Big Bend SR 385 vs SR 118

Spent three months campground hosting at Big Bend last summer and two months at Davis Mountain SP last fall.

The only part of TX-118 which isn't favorable for RVs is the section above Davis Mountains SP toward McDonald Observatory and on to the I-10 junction at Kent.

Even that is okay if you take it slow. TX-118 from Alpine to Study Butte - smooth, WIDEEEEE, easy route. A few hills.

Don't know where SR-365 is.

US-385 from Fort Stockton to BBNP is also a very wide, easy route. Great shape for highway. If I was going from Fort Stockton to Alpine - I'd take US-67 rather than US-385 to Marathon and US-90 to Alpine. (But we use US-90 from Del Rio to Alpine vice I-10 - much better drive.)

TX-17 from Balmorhea to Fort Davis is a good road, a little twisty through the pass, but nothing difficult.

The biggest 'issue' about taking US-385 into Big Bend NP's north entrance is the 45 mph speed limit in the park. It's about an hour and a half from the north entrance to the west entrance.

We came in TX 118 from Kent, over nited at Davis Mtn SP with an easy drive into Cottonwood in BBNP the next. Easy for a trailer that is 20 foot closed up. Don't think I'd like in with a rig your size.

go in on 385 and come out on 118. 385 takes you down to the BB headquarters in the park. pick up info there then go on to Terlingua, etc.
Both roads are good, no problems.
If you enjoy rough wilderness rides, take the river road from Cottonwood campground to Rio Grande campground, but take water and a lunch because it takes about 5 hours.

Don't overlook the Star Party at McDonald Observatory up by Ft. Davis, if you're star gazers.

Yes, that is SR 385 not 365.

Regards,
Mrbhamilton

MapQuest says travel time is the same either way. Speed going through the park is slower but the distance is 16 miles less. If you're headed back to Houston after the stay I'd go down on 385 and back on 118 just to see both roads. Going back to Houston it's just slightly shorter to go up 118 from Study Butte plus you'll just feel like you're making no progress going through the park at 45 mph.
Coming from Rockport I'd take US90 out to the park rather than I10. Seminole Canyon State Park (after Del Rio) is a good place to camp (336 miles from Rockport if you bypass San Antonio on Tx173).