Alamogordo to TX

US-54, I-10, I-20. For a shorter non-interstate route: US-54, US-70, US-380, TX-214, US-385, I-20. US-70 does have some mountain driving in the Ruidoso area. This route will also take you through Roswell, NM. If you do not need or want to go to Alamogordo, you can pickup US-380 from I-25 near Socorro or US-54 at Carrizozo.

Like said above if you don't need to go all the way to Alamogordo and across to Midland I would take I 25 380 at San Antonio, NM (stop at the Owl Bar and Grill for a great Green Chili Cheeseburger) 380/70 214 385 I 20 You also miss Ruidoso because you can just stay on 380 east and pick up 70 at Hondo, NM..... All good roads and not a lot of traffic. If you need to go to Alamo check US 82 !!! Before heading to Midland that way. Starting next week they are shutting 82 down at the tunnel....don't know for how long or what times but there are signs lit up informing that 82 will be closed July 13.....I 10 east to I20 east to Midland if you leaving from Alamo.

Google maps directs you from Raton over to Amarillo, then south through Lubbock into Midland. There's no reason to go as far south as San Antonio NM to head east to Midland. Where are you coming from?

Go to Ruidoso, NM, over to Brownsfield, south to Midland. Get a road map

Going thru Cloudcroft will be some tuff driving with steep grades and tight turns, if you are familiar with mountain driving it will be ok, if not I would go around by going thru Ruidoso. If going thru Cloudcroft, make sure your brakes are good and don't over heat them, downshift and use your motor to brake.

The climb from Alamogordo to Cloudcroft on 82 is around 6 to 7% grade and has a few tight curves. There are passing lanes on the way up. From Cloudcroft down to Artesia isn't so steep. From Artesia down to Carlsbad then east on 180.

If you come down to El Paso you can take the I or take 180 east through Carlsbad. If you want to take this route get off 54 at Transmountain/Loop 375 and follow it to Montana ave/US 180.

No matter which way you go there is one big hill to climb.

Thank you for all the great input, Plan on visiting friends in Alamogordo that is why I was asking if there was an easy way to head to midland from there. Being from Colorado I'm used to driving the mountain roads. I'll study the routes to pick the best for me.

If you are used to mountains 82 through Cloudcroft is your route.

I would head over the 70 through Ruidoso, then figure out a way to avoid the 285 south out of Carlsbad. The road is tore up and dangerous because of all of the oil rigs and trucks.

pappaone wrote:
Thank you for all the great input, Plan on visiting friends in Alamogordo that is why I was asking if there was an easy way to head to midland from there. Being from Colorado I'm used to driving the mountain roads. I'll study the routes to pick the best for me.

After reading all the replies again, looking at the road atlas and map quest it appears that taking the long way around may be almost as quick time wise even tho it's a 100 miles longer. Mostly highway as compared to curvy mountain roads. Decision, decisions, on this one I think safety wins over distance saved.
Thanks again to all.

Rich