Best route to Carlsbad Caverns from El Paso Texas

I can't remember which route I took to Carlsbad. We were coming from Tombstone, Arizona. Filling stations were very rare. At the immigration stop area (or whatever it is called) I had a full tank. From there to Carlsbad there were absolutely no filling stations,lots if dust tornados though). I was running on empty when we got into Carlsbad.

I've not driven it, but have seen a couple post on this forum that it is a very good road.

I however have driven US-285 from Carlsbad to Pecos Texas (I-20) to Fort Stockton Texas (I-10). There has been a lot of oil field work in that area in recent years, and the road shows a lot of damage, especially the NM section. You can also expect to be passed or tailgated by a lot of big, heavy trucks on that route.

Not enough to make me not take that route this fall on our way to Arizona - but enough to make me wish there was an alternate that doesn't add a couple hundred miles to the trip.