A new survey of 3,004 drivers has identified the major roads Texas motorists are most likely to avoid when winter weather strikes.
Interstate 20 from Dallas to West Texas topped the list as the state’s most avoided winter route, according to RVWindshieldReplacement.com, a national network of RV auto glass experts that conducted the survey.
“Heading west from the Metroplex, winter exposure increases fast,” the survey noted. Ice storms, strong winds, and long distances between exits make I-20 a route drivers tend to avoid when temperatures drop and conditions deteriorate.
U.S. Route 87 in the Texas Panhandle ranked second. The route’s exposure to blowing snow, extreme wind chill, and sudden whiteouts make it a road many locals skip once winter storms move in, particularly after dark.
Interstate 35 from Dallas-Fort Worth through North Texas came in third. Freezing rain, ice on overpasses, and heavy traffic can quickly turn the corridor into a slow, tense drive. Locals often delay travel rather than risk slick conditions on this stretch.
“What stood out to us wasn’t just that people avoid certain roads in winter – it’s that these decisions are often driven by perception as much as conditions,” a spokesperson for RVWindshieldReplacement.com said. “Darkness, exposure, high winds, and the fear of sudden ice or debris all play a role.”
The survey also identified the most avoided winter routes nationally, with Alaska’s Seward Highway taking the top spot.
