Taos NM to Las Vegas NM - Route NM 518

Just a brief update -- the drive was great, very little traffic and the road was in good shape and the scenery fantastic.

Thanks to both of you for the input on the route. We'll head out tomorrow morning ... 518 is only about a block or 2 from where we are staying so it's an easy start to the trip.

Beautiful part of the country. You'll have no issues if you take it easy and enjoy the scenery along the way. Stop at Sipapu and look around, stay if you can for a while. I did my "Forestry internship" there on the Carson National Forest and stayed at the Sipapu Lodge for several months. I love it there and I'm sure others will too. The roads were good but windy and you must be careful. Grades are not bad. Condition of the roads is generally good. Be safe.

JoeH wrote:
We are in Taos and heading to Lubbock in a couple days.
Looks like NM 518 from Taos to Las Vegas would be the shortest first step of the trip. Any input on the grades/condition of the road. We are in a 43' MH towing a pickup.

That's your best route. Some simple grades around Sipapu, but nothing to get excited about.

In any event, do not be tempted to follow US 64 over to Angel Fire and then 434 or 434/120 south. The US 64 part to Angel Fire is fine; the 434 and the 434/120 routes south of Angel Fire are a bad idea for RVers. (The state has scheduled a widening of Hwy 434 south of Angel Fire, and when they do, it'll be great for RVs. But not now, not yet.)

:)
Lynn