Best route - Texas to Wyoming

[dsmith3]

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 interested to hear from veteran travelers on what is the best way to travel when towing a large trailer; i.e., sticking exclusively to interstate highway system vs. "most direct route" which could be a combination of interstate/state highways, etc.

Here are two possible routes we could take:

MOST DIRECT: 1,387 miles (21 hrs 41 min)
- Hwy 183 from Austin to Brownwood
- Hwy 84 to Lubbock
- I-27 N to Amarillo
- Hwy 87 thru Dalhart, Clayton, Raton, Trinidad
- I-25 N to Denver/Fort Collins
- Hwy 287 (Ft. Collins) to Laramie (cut the corner)
- I-80 to Rawlins
- Hwy 287 to GTNP

INTERSTATE ROUTE: 1,549 miles (23 hrs 41 min)
- I-35 N from Austin to Salina, Kansas
- I-70 W to Denver
- Loop E-470 to I-25 N to Cheyenne
- I-80 to Rawlins
- Hwy 287 to GTNP

My main concern is getting on a back road with only single lanes going in each direction and backing up traffic. Also a little worried about finding diesel at a service station that I can drive through with a 35-foot trailer!

Many thanks,
Dave

[Ivylog]

287 from Rawlins to the Tetons is my favorite way to get there plus the last part was completely rebuilt several years ago. It's worth a stop at Lander for Sinks Canyon SP.
I'm into cutting the corners so 287 from Ft Collins to I-80 and then I-80 to Rawlins.

[Dick_B]

Get a copy of Mountain Directory West to help in your planning.

[dsmith3]

Heisenberg wrote:
US 87 between Amarillo and Raton NM used to be two lanes. The stretch is now 4 lane and nearly brand new it was a "shovel ready" project from the jobs bill. From Lubbock to Amarillo is I27. From I20 Roscoe to Lubbock, US 84, is 4 lane. You cannot go wrong.

Thank you!!

[Heisenberg]

US 87 between Amarillo and Raton NM used to be two lanes. The stretch is now 4 lane and nearly brand new it was a "shovel ready" project from the jobs bill. From Lubbock to Amarillo is I27. From I20 Roscoe to Lubbock, US 84, is 4 lane. You cannot go wrong.

[dsmith3]

Heisenberg wrote:
Most Direct is good from Austin to Ft Collins. I have done those roads in the last two years.

For the "Direct Route" are there any stretches of road (US or State highways) that reduce down to one lane each way? Or is there always a passing lane available?

I'm thinking Austin >> Lubbock stretch and then between Amarillo >> I-25.

[Heisenberg]

Most Direct is good from Austin to Ft Collins. I have done those roads in the last two years.

[TexasShadow]

your direct route is going to be fine just as you have it.

We like leaving I 80 at Rock Springs and going up 191 through Pinedale and over to 89 north up to Jackson. No problems with the road last year, but you know they like to work on roads in the summertime up there 🙂 No grades to worry about.
We like to spend the night at Warren Bridge federal campground, about 20 miles west of Pinedale...turn into campground just before crossing the bridge. This puts us in a good spot for arriving at the Tetons around mid day. The campground has water and a dump station.

[keepingthelight]

I don't have the answer on your route. If you go to www.findfuelstops.com you can type in your starting and stopping point and a list of diesel stations will pop up. Good website.

Good luck;)

[Houston_Remodel]

I'm interested in knowing as we're making the same trip next year