Tell them to buy a Texas road map at a gas station or grocery store. Should be able to get one in Columbus or La Grange. Best advice would be to leave Sheridan by going a couple miles west and then north on TX 155 to La Grange. Try to go all the way north to Waco before cutting over eastbound on Hwy 31, which is 4 lane from west of Corsicana to Tyler and near I-20. After that they'll have several options between Tyler and Shreveport to head north to I-30, several of them 4 lane. If US 77 from La Grange to Waco is too crowded with evacuees, there are numerous side highways that they could cut NE across the traffic starting from La Grange north. Could even go east to Brenham and Navasota before heading N. to Madisonville and Crockett, however the closer in to Houston, the more crowded portions of that route would be. I'd recommend not crossing I-45 south of Buffalo, they could weave up to Hearne and then take US79 to Palestine and north.
Best thing to do is for them to get a state highway map and then play it by ear. There are lots and lots of backroads and lesser highways.
Hi, I saw your ping on the prior locked thread. Thanks, all my family is now safely evacuated and hunkered down in the official Squat Hurricane Bunker (Dallas.) Still buying a few more supplies in case they have to return to the worst, but property should be ok (except for some wind damage) if the hurricane follows the forecast to Matagorda Bay (halfway between Galveston and Corpus Christi.)
Thank you! Outstanding information, very much appreciated. Since they only own a Honda Del Sol, and have a dog and two cats, it will be quite cramped. Anything to shorten the trip is helpful.