We report on the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) on very rough Pt surfaces. Numerous previous studies show that the cyclic voltammetry of MOR on Pt exhibits hysteretic behavior due to Pt oxide poisoning during the anodic scan at higher potentials. Only after the Pt oxide is removed during the cathodic scan is the Pt surface reactivated and MOR activity resumed (Fig. 1). We developed an electrodeposition method yielding Pt electrodes with high roughness factors (Rf > 80) controlled by varying deposition time. These rough electrodes exhibit linear MOR without hysteresis (Fig. 1), indicating the rougher Pt surface is resistant to poisoning during MOR up to potentials of 1.4 V vs. RHE. The effect is found in either acidic or basic electrolyte. Further studies show the roughness effect is related effective increase in the surface concentration of methanol and effective decrease in the surface concentration of water. The lower water activity inhibits Pt surface oxidation and facilitates methanol oxidation. Treatments to artificially decrease surface water concentration have a similar effect. This study provides methods to increase the rate of organic molecule oxidation at electrode surfaces and is relevant to both electro synthesis and direct methanol fuel cell applications. Figure 1