Hi Everyone. Well, after 15 years the RV-Dreams Community Forum is coming to an end. Since it began in August 2005, we've had 58 Million page views, 124,000 posts, and we've spent about $15,000 to keep this valuable resource for RVers free and open. But since we are now off the road and have settled down for the next chapter of our lives, we are taking the Forum down effective June 30, 2021. It has been a tough decision, but it is now time.


We want to thank all of our members for their participation and input over the years, and we want to especially thank those that have acted as Moderators for us during our amazing journey living and traveling in our RV and growing the RV-Dreams Family. We will be forever proud to have been founders of this Forum and to have been supported by such a wonderful community. Thank you all!!

Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Post Info TOPIC: Dallas to Amarillo


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 36
Date:
Dallas to Amarillo


Hey folks,

We're planning our route out west for the first time ever! Yay! We're visiting family just north of Dallas, and the most direct route across Texas towards our final destination of Colorado for the summer looks to be Texas route 287 to Amarillo, then 87/64 to Raton New Mexico. Does anyone know if these routes are rig-friendly? Thanks in advance for any information!

 

Karen 



__________________
Seeing the USA, one job at a time!


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 1144
Date:

That's exactly the route we took back in 2008. It was a good route then. We had lots of wind when we left Amarillo but that can happen any time in that part of the country.

I'd say "go for it",

Jim



__________________

Jim and Linda
Full-timers from 2001 to 2013
http://parttimewithjandl.blogspot.com/ 
2006 Dodge 2500 Diesel pulling a Heartland 26LRSS TT
May your days be warm, and your skies be blue.
May your roads be smooth, and your views ever-new.



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 102
Date:

I have traveled that route several times without any problems and Raton Pass is a piece of cake.


__________________

Jesse
traveling in
www.kram-a-lotinn.blogspot.com



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 319
Date:

It is a good route but last fall when I came back from Colorado that way, there was construction between Raton and Clayton, NM. It wasn't a problem to navigate but I thought you aught to know.

__________________
Full timing since 1/1/2005
American Tradition & Jeep Wrangler
www.howethsjournal.blogspot.com


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 35
Date:

Well I travel that route about everyday for work (on intermodal trains) to and from Childress which is about 220 miles from Ft Worth. 287 is pretty much a 4 lane hwy with a median when going through towns it comes together as a regular 4 lane. Childress is a good place to stop and eat for lunch and most of the eating places are more towards the West side of town. The Thia Kitchen on the North side of the HWY has real good food and very reasonable. If you are not into that Dawson's one block up on the South side has ample parking for your rig and they have a lunch buffet for around 10 bucks which includes many different things that are very tasty from 1130AM until 2PM. There is also a WalMart on the very West end of town just before leaving. If you need a place to stay the Best Western has sights with 50amp service, full hookups for around 25 bucks a night. Not to fancy but for an over night stay a pretty good spot with all eating places within walking distance. Watch you speed 287 is a major revenue route for many of the small towns as you go in and out of them. Also if you decide to head North and then West hwy 83 north otu of Childress is a very nice hwy we usually take it when we head to SD and NE a relaxing drive with very little traffic.  The town of Candian North of Childress has a nice campground at their fairgounds level blacktop sights and about 15 bucks to stay honor system pay.  Hope this helps and safe travels to y'all....



-- Edited by Tom N Gina on Monday 19th of March 2012 10:26:17 PM

__________________
Life is full of Choices.......... Ours is 2007 Montana 3400RL, 2003 1 Ton DRW Dodge QCLB 4x2, 2004 Durango, 1991 Harley FLHTC in 10ft enclosed garage on wheels. Plus Bailey our Great Dane.


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 434
Date:

I live about 100 miles south of Dallas and for the last two years I have traveled in a 40 ft MH - with tow - to the mountains near Fort Collins. 

It would be helpful for those who are familar with travel in the three states to know exactly where in CO your final destination is.  It's pretty much a given that none of the "normal" routes from TX that one would select will be any problem for all types of RVs. But if you are going north to cities along I-25, then taking Hwy 287 out of Amarillo until you can cut west would offer you a "flatter" drive than going over Raton Pass. But, despite being at 9000 ft altitude it's still Interstate quality. If you decide to do the Raton route then my I suggest a stay at Cedar Rail RV Park and then do the trolley tour in Trinidad.

