Quickest rt from Dallas driving at night

[leigh]

Repost of sorts, the other wasn't my post to start with and was getting a bit long.
I will be driving mostly at night, so scenery won't matter much. Quickest route will be better driving in, however coming back will be in day light so I could go the scenic route then.

Thanks,
Leigh

[Verduretiger]

I always go I20 to Monahans and turn south on 18 through Grand Falls (which is not so grand) to Fort Stockton and then 385 to Marathon and then on it to the park. 

[dkerr24]

I-20 to Monahans is probably the most direct route from Dallas.  Just gotta plan on holding your nose when driving past Odessa. 

I've also gone through San Angelo which is a bit more scenic and really doesn't take a lot longer due to light traffic.

Darin

[Hayduke]

You'll save about 10 miles if you turn south on FM 1053 before you get to Monahans. FM 1053 is a perfectly good road and takes you directly into Ft. Stockton.

You'll miss Monahans and Grandfalls, but most people can handle that. In return you pass through Imperial. (Just as Grandfalls isn't so grand, Imperial ain't so imperial.)

-HD

I always go I20 to Monahans and turn south on 18 through Grand Falls (which is not so grand) to Fort Stockton and then 385 to Marathon and then on it to the park.

[steelfrog]

I always go I20 to Monahans and turn south on 18 through Grand Falls (which is not so grand) to Fort Stockton and then 385 to Marathon and then on it to the park.

This is correct.

[Verduretiger]

Where is the best place in Marathon to stay other than the Gage.  I have done that already and I am not looking to pay those prices anymore. 

[SHANEA]

You'll save about 10 miles if you turn south on FM 1053 before you get to Monahans. FM 1053 is a perfectly good road and takes you directly into Ft. Stockton.

Perfectly good road during the day light.  Horrid at night.  Bambi everywhere...  Made that mistake late one Winter night.  About 15mph the entire stretch.   Hwy 190 is bad bad bad tooo.

[Verduretiger]

Marathon Motel booked solid for a long time.  I guess it will be back to my old standby in Fort Stockton. 

[Frau]

Marathon Motel booked solid for a long time.  I guess it will be back to my old standby in Fort Stockton. 

why not camp with your son??

[Frau]

Marathon Motel booked solid for a long time.  I guess it will be back to my old standby in Fort Stockton. 

camping is available in and around Marathon





[/quote

where did Reece stay for $56.00???

[FatPacker]

This may be a touch off the topic, but whenever traveling on I-20, especially on the way home(westbound)... we always stop at the Chinese Buffet in Sweetwater..  Awesome food!
But it kind of looks like a closed down bowling alley at first glance.

[Hoodoo]

Leigh,

Quickest route will be better driving in, however coming back will be in day light so I could go the scenic route then.

This is probably out of your way but for scenery on your return I highly recommend the drive between Rocksprings and Junction on Hwy 377. Take Hwy 90 East from Marathon  to Del Rio and turn North on 377. From Junction I would follow 377 to Brownwood and then 183 North to Cisco.

The rest is Interstate through the Metromess as you well know.

I am envious.

Don

[SHANEA]

Fort Stockton is an outstanding waypoint.  It gets really spooky going out of Fort Stockton in the dark.  Deer, Javalena, and the Marfa lights... etc.  Yep, I'm a scardy cat.  Plus, very limited cell service.  I really don't want to have a head on with an animal at highway speeds.

[Hayduke]

You'll save about 10 miles if you turn south on FM 1053 before you get to Monahans. FM 1053 is a perfectly good road and takes you directly into Ft. Stockton.

Perfectly good road during the day light.  Horrid at night.  Bambi everywhere...  Made that mistake late one Winter night.  About 15mph the entire stretch.   Hwy 190 is bad bad bad tooo.

Shane, deer can be an issue on almost any road in West Texas after dark. I've driven FM 1053 after dark many, many times and found that deer are no more (or less) an issue there than on any of the other roads down to the Park. -HD

[Undertaker]

Deer, pigs and any loose cattle, hitting any of these at speed will mess up your day big time. Slow down smell the roses. Be safe. This message brought to you by Mr. Lead Foot himself.