I'm heading to Florence AZ next week and instead of our normal route through Dallas in Interstate all the way i'm thinking of going to Wichita Kansas then 54 down to Alamogordo NM then 70 over to Las Cruces to I-10. I have been on most of 54 except from Vaughn NM down to Alamorgordo. I have never been on 70 from Alamogordo to Las Cruces. We have a 2004 40ft Monoco Diplomat and this year pulling a 24 ft enclosed trailer with Ford Taurus and Harley dresser inside. I have ruled out 60 over the mountains pulling a trailer. The trailer is new with working brakes on both axles. Any thought s would be appreciated.

I've been on 70 in that section, visiting White Sands, several times. Nothing special impressed my memory of that road other than it was a standard 2 lane western highway in good shape. Maybe a little hilly in parts. Google maps shows the altitude climbing 400 ft or so fairly quickly when you approach Las Cruces. And then dropping most of the way back down. The climb starts right after the junction with 54 and going west.

San Augustin Pass just east of Las Cruces near White Sands Missile Range is your only obstacle between Alamogordo and Cruces. The eastern side of the pass (climbing as you're going west) consists of four miles of 3 - 5% and then two miles of 6% (with a 1/2 mile of 4% in the middle). Going down the west side, you'll have 2.5 miles of 6%, a half mile of 4%, then another 1/2 mile of 6%. The remaining four miles are mostly 5% easing to 3% near the bottom. Only you can judge how your rig will handle these grades. I'm comfortable with them in my rig - but it's a different animal. The evening and morning rush hours experience heavy traffic between Las Cruces and the missile range on the east side of the pass. Rob

agesilaus wrote:I've been on 70 in that section, visiting White Sands, several times. Nothing special impressed my memory of that road other than it was a standard 2 lane western highway in good shape. Maybe a little hilly in parts. Google maps shows the altitude climbing 400 ft or so fairly quickly when you approach Las Cruces. And then dropping most of the way back down. The climb starts right after the junction with 54 and going west.You're WAY off on your elevations, my friend. Alamogordo is 4,366 ft., the pass is 5,779 ft., and Las Cruces is between 3,900 and 4,000 ft. depending on where you're standing in town. Rob

We see several post each year about US-54 from the TX border to I-40, and many replies from folks that say it is a good road all the way. I’ve driven Carrizozo to Alamogordo- very nice road. No real elevation changes. US-70 is an excellent road from Alamogordo to Las Cruces. Some elevation change as mentioned above. Should be a nice drive for you. White Sands is an interesting hour or two and accessible for your rig without unhooking. The White Sands Test Range missile museum at the west end of the valley before the climb out is a full day if you are interested in that type thing. The Museum is open to th bpunlic with ample parking. Military base access rights are not required to visit the museum. A few miles west of Carrizozo is the BLM Valley of Fires campground. 30 amp with water, nice shower/ restroom and dump station. It is built right on the edge of the lava flow with a great nature trail out into the lava field.If you are just passing through on one day, eat lunch in Alamogordo because there is no food from there to Las Cruces.

Second Chance wrote:agesilaus wrote:I've been on 70 in that section, visiting White Sands, several times. Nothing special impressed my memory of that road other than it was a standard 2 lane western highway in good shape. Maybe a little hilly in parts. Google maps shows the altitude climbing 400 ft or so fairly quickly when you approach Las Cruces. And then dropping most of the way back down. The climb starts right after the junction with 54 and going west.You're WAY off on your elevations, my friend. Alamogordo is 4,366 ft., the pass is 5,779 ft., and Las Cruces is between 3,900 and 4,000 ft. depending on where you're standing in town. RobLOL you are correct I don't know how I did that.

Vaughn NM to I-10 at Las Cruces | Good Sam Community

fanrgs
Explorer
Jan 03, 2018
frizzen wrote:
PawPaw_n_Gram wrote:
Three Rivers is one of my favorite ‘secret’ locations. It has two 50amp with water RV sites for $9 per night for Senior Pass, $18 for others. No dump station.

