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 16, 2020
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.
valhalla360
Navigator
Nov 16, 2020
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.
azdryheat
Explorer
Nov 16, 2020
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.
shft22
Explorer
Nov 16, 2020
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.
agesilaus
Explorer III
Nov 15, 2020
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.

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