Alternate Route from Oklahoma to New Mexico
In May of 2018, we will be going to Arizona. Been there once before. This time taking a different route. From Pa turnpike to I-70, then I-44 into Oklahoma.Instead of hitting I-40 at Oklahoma City, I w...
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I'll often take US-60 across because I live on it (routes with 412 in sections). West of Enid it is lightly traveled.
I take 60 as far as Amarillo if I'm going to northern Arizona, then pick up I-40.
I take 60 as far as Clovis if going toward southern Arizona or SW New Mexico. From there I've used US-70 as far as Las Cruces to pick up I-10.
Once stayed on US-60 to Fort Sumner (wanted to visit the place) then NM-20 connecting with US-285 into Roswell to reconnect with US-70. While I did OK with a C, not towing, the road is narrow and rough, with local ranch traffic, and I can't recommend it as a preferred route.
If you are stopping at Twin Bridges, you are starting out on US-60. Vinita to Bartlesville can be a challenge with a mix of commuter traffic and rural use of the highway. Bartlesville to Ponca City is a National Scenic Byway, sections busy at commute times. West of Ponca City the scenery opens up, often a 2 mile line of sight, traffic light, locals tend to run well over the speed limit, Highway Patrol is out there to catch them.
All these trips through New Mexico have been between March and the end of October. I can't say what this part of NM might be like in winter, except to note that Ruidoso is something of a winter sports area, yet I don't know the season.
I'm on these routes a lot because I hate dealing with heavy truck traffic running too fast down hills then blocking both lanes uphill on the OK turnpikes and I-40 west of OKC.
I take 60 as far as Amarillo if I'm going to northern Arizona, then pick up I-40.
I take 60 as far as Clovis if going toward southern Arizona or SW New Mexico. From there I've used US-70 as far as Las Cruces to pick up I-10.
Once stayed on US-60 to Fort Sumner (wanted to visit the place) then NM-20 connecting with US-285 into Roswell to reconnect with US-70. While I did OK with a C, not towing, the road is narrow and rough, with local ranch traffic, and I can't recommend it as a preferred route.
If you are stopping at Twin Bridges, you are starting out on US-60. Vinita to Bartlesville can be a challenge with a mix of commuter traffic and rural use of the highway. Bartlesville to Ponca City is a National Scenic Byway, sections busy at commute times. West of Ponca City the scenery opens up, often a 2 mile line of sight, traffic light, locals tend to run well over the speed limit, Highway Patrol is out there to catch them.
All these trips through New Mexico have been between March and the end of October. I can't say what this part of NM might be like in winter, except to note that Ruidoso is something of a winter sports area, yet I don't know the season.
I'm on these routes a lot because I hate dealing with heavy truck traffic running too fast down hills then blocking both lanes uphill on the OK turnpikes and I-40 west of OKC.
