Salt Lake to Albuquerque on a 40 Pusher then to Florida.

[shft22]

I am picking up a new to me 40ft pusher in Salt Lake City and driving it to South Florida.
One route option, is to head south on US-191 to Monticello, UT, then US-491 to Shiprock, NM, then US-64/550 to Albuquerque, NM connect to I-40 and work my way East. This is about an 8/9 hour drive just to get to Albuquerque.Plan then would be to overnight somewhere in Albuquerque.

For what I have been able to gather these are good quality roads, so I am not to worry about that part of it. My concern is around security if we have to stop for any reason, I have heard, on other sites, that crime in this area can be a problem. Also it looks like these roads are very desolated, are they well traveled? Is there help in case I have mechanical issues, how about fuel.

Are rest stops/truck stops safe on I-40 for overnight?

My other option is to go east on I-70 to Denver and continue east, but this may not be a good option do to weather.

[Tom_Barb]

shft22 wrote:
Our plan is to drive thru until we reach I-40, then do an overnight at a rest stop. Maybe stop at a place here or there, but not really leave the rig unattended.
There where some comments on another site in reference to security in New Mexico in general, so I figure I ask here.

Are there any particular places close to Albuquerque recommended for an overnight.

Remember ALTITUDE. Flag Staff is 7000' high, winter comes early there.

Get off the high county as soon as you can.

STL-Denver- and south east is the quickest way off the high county

[agesilaus]

Tom/Barb wrote:
SLT to South Florida. at this time of year, use the major highways. get south as quick as you can..

1-80 - I 25 - I-70 - I-35 and south.

Weather 🙂

OR I-15 all the way south and Phoenix.

I would avoid as much of new Mexico as possible, thus I-15 to St George and then 89 down to I-17 and follow that down to I-10. You can then get thru NM without spending a night in the state.

[Tom_Barb]

SLT to South Florida. at this time of year, use the major highways. get south as quick as you can..

1-80 - I 25 - I-70 - I-35 and south.

Weather 🙂

OR I-15 all the way south and Phoenix.

[shft22]

OK, now I am confuse, is 491 or 550 a more traveled road south of Shiprock.

[NMDriver2]

550 is 4 lane and a major route with more traffic, support facilites, and state patrols. 491 is more desolate, with fewer support options. I-40 from Gallup to Albu has a lot of traffic, some construction, and many support facilities.

DO NOT try to follow 191 all the way down to I-10. The stretch south of US 60 is not for large vehicles.

Crime will not be a problem, the weather may be.

[Sandia_Man]

I don't see much issue with the roads or security, I would be much more concerned with driving a class A that far with unknown reliability. We have owned virtually every class of RV over 3 decades of RVing and without a doubt class A rigs have so many things that could go awry. Good luck and safe travels, hope your new to you rig is all that you expected.

[shft22]

obgraham wrote:
Just plan on fueling in the towns -- Monticello, Cortez, and Shiprock. My preference would then be 491 down to Gallup, as 550 is a lot more remote. But all of them are quite safe in my opinion.
Moreover, if you have some sort of problem, the folks in Navajo Nation will be more helpful than on the rest of your trip.
Things are buttoned up there, though, as they've had a rough go with the virus.

Thank you, yeah I think I like staying on 491, it looks like a more traveled road.

[agesilaus]

"Also, check on the New Mexico rules with Corona. We are passing thru the southern section later this week and with the rules, the plan is to leave Arizona and make it to Texas in one shot. "

this seems like a good plan to me, I'd drop down to I-10 in AZ and follow that plan.

[ndrorder]

New Mexico crime issues are central to the urban areas. The trip from SLC to I40 is a nice one.

If you are on a time crunch, then plan to spend the night in the Santa Anna casino in Bernalillo. It is just a few miles north of I40 and will meet your schedule and safety goals.

If you get tired along the the way, consider spending the night at the Bisti Badlands south of Bloomfield. It is a few miles off highway 550 but beautiful and quiet. Youll be blinded by all the stars.. An easier overnight is at a weigh station pull out just south of San Ysidro. It is just south of the bridge at the southern edge of town on the southbound side. All can be scoped on Google maps.

[obgraham]

Just plan on fueling in the towns -- Monticello, Cortez, and Shiprock. My preference would then be 491 down to Gallup, as 550 is a lot more remote. But all of them are quite safe in my opinion.
Moreover, if you have some sort of problem, the folks in Navajo Nation will be more helpful than on the rest of your trip.
Things are buttoned up there, though, as they've had a rough go with the virus.

[Edd505]

That's good route, I travel several times a year. The crime rates exaggerated and a good stop just before is http://www.enchantedtrails.com/ If you need anything Camping Worlds next door. Plan your travel to avoid rush hour the big I interchange (I40 & I25) get crazy. Yes the governor has shut down the sate again, unless your just passing trough. Have a safe trip!

[shft22]

Thank you, yes we are planning to stay the first night at Crescent Junction Rest area on I-70 and US-190, then hit the road at about 4am. This trip should happen next week.
The RV is in good condition, just made the trip from LA to Salt Lake with no issues, it has new tires all around, oil was changed and an inspection was just done as well, engine belts are in good order and so are the brakes, but you know anything can happen.
Weather will dictate if we go east or south first, but I rather get south as soon as possible. Both engine heat and gas heater are supposed to be working, I was thinking on buying a couple of small space heaters just in case.

[valhalla360]

Google says it's a 10hr drive and with an RV, I would assume more like 12hr for 600miles.

Assuming you are picking it up in the near future, weather would be a bigger concern. Also, we are getting near the winter solstice, so days will be short, that means running in the dark if you want to make 12hrs of driving.

Is the RV in good running order? Does the heat work? Has it been on the road recently for any significant miles?

It can certainly be done and that's probably the route I would take but have some backup plans if things aren't going well.

I might plan on a short 1st day and stop around I-70. Then the next day you can get an early start.

Also, check on the New Mexico rules with Corona. We are passing thru the southern section later this week and with the rules, the plan is to leave Arizona and make it to Texas in one shot.

[azdryheat]

Don't sweat the indians. I'd be more concerned about the NM Gov. closing down everything, which she just did. Avoid NM at all cost.

[shft22]

Our plan is to drive thru until we reach I-40, then do an overnight at a rest stop. Maybe stop at a place here or there, but not really leave the rig unattended.
There where some comments on another site in reference to security in New Mexico in general, so I figure I ask here.

Are there any particular places close to Albuquerque recommended for an overnight.