Las Vegas NV to Austin TX, Best Route ?

Update on my recent travel to Austin from Vegas, I drove the I-40 route to 285 in NM and down to Roswell NM and than into Austin, I also drove the I-10 back to Phoenix and than the 93 to Kingman than back to Vegas.

I will have to say the I-40 was a better drive, more sites to see and a smooth highway once past Flagstaff, even the 285 was a good road, I found the I-10 boring, got a rock on my windshield in Tucson and a rude driver in Phoenix almost drove me off the road.

Hope this helps with anyone traveling in this area.

I used 84 south out of Santa Rosa on Labor Day. It was very bumpy and a train of traffic. Some of the roads are damaged from the flooding occurring as I type. Highway 285 out of Carlsbad is currently closed. The Pecos river is at record high levels. FYI

I40...ST Hwy 287(tx)...I35 south...Austin. 1...2...3 it's that easy.

timmac wrote:

MCDDY wrote:
timmac
I would say your thoughts about going across north AZ & NM are right on unless road conditions are terrible on 40 or it will be in the winter. We haven't been across there in yrs. From Santa Rosa MM your options open up, on E. to Amarillo or S. to Clovis and Lubbock, San Angelo and on thru the Hill Country to 290 or lots of other options. In Texas even the Tx roads are better than US hwys in most states.

Dave

Thanks that's the route I am looking at, going south from Santa Rosa NM, looks like a good road with good views, will also bring that same road up but will go thru Roswell NM and check out the aliens.

:E

Bumpy, Bumpy, Bumpy, bump. Remember only house movers go on Interstate.

MCDDY wrote:
timmac
I would say your thoughts about going across north AZ & NM are right on unless road conditions are terrible on 40 or it will be in the winter. We haven't been across there in yrs. From Santa Rosa MM your options open up, on E. to Amarillo or S. to Clovis and Lubbock, San Angelo and on thru the Hill Country to 290 or lots of other options. In Texas even the Tx roads are better than US hwys in most states.

Dave

Thanks that's the route I am looking at, going south from Santa Rosa NM, looks like a good road with good views, will also bring that same road up but will go thru Roswell NM and check out the aliens.

:E

timmac
I would say your thoughts about going across north AZ & NM are right on unless road conditions are terrible on 40 or it will be in the winter. We haven't been across there in yrs. From Santa Rosa MM your options open up, on E. to Amarillo or S. to Clovis and Lubbock, San Angelo and on thru the Hill Country to 290 or lots of other options. In Texas even the Tx roads are better than US hwys in most states.

Dave

timmac wrote:
I have been on 93 with its new upgrades but only to Laughlin turn off, is it completed all the way to Phoenix.

93 south of I-40 to Wickenburg is mostly 4 lane now. There are parts that are still 2 lane but have long passing lanes every 10 miles or less. South of Wickenburg we take 74 east to I-17 south to Phoenix. 74 is 2 lane but usually fast. Avoid Phoenix during typical rush hours and freeways are fine.

From Albuquerque, I25 south to I10 East at Las Cruces, and take US 290 East south of Junction TX. I believe this is what you asked for. Watch out those speed limits in West Texas are 80 mph on I10.

timmac wrote:

I have been on 93 with its new upgrades but only to Laughlin turn off, is it completed all the way to Phoenix.

Also would not I-40 be just as fast than go south after Albuquerque.

US93 does not go near Laughlin, You are probably thinking of US95 in Nevada/California.

TucsonJim wrote:

Supercharged wrote:

timmac wrote:

:C

93 is a killer road.

If you haven't been down 93 for several years, they have made quite a bit of it divided highway and much safer. Yes, there are still some lengthy stretches of 2 lane, but there are passing lanes every few miles.

Personally, we drive 93 twice a year, and haven't had any problems. It's the fastest route from LV to Austin. It's also quite scenic in some places.

By all means, avoid going all the way to Yuma. I can't understand why it would route you all the way down there.

I have been on 93 with its new upgrades but only to Laughlin turn off, is it completed all the way to Phoenix.

Also would not I-40 be just as fast than go south after Albuquerque.