route from san antonio, tx to alburquerque, nm

Leaving I-10 at Junction - taking US-83/US-84 north through Lubbock to Clovis and on to Santa Rosa then I-40 to Albuquerque is about 700-725 miles depending upon starting/ ending points.


Going through El Paso adds about 110 miles to the trip each way.

For the OP, interstate grades are not bad as non-interstate grades.

Personally I find the stretch of I-10 from Fort Stockton to Junction and on into San Antonio the worst section for hills ruining gas mileage. A lot of up and down grades as you cross the ridges. I drive US-90 from San Antonio through Del Rio and Alpine to Van Horn. Good road and very little traffic. But it does take longer - 5 to 6 hours longer, and is only about 30 miles longer distance wise.

The final stretch of I-40 west bound from Edgewood to the eastern part of Albuquerque is a steep downgrade, and a steep upgrade when headed east bound.

I find the climb up I-25 through the Rio Grande Valley of New Mexico easier.

Why no El Paso?

You don't give us much information, but with that large a fiver, I'm guessing you'd have a TV capable of any grades you'd encounter on that trip. If you're concerned, as a full time mountain driver, I'd suggest slowing down on the long pulls and dropping into a lower gear. Keep your RPMs up to relieve stress on the transmission.

Other than El Paso, when you go into New Mexico you have a general rise in elevation until you get near central New Mexico. Then you have a 1500 to 2000 foot drop into the Rio Grande River valley. It's OK going west, but when you return you will be faced with a rather steep 1500 to 2000 foot uphill grade. In southern New Mexico you have a secondary mountain range to pass through in the Ruidoso area. The only way to avoid these grades is to take the southern route through El Paso. Also note that the speed limits on rural New Mexico roads is 55 mph. My preferred route is Lubbock, Clovis, Vaughn, Clines Corners, Albuquerque. I just bite the bullet and make that climb out of Albuquerque on I40 on the return.

thank you. I'm trying to avoid going to El Paso. Do not want to go further north. Will take any other suggestions.

To avoid mountains take I10 west to I25. It's not too bad going up to Lubbock and out through Clovis but there's a heck of a hill climb returning from Albuquerque headed east. There's several options if you take the northern route. If interested I can give you more info. For variety go west through Clovis and return through El Paso.

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