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For the purposes of this thread, I'm going to consider the southern portion of the Mountain West to be eastern California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Trans-Pecos Texas. Despite traversing the same states, when it comes to geography, climate, culture, and cities, I-10 and I-40 are very different experiences. Which path do you prefer and why? Do you prefer I-40 which goes through the Colorado Plateau or do you prefer I-10, which goes through the lower-elevation Chihuahuan and Sonoran Deserts? When it comes to cities, on I-40 you get to pass through Albuquerque and Flagstaff. I-10 on the other hand takes you through El Paso, Las Cruces, Tuscon, and Phoenix. Which path through the southern Mountain West do you prefer?
Last edited by bawac34618; 12-02-2019 at 11:10 PM..
Always I-40. I prefer high desert. The little bit I've driven on I-10 was unimpressive. As far as mountains go, I-40 doesn't have many except in the distance. The exception would be the Sandias going into Albuquerque. Mount Taylor near Grants might be the tallest in view until near Flagstaff and Humphrey's Peak. Those last two are large extinct Volcanoes. The Sandias are the uplifted eastern edge of the Rio Grande Rift.
Actually, the night train (SW Chief) from Albuquerque to LA is quite nice...leave ABQ around 4:30 PM and have breakfast in LA at 8:30 AM.
I-40 is more scenic and if we are only considering the portion of the country you mentioned I would go with that. On the whole length of the interstate I would have preferred I-10.
For the purposes of this thread, I'm going to consider the southern portion of the Mountain West to be eastern California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Trans-Pecos Texas. Despite traversing the same states, when it comes to geography, climate, culture, and cities, I-10 and I-40 are very different experiences. Which path do you prefer and why? Do you prefer I-40 which goes through the Colorado Plateau or do you prefer I-10, which goes through the lower-elevation Chihuahuan and Sonoran Deserts? When it comes to cities, on I-40 you get to pass through Albuquerque and Flagstaff. I-10 on the other hand takes you through El Paso, Las Cruces, Tuscon, and Phoenix. Which path through the southern Mountain West do you prefer?
That the Southwest.
The Mountain west usually means CO, UT, WY, ID etc. NM, AZ, and NV are sometimes included.
If you want to talk about the Mountain west you should be including: 94, 90, 84, 80, 70 etc.
Just did the I-10 from Phoenix to NOLA the other day... It was eh, the 40 isn't much better. I find most of mid Texas to be quite... boring... sorry y'all! I guess I prefer the 40 though because Flagstaff is a fun place and you avoid the Houston traffic.
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