Getting to Alamogordo from the east with no mountains

[Cyndi_H]

In May we'll be going to Alamogordo, New Mexico from Lubbock, Texas, and do NOT want to take the highways that go through Cloudcroft or Ruidoso. Has anyone taken the 24 (Pinyon Dunkin Road) and the 506 (Owen Prather Hwy)? Just looking on a map, they appear to bypass the mountains, but we don't want to go that way unless we know it's a decent road. We'll be driving our Titan and towing a 28-foot trailer.

[bradnailer]

Definitely Ruidoso. It would be a snap for you. As a word of caution, there is a huge speed trap around Hondo, 45 MPH for about 10 miles.

[Cyndi_H]

Thanks for all the very quick responses. Looks like we'll go through Ruidoso.

[Heisenberg]

The Cloudcroft downhill is very steep, Ruidoso is a breeze with more lanes/room.

[Cyndi_H]

From what I remember, the Ruidoso route DOESN'T have a steep downhill on the westside like the Cloudcroft route, right? Sounds like the Ruidoso route is our best bet.

[Heisenberg]

paulj wrote:
Why don't you want to go through Ruidoso. I haven't driven it, but my impression from other discussions is that this is an easy highway, 4 lane most of time.

It is very easy, but they said NOT. However getting to 24 to get to 506 may be just as hard as going through Ruidoso. And an hour or more on the road.

[paulj]

Cyndi H wrote:
... and do NOT want to take the highways that go through Cloudcroft or Ruidoso. ...

Why don't you want to go through Ruidoso? I haven't driven it, but my impression from other discussions is that this is an easy highway, 4 lane most of time. On the east side of those mountains you are already at 5000', and only climb to 7500' before gradually dropping to 4000'.

[azdryheat]

Have you looked at the 24 and 506 on Google Maps or similar? That's what I do. Get to the street view and see the road for yourself.

[Heisenberg]

506 very hilly and curvy high desert. It would be much easier staying on 82