My DeLorme "trip planner" shows the trip out, Houston - Austin - Dallas - Hot Springs - Memphis - Nashville - Jackson - New Orleans and back to Houston at 2,028 miles with an estimated driving time of about 36.3 hours, using the "quickest" routes.

A "shortest" route cuts it to 1974 miles, but at 42.3 hours driving time. Six hours to save 50 miles doesn't appear to be a good trade.

Both calculated routes return back through Memphis for the Nahsville to Jackson jump, which appears to be about the longest single jump.

For the quick route, based on a 12 gallon (US) fuel tank and 24 miles per gallon, the planner shows 14 - 16 "fuel stops" recommended. An SUV, for which I guessed a 22 gallon tank and 16 mpg stops about the same number of times but of course you'll put in a bit more at each stop. The planner uses a rule of "never start" a leg of the trip with less than 3/4 tank, and fill at the next good place when down to 1/4 tank. You'll have to assess your own personal practices - for the slowest fellow traveler - on whether to add ten minutes or an hour for each fuel stop. Good practice for most is to add in one of the longer stops, stretch, snack, and of course "dump," which adds a possible 12 to 15 hours to the 36 hour driving time, for closer to 50 hours of "travel time."

The entire trip for the quick route is on Interstate highways, with the exception of the short drop off at Hot Springs which is not far from the Interstate. The I-routes are generally pretty good and should mostly allow 70 mph (112 kph) speeds (range 65 to 80 mph); but most of the area has been through some "weather stress" recently and road repairs are constant even in best of times. Some slow-downs might be anticipated. It's impossible to predict even a few months in advance, but most states have "road condition" reports on the internet, some have transportation or patrol phone numbers where you can ask, and asking the locals and/or travellers at the meal stops daily at each stop should get reliable enough information to make allowances for the "plan of the day." For any source, one must consider the source as well as the data, since even the official websites are subject to being "behind the curve." If in doubt "ASK A TRUCKER" who's not obviously busy (but DON'T EVER try to talk politics or religion with one).

And do keep an eye on the weather, especially when "on the road."

The route looks quite reasonable, and obviously they've already done some planning. I hope comments aren't too redundant.

John