Fastest Route Between El Paso and Lubbock ? (Odessa, Spring: fence, cars)

[br7or13]

Hi all - driving from E.P. to Lubbock and wanna know if it's faster to take I-10 to I-20 to Odessa, then north on 385 to Seminole, then N.E. on 62/82 to Lbk.?

A view of the map says east from E.P on 62/180 through Guadalupe Mtns, to Carlsbad, NM, to Hobbs, NM, then Seminole, TX would be shorter route. But, I've done that route several times and once you hit south of Carlsbad, there are elderly-paced speed limits in C-Bad and Hobbs and you're literally driving 30 mph in those towns. Nice places to visit, I'm sure, but I'm in a hurry.

[juggler]

I wold take the interstate to Odessa, and then north through Andrews and Seminole, like you mention.

I don't know if this route has it, but portions of the rural interstates in this part of Texas have speed limits of 80MPH, which means you can get away with doing 85.

[lothartheterrible]

Take IH10/20 to Big Spring then get on US 87 North; more of a direct route and fewer towns to pass through.

[br7or13]

jugg & loth: thanks for the info on that. I'll skip NM and keep it all in Texas.

[jtur88]

Go the Hobbs route, but just before Hobbs, take the 483 shortcut through Lovington, you'll miss Seminole, too.

[prerunner1982]

I don't remember what route we took coming back from EP to Hobbs when I was a kid, but it was later at night and we came over a hill and there was red flares all over the road. Apparently cattle had broken down a fence and 4 cars took out 16 cattle... was pretty crazy having to weave around all the dead cows. Never saw the cars though, but I can't imagine what type of damage was done.