Best route to Eagle Nest, NM from El Paso, TX

Thank you for the information

Check the weather before you go :B

Alternative route that is only 38 miles farther to Eagles Nest is stay on I25 and then take 58 to 64

There are only a few roads leading into the Moreno Valley (Eagle Nest and Angel Fire). US Highway 64 crosses the valley and provides eastside and westside access. State Highway 434 enters the valley from the south.

US 64 is curvy, but not too bad from either direction. The west side includes Palo Flechado Pass, which is pretty mild.

You should avoid attempting to enter the valley from State Highway 434 from the south. The road south of Angel Fire is too narrow for a center stripe, effectively only about 1.5 lanes wide. It's fine if you're not towing, but a less than excellent idea if driving a motorhome or towing an RV.

Oh, and State Road 120, which intersects with State Highway 434 south of the valley. Some GPS units stupidly lead people via that route into the valley. Just stay off of it unless you have a high clearance vehicle; you are not towing anything; and the weather is clear and dry.

:)
Lynn

I have only driven NM 434 in a car. But, my opinion was always that the road was a little rough and skinny for the motorhome and I wouldn't go that way unless I needed to. And I have driven a lot of the New Mexico mountain roads with the motorhome. It is a nice drive though.

If you are doing this drive in a single day, I would probably stay on I25, then the 599 bypass around Santa Fe, then US84 an NM68 through Espanola. Espanola is annoying to drive through, but it doesn't take long. Before Taos, there is a bypass to US64 using NM585. US64 is kind of curvy and slow especially going back down the mountain, but it is all good road.

Otherwise, you could go up I25 until NM58 which is a cutoff to US64 to Cimarron. And then to Eagles Nest. This is also a nice scenic drive.

David

We have taken 54 to 64 to Eagle Nest with our rig with no problems. A little twisty but good road and scenery. Take your time and enjoy..