Driving to Farmington (Santa Fe, Los Alamos, Bernalillo: snowfall, limits, highways)

[cynanthus]

I need to drive to Farmington on Friday. Any advice on whether it makes more sense to drive down to Bernalillo and take 550, or go up 84 to 44 and 550? The Bernalillo route appears to be 20 minutes shorter on Google Maps, but the northern route is more direct. Is it more scenic?

And at this time of year, do you think I need a four wheel drive?

Thanks!

[Cathy4017]

If it were me, (coming from Santa Fe) I'd go on down to Bernalillo on 25 and connect to 550, both of which are good highways.

I made the mistake of taking the shorter route from Los Alamos to Farmington, and my software routed me to an unpaved road in Feb-March. I was lucky to get through that mess! You aren't going to save any time at all going up to 84 and cutting across. The roads aren't nearly so good (thinking back 3 years or so).

[jaxart]

Originally Posted by cynanthus

The Bernalillo route appears to be 20 minutes shorter on Google Maps, but the northern route is more direct. Is it more scenic?

And at this time of year, do you think I need a four wheel drive?

Thanks!

US-550 isn't nearly as scenic as the northern route, but this time of the year road conditions can be iffy - if there is recent snowfall. I suspect the time difference will be more than 20 minutes, considering that 550 is 4-laned most if not all of the way. Speed limits on the Jemez route will be lower and it's not a road I would want to risk trying to make time on, especially for someone unfamiliar with it.

[cynanthus]

Thanks to both of you... it's decided... I'll do 550 from Bernalillo, especially given the snow last night!