It was a very good road when we used it in 2012. Not as flat as some have made it out, there are many hills & dales to cross along it at least many arroyos or dry washes. Nothing very severer. Just out of Bloomfield has a long climb up to the higher country. Then it is pretty flat for some distance, but interesting country.
We have found the scenery to be very scenic in areas as well. All in the eye of the beholder. Much of the landscape is somewhat somber at times & often very arid. But by Cuba it has some pines along the way. I agree with Lew, "The stretch from San Ysidro to the Continental Divide northwest of Cuba is beautiful."
As for fuel: Between Cuba & Bloomfield (US 550); There seems to be a new Apache Nugget Travel Center & Casino at the junction of US 550 & NM 537. The gas prices were the best we saw up in the area. In 2012 when we made a trip to Chaco Canyon. Much better than Bloomfield, an oil town. Even the small gas station just south of the Chaco Canyon turn off had better prices than what we found in Bloomfield & Aztec.
There is a long stretch by the Apache Travel Center which is pretty flat for sure. But neat in it's own way.
