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Old 07-12-2016, 02:15 PM   #1
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2007 25' International CCD FB
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Least Worst Route from Texas to Carlsbad, NM?

Hi, has anyone has driven from Texas to Carlsbad recently? I would be grateful for advice on the route.

On Saturday, we’re kicking off our 2 week summer Airstream vacation with a very long day of driving from Houston to Carlsbad.

There are two main routes we could take:
- I-10 west to Fort Stockton, US 285 north to Carlsbad.
- I-45 north to Dallas, I-20 west to Big Spring, State Highway 176 west to Carlsbad.

I’m not concerned about the I-10 or I-45/I-20 stretch. My concern, and question is, which road is going to be the least worst to take through the Permian?

I’ve read on other RV forums that US 285 has been more or less destroyed by the frack trucks. Has anyone found this to be the case? I note that State Highway 176 passes just north of Midland / Odessa; is State Highway 176 in any better condition than US 285?

Ideally, I’d like to find the route that won’t shake or bump the trailer to pieces! Thanks for your help.
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Old 07-12-2016, 05:41 PM   #2
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In for this answer, planning a return trip to Texas via Hwy 285


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Old 10-06-2016, 06:07 PM   #3
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Driving 285 headed south tomorrow.


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Old 10-06-2016, 06:34 PM   #4
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Just finished this a few weeks back from Carlsbad Caverns to Ft Worth.

We took 180 east intending to go more or less straight east to I20. It started out 2 lane but wide and a good road. Somewhere along the route we dropped down southward we though to a more direct route to I20 and ended up on a really rough narrow 2 lane for a while. Once we got into TX it smoothed out again.

In retrospect 285 south to I20 may look a bit further but may be the better option.
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Old 10-08-2016, 09:06 AM   #5
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Least Worst Route from Texas to Carlsbad, NM?

Drove Hwy 285 from Santa Fe to Pecos, Tx. The road is good, excellent in places, but south of Carlsbad there is some rough road due to trucks servicing oil fields. The bad patch is from Carlsbad to a point 63 miles north of Pecos, where a repaving project is moving north. The problems come from the big trucks braking suddenly and picking up asphalt. Repairs are being made, but there are still lumps and bumps. We found our way thru by putting wheels off the beaten tracks.


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Old 10-09-2016, 07:40 AM   #6
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We made the trip from Houston to Carlsbad last summer. We went from Houston to Balmorea SP on I 10 and spent the night there. Then a little back tracking to 285 and on to Carlsbad and spent the night at White City RV. I had no problems with the roads and White City RV was fine.
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Old 10-09-2016, 09:03 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LesMesa View Post
Hi, has anyone has driven from Texas to Carlsbad recently? I would be grateful for advice on the route.

On Saturday, we’re kicking off our 2 week summer Airstream vacation with a very long day of driving from Houston to Carlsbad.

There are two main routes we could take:
- I-10 west to Fort Stockton, US 285 north to Carlsbad.
- I-45 north to Dallas, I-20 west to Big Spring, State Highway 176 west to Carlsbad.

I’m not concerned about the I-10 or I-45/I-20 stretch. My concern, and question is, which road is going to be the least worst to take through the Permian?

I’ve read on other RV forums that US 285 has been more or less destroyed by the frack trucks. Has anyone found this to be the case? I note that State Highway 176 passes just north of Midland / Odessa; is State Highway 176 in any better condition than US 285?

Ideally, I’d like to find the route that won’t shake or bump the trailer to pieces! Thanks for your help.

I am assuming you know the area. I would take I-10 west to Fort Stockton, US 285 north to Carlsbad. 285 isn't a bad piece of road. In comparison to the roads I drove on to get out of the area, any highway was good. I made that trip recently. You are East of Fort Stockton, yes? so your in the Big Bend area, near Marathon and Terilingua? 285/385/10 aren't bad. I mean, watch for the oil fields, the pumping stations, the roads around them are uh, heavily traveled and well worn.

That area isn't heavily populated so I would also recommend getting gas when you can.
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Old 10-10-2016, 05:15 AM   #8
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It would be a little less direct coming from Houston but a couple of years ago we took 54 from Van Horn on I10 up to Carlsbad and enjoyed an almost deserted road with good surface and relatively scenic surroundings.
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Old 10-10-2016, 06:57 AM   #9
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You might check with TXDOT to see if they have road reports.
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Old 10-10-2016, 07:14 PM   #10
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My report on Hwy 285 was made the same day that we drove it, Oct 8, 2016


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