samsdad09

We will be traveling from the Phoenix, AZ area to Arkansas in late December, around Christmas. We aren't sure of exact dates at this time, but we could possibly be driving on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. My concern is the weather and road conditions on I-40W around Flagstaff and then on to Albuquerque during this time of year. I have three routes in mind, depending on what the weather conditions happen to be during our trip. As expected, we would prefer to avoid snow, ice, wind, and potential road closures.

Do the road conditions approaching Albuquerque from the south on I-25 ever present a problem? What are the typical road conditions like between Albuquerque and Amarillo? I would rather not add 2 hours on to our trip via Las Cruces trying to avoid bad conditions to run back into bad conditions in or around Albuquerque.

Route 1: Phoenix-Flagstaff-Albuquerque-Amarillo-Oklahoma City--AR

Alternative Route 2: Phoenix-Tuscon (I-10W)-Las Cruces (I-25N)-Albuquerque (I-40W)-Amarillo...AR

Alternative Route 2B: Phoenix -Tuscon (I-10W)-Las Cruces(I-25N)-Dallas (I-20W)-OK City (I-35N)--AR

Any advice on the above travel ideas would be greatly appreciated!

SAnParis2

I don't have specifics to your questions but I would opt for the southernmost route, for sure.

dfr4848

Can't help on the Flagstaff portion, but Albuquerque - Amarillo - Okla City is flat, as in a pancake. But the area can get some nasty weather in late Dec; it can also be just fine. I'd check the forecast a few days in advance and decide.

For the above reason, I'm not sure Alt. 2 solves that problem.

Don't know where you're going in AR, but if the northern routes have bad weather, might also consider taking I-30 from Dallas to Little Rock area rather than I-35 to OKC.

ElendilPickle

Flagstaff can be snowy and icy, as can I-25 south of Albuquerque, I-40 all around and through Albuquerque and on into Texas.

The southernmost route may be your best best, but as dfr4848 said, check the weather forecasts before you leave to make sure.

Lee Ann

sarge56

I'm with the consensus here. Southernmost route. The panhandle of Texas can get some very nasty weather in winter. Interstate is often closed down for blizzards there.

I'd do the Dallas route and continue on I-30 to Little Rock. It's a more direct route, anyway, than going back up through OK after you've hit Dallas.

sarge56

PS Not that we don't, once in a blue moon, get nasty weather here in Dallas area, too. But rarely.

BeachGirl247

As most stated above, it just depends. For the most part our winter treks going through Amarillo to Santa Fe from OKC have no real issues other than winds and occasional snow flakes. Now, a few years ago I-40 from Amarillo past Albuquerque was closed as was I-25 from Albuquerque north due to a record blizzard.

>>I would rather not add 2 hours on to our trip via Las Cruces trying to avoid bad conditions to run back into bad conditions in or around Albuquerque.knew the roads were icy and dangerous on the best route.

samsdad09

Thanks for all your replies. I will certainly be able to check the weather ahead of time and select the optimal route. I just wanted to get a consensus from you all and then make some travel notes beforehand so I don't have to try and figure it all at the last minute. Thanks again!