I am picking up a new to me 40ft pusher in Salt Lake City and driving it to South Florida. One route option, is to head south on US-191 to Monticello, UT, then US-491 to Shiprock, NM, then US-64/550 to Albuquerque, NM connect to I-40 and work my way East. This is about an 8/9 hour drive just to get to Albuquerque.Plan then would be to overnight somewhere in Albuquerque. For what I have been able to gather these are good quality roads, so I am not to worry about that part of it. My concern is around security if we have to stop for any reason, I have heard, on other sites, that crime in this area can be a problem. Also it looks like these roads are very desolated, are they well traveled? Is there help in case I have mechanical issues, how about fuel.Are rest stops/truck stops safe on I-40 for overnight?My other option is to go east on I-70 to Denver and continue east, but this may not be a good option do to weather.

Security driving thru the reservation? We've been done those exact roads a number of times and never gave a thought to that nor did we ever have a reason to do so. The crime problem is from parking at remote lots in various parks and leaving your vehicle there while you wander around. Not from car jackings. We have had the same warnings about parking at local trailheads here in FL.I cannot say anything about the rest stops except that we have never been bothered and we've been doing this for 40 years. Nor have I ever heard a report from someone who had a crime problem.

Our plan is to drive thru until we reach I-40, then do an overnight at a rest stop. Maybe stop at a place here or there, but not really leave the rig unattended. There where some comments on another site in reference to security in New Mexico in general, so I figure I ask here.Are there any particular places close to Albuquerque recommended for an overnight.

Don't sweat the indians. I'd be more concerned about the NM Gov. closing down everything, which she just did. Avoid NM at all cost.

Google says it's a 10hr drive and with an RV, I would assume more like 12hr for 600miles. Assuming you are picking it up in the near future, weather would be a bigger concern. Also, we are getting near the winter solstice, so days will be short, that means running in the dark if you want to make 12hrs of driving.Is the RV in good running order? Does the heat work? Has it been on the road recently for any significant miles?It can certainly be done and that's probably the route I would take but have some backup plans if things aren't going well.I might plan on a short 1st day and stop around I-70. Then the next day you can get an early start.Also, check on the New Mexico rules with Corona. We are passing thru the southern section later this week and with the rules, the plan is to leave Arizona and make it to Texas in one shot.

Thank you, yes we are planning to stay the first night at Crescent Junction Rest area on I-70 and US-190, then hit the road at about 4am. This trip should happen next week.The RV is in good condition, just made the trip from LA to Salt Lake with no issues, it has new tires all around, oil was changed and an inspection was just done as well, engine belts are in good order and so are the brakes, but you know anything can happen. Weather will dictate if we go east or south first, but I rather get south as soon as possible. Both engine heat and gas heater are supposed to be working, I was thinking on buying a couple of small space heaters just in case.

Salt Lake to Albuquerque on a 40 Pusher then to Florida.

shft22
Explorer
Nov 23, 2020
Made it home no issues, over 2600 miles in 4 days.

We basically stayed within the interstate system for the most part,

We headed on I-70 east thru Colorado, in Kansas we had serious head wind and it was forecasted to get to 13F ahead of us, so we decided to head south. So we go on I-135 to I-35 South, to OK-412 and connected to 351 this go us to I-40.
We stayed on I-40 east until Memphis, worst road of the trip I-40 thru Arkansa.
We then got on I-22 to Birmingham, I-20 to Atlanta connecting to I-75 south to FL Turnpike and Home in South Florida.

All excellent road, except I-40 thru Arkansa, lots of truck, construction narrow shoulders and crappy rest stops.
Best rest stops Kansas, on I-70, Colorado wasn't bad either, just noisy mostly because of where we parked.

thank you all for your help and guidance, it was a long trip, and my first in such a large vehicle, but will do it again no question.
OkieGene
Explorer
Nov 23, 2020
US 550 is a mighty fine highway, no issues. There are not a lot of services between Bloomfield to Albuquerque so make sure you have plenty of fuel. There are places to get fuel, of course, but I prefer fresh fuel from high volume sellers.

