Best route - Texas to Wyoming
Good evening - We are driving from Austin, Texas to Grand Teton NP (and then on to Yellowstone). It will be our first time to tow our travel trailer a very long distance. I would be very intere...
Forum Discussion
BB_TX wrote:
While the route above (Bushland to Tascosa) is a bit shorter and somewhat scenic, it is a narrow 2 lane road with no paved shoulders, and somewhat bumpy the last time I drove it. I would suggest continuing north on US 87/287 at Amarillo to Dumas and then US 87 toward Dalhart. OR (as I do) take I-40 west at Amarillo to Vega, then north on US 385 toward Dalhart.take I-40 west at Amarillo to Vega, then north on US 385 toward Dalhart. US 385 is also 2 lane to Hartley, but a wide 2 lane with shoulders and frequent passing lanes. That route avoids downtown Amarillo and Dumas. The 335 loop around the southwest side of Amarillo to pick up I-40 is good to cut off a few miles.
Even the stretch of US 87 between Dumas and Hartley is 2 lane, although a reasonably wide two lane with paved shoulders.
I would not let my tank get below 1/4, but stations with reasonable access for long trailers are fairly common. But not on US 385, so you should have adequate fuel to make Dalhart if you go that direction. And the stretch of highway between Clayton, NM and Raton the towns are few and far between although there are some accessible stations along the way.
After getting caught once in Amarillo downtown traffic, I strongly recommend going thru Vega, which also avoids Dumas. Only negative is a huge feedlot on I-40 at Vega, which you will smell 20 miles before you get to the exit if traveling westbound. Also very little traffic from Vega to Dalhart.
