Condition of 287 between FW and Amarillo?

[Tourmeister]

Howdy,

So, to get to Albuquerque from Fort Worth, quicker to run 287 to Amarillo and pick up I-40, or run 20 out past Sweetwater and run US 84 up to I-40?

Last time I was on 287 was many years ago and all I remember were LOTS of towns with speed traps and stop lights. Has that changed enough to warrant going that route?

[focus frenzy]

287 to 40 would be faster and shorter and you would go through less speed trap towns.

[ItchyBob]

Just slow down for the small towns it still goes through. I've never had any speed trouble (average 10 over) on the open highway. There is a lot of open highway.

Btw, did you know most factory trucks are governed to 95 mph? Teehee.

[tango]

287 is awesome. No stop signs or slow downs from fort worth till Somewhere like childress. After that, do watch the small towns from there to clarendon. They like to meet out of towners. Clarendon to Amarillo-- hammer down


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[DaveAlvarado]

My grandmother lived in Albuquerque, and we went all the time to visit.

287 to I-40 is the quickest route, even with the small speed trap towns.

[jcyuhn]

I haven't been up to Amarillo in a couple of years, but the limit ws 70 outside of the towns. Anyone know if it's higher now? Speed is as low as 30 through towns, though few of them have even one stoplight so you just roll on through. Just watch it rolling into town as the limit drops through 60-50-40, that's where the locals getcha.

287 was a really painful drive back when the maximum was 55. Talk about crawling to your destination.

Edit: Local rider on the FJR forum just made a run up to Vernon and back. Stopped twice by DPS for 5 over each time, but no tickets. Thread here: http://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index...0&#entry991506

Reminds me I need to sell that Corbin seat...

[Valker]

As others have said: 287. Takes me about 5 hours from Amarillo to I-35 in Ft. Worth. And I mosey.

[ekms377]

Just did that stretch. Yes....there are a few towns but didn't hit any speed traps. Maybe one construction zone but only for a few miles. Kinda boring as well.

[pub610]

Not bad at all, Scott. We rode it last month, both directions, and saw a few LEOs but the old traps along 287 have apparently changed their ways. I drove the 287 portion again last week and, again, no issues.

[Tourmeister]

Interesting. Mileage wise, according to my Garmin map software, there is only about 10-15 miles difference between the two alternatives. Last time we did I-20 to US 84 up to I-40. Very few places where you have to slow down and LOTS of straight open highway.

[STScott]

Rode 287 from Arlington to Colorado on the 29th of July. Only saw a couple of troopers out...and I think that was due to the influx of Banditos heading to the DFW area for a rally. Other than that, I did not see one local LEO on the side of the road.

It was smooth sailing all the way.

[DFW_Warrior]

Every time I go to Colorado it is 287 to 40, then North at Vega. Sure there are a few small towns, but it isn't like they are every 6 miles.

[Valker]

Scott, all the interstates around here (I-40 and I-27) have a 75mph speed limit now. Highway 287 is still 70. Estelline is famous as a speed trap, but it is only just patrolled well. The speed through town is still 50mph and well marked. Quanah, Childress, and Clarendon are the only towns with stop lights.

[Tourmeister]

Well, I am not looking to speed, just wanting to avoid those traps

Pulling the big trailer loaded with bikes I generally keep to 75 and under. Much over that and the mpg really starts to take a hit.

[RxZ]

I have never driven the US84 route, but I did 287 last month. Speed limit is still 70 (I was dissapointed), and I only saw a couple of HP. I do not recall seeing any in any of the towns, but I do not speed so I am not looking for cops to avoid either. The towns are like 30-45 miles apart, so you do not slow down that often or for very long since they are mostly small towns.

Not like East Texas where every road stops in a small town every 10 miles.

[tshelfer]

Scott, I'm a little puzzled about the route via US 84. Surely you don't mean to Amarillo; that would take you due north from Lubbock and tack on mega miles. So, I'm assuming you mean to go through Lubbock, Clovis, and maybe NW at Ft Sumner?

That distance is pretty similar to the 287 route. But as I recall, there's a fair amount of 2-lane out there, and some rough pavement. Given the choice, I'd definitely take 287. You do have to watch for the city cops - particularly in Decatur. But honestly, in 35 years of trailering to Colorado, I can't remember seeing very many police along the highway - at least in Texas. I won't make any promises for NM.

[D.Allen]

Estelline is famous as a speed trap, but it is only just patrolled well. The speed through town is still 50mph and well marked. Quanah, Childress, and Clarendon are the only towns with stop lights.

Add Chillicothe (~16 east of Quanah) as the first stoplight west of Ft. Worth. The speed limit drops to 35 mph for a few blocks. The local LEO will get you if you're not careful (unless he's having coffee at the DQ).

[Tourmeister]

Originally Posted by tshelfer

Scott, I'm a little puzzled about the route via US 84. Surely you don't mean to Amarillo; that would take you due north from Lubbock and tack on mega miles. So, I'm assuming you mean to go through Lubbock, Clovis, and maybe NW at Ft Sumner?

Heading to Ouray, Co., so yes just looking to hit I-40 and run through Albq before turning North on US 550. Amarillo is not the destination.

[tango]

Originally Posted by Tourmeister

Well, ....
Pulling the big trailer loaded with bikes I generally keep to 75 and under. ....

Scott, FWIW, trailer tires are speed rated at 65 mph. Much faster and they overheat and die, usually damaging the trailer. Of course, if you have real car tires on the trailer, please ignore me. My wife usually does.....

Also, it's not the 75 on 287 so much as the in town 50 they will nail you for. The hypos are usually pretty cool and you WILL be passed at 75.


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[Valker]

Originally Posted by D.Allen

Estelline is famous as a speed trap, but it is only just patrolled well. The speed through town is still 50mph and well marked. Quanah, Childress, and Clarendon are the only towns with stop lights.

Add Chillicothe (~16 east of Quanah) as the first stoplight west of Ft. Worth. The speed limit drops to 35 mph for a few blocks. The local LEO will get you if you're not careful (unless he's having coffee at the DQ).

Right-I forgot they changed the flashing yellow to a full light.