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mikefos's avatar
mikefos
Explorer
Sep 06, 2018

Red River, NM to Ruidoso, NM Routes

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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.