Thinking about extending our annual New Mexico Red River trip a couple of weeks to Ruidoso, NM, before we come back to the Texas heat. Looking at the map there's a few different routes to get there from Santa Fe. We have a long truck (CCLB) and a long travel trailer (35'). Any particular routes better than others? Any we should avoid? We do get to Red River via Cimarron and Eagle Nest from I25, so we do travel those types of routes. Thanks.

One road not to use is 434 from Angelfire to Mora. Narrow and sharp turns and barely 2 lanes. I would go over to I 25 and go south to 84 at Las Vegas then 54 to 380 and come in thru Lincoln to Ruidoso.

A few years ago we took I-25 from Santa Fe to San Antonio, US 380 to NM 37 to NM 48 to Ruidoso. No problem towing our 35’ 5er.

Another not to use road is NM 3 south of Villanueva.84 is likely your best bet. If you stay on the Eastern Slope of the mountains it will save you going over the pass to get into the Rio Grande Valley and then getting out of it to get into the Pecos water shed.

With our 40' MH we've done 38/522 to Taos; 68/84 to Santa Fe; 285 to 54 to Carizozo; 37 into Ruidoso. . . about 300 miles.

2gypsies wrote:With our 40' MH we've done 38/522 to Taos; 68/84 to Santa Fe; 285 to 54 to Carizozo; 37 into Ruidoso. . . about 300 miles.How is 37? That is actually the route I was focusing on but many folks come into Ruidoso on 70. Not many mentioned 37. Thanks.

Red River, NM to Ruidoso, NM Routes | Good Sam Community

Camreal
Explorer
Sep 06, 2018
One road not to use is 434 from Angelfire to Mora. Narrow and sharp turns and barely 2 lanes. I would go over to I 25 and go south to 84 at Las Vegas then 54 to 380 and come in thru Lincoln to Ruidoso.
BB_TX
Nomad
Sep 07, 2018
A few years ago we took I-25 from Santa Fe to San Antonio, US 380 to NM 37 to NM 48 to Ruidoso. No problem towing our 35’ 5er.
NMDriver2
Explorer
Sep 07, 2018
Another not to use road is NM 3 south of Villanueva.

84 is likely your best bet. If you stay on the Eastern Slope of the mountains it will save you going over the pass to get into the Rio Grande Valley and then getting out of it to get into the Pecos water shed.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Sep 07, 2018
With our 40' MH we've done 38/522 to Taos; 68/84 to Santa Fe; 285 to 54 to Carizozo; 37 into Ruidoso. . . about 300 miles.
mikefos
Explorer
Sep 07, 2018
2gypsies wrote:
With our 40' MH we've done 38/522 to Taos; 68/84 to Santa Fe; 285 to 54 to Carizozo; 37 into Ruidoso. . . about 300 miles.

How is 37? That is actually the route I was focusing on but many folks come into Ruidoso on 70. Not many mentioned 37. Thanks.
PenMan
Explorer
Sep 07, 2018
BB_TX wrote:
A few years ago we took I-25 from Santa Fe to San Antonio, US 380 to NM 37 to NM 48 to Ruidoso. No problem towing our 35’ 5er.

x2 except we're pulling a 37 ft. TT.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Sep 08, 2018
Hwy 37 into Ruidoso is very good.
Bruce_Kyles
Explorer
Sep 08, 2018
Just did the trip Thursday into Ruidoso with 40'DP and toad. Came down 54 from Santa Rosa to Carrizozo then 380 to 37. Had no issues except there are couple of steep climbs coming in on 37. I just took it slow. Wanted to spend couple of weeks here before heading to Round Rock, TX
brooks379
Explorer
Sep 09, 2018
37 doesn’t go into Ruidoso it ends in Alto,NM at highway 48.You take 37 south to 48 south at Alto to downtown Ruidoso.
mikefos
Explorer
Sep 10, 2018
Bruce Kyles wrote:
Just did the trip Thursday into Ruidoso with 40'DP and toad. Came down 54 from Santa Rosa to Carrizozo then 380 to 37. Had no issues except there are couple of steep climbs coming in on 37. I just took it slow. Wanted to spend couple of weeks here before heading to Round Rock, TX

Hi Bruce, where are you staying?