thanks so much for all the replies/advice.
unfortunately we've only budgeted for 1 day from OKC-ALBQ. we generally leave 4-5am to get out of town with little traffic.
getting an extra hour going into NM will help us out. I have managed to get it in my head (hopefully it will stay there) that I'm not in the car and can not be the somewhat heavy footed driver that I usually am. thinking right hand lane and slow and steady wins the race! biggest fear: road construction! a little nervous about entering an area with those awful concrete barriers. I may send up a flare and ask for someone to drive us through!
here's hoping for a safe first RV adventure!
thank you once again for the great and friendly responses!
EM