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DustyRooster's avatar
DustyRooster
Explorer
Mar 07, 2022

Deming NM East Via CR-26?

Morning fellow Rv'ers!


Heading home from the winter in Quartzsite and picking up on our "tour" of Small town America.

We will be landing in Deming NM in a few days and was wondering if any of you had experience with taking CR?-26 out of Deming to I-25N. Then I-25N to 380E or 60E, eventually hitting US-54 N to Kansas?

We are not in a hurry to get home, hence the route I am mentioning. We are looking to avoid any significant Hills/grades and major cities and we don't want a county road or US highway to surprise us anywhere. We went through LasCruces on the way West, so we have "been there done that"

Any of you have experience with the roads I am mentioning?

As a FYI we are in a 32ft Gasser HR with a car in tow.

Thanks for any insight!

DR
Roads and Routes
  • DustyRooster's avatar
    DustyRooster
    Explorer
    Mar 11, 2022
    NMDriver2 wrote:
    54 From Vaughn to Santa Rosa is a straight shot with a few rolling hills. From Carrizozo to Vaughn it is hilly with some narrow shoulders, sharpish curves, and has frequent and steeper grades although shorter. I think it is more scenic from Carrizozo to Vaughn but requires more attention to the road due to curves, critters, and traffic.


    Just a FYI NMDriver2,

    Your description was spot on in regards to 54 from Carrizozo to Vaughn, you must have driven that 100 times. We took that route today with some nasty winds and snow. Needless to say, we took a pitstop in Vaughn. Looking forward to the next driving day to reflect your description from Vaughn to Santa Rosa!

    Thanks!

    DR
  • DustyRooster's avatar
    DustyRooster
    Explorer
    Mar 08, 2022
    NMDriver2 wrote:
    54 From Vaughn to Santa Rosa is a straight shot with a few rolling hills. From Carrizozo to Vaughn it is hilly with some narrow shoulders, sharpish curves, and has frequent and steeper grades although shorter. I think it is more scenic from Carrizozo to Vaughn but requires more attention to the road due to curves, critters, and traffic.


    Thanks again @NMDriver2 appreciate it!
  • NMDriver2's avatar
    NMDriver2
    Explorer
    Mar 08, 2022
    54 From Vaughn to Santa Rosa is a straight shot with a few rolling hills. From Carrizozo to Vaughn it is hilly with some narrow shoulders, sharpish curves, and has frequent and steeper grades although shorter. I think it is more scenic from Carrizozo to Vaughn but requires more attention to the road due to curves, critters, and traffic.
  • DustyRooster's avatar
    DustyRooster
    Explorer
    Mar 07, 2022
    NMDriver2 wrote:
    US 60 follows the easier grade but both 60 and 380 climb out of the Rio Grande Basin. 380 has more scenic and historic attractions but is more up/down and around. 60 follows the railroad tracks and is straighter with gentle grades but still has some long pulls. I think you will be better off on 60 from your description.

    Plus, 54 is a much gentler ride from 60 north than from 380 north.


    Perfect, thank you for that input! Based on that I will more than likely take I25 North to 6o then to 54.

    Out of Curiosity, you stated 54 is much "gentler" North of 60, vs from 380 North. What did you mean by "Gentler"?
  • NMDriver2's avatar
    NMDriver2
    Explorer
    Mar 07, 2022
    US 60 follows the easier grade but both 60 and 380 climb out of the Rio Grande Basin. 380 has more scenic and historic attractions but is more up/down and around. 60 follows the railroad tracks and is straighter with gentle grades but still has some long pulls. I think you will be better off on 60 from your description.

    Plus, 54 is a much gentler ride from 60 north than from 380 north.
  • rk911's avatar
    rk911
    Explorer
    Mar 07, 2022
    Sandia Man wrote:
    No issues with CR-26 as it is commonly used as a shortcut from Deming to I-25. The rest of the route through NM is also well suited for any size RV as we have had no issues traversing these roadways with our 40' class A.


    the road signs may read "Hatch Cutoff". we take it in our 40' class A towing an SUV henever we're in the area. last time was a few years back but it was a good 2-lane road. Hatch, NM is at the eastern end of 26 right off of I-25. Typical small town but very doable.
  • DustyRooster's avatar
    DustyRooster
    Explorer
    Mar 07, 2022
    Sandia Man wrote:
    No issues with CR-26 as it is commonly used as a shortcut from Deming to I-25. The rest of the route through NM is also well suited for any size RV as we have had no issues traversing these roadways with our 40' class A.


    Thanks for the feedback!

    Any preference between US-380E or US-60E off of I-25? I assume your class A is a pusher so moderate "hills" are no issues for you. Our gasser has a real hard time with grades. Are 380E and 60E pretty clear of significant grades like the one in White Sands on 70?
  • Sandia_Man's avatar
    Sandia_Man
    Explorer II
    Mar 07, 2022
    No issues with CR-26 as it is commonly used as a shortcut from Deming to I-25. The rest of the route through NM is also well suited for any size RV as we have had no issues traversing these roadways with our 40' class A.

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