Thru Amarillo - south to north

[texasjayco]

Will be going through Amarillo next week, from Lubbock going north. Looking for advice regarding traffic, construction, etc. Is it best to go around on 335, or just go thru town? If thru town is best, should I use Fillmore (87) or Buchanan (287)? I know they join together just north of downtown heading north, but is one better than the other to get thru downtown?

Thanks for your help.

Mark

[padredw]

When we travel "north" we are usually going up through Dalhart. If that is the case for you I recommend traveling west on IH-40 and then take highway 385 north.

We always take this route, by far better than going on through town. This advice also applies to Dumas.

Occasionally, we drive on I 40 to the Bell St. exit and go up to FM 1061 by the Cal Farley Boy's Ranch. This route bypasses Dumas but goes on to Dalhart. 1061 is a Farm (or Ranch) Road. It is a bit shorter but it is narrow and follows the contour of the land (up and down). I do not advise it, but I do often follow it myself as an alternate to Dalhart.

[texasjayco]

Awesome info!!

Thanks for your help!!

Mark

[Rice]

I was most recently through there a couple of months ago. No construction or anything at that point.

I went through downtown because I wanted to stop at Whataburger and (correctly) assumed I could park my 40-foot motorhome along the street nearby. Plus I like looking at towns--there's plenty of nothing to look at out there.

As for Buchanan vs. Fillmore, I don't thing one has a clear advantage when it comes to traffic or maneuverability. Fillmore goes by the courthouse, so it might be a more "tourist" choice, but it's not like a courthouse square or anything; both Buchanan and Fillmore are straight shots through with stoplights. But 10 miles shorter than taking the loop.

[obgraham]

When I went through there a year ago I didn't think about it -- through town was a bunch of lights and stop-and-go traffic.
If I do it again I'll go around on 335 to the west.
(And Dumas is a better fuel stop, too!)

[texasjayco]

Dick_B wrote:
You are going to stop at The Big Texan for dinner aren't you?

No...been there, done that. IMHO, it's way overrated and overpriced. But a neat stop for someone to experience.

Thanks,
Mark

[texasjayco]

GizmosMom wrote:
When we travel "north" we are usually going up through Dalhart. If that is the case for you I recommend traveling west on IH-40 and then take highway 385 north.

It's been many years since we actually drove through Amarillo

We're coming from the south of Amarillo on IH27
385 goes to Dalhart, but we're going to Dumas. Up hwy 287/87.
I was trying to find out if it's better to go around the loop or thru town.

Thanks,
Mark

[Dick_B]

You are going to stop at The Big Texan for dinner aren't you?

[GizmosMom]

When we travel "north" we are usually going up through Dalhart. If that is the case for you I recommend traveling west on IH-40 and then take highway 385 north.

It's been many years since we actually drove through Amarillo