HI,This is my first post.My family and I have decided to ditch the winter weather of Canada and spend the fall driving down the west coast of the USA. After Christmas we'd like to cross through Arizona and eventually transition all the way to Florida. I don't know the landscape of the Southern states, I've only driven the West coast once previously, with a few visits to Arizona. I understand that New Mexico is rather mountainous so it can be cold during the winter. Is there a route RVers recommend to cross the mountains during the winter, and stay warm?ThanksJosh

Stay south on the I-10 corridor and you'll be fine. Lot's of people move down there for the usually mild winters. Northern NM is at a much higher altitude and we have seen heavy snow in July there. BK

It is not THAT cold! And you are not talking the mountains like CO and all. I-10 has some hills, yes, but nothing major. That is not to say you could not get stuck in a snowstorm but about the same odds as winning the lottery! :-)

Stay south on the I-10 corridor and you'll be fine. Lot's of people move down there for the usually mild winters. Northern NM is at a much higher altitude and we have seen heavy snow in July there. BK

NM has some mountains, but I-10 does not cross them and I-40 only a short stretch. I-10 being farther south would be less likely to have ice/snow. But even it can be iced at times. Even I-40 only has ice/snow periodically in the winter. Same can be said for both in Arizona.Just watch the forecast and plan ahead accordingly. Even I-10 in Texas as far south as San Antonio can occasionally have brief periods of ice, but they don't happen often and for very short periods when they do.

Either I-10 or I-40 will work. Carry enough food, fuel, and propane to spend a couple of nights in place if the weather suddenly gets bad. The roads are (almost) always open within 36 hours of even the rare winter storm.

Crossing New Mexico (Winter) | Good Sam Community

alfredmay
Explorer
Jun 21, 2014
I-10 is an American road. At no time does it cross the border and go thru the city of Juarez, Mexico. It goes thru El Paso, Texas. At one point for a short distance it is very close to the border, but there is another US Highway between I-10 and Mexico in that location.
reddwar
Explorer
Jun 21, 2014
You will not be alone it is the farthest south interstate & a lot of folks go south to stay out of the winter weather & snow. I travel from Houston TX to Quartzite AZ in Jan. As folks said you can hit snow as it is winter but does not happen often or last long. There is a good chance you will have wind but most of the time it is out of west. Also keep fuel on top half & you should have a good trip.

red
artguys
Explorer
Jun 12, 2014
At no time will you find yourself driving through Juarez Mexico.
jaydub74
Explorer
Jun 11, 2014
The I-10 will take us right through Ciudad Juarez. Is this not a really bad area of Mexican Cartel crime. I would hate to be camping alone (seems likely as there won't be many campers on the road during the winter) and get robbed. Should I be concerned about that?
artguys
Explorer
Jun 10, 2014
And transit tips for 3 cities...for San Antonio use the 1604 loop, any time...for Houston stay on I-10 and make that the middle of the day...for BR(Baton Rouge), same as Houston. BR is a small city but a major pain if you chose to transit during peak times.
artguys
Explorer
Jun 10, 2014
I-10 is a perfectly good corridor for transiting CA To FL...there is only one real grade and that's a short one just east of Indio CA and then a long pull just east of Benton AZ, somewhere in the 3% range. Other issues as far as campgrounds or support for your trip can be sporadic but available. It can be hilly with long stretches between stops but you'll not be alone, although the traffic pressure is light it's a major truck route. Once you hit San Antonio TX it flattens out all the way to the FL panhandle where you'll get a few rollers.
jaydub74
Explorer
Jun 10, 2014
Thanks for all the replies everyone.
I'm going to look at the I10 on google maps when I get a chance.
Is this a fairly well used route for RVers in the winter. Am I going to find campgrounds, or will I be the lone wolf out there.
Are there winter circles full time or snowbird RVers tend to flock and follow?
Thanks
Josh
RE_Todd
Explorer
Jun 10, 2014
El Paso TX, 3800 ft in elevation!!
msgtord
Explorer
Jun 10, 2014
I 10 goes up in elevation to 5000 ft at El Paso. You might get some snow on occasion. But it's gone in a hurry. The stretch between Tucson and the New Mexico border may give you some trouble. Check the road conditions at:
www.az511.gov
Allworth
Explorer II
Jun 09, 2014
Either I-10 or I-40 will work.

Carry enough food, fuel, and propane to spend a couple of nights in place if the weather suddenly gets bad. The roads are (almost) always open within 36 hours of even the rare winter storm.

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