Question about driving from Las Cruces to Laguna (Albuquerque, Alamogordo: live, reservation)

[mike0421]

I am driving there next Friday (for a job interview actually) and was wondering if there is a suitable alternative route instead of I-25 directly into ABQ, to I-40 West? The road I had in mind is west of Socorro, towards Magdalena, driving on US-60, and then turning north onto NM 169, which, on Google Maps, seems to turn into Indian Service Rt 54. Google street view seems to disappear, and I was wondering if this road goes onto an Indian Reservation (Laguna Pueblo??) and if so, is it open for public traffic?

[mortimer]

Originally Posted by mike0421

... NM 169 ...

I did almost that once.

I used NM 117 which goes by the El Malpais.
The roads look very similar in grade.

Naturally, you would have to be driving it during the day, in
sun, and after, at least, three days of sun previous to that.

I think you should drive it and post a picture or two.

What's the worst that could happen? You have to turn
around and back-track.

GregW would kill for a road trip in NM this month.

[W5UXH]

NM 169 goes out to the Alamo Indian Reservation, about 30 miles NW of Magdalena. I do not know about the Indian Service Route, but if you find it is not suitable for your trip, you certainly will want to take the cutoff at Route 6 to avoid ABQ.

We lived in Socorro a total of 17 years (off and on) and I was never aware of the route going past Alamo and had never noticed it continuing North on maps back in those days.

Originally Posted by mike0421

I am driving there next Friday (for a job interview actually) and was wondering if there is a suitable alternative route instead of I-25 directly into ABQ, to I-40 West? The road I had in mind is west of Socorro, towards Magdalena, driving on US-60, and then turning north onto NM 169, which, on Google Maps, seems to turn into Indian Service Rt 54. Google street view seems to disappear, and I was wondering if this road goes onto an Indian Reservation (Laguna Pueblo??) and if so, is it open for public traffic?

[mtncat]

There are several different routes that will get you there. If this is nothing more then you need to get to Laguna and back again then I would North on 25 to Los Lunas, take state road 6 to I40 and then I40 to Laguna. You miss Albuquerque that way as well as the long but pretty drive on 117 etc.

[scottmac112]

Originally Posted by mtncat

There are several different routes that will get you there. If this is nothing more then you need to get to Laguna and back again then I would North on 25 to Los Lunas, take state road 6 to I40 and then I40 to Laguna. You miss Albuquerque that way as well as the long but pretty drive on 117 etc.

We always used to take the I-25 to NM-6 route through Los Lunas when going from Alamogordo to Gallup. I rather liked going through Albuquerque, but it makes for a quicker and shorter drive.

[jiminnm]

I wouls make sure that whatever roads you take are paved. With the rain and/or snow predicted this week, unpaved roads might be a little iffy.