Routes west from central Texas lead you through the state's "backyard," where farmlands and rough-cut, juniper-covered hills give way to treeless, sandy landscapes. Of the towns, only Abilene and Sweetwater , both on I-20 toward El Paso, are even marginally interesting to be possible stopovers for long-distance drivers. In theory, this is rich, oil-bearing land, but the cities have taken a battering since the slump.

Toward the Panhandle

• Toward the Panhandle

Explore Toward the Panhandle

• Abilene and Sweetwater

Texas cities


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