There was some construction south of Carizozo with 45 mph speed limit earlier in the summer. Other than that it's good road. 54 will take you to Alamogordo. At the north end of Alamo take the relief route down to US 70 to go to Las Cruces.
If you need a dump station there is a free one in downtown Alamogordo. It is at the south end of the park that is on the west side of the road.