ustwo

If you were driving from Wichita, KS to Tucson, AZ in the month of January, what route would you take: I-35 to Oklahoma City-I-40 to Albuquerque, I-25 to I-10 or stay I-35 to I-20, to I-10? Concerned about road conditions in January. Any thoughts?

GBbabe

Albuquerque is one of my favorite places to visit, so I would choose that route. I used to drive Phoenix/Denver in Dec. and Jan. and most of the time I25/I40/I17 route was ok. A few snow fluries, but nothing much. The problem was near Winslow AZ, but since you don't have I40/I17 as an option,you don't have worry about it. I would suggest you just take whichever route allows you to see the sights you want to see.

ustwo

Thanks for the information GBbabe. This will not be a sightseeing trip this time, only what we see from the windows of the car. Mainly concerned about the road conditions that time of the year. From what I have read here on Fodor's I-40 going East of Flagstaff can be troublesome at times,( you mention the Winslow area),therefore our reason for heading south out of Albuquerque. We will drive up to Phx from Tucson to visit some friends while we are there, but that is as far North as we will go. We will be watching weather and checking road conditions. I think going to Albuquerque would be closer for us, just wondering how much mountian driving (winding, climbing, etc) we would run into.

GBbabe

I40 through the Sandia Mountains to Albuquerque is relatively gentle, no need to worry unless there is a raging blizzard at the time.

ustwo

Thanks!

rkkwan

Consider US54 from Santa Rosa, NM down to Alammogordo, then US70 to Las Cruces. Not freeway, but there's hardly anything there or traffic. Save you some miles.

ustwo

Would love to save miles rrkwan, but what's it like driving in January? Any high elevations? Looking at map, I see it is single lane to Alammogordo. Hate to think of driving winding mountain roads with on coming traffic. Double lane or freeway where we are all going in the same direction is so nice... It does sound appealing though, as I am sure I will be tired of driving by then, and a short cut would be nice!

rkkwan

Single lane, but it's through the desert. Very straight, no mountains to cross.

Of course, if weather is bad, you should stay on the freeway as they get plowed first. But if weather is okay, US54 is a very nice road to take.

rkkwan

Oh, I should add that the last part, US70 does go over the mountains, but that's a 4-lane road with plenty of traffic between Alamogordo and Las Cruces. Very well maintained.

ustwo

Good information. Will probably drive US54 weather permitting. One more question: You say US70 from Alamogorda to Las Cruces is mountian driving but well maintained. What about closers, I assume only during a severe blizzard, correct?

rkkwan

US70 is wide and straight. It is more or less go straight up St. Augustine pass with two gentle curves and then come down.

You're pretty south over there, and it's only 5,400 ft at the pass. Snow is usually not an issue.

I-40 gets up to about 7,000ft, before dropping down to Albuquerque at about 5,200ft.