Just me, personally, but I'd take I-40 from Albuquerque towards Amarillo, jump off onto US 287u (very good road) towards Dallas-Fort Worth. I'd cut just south of DFW to miss that mess. From there you could work your way down to I-10, or just pickup I-20 eastbound to Shreveport LA and head to FL.

Best wishes to you, have a safe and enjoyable trip.
valhalla360
Navigator
Nov 23, 2020
You should be good from here on with route options available if there is weather.
Busskipper
Explorer
Nov 21, 2020
shft22 wrote:
So far so good. We left Salt Lake mid afternoon thursday and made it to Crescent Junction rest area with no issues, very nice ride down 191. This was a very good road to start to understand the rigs road behavior, she feel agile and very well behaved for her weight and size.

We did an overnight at Crescent red stop and from there we headed east on I-70, oh wow what a beautiful drive, this would definitely be worth it and a must do if you can handle the high passes and steep descents.

We had no issues with either, I had driven these passes before on a car, but on a big RV is a complete different experience, the rig handle them very well. I keep the speed slow as to not over abuse the CAT C-7 and did the same on the descends, no drama either way. I do have to say the road around these areas can use some repaving, but I imagine with the snow and trucks running chains that is a constant job.

We made into Kansas and are overnighting at an Rest stop by Colby. This is a very nice place, it has an area just for RV, that is a loop around some tres, it is away from the trucks and very secluded.

So far we have put a bit over 800 miles and loving the drive, weather has been perfect, the roads good for the most part and we are driving forward with a smile in our faces.

Thanks for the up date - :C - Roads in Kansas and Missouri are the best in the Country, enjoy the drive. (IMHO)
shft22
Explorer
Nov 21, 2020
So far so good. We left Salt Lake mid afternoon thursday and made it to Crescent Junction rest area with no issues, very nice ride down 191. This was a very good road to start to understand the rigs road behavior, she feel agile and very well behaved for her weight and size.

We did an overnight at Crescent red stop and from there we headed east on I-70, oh wow what a beautiful drive, this would definitely be worth it and a must do if you can handle the high passes and steep descents.

We had no issues with either, I had driven these passes before on a car, but on a big RV is a complete different experience, the rig handle them very well. I keep the speed slow as to not over abuse the CAT C-7 and did the same on the descends, no drama either way. I do have to say the road around these areas can use some repaving, but I imagine with the snow and trucks running chains that is a constant job.

We made into Kansas and are overnighting at an Rest stop by Colby. This is a very nice place, it has an area just for RV, that is a loop around some tres, it is away from the trucks and very secluded.

So far we have put a bit over 800 miles and loving the drive, weather has been perfect, the roads good for the most part and we are driving forward with a smile in our faces.
Busskipper
Explorer
Nov 21, 2020
It's Friday which route did you choose??
jaycocamprs
Explorer
Nov 21, 2020
shft22 wrote:
The is trip is this week, the plan is to start driving Thursday.
So far it looks like the weather will cooperate, if it holds I may stay on I-70 all the way to St. Louis, then work my way south on I-24 picking up I-75 in Chattanooga. Of course I have to be conscious of Atlanta traffic, timing here will be critical.
Thank you everyone, you guys have provided lots of insight and details.

Go south on I-65 from Nashville to Montgomery. Then US-231 south thru Dothan to I-10. Avoid Chattanooga & Atlanta.
otrfun
Explorer II
Nov 21, 2020
stickdog wrote:
smarty wrote:
azdryheat wrote:
Don't sweat the indians. I'd be more concerned about the NM Gov. closing down everything, which she just did. Avoid NM at all cost.
They are termed native americans not indians
How can they be native Americans when there was no America. I prefer first nation peoples though that is a misnomer as well.
Native Americans are considered native to the continents of North America or South America. The American continents have existed for many millions of years.
Tom_Barb
Explorer
Nov 17, 2020
might check weather, big storm brewing in the east.

It is a long ways around, buy Las Vagas looks good
Busskipper
Explorer
Nov 17, 2020
https://www.ventusky.com/?p=39.61;-104.68;7&l=temperature-2m

I use ventusky.com

Easy more than just wind. :)

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