New Mexico Hwy 82

[2BNOT2B]

I would like to leave El paso, TX going north on hwy 54. At that time I would like to head east on NM hwy 82 to Artisa, NM.

Looking for general road conditions and if I can do it with a 40' MH pulling my Jeep. I did do a google map, didn't see much of a problem. Thanks for any feed back.

Safe travels, Bill

[2BNOT2B]

Thanks for the replies. The tunnel would have been a big surprise, did not know it existed. I’m at 12’ 2” so shouldn't be a problem. I've got the Cummins 300HP so it will be a little slow going uphill.

My son is doing a turnaround at the Navajo refinery and I will be in El Paso, so I thought it would be nice to visit with him. Definitely will stop at the restaurant.

Thanks again and safe travels, Bill.

[zmanmike]

The only "steep" climb on that route is getting from Alamogordo into Cloudcroft, but it is easy with an F-350 or my Expedition (less easy) pulling my 26ft trailer. From Alamogordo it's a two-lane road with several passing lanes. So don't worry about holding up traffic. It's a nice scenic road for the most part.

Stop at Cloudcroft and have some great country style cooking at Big Daddy's Diner. Have a slice of homemade pie while your at it.

[DesertHawk]

I agree with Rctaw above. A nice scenic route with the only hwy. Tunnel in NM. No drastic decent going E to Artesia. One may also reach Artesia via US 62/180 E. toward Carlsbad & US 285 to Artesia. Not as scenic....only one slight climb at Guadalupe Pass.

What I have on the area & Routes: NM 82 Plus US 62/180/285

Edit add: Last Summer, We had one lunch at Big Dave's instead of Texas BBQ. His BBQ sliced brisket was very tender & moist, but his pulled pork was a little dry. The BBQ sauce was not the best. For our taste. Planed on eating at Texas BBQ later, but did not make it. We had normally eaten at Texas BBQ in years past & it was always very good. Liked the sauce there as well.
. . Cloudcroft, Lincoln/Capitan, Carrizozo/White Oaks. . .

[rctaw]

I travel east on 82 from Alamogordo nearly every summer. There is a pretty steep pull up to the Cloudcroft area. I can't remember the grade numbers but I have no problems with an F350 and 30ft travel trailer. I see large motorhomes travelling east and west regularly and they don't appear to be having any problems either. It is a good road with turnout/slow lanes when needed and very scenic. The tunnel at High Rolls/Mountain Park is plenty high so you should not have any problems there either. Once past Cloudcroft it is a very easy trip East with wide lanes and open country.