I would also repectfully suggest that you get a fill up in Amarillo.  Gas/Diesel is cheaper than in NM or CO.

Have fun.



__________________

When it comes to the hereafter, I want to be in the no smoking section. 



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 5398
Date:

While Rick's (TXRV'R) idea is also a good one, the route takes one up through the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles and the road turns west at Lamar.  Then it goes through La Junta and Rocky Ford to end up catching I-25 at Pueble.

With that route, one will be going through more towns, giving you the opportunity of getting some fruits and veggies around Rocky Ford.  Now, it you are planning on going up before the fruit/veggie season, that won't be a benefit.

Either route is RV friendly, but the Amarillo/Dalhart/Clayton/Raton route will actually be shorter if I remember right.  If you like seeing cattle and antelope, that would be a good route as well because that part from Clayton to Raton is ranches and grassland.

If you go that way, once you cross over the summit of Raton Pass going north, watch somewhat to the west side (left) of the canyon and you may see an old abandoned mission church.

We've traveled that route for years.

Terry



__________________

Terry and Jo

2010 Mobile Suites 38TKSB3
2008 Ford F450
2019 Ford Expedition Max as Tag-along or Scout

Our photos on Smugmug



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 434
Date:

Terry and Jo wrote:

While Rick's (TXRV'R) idea is also a good one, the route takes one up through the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles....

Terry

Terry>  What have you got against the Oklahoma panhandle? biggrinbiggrin



__________________

When it comes to the hereafter, I want to be in the no smoking section. 



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 5398
Date:

TXRVr wrote:
Terry and Jo wrote:

While Rick's (TXRV'R) idea is also a good one, the route takes one up through the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles....

Terry

Terry>  What have you got against the Oklahoma panhandle? biggrinbiggrin


 

Not a thing, Rick.  I was raised in the Oklahoma Panhandle.  If it weren't for the limited number of jobs out there, I'd still be there.  We also lived in Amarillo for a couple of years; back when I was driving 18-wheelers.

Long ago, the consideration was kicked around that the Panhandles of Texas and Oklahoma ought to secede from the rest of the two states and form together as a new state.  After all, the capitols of both states sometimes tend to ignore the folks in the Panhandles.

For evidence of that last statement, drive some of the roads in the Oklahoma Panhandle.

However, it is really the people of the two Panhandles that make them great.

Terry



__________________

Terry and Jo

2010 Mobile Suites 38TKSB3
2008 Ford F450
2019 Ford Expedition Max as Tag-along or Scout

Our photos on Smugmug



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 434
Date:

Long ago, the consideration was kicked around that the Panhandles of Texas and Oklahoma ought to secede from the rest of the two states and form together as a new state. 

Terry


I knew that you were an Okie when I made the tongue in cheek comment. blankstare

It's interesting to watch one of those History channel programs on how Texas was split up into different states. Can you imagine how much in-fighting there would be between the two panhandles in picking a state capital?



__________________

When it comes to the hereafter, I want to be in the no smoking section. 



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 5398
Date:

TXRVr wrote:

It's interesting to watch one of those History channel programs on how Texas was split up into different states. Can you imagine how much in-fighting there would be between the two panhandles in picking a state capital?


 

Oh, I doubt that there would be any infighting.  Okies are smart enough to leave the politicians on the "Texas side."

And yes, I knew your comment was tongue-in-cheek.  Who knows, maybe my above comment was too????

Terry



__________________

Terry and Jo

2010 Mobile Suites 38TKSB3
2008 Ford F450
2019 Ford Expedition Max as Tag-along or Scout

Our photos on Smugmug



RV-Dreams Community Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 7
Date:

Hi Everyone - I realize this thread is from 2012 but we are about to take this trip from Dallas (Denton area) to Sante Fe and then on to the Four Corners area in NM. We are newbies (2 1/2 months now in our Voltage 44 ft. Toy Hauler) However, we have already traveled from OK to NC and back again and stayed at everything from nice to not so nice campgrounds. (State parks, Fam Camps, and strange right off the Highway RV parks) wink  I was wondering if there are any recommendations for one night RV stays along the way. It looks like we will be heading out 287 to Amarillo possibly stopping in Childress first then site seeing near Cimarron. (Ancestors from this area)  

Thanks in advance for any help! smile



__________________

Beverly

Four NC Hergs traveling in a Dodge Ram 3500 Dually pulling a 2016 Voltage 44ft Toy Hauler

 



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 5398
Date:

Beverly,

First of all, I don't think I've welcomed you before, so welcome to the forums.  With regards to "reviving" an old thread, it is normally better to start a new one rather than revive an old one.  In many cases, some "old" information in old threads may be out of date or no longer applicable, but following readers don't necessarily notice the dates of the posts, so they think everything is current and correct.

