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d-mac1's avatar
d-mac1
Explorer
May 19, 2016

Denver to Taos

My Garmin Nuvi 465 wants to take us south from Denver and turn west on 160 in Walsenburg through Fort Garland on CO 159 and continue in New Mexico on 522 to Taos. This route will work, but looking at a map, staying on I-25 south past the state line and turning west south of Raton NM on US-64 looks to be faster. Does anyone know why my Nuvi is insisting on going via 159/522?

I can't get the nuvi to think I'm in Trinidad to see what it would do from there. I've added Trinidad as a stop, but the gps only shows the leg to there.

I've looked on Allstay's app and I don't see any height/weight/width restrictions on US-64, nor do I see any on my trucker atlas, which is a few years old.

We are 13'3" tall, 8'wide and have about 6k weight per axle, 22k combined gross (when we're maxed).

Thanks.
Roads and Routes

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  • d-mac1's avatar
    d-mac1
    Explorer
    May 20, 2016
    Well...I think I have answered my own question. The GPS is taking the shortest/quickest route. Per Google maps, its 4 hrs 8 minutes/267 miles via 160/522 (the way the gps wants to go) and 4 hr 59 min/293 miles via the way I thought would be faster cuz you're on I-25 longer.

    Looking at the routes highlighted via Google maps, I can see why the one is shorter. Hard to see that on paper and impossible on GPS.
  • trailertraveler's avatar
    trailertraveler
    Explorer
    May 20, 2016
    Haven't driven US-64 between Raton and Cimarron, but haven driven from Cimarron to Taos many times. There is a pretty steep climb through Cimarron Canyon to Eagles Nest and Angel Fire. From there there is another climb to about 9,000' before descending into Taos. Both sections have areas of 35MPH speed limits, narrow shoulders and lower speed turns.

    Haven't driven all of the route from US-160 South, but NM-522 from the Colorado border to Taos is a pretty good road. Lots of ups and downs but no really steep sections with tight turns.

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