US 285

[starwind]

This is a warning to route around US 285 south from Mentone, Texas to Pecos, Texas. The southbound lane is extremely rough and narrow. It is the roughest highway I have ever experienced in Texas. It appears to be under construction but as of now they have not worked on the southbound lane. Also, US 285 southbound from Carlsbad, New Mexico is very crowded with oil field trucks and has two places where they are working on bridges where traffic is limited to one lane resulting in very long delays. Avoid that route if you can.

[Isaac-1]

Can you comment on the condition of US285 between Pecos and Fort Stockton?

[ThomB]

We were on that route North out of Ft. Stockton towards Carlsbad, NM.

DO NOT DO IT! If that’s what you’re thinking about doing.

We had a toad tire cut on a pot hole. At one point the road disappeared into an 18 inch hole of gravel where they removed the road surface for construction. There is a WalMart just as you reach Carlsbad/ Civilization that must do 1/2 it’s business replacing tires. Sadly, they didn’t have my size in stock so we had to drive another 100 miles to get to a Discount Tire for a replacement.

[starwind]

We didn't travel that route so can't comment. We turned south at Pecos on TX 17 headed for Davis Mts State Park. However, based on the roads we saw in that area, I would take TomB's advice. The oil field truck traffic has all roads in that area in bad shape.

[Larrikin]

That road is beat up by oil field trucks

[Isaac-1]

Thanks, I am in Fort Stockton tonight, came in on I10, I was thinking about taking I20 to Pecos then US285 down to Fort Stockton