As for your route, I'd say that the roads from Dallas (Denton) to Amarillo will be good, but I've never driven that route.  I say they would be good because it is a major route for both automobiles and trucks, so I'd say it was well maintained.  As for any construction, I'd suggest calling the Texas Department of Transportation to check on any that might be going on.

In Santa Fe, watch that you don't try to take your RV through downtown.  I did that back in 2009 with a 26-foot fifth wheel and only found one filling station big enough to allow me to get in, and even that was tricky.  At that time, we were headed to Pagosa Springs and didn't know about the bypass on the west side of Santa Fe.  I can't help at all with places to stay as we've only stayed in one RV park in Amarillo, and it was on the west side of town and pretty much featureless but easy to get around.  It's another that is right off of I-40 and it's called the Oasis RV Park.  If you are aware of the "Cadillac Ranch," it is just west of that and the Oasis even has a small Class A buried as they've done the "Cadillac Ranch."

As for Cimarron, it has been many years since we were up there, but west of Cimarron is Cimarron Canyon State Park with RV parks/campgrounds at each end of the canyon.  A beautiful area along with Taos, Red River, and Eagle's Nest.

Terry

 



__________________

Terry and Jo

2010 Mobile Suites 38TKSB3
2008 Ford F450
2019 Ford Expedition Max as Tag-along or Scout

Our photos on Smugmug



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 160
Date:

I hesitated to answer as this is reviving an old thread, but here goes. In and around Amarillo I would highly recommend Palo Duro state park. It has a very nice area for setting up camp which I would plan on spending an extra day or two.

__________________

2018 Landmark Oshkosh 

2015 Ram 3500 6.7L DRW



RV-Dreams Community Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 7
Date:

Thanks for the welcome Terry and the helpful information!  I am more of a reader and not much of a poster when it comes to these things but I am teachable (hopefully) and now will remember NOT to revive old threads. wink

And thank you Rickl!  Going to look into it now.

 

 



-- Edited by rbks on Wednesday 8th of June 2016 07:26:05 PM



-- Edited by rbks on Wednesday 8th of June 2016 08:28:40 PM

__________________

Beverly

Four NC Hergs traveling in a Dodge Ram 3500 Dually pulling a 2016 Voltage 44ft Toy Hauler

 



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 50
Date:

rbks wrote:

Hi Everyone - I realize this thread is from 2012 but we are about to take this trip from Dallas (Denton area) to Sante Fe and then on to the Four Corners area in NM. We are newbies (2 1/2 months now in our Voltage 44 ft. Toy Hauler) However, we have already traveled from OK to NC and back again and stayed at everything from nice to not so nice campgrounds. (State parks, Fam Camps, and strange right off the Highway RV parks) wink  I was wondering if there are any recommendations for one night RV stays along the way. It looks like we will be heading out 287 to Amarillo possibly stopping in Childress first then site seeing near Cimarron. (Ancestors from this area)  

Thanks in advance for any help! smile

We drove that exact route about 6 weeks ago when we left Dallas. No problems, other than boredom from the unchanging flat terrain for most of the route in Texas.

We try to keep our driving to about 4 hours a day. So we stopped the first night at Copper Breaks State Park near Quanah, and the second night at Palo Duro Canyon State Park south of Amarillo. Both will be hot as you-know-what this time of year, but the parks were nice and inexpensive. If you can tolerate the heat, the Texas show at Palo Duro is fun. 

You probably won't go through Raton, NM, but if you do, check out Raton Pass Campground, located right at the top of the pass. It's spectacular; we spent our third night there and liked it so much we spent two extra days there. Our back window hung over a cliff and looked south down the pass back toward Raton. :)



__________________

David & Cheryl
2013 Heartland Landmark San Antonio
2012 Ford F-450 Lariat

Follow us on our blog: Landmark Adventures
Landmark Adventures on Facebook
   Landmark Adventures on Instagram

Our_truck_and_RV_133x100.jpg  VisitedStatesMap198x100.gifVisitedCanadianProvincesMap.png

Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.

Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us