Dallas to Amarillo

[rjohnsonnm]

I am going from Dallas to Amarillo in another week or so and am wondering about the roads. There's 2 main ways to get there but I'm wondering which route is best. Has anyone been on I-40 from Oklahoma City to Amarillo lately? If so, how is the road? I went that way several years ago and the concrete road just about destroyed my RV. I am also thinking about Hwy 287 through Witchita Falls if I-40 is still bad. The map shows 4-lane highway but not controlled access. I have a bad right knee and try to use cruise control as much as possible. Is Hwy 287 a small town "stop & go" road the whole way where cruise control is not feasible? Thanks for any feedback.
Ron

[Whirlwind]

Hi Ron,

I live in Lubbock,Tx. and have been from Dallas to Lubbock then to Amarillo many,many times.

I would definately go on I-20 thru Abilene to Sweetwater then on Hwy.84 to Lubbock then on I27 to Amarillo.

The mileage is about the same this way as it is going thru Ok.City. The roads are much,much better on I-20. Less Traffic and smoother.

If you go on 287 thru Wichita Falls, you will be going thru lots of little towns with red lights and will slow you down alot.However, it is 100 miles closer this way than the other two ways mentioned.

Thanks,
David Schwertner-Lubbock,Tx.
2008 TK3
2008 Ford F-450

[layne]

We always go 287, though we go through Ft. Worth rather than Dallas because of where we start. It's good road all the way to Amarillo and there are small towns that slow you down, but you can use cruise control between them. We went I-40 through OK City last year because we were going to CO from AR and we will never do that again. That was one of the worst roads we've ever been on. We have friends who always to to Lubbock to visit family before going on to CO and they go the I-20 route and say it's also a good way to go. We are familiar with 287 and it's smooth road, 4 lane and the towns along the way seem to make it go faster. Just watch your speed through those little towns--the cops work them!

[Okie]

Ron, I live just south of OKC and right now the highway (40) between OKC and El Reno still has that bouncing concrete. They are under construction now and maybe it will be ok in about a year. After El Reno 40 is ok but there is construction on and off all the way to Texas. It has been my experience that all the Texas roads Interstate or not have been great.

Okie

[wingnut60]

Just went from FW to Amarillo via 287 on way to Colorado--have done this many, many times and it is not a bad run. There are some construction areas, and small towns to pass thru, but still a good route. The I-20 to Sweetwater, then up to Lubbock is also a good alternative. I can see no reason to go from Dallas to Amarillo by going up to OKC to pick up I-40, except diesel is usually way cheaper in OKC than anywhere in TX.
Joe

[Okie]

Wingnut, Not any more. It is now higher here in OK.

Okie

[nelsonraymond]

Ron
We just took I40 all the way from Alburqurque, NM to Knoxville, TN. The Roads from Ok and part of AK was the worst we drove on in the 10 yrs of rving and we have been full timing for 10 yrs moving across the country!
We lost a hub cap and had a few other problems from bouncing.
Janice

[wingnut60]

Okie,
check on gasbuddy.com---I am seeing $2.18/2.21 in OKC. Flying J has not been low since they declared bancruptcy.
I paid $2.46 in Fort Worth when I left last Thursday for Colorado--$2.65-75 up here in CO.
I usually try to schedule a trip thru OKC--when I come back south, fill up my bed tank somewhere in OKC, giving me 90 gallons at usually a 20cent difference to use around home.
Joe

[Okie]

I havent been down to Texas since last March when I was down there for the winter. At that time I was expecting lower prices when I got back to Oklahoma and was suprised at finding them higher here 10 to 20 cents. I guess it has changed since then. It's almost time for me to head south again so I guess thats why it has changed.

Okie

[Motor31]

We just drove 287 from Amarillo to past Dallas (16 Sept.). The worst part for stop and go was the area above Dallas. It wasn't far enough from the city to avoid all the frickin signals and "in town" traffic. Frankly the road between the cities was pretty good. We maintained a steady 65 almost all the way and the towns had a fair distance between them. There is some construction but it wasn't much of a delay at all for us. Over all it was a tiny bit slower than say an interstate but not that much. Fairly low traffic load and nice scenery. The biggest complaint we had was the lack of rest stops as it's mostly "picnic stops" along the route if you need a rest room.

[wingnut60]

Mike,
Did you miss the 2 "super rest stops" on 287: one between Clarendon and Childress, and the other between Quanah and Chilicothe? These are really new and large stop areas with lots of space to park an RV rig, have wifi and security. Also the tourist center in Amarillo across from the Flying J has lots of space for RVs and security.

Joe

[Motor31]

We missed one of them as I was expecting to exit to the right and it was a left exit to get to the rest stop. The sign didn't say exit left until you got to the stop. :(

I was hoping for about the same number of rest stops as you get on the interstate but found they were mostly picnic areas instead. We like to stop about every hour and a half to two hours to stretch or legs and walk a little bit. Having facilities helps too.