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Kennyg's avatar
Kennyg
Explorer
May 03, 2017

Clovis, NM route going west to I-35

Looking to travel from Clovis, NM to I-35 via HyWy 60. Will this be a relatively "flat" route or will I need to travel thru mountain passes? Last year I traveled west thru Roswell NM and I would like to avoid the mountain passes and elevations. Your comments would be greatly appreciated.
  • Thanks to all for the advice. Have my route info I needed.
  • If you are doing to use I-10 then be sure to use the Hatch short cut NM 26 to Deming at exit 41.

    US 60 will take you to Phoenix quicker if you turn off of I-25 in Socorro. It is two lane with very little traffic but does have one relatively steep curvy stretch going down into and out of the Salt River Canyon between Show Low and Globe. Or use AZ 260 and 87 through Payson, again more curvy and scenic than the interstate and a hour or so faster depending on your driving speed. The non-interstate routes will also be cooler temperatures but further between towns.

    I drive the same speed on and off the interstate generally.
  • NMDriver wrote:
    Nothing to worry about you gain a little but then drop down into the Rio Grande Valley. All the elevation changes are gentle and hardly noticeable. A lot more gentle than the I-40 drop into Albuquerque, although that is not bad, but it is just a little steeper and more sudden. US 60 has easiest drive to I-25 from Clovis.

    You gain about 2500ft over 200 miles between Clovis and Mountainair and then loose 1500 between Mountainair and Belen over 50 miles dropping down to I-25.

    Which way are you going on I-25? North to Belen take the NM 47 turn off, if going south then stay on US 60.

    There is an RV park at the junction of 60 and I-25. It is a horse oriented RV park and I have never stayed there but it does not look to bad for an overnight.


    Will be going south towards I-10 and then onto Phoenix area.
  • NMDriver wrote:
    Nothing to worry about you gain a little but then drop down into the Rio Grande Valley. All the elevation changes are gentle and hardly noticeable. A lot more gentle than the I-40 drop into Albuquerque, although that is not bad, but it is just a little steeper and more sudden. US 60 has easiest drive to I-25 from Clovis.

    You gain about 2500ft over 200 miles between Clovis and Mountainair and then loose 1500 between Mountainair and Belen over 50 miles dropping down to I-25.

    Which way are you going on I-25? North to Belen take the NM 47 turn off, if going south then stay on US 60.

    There is an RV park at the junction of 60 and I-25. It is a horse oriented RV park and I have never stayed there but it does not look to bad for an overnight.


    We just drove east us60 from I25 over to us285 at vaughn, once you climb out of the valley it's flat for the most part. You'll be headed west so no problem. Also the RV park at I25 and US60 is an oasis in the desert we've stayed there a couple times. Kiva RV Park and Horse Motel.
  • Nothing to worry about you gain a little but then drop down into the Rio Grande Valley. All the elevation changes are gentle and hardly noticeable. A lot more gentle than the I-40 drop into Albuquerque, although that is not bad, but it is just a little steeper and more sudden. US 60 has easiest drive to I-25 from Clovis.

    You gain about 2500ft over 200 miles between Clovis and Mountainair and then loose 1500 between Mountainair and Belen over 50 miles dropping down to I-25.

    Which way are you going on I-25? North to Belen take the NM 47 turn off, if going south then stay on US 60.

    There is an RV park at the junction of 60 and I-25. It is a horse oriented RV park and I have never stayed there but it does not look to bad for an overnight.
  • You'll see some elevation changes for sure... ain't been that way for several years and "60" wouldn't be my choice past Ft. Sumner...
  • Must apologize, I meant going west from Clovis to I-25, not 35.
  • Not much up there past Amarillo, including fuel stations... until you get to I35

    It'll be relatively flat... I was just up there the first part of March...