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Skline01's avatar
Skline01
Explorer
Jul 16, 2018

Roads from Alpine TX via Terlingua, Redford to Presido

Planning a trip in Big Bend country. Would like to take the RV from Alpine, TX to presido TX via Terlingua and Redford. I believe most of the route is along FM170. Looking for feedback on how the roads are for RV's. Have been told that there are some steep grades in the area. Any experience or recommendations would be appreciated
  • Make sure to stop in Terlingua to visit the amazing old Cemetary and the very cool suvenir shop near by.
  • Thanks to all for the great insight and advice. Should be going through there tomorrow
  • A great road to enjoy. But not on to breeze through at 55 mph. More like 25-30 in some sections.

    As mentioned one steep grade. There are a few dry campground locations along the road and some hiking trails. Much of the road passes thru the Big Bend State Ranch Park. Float trips run along that section of the Rio Grande.

    There an old movie set just after leaving Lajitas that we found interesting. Right after you leave the river near Randolph is Forest Leaton State Historical Park. An excellent place to stop. Well worth a couple hours.

    Fuel - you are in a “boonie tax” area. Prices are high. Fill up at Alpine which is usually 10-20% higher than the state average. The entire loop from Alpine to Terlingua to Presidio to Marfa is 205 miles.

    First fuel is at Study Butte where TX 118 and FM 1170 meet - 78 miles from Alpine. About 15-25% higher than Alpine.

    There is a possibility that a small store in Lajitas might have fuel at 95 miles. I would not count upon it.

    A few stations in Presidio. 145 miles into the trip. A little less than 70 miles past Study Butte. Fuel will be between Alpine and Study Butte price wise. Then 60 miles north to Marfa where fuel will cost close to Alpine.

    Since your profile says you are in Mission, you already know about miles and miles of miles and miles of nothing driving in Texas. And none of the drives on the loop you described are longer as individual legs without fuel than you already have to drive to get out of the RGV.
  • The road is fine, but there are some steep grades. The road is very scenic - some of it is high above the Rio Grande and the views are just spectacular. I think it's one of the best scenic drives in Texas. There are a number of pull offs in the scenic area that can accommodate a truck/trailer combination pretty easily. Look out for fallen rocks.
  • Remember out there its just " miles & miles of nothin but miles & miles " so fill up every time you can.
    I would sure like a steak from the Starlite Resturant :)
  • I've been over this route a number of times. Some hilly sections. One fairly long grade that's 15* I think. I've owned about every style of RV there is and I wouldn't hesitate to take this route with any of them.
  • We took it last time we were down there, road is fine--standard Texas two-lane highway. I don't recall any extreme grades, but I'm not very sensitive to them, my truck pulls our 5ver up them with no problem.

    Just some advice, shop before you get down there. There is a mini-supermarket but prices reflect the isolation.