Vaughn NM to I-10 at Las Cruces

Second Chance wrote:
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

Definitely. We don't have hill issues, but this route definitely has it's share, in spades. I have seen a number of RV's pulled over on 70 with either overheating on the up hill route or hot brakes on the downhill run. 54 puts you on a just about a flat run, but then you'll have to deal with El Paso traffic. We regularly run the El Paso I-10 run, but try to pick our the schedule so we're not battling drive time traffic. 380 from Carrizozo to San Antonio is a good 2 lane road but does have significant hills up and down. The difference between 380 and 70 is that the 380 route's hills are shorter and not as high.

The pass is actually 5719ft according to the sign at the top, and you do not start going up the grade until you are at the missile range HQ road on the west side of the Tularosa Basin, not at the 54/70 junction.

I drive 54-70 several times a year. There are no significant grades, but there are ups and downs around Corona, NM. Get your fuel in Santa Rosa and try to make it at least to Alamagordo before refueling.

I am not sure what mountains you are referring to on US 60, but I do not think you would have any trouble on US 60 either. Except for the decent into the Salt River Canyon it is fairly flat. Especially from Vaughn to Show Low where it starts down to the river.

You should have no issues with this. The road from Alamogordo to Las Cruces is 4 lane divided highway with a 70 mph speed limit. When you get to Las Cruces, take Interstate 25 south to connect to Interstate 10 west. This avoids driving through town which is a construction mess. The truck stops are on the west side of Las Cruces off of the 10, so another reason to avoid driving through town.

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.

Rob

LOL you are correct I don't know how I did that.

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.

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

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

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.