The third day stays on one road for a long time. From Van Horn, the route follows US 90 southeast, first through open ranchland, then across gently rising high country toward Valentine. The opening kilometres still drop slightly, but after that the road gains height gradually. There are few turns, few settlements and little protection from wind or sun. Valentine is the only clear place on the way: small houses, the railway, a wide road through town. Just before it, Prada Marfa sits directly on the route, a single building in open country and an unmistakable marker between long highway sections. After Valentine, the road remains straight, keeps climbing and reaches just under 1,480 metres. The final kilometres cross the plateau into Marfa, past the rail tracks, low buildings and the first cross streets of town.
