Driving to Austin from Denver, Co. route? (Dallas, Fort Worth: construction, living in)

[GypsyMama3]

Hi!

I am planning a trip in summer to Austin, TX from Denver, Co. I have never taken a road trip into Texas, or have ever been to Texas, therefore the area is very foreign to me. Since I will be traveling with my family we will have to split the driving into two days. We are thinking to stop in Amarillo, TX and then travel on the next day to Austin.

My basic concern are the various routes to get to both Amarillo, and Austin. I have looked at Google maps, and though it shows me a specific route, I know through experience, that it may not always be the best or the fastest way to go. I am wondering if anyone who might have taken this road trip before can lend me some information, or if anyone knows the area, can give me some helpful information.

Long Road Trips with children can be lots of fun, but also be difficult enough without adding getting lost or stuck in major traffic on small roads.

Thanks in advance,
A.

[bluescreen73]

287 is a fine route from Denver to Austin. It's 2 lanes from Limon to Stratford, TX. From there it's 4 lanes all the way to Fort Worth. From there you hop on I-35W south to Austin. When we lived in Dallas it was our preferred route up here to visit family. Traffic shouldn't be a problem at all unless they're still doing construction in the Oklahoma panhandle.

[joqua]

Originally Posted by GypsyMama3

My basic concern are the various routes to get to both Amarillo, and Austin.

I looked at Google Maps and the recommended route shows going south on IH-25 to Raton. Going via IH-70 and US-287 is a bit shorter but lacks the 4-lane offered by US-84 from Raton to Amarillo.

The route from Amarillo to Austin is also okay as Google draws it, but there is going to be little interstate driving once you're south of Lubbock. But at least US-87 is divided 4-lane. My personal preference from Lubbock to Austin would be stay on US-87 through Big Spring and San Angelo and Brady, a mixture of 4-lane and 2-lane but good surfacing all the way in Texas, regardless.

Texas even paves its ranch and farm roads!

[ChristieP]

I agree. US87 is a good road, and its a pretty drive through West Texas. There's no reason to fight traffic on I35 unless you absolutely have no alternative!

[miche111e]

New Mexico all the way! I'm from Texas and this is our second time living in CO. Do not go down I-35 S. Please trust me!! Ever since we first went through NM to I-10, we've never gone another way. You can catch I-35 N to Austin or take 281 north.