Mountain driving in February (Albuquerque, Las Cruces: hotel, storage, dangerous)

[TT AZ]

Hi all,

I will be traveling to Phoenix in February, and am a little concerned about driving through the mountains with possible snow and ice. I'm thinking of taking I-40, then on to 53. Is that the best way? I have not done this before and have no idea of what to expect. Is this a reasonable thing to do, or should i just fly? Thanks for any opinions or advice.

[Userdavey]

Where are you coming from?

I think the chance of hitting any bad weather in February is only 10% or less. But it could happen.

[Zoidberg]

There have been other forums regarding the best way to Phoenix from Albuquerque, but regarding 53 (assuming you mean NM 53 going through Zuni), it's not a good way to go to avoid weather trouble. It's also not a fast or particularly scenic way to go, particularly after you cross into Arizona.

For all its faults and lack of straight-shot character, I-40 through Flagstaff has excellent plowing going for it. Big freeways with big spots to put all that snow and muck. Little roads like the ones through Payson tend to clog up and go to single lane in spots even weeks after they're plowed.

To completely improve your odds with regard to weather trouble, and still save time vs NM 53, go through Hatch, Deming, and Tucson. Odds of getting snowbound are much lower that way.

[TT AZ]

I hadn't even considered going through Flagstaff, due to the volume of snow they get. But, of course, it makes sense that they can handle it better. I am coming from Ohio, and just trying to plan my route using google map. Are any of the routes safer (or less safe) for a woman traveling alone? i was out there last summer when those fugitives were on the loose and later realized they had been just a few miles from where i was staying. creepy. Thanks again.

[Zoidberg]

The scariest part of your trip sounds like where you're starting. I suppose you could stay in Gary IN or East St. Louis IL too, but as far as out here, it's all very safe crime-wise.

[TT AZ]

I didn't mean to imply NM is a dangerous state, or teeming with escaped criminals. Its just that i am more familiar with the eastern part of the country, and know which areas to avoid. And, yep, i'll stay out of Gary.

[mortimer]

Originally Posted by Zoidberg

To completely improve your odds with regard to weather ...
... go through Hatch, Deming, and Tucson.
Odds of getting snowbound are much lower that way.

This is your best advice.

From Albuquerque, if it's just cloudy here, it can be horizontal snow in Grants.

I-25 South is usually not a problem, but I-40 East is often crappy.
I-10 Las Cruces --> Phoenix is usually just fine. Most of the route
will be below or around the 4,000 foot level.

OTOH, you can get stuck near 7,000 ft on I-40 if there is an accident. You can't go
anywhere. You can't do anything. You won't be able to find out why you are stuck.

In good weather, I-40 - I-17 - Phoenix takes about the same amount
of time as I-25 - I-10 - Tucson. Tucson to Phoenix adds another 1.5
hours to the trip, but NOT GETTING STUCK is timeless.

Note that you have to check the weather report in Albuquerque. While it's less
likely to get stuck on I-25, it does happen. I've seen times when it's OK on I-25,
but not on I-40, but I can't recall a time when it was bad on I-25 but OK on I-40.
It's usually both if bad on I-25.

[yukon]

I'd watch the Amarillo TX forecasts too, since I-40 from Amarillo to ABQ can get bad weather and bad driving conditions. In addition, there have been times just since I've been here where I-40 was shut down between Gallup and Flagstaff for bad weather/bad driving conditions. ABQ can have a gorgeous weather forecast...while all he!! breaks loose east or west of us.

I drove the I-25 south to Las Cruces/I-10 east to Tucson then to PHX route last month, late night. It wasn't too bad. It would be a good alternative if weather makes the I-40 route a bad bet. Get a book on tape - not too many stops on I-25 after ABQ (and I'm female, driving alone).

BTW, the Motel 6 at the Butler exit in Flagstaff is old but extremely clean, convenient and in a decent area.

[marmom]

Originally Posted by mortimer

Note that you have to check the weather report in Albuquerque. While it's less
likely to get stuck on I-25, it does happen. I've seen times when it's OK on I-25,
but not on I-40, but I can't recall a time when it was bad on I-25 but OK on I-40.
It's usually both if bad on I-25.

This is great advice. Plan a couple of routes and check weather along the way. Then you will have an alternative if one falls through due to weather. Highly recommend a smartphone - nothing better while traveling.

[mortimer]

Originally Posted by yukon

since I-40 from Amarillo to ABQ can get bad weather and bad driving conditions ...

Yup. On one of my departures in December 1991 when I was doing an internship in Alabama,
Albuquerque was getting some light rain and I was driving in a snow tunnel on Sedillo Hill.
It was so bad that I pulled off at the first hotel and decided against trying to make it to
Amarillo. ( I wanted to check the weather report, but my "friend" wouldn't let me watch it on
their TV and mine was in storage ... ). Going from the noon weather, I thought it was doable.

Originally Posted by marmom

Highly recommend a smartphone. ...

... or an ordinary ( dumb ) cellphone?

I don't care how smart your phone is, if it doesn't have a signal ...

I still carry an 1970's-vintage CB radio. You don't have the range of a cellphone,
but you always have some kind of reception when someone passes within
your range. It also always has power as long as your car has gasoline.

On that last note; a cellphone/smartphone auto-charger is also recommended.

ObStandup:
My cellphone is so dumb ....