We usually take US281 south to Johnson City, then west on US290 to Fredericksburg, then Texas 16 south to Kerrville.Trailer Life Directory routes us south on 281 to I-20, west to Texas 16, then south on 16 to Kerrville.What is 16 like from I-20 south?Thanks.GM

TEXAS 16 looks like your typical two-lane road with good paved pull off on each side. No major curves between FREDERICKSBURG and KIRRVILLE.photo from google satelitte street view...Roy Ken

From I-20 US 281 for the most part will be a little wider and maybe a little better highway than TX 16. But I don't know that you can go wrong either way.You can try using google maps street view several places along the TX 16 route to get a good look at the highway and decide for yourself. I frequently do that before I decide to take a highway I have never been on before. The picture above is just south of Fredericksburg where the highway is much wider than it is north of Fredericksburg.You might give it a try just for a change in scenery.

I have not towed over that entire route from I-20 south on TX 16, but I do not think you'd have any difficulty. Texas State Highways are generally quite good (I even use many Farm to Market Roads--which are a "class" below state highways.)However, if you are coming from the west on I-20 there are several alternatives depending on where you are coming from.I presume there must be some reason you are not coming on I-10 to Kerrville?BTW, we ordinarily use the route you mentioned using US 281, but we are coming from the Northeast, not from the west.

On more careful reading of you original post, I can now see that you must be coming from the north (Wichata Falls?). If so, looks like you have two good choices.Sorry I jumped in without any specific personal knowledge of the northern portion of TX 16.

Correct. We will pick up I-44 20 miles from home, follow it to its end in Wichita Falls, then pick up 281. Se travel 281 often, going to my brother's home south of San Antonio (Pleasanton). My major concern is for my wife - she does not take rolling hills well. We know and are comfortable with 281, and have been from Johnson City to Fredericksburg a few times with no problems. I wouldn't mind a change in scenery though.GM

Texas Hwy 16 from I-20 to Kerrville | Good Sam Community

16 Replies

lane_hog
Explorer II
Feb 01, 2014
We used to drive TX-16 a couple times a year. It's my preferred way of getting from the Metromess to the hill country.

No problem with any type of rig I'd ever moved on it, including a pop-up, 29' tow trailer, and a 31' fifth wheel.
Kemahsabe
Explorer
Jan 31, 2014
BB_TX wrote:
If you are entering Fredericksburg from the east on 290 and want to get to 87 toward Comfort or 16 toward Kerrville, take Friendship Lane (at the Walmart) and bypass the whole mess around the south side. Just one light at 87 and one at 16 and no traffic at all.

Great idea. Thanks!
mlts22
Explorer II
Jan 31, 2014
Only other caveat, on 281, for about 10-20 miles north of 1604, expect lots of poorly timed lights due to all the housing developments. It is stop and go until past that.
BB_TX
Nomad
Jan 31, 2014
If you are entering Fredericksburg from the east on 290 and want to get to 87 toward Comfort or 16 toward Kerrville, take Friendship Lane (at the Walmart) and bypass the whole mess around the south side. Just one light at 87 and one at 16 and no traffic at all.
Kemahsabe
Explorer
Jan 31, 2014
BB_TX wrote:
Kemahsabe wrote:
.....
I find that the traffic through F'burg is heavy and slow when the tourists are in town - and they're always in town. :W So I take TX-16 to bypass Johnson City and F'burg. It's a good, scenic drive along that portion.

Actually TX 16 goes right thru downtown Fredericksburg (enroute from Llano to Kerrville). Did you mean bypassing Marble Falls and Johnson City?

Geographically speaking, you are correct. TX 16 does not 'bypass' F'burg. However, it hits US 290 only 4 lights from where 290 splits from 87 and heads out of town. If you go all the way through F'burg on 290 you'll hit maybe 25 or 30 lights? Seems like it! :B It's very, very slow.
PawPaw_n_Gram
Explorer
Jan 31, 2014
EsoxLucius wrote:
70 mph speed limit, it can't be all that bad.

I know many FM and County roads within 70 miles of Dallas with no paved shoulders, barely three feet between a four inch drop from the pavement to the grass and a big ditch - with 70 and 75 mph speed limits.

Texas method of defining the speed limit is to measure what people are traveling on average and set the speed limit at near that speed. Road suitability for high speeds, or rather unsuitability, is not a criteria for setting speed limits.
BB_TX
Nomad
Jan 31, 2014
Kemahsabe wrote:
.....
I find that the traffic through F'burg is heavy and slow when the tourists are in town - and they're always in town. :W So I take TX-16 to bypass Johnson City and F'burg. It's a good, scenic drive along that portion.

Actually TX 16 goes right thru downtown Fredericksburg (enroute from Llano to Kerrville). Did you mean bypassing Marble Falls and Johnson City?
Kemahsabe
Explorer
Jan 30, 2014
Dadio24 wrote:
I have made the trip several times. No problems for MH or TT. Really nice road and I like it better than 281, due to less traffic. The speed from Llano to Fredericksburg is a little slow, but the road is not straight so speed isn't an issue. Enjoy the views of the this great country.

I find that the traffic through F'burg is heavy and slow when the tourists are in town - and they're always in town. :W So I take TX-16 to bypass Johnson City and F'burg. It's a good, scenic drive along that portion.
Dadio24
Explorer
Jan 30, 2014
I have made the trip several times. No problems for MH or TT. Really nice road and I like it better than 281, due to less traffic. The speed from Llano to Fredericksburg is a little slow, but the road is not straight so speed isn't an issue. Enjoy the views of the this great country.
EsoxLucius
Explorer
Jan 30, 2014
70 mph speed limit, it can't be all that bad.