Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I'm flying into Tucson this Saturday June 9 to take care of some family business and then driving to Missouri to visit my sister for the rest of the week. I'll be driving Route 10 to Route 70 in New Mexico through Las Cruces, Alamogordo, and Roswell then into Texas and I have a couple questions about driving through New Mexico:
1. The wildfires that have been all over the news, will I be affected by them? I've heard all about them, but have no idea where in the state they're happening!
2. White Sands--I've read about how the government closes the road for testing. Does anyone have an idea of their schedule? Do they test on weekends?
3. Ballpark figure on how long the NM portion of the drive will be? Google Maps says the whole trip should be around 20 hours.
4. Anything else I should be aware of?
I've driven from CT to CA before so I've been through NM, but through northern NM. My partner and I are really looking forward to the scenery and plan on taking plenty of photos and seeing a lot of stars at night(something we don't see much of in CT haha)! Thanks in advance for any input!
1. The wildfires that have been all over the news, will I be affected by them?
2. White Sands--I've read about how the government closes the road for testing. Does anyone have an idea of their schedule? Do they test on weekends?
3. Ballpark figure on how long the NM portion of the drive will be? Google Maps says the whole trip should be around 20 hours.
4. Anything else I should be aware of?
1. The presently burning fires should pose no problems. There may be a little smoke haze in the air, but shouldn't be a concern.
2. The highway isn't usually closed for more than an hour. There is a number you can call that morning to get the latest info - 1-800-432-4269
3. Driving straight through at the posted speed limits shouldn't take more than about 8 hours assuming you stay on US-70 to the NM/TX state line. That's from AZ/NM to NM/TX state lines.
4. You'll enjoy the trip going that way. US-70 passes through scenic country from Las Cruces to Roswell, otherwise it's pretty flat and boring before and after that stretch.
I'll be driving Route 10 to Route 70 in New Mexico through Las Cruces, Alamogordo, and Roswell then into Texas ...
Have you considered driving I-10 ====> I-25 ====> I-40 ====> I-44.
........................................ Las Cruces ... Albuquerque ... OK City.
Going through the center of NM and TX might be less miles, but you'll hit
traffic lights in towns and slow traffic where you can't pass and poorer mileage.
3. Ballpark figure on how long the NM portion of the drive will be? Google Maps says the whole trip should be around 20 hours.
Google says: 520 mi, 8 hours 14 mins. That is normally the fastest and safest route... I have taken it a few times over the years.
But it would take me longer, probably 20 hours over 2 days... Yes, it is true... I dilly dally, stop and look/gawk, take pictures, eat, etc, etc, ect...
Hi everone! I'll be driving Route 10 to Route 70 in New Mexico through Las Cruces, Alamogordo, and Roswell then into Texas...
This is by far the more scenic route through NM, IMO. Because of passing through towns, it may well be a bit slower than the longer route via IH-25 and IH-40, but not nearly as dull and boring a drive.
Las Cruces is a lovely town with the Rio Grande flowing through the older sections (think oasis). The trip up and over the Organ Mtns. is nothing short of spectacular (panoramic views). Passing White Sands, one can make a quick side trip into the center of the dunes before proceeding on to Alamogordo.
Tularosa is another (much smaller) oasis in the desert and shortly after Tularosa, US-70 rises into the Sacramento Mtns. and the Lincoln National Forest. Then there is the Mescalero Apache Reservation and the Resort towns of Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs.
The trip down the Hondo Valley on the way to Roswell affords many more eye pleasing views before rising out of the valley and crossing rocky flats before entering Roswell. Once past Roswell, it's high plains country (grass lands) all the way to Amarillo.
There are bypass routes around both Alamogordo and Roswell if expediency is an issue when passing through.
Thanks everyone for the helpful info!! I chose to go that way hoping it would be more scenic instead of all highway. Thank you joqua for the phone number and for getting me even more excited for the drive!!!
Thank you joqua for the phone number and for getting me even more excited for the drive!!!
Let us know how the trip went. I hope you take time to smell the roses - er, pine trees - along the way. When driving uphill from Tularosa, stop when you reach the vicinity of "round mountain" (landmark) and look back over the desert and White Sands. It's one of my all-time favorite views, to say nothing of the unique "round mountain" and other vistas at that location.
Absolutely will! When I get back I'll try and post some pictures!
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
