US Hwy 82 in New Mexico
We will be traveling from Las Cruces, NM to Artesia on US Hwy 70 and 82 in March. I have a Good Sam Atlas that highlights "RV friendly routes" in orange. This route is not highlighted except to Alam...
Forum Discussion
US-82 from Alamogordo to Cloudcroft is one of the unique scenic mountain drives in the US.
It is also a steep climb of several thousand feet which will test your vehicle engine and transmission if east bound, or brakes if west bound.
People make the drive every day. Some for the first and ONLY time.
The easier route through those mountains is to go a bit north and take US-70 through Ruidoso.
Yes it is a bit out of the way, and a bit longer distance wise.
But unless you love challenges on twisty steep mountain roads, avoid the US-82 route.
Edit - Obviously the previous reply has a different opinion. I’ve been through the area a dozen times and have avoided the 82 while towing. To each his own. The choice is up to you.
It is also a steep climb of several thousand feet which will test your vehicle engine and transmission if east bound, or brakes if west bound.
People make the drive every day. Some for the first and ONLY time.
The easier route through those mountains is to go a bit north and take US-70 through Ruidoso.
Yes it is a bit out of the way, and a bit longer distance wise.
But unless you love challenges on twisty steep mountain roads, avoid the US-82 route.
Edit - Obviously the previous reply has a different opinion. I’ve been through the area a dozen times and have avoided the 82 while towing. To each his own. The choice is up to you.