This is the campground at the petroglyph site. If you go about 12 or 13 miles on up that road you will get to the Three Rivers campground.
The difference is that the US Forest Service's Three Rivers campground has no hookups. The BLM RV sites at the petroglyphs does.
frizzen
Explorer
Dec 30, 2017
PawPaw_n_Gram wrote:
Shhhhhhh.....

Three Rivers is one of my favorite ‘secret’ locations. It has two 50amp with water RV sites for $9 per night for Senior Pass, $18 for others. No dump station.

Though it is a great location, there are a few dozen campgrounds across the West with petroglyphs, Valley of Fires is the only one I’ve heard of overlooking a lava flow so close.

This is the campground at the petroglyph site. If you go about 12 or 13 miles on up that road you will get to the Three Rivers campground.
NMDriver
Explorer
Dec 30, 2017
Second Chance wrote:

I've always wondered what part of the state you lived in, NMDriver. Hello from a native Las Crucen. We'll be back this spring to visit my mom and sisters...
Rob

I sent you a PM.
PawPaw_n_Gram
Explorer
Dec 27, 2017
Shhhhhhh.....

Three Rivers is one of my favorite ‘secret’ locations. It has two 50amp with water RV sites for $9 per night for Senior Pass, $18 for others. No dump station.

Though it is a great location, there are a few dozen campgrounds across the West with petroglyphs, Valley of Fires is the only one I’ve heard of overlooking a lava flow so close.
fanrgs
Explorer
Dec 27, 2017
PawPaw_n_Gram wrote:
A few miles west of Carrizozo is the BLM Valley of Fires campground. 30 amp with water, nice shower/ restroom and dump station. It is built right on the edge of the lava flow with a great nature trail out into the lava field.
Another great BLM site north of Alamogordo is the Three Rivers Petroglyph Site. You hike a trail between lava boulders covered with petroglyphs--thousands of them! One of the ore interesting sites I have visited in New Mexico. The site also has a small number of RV sites with electricity (formerly free, but not sure now).
Dave_and_Sue
Explorer
Dec 27, 2017
Vaughn to Almagordo is a really nice drive.Stop in Vaughn at the station as you come into town.Last chance for diesel that I saw when we went through there last year. Two lane asphault all the way.
Gonzo42
Explorer
Dec 25, 2017
I was stationed at WSMR back in the 60's. Visited a few years ago. If you like chili at all I recommend you visit Hatch, NM, just north of Las Cruces. There is where the tastiest chili is grown.

Have you considered a detour to Carlsbad for the caverns?
Second_Chance
Explorer II
Dec 25, 2017
NMDriver wrote:
pigman1 wrote:
The difference between 380 and 70 is that the 380 route's hills are shorter and not as high.

Not true when talking about US70 between Alamagordo and Las Cruces vs Carrizozo to San Antonio.

I worked on White Sands Missile Range for 3 years, still live in Las Cruces and drive over the pass every week at least once. It is a short up and down with no long steep areas.

I've always wondered what part of the state you lived in, NMDriver. Hello from a native Las Crucen. We'll be back this spring to visit my mom and sisters...

Rob
Edd505
Explorer
Dec 25, 2017
OK 60 is very drive able with your rig, I used to drive that in a 75ft 18 wheeler on that route. Drive 60 from Vaughn to I25 and go south. I drive it regularly with my 5W going into Monzano SP or up to Tucummcarri area where there are a number of state parks.

Not sure where you have planned stops but Oliver Lee SP has some really unlevel sites. Also 70 across to Las Cruces gets closed for White Sands Missal Range tests if you go that way check for road closures & times.
NMDriver
Explorer
Dec 25, 2017
pigman1 wrote:
The difference between 380 and 70 is that the 380 route's hills are shorter and not as high.

Not true when talking about US70 between Alamagordo and Las Cruces vs Carrizozo to San Antonio.

I worked on White Sands Missile Range for 3 years, still live in Las Cruces and drive over the pass every week at least once. It is a short up and down with no long steep areas.

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Vaughn NM to I-10 at Las Cruces

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