Road between Durango and Albuquerque (Pagosa Springs: rental car, rental, motels)

[midwesterner7]

What is the road between Durango and Albuquerque like in the winter? Quick response please. Thank you.

[DOUBLE H]

I am VERY thankful that the road was 4 laned years ago as I have seen some ugly wrecks there over the years. I have been over it several times, it used to be known as NM state highway 44, it now is US hwy 550.

Out of Durango, you come up on a high mesa 5 miles out of town. It is a 2 lane on that stretch although they are 4 laning it in stretches. Lots of local ranch traffic and people commuting from Durango to Aztec and Farmington, about a 45 mile drive from Durango. Be careful, lots of traffic there. Lots of deer and elk as well.

Aztec to Bloomfield is 7 miles, and is 4 laned. A lot of Durango folks are working for Halliburton and Weatherford, lots of oil trucks out early in the morning. Stay on 550-Bloomfield to Albuquerque is around 170 miles. Not a bad drive, is 4 laned, and you travel by a couple reservations. You are climbing when you get 20 miles away from Cuba, the Continental Divide crosses there. Cuba is around 8000 feet, it can snow pretty good there. Cuba has several mom and pop motels there if you do run into a storm there, a couple mexican restaurants there. US 550 dead ends at Bernalillo, do not speed through there!! Bernalillo to Albuquerque is about 12 miles, !-25 is getting busier all the time, be careful through there! I've always gone through there in good weather so I can't really comment on road maintenance in snow storms but they do have good size workyards in Bloomfield, Cuba, and Bernalillo. There has been people on the New Mexico forum that has criticized the road but I'm good with it. Just my 2 cents.

[DgoNative]

San Ysidro is a horrible speed trap, too. Slow down a dozen miles before and after that town.

[midwesterner7]

Thank you so much! Out-of-state family traveling through there soon.

[jazzlover]

Before I go farther, let me say that I love New Mexico--it is a beautiful state with fascinating scenery and culture. I have not lived there, but I have spent a lot of time there over the years for both business and pleasure. That said, a general note of caution about driving there is in order. First, there is a BIG problem in just about all of New Mexico with drunk driving--and US 550 between Durango and Albuquerque can be just as bad a road as just about any in New Mexico for that. I would especially avoid that road at night. I have personally dodged drunk drivers on that highway. Second, you do NOT want to deal with the Tribal Police in New Mexico--especially on the Navajo Reservation. I have also had people I know have some pretty unpleasant dealings with the New Mexico State Police on occasion--this can be especially true for out-of-state drivers. As one example, a lady I know who was traveling in New Mexico (on US 550 and driving a rental car with California license plates) was treated extremely rudely by a New Mexico State policeman after she hit a deer near Cuba--practically totaling her rental car (she had not committed any driving infraction). He did not change his attitude until he finally looked at her driver's license and saw she was from a neighboring state--and she showed him that her employer was actually doing contract work for the State of New Mexico!

So, drive carefully. Don't speed, watch out for livestock and deer on the road, and be especially watchful for drunk drivers.

[DOUBLE H]

Thanks Jazzlover. In the beginning of my comments I remember saying about ugly wrecks. Until 6, maybe 7 years ago, that stretch was a 2 laner, and yes, drunk driving made up for a lot of those fatalities. With me, I rarely drive at night-period. Another real bad stretch is the old U.S.666, now renamed U.S.491, from Shiprock to Gallup. That stretch IS a 2 laner, and you DON'T go through there at night-period.

Fortunately, as many miles as I have logged in New Mexico, and it is around 200,000 , I've never had any problems. Just don't speed, use common sense, and watch the road signs. I worked on a 181 mile pipeline project that went through the state, ending east of Hobbs. I got to know some of the law, so I'm Ok with them. Other people have other experiences, though, and I understand that.

[justmyopinion]

Jazzlover is right. I worked in New Mexico for a year, and had to really watch my driving. They pull people over often, especially in the "tribal areas". I worked in Santa Fe, and drove to my home in Durango, and found Cuba is also a serious speed trap. I once was watching my speed limit closely, and got stopped based on the speed limit sign AHEAD of me! (I was in the 45 mph zone... 35mph was ahead 1/4 mile.) He didn't ticket me, but that was a first!

I have to add.... when I want to take the scenic route, I go east of Durango through Pagosa Springs, drop down through Chama, and drive through Ghost Ranch. Beautiful country, and fewer speed traps. This takes you into Santa Fe... and then from there Albuquerque. If your family just wants to go straight to Albuquerque, the "Cuba route" is faster, but if they want to see more beauty, and Santa Fe as well, that is the route I would take. (And, it was newly paved in 2006!)

Just my 2 cents worth!!!