but did live in NO for 15 years before moving where I am now in south MS. Unfortunately, last fall in this part of the south was a bust. Nothing but rain from mid Sept on and it's still doing it. There was no great fall weather consistently in 2009. El Nino was the problem or so they say. Late March thru mid May is usually pretty good. But, as mentioned in other posts, you have to get past the western mountains 1st.

[Ironpig9]

 :up:I haven't been to N.O. since 1970, but I have ridden the Ironpig from NC to the Texas hill country on the southern route. I'd suggest late April to early May. That way you can ride thru Texas while the wildflowers are blooming. Also, take a ride once you get there to upstate Louisiana and go to Natchez, Miss. (right on the Mississippi across from Vidalia, Lous.). It's a beautiful old southern town and the beginning of the Natchez Trace Trail. Hope you have a great trip. I get the feeling you will !! Hey, tip a few cold ones for those of us who won't be in N.O.

[dablaze]

I rode from Canada to there around Biketoberfest (Early to Mid October) was not bad, but kinda cold...a little earlier would have been nice. It was suggested to me by some locals to stay in Slidell, on the North Shore as once you ride into the town, just 10-15 minutes away, hotel prices double. Also there is a decent dealership right beside a couple of inexpensive hotels in Slidell. I was surprised at the number of folks that gave me advice like "keep one hand concealed" and "walk like you have a purpose" while in New Orleans. I guess it is still a little rough there in some areas.

Most of all, make sure to try the muffaletta! I would almost consider moving there for a muffaletta sandwich!

Craig