Safe Stop between El Paso and Las Cruces, New Mexico

Would not stop for an overnighter anywhere in that area. Las Cruces to Scottsdale is close to 400 miles. And even then that close to the border I would not dry camp period.

you might get off and look at the flying j because I seem to recall there is a gravel area off to the side of the parking lot (for walking your horse?)
the rest stop is safe and big.
I can't recommend a campground or rv park on that side of El Paso, and there isn't one on the east side of the city, either. sorry.

Are you pulling livestock?

You didn't say if you are hauling any livestock. Walmart might balk at having a horse trailer overnight in their parking lot.

I-10 through El Paso is closed at night for construction around exit 35. That's pretty much the east side of town. I don't know how long that is going to go on, maybe just a few more days. That's also the exit for the bypass loop.

I don't think the rest area just north of Anthony allows overnighting, but not 100% sure of that. You need to check. In early January we spent a good night in the Demming Walmart and would go back again any time. A number of trucks and RV's there, good security lighting and lots of room. Easy in and out back to I-10.

If you can make it all the way to Las Cruces, I-10 exit 140, there is a Walmart. Security will met you as you pull in and show you where to park. He comes by real often day and night.
Also, at the same exit there is a Cracker Barrel for breakfast the next morning.

Thanks, y'all. I found the Welcome Center for NM, Flying J, Pilot, and Camping World. Just wanted some experienced help. I-40 is same distance but adds an hour to the trip according to Mapquest. My horse trainer always goes I-20 to I-10. Is it safer at a big Welcome Center than in the parking lot of a gas station?

There is a rest area a few miles east of El Paso on I 10. It's about a mile and a half east of the overpass at the Fabens exit. No really level spaces in the parking lot on the westbound side but the east side has some ok places.


At exit 37, Horizon Blvd there are 2 truck stops on the north side, Loves and American, and Petro on the south side.

At exit 0 I 10 is going almost due north. There are a Petro and a McDonalds on the east side. The westbound exit was closed for construction, but I haven't been over there for a couple of months so it may be open. Just into NM westbound is the visitor center which has a good parking lot.

Would it be shorter to go up to I-40?

Assuming you are going down I-10 there is Rockhound SP before you get to Las Cruces. I doubt there is anything between Las Cruces and El Paso. I would not stop after El Paso until I-10 turns east around Sierra Blanca or better yet Van Horn. We avoid El Paso like the plague and go thru Carlsbad instead.

there is a very nice NM visitor center rest stop just past the exit one. we stay at the Flying J on exit one or use the rest stop if the truck stop rv sites are full.