Driving in New Mexico in December
 

My husband and I are driving from Chicago to Phoenix, Az in early December. My biggest concern is driving thru New Mexico. I don't like driving mountain roads that are snowy, steep or have dropoffs, hairpin turns, etc. We are thinking of avoiding I-40from Albuquerque to Flagstaff. I know Flagstaff can have a lot of snow at that time. Considering 2 routes, Alb I-25 to Las Cruces and picking up I-10 and coming up through Tucson, Az to Phx. Or taking US 54 at Santa Rosa to Alamagordo to US 70 to Las Cruces; however I am not sure of those roads.
I know it adds time to our travels, but I want a safe road.
Any help would be very much appreciated.

If you do take the southern route I-25 to I-10, you would exit I-25 at Hatch, NM and take a shortcut from there on NM 26 to I-10 at Deming,NM, saves time and miles. No need to go all the way to Las Cruces.

You don't have to decide now. When you get to Albuquerque, check road conditions for Arizona and New Mexico at these internet sites.

http://www.highwayconditions.com/az/

http://www.highwayconditions.com/nm/

Then pick your route. (Keeping the Interstates open is a top priority of the state governments. Truckers don't like delays.)

I don't remember I-40 being a steep windy mountain road with hairpin turns and dropoffs, at least west of Knoxville, Tennessee.

In the second week of January 2009 I drove I-40 from Amarillo to Barstow. Yes there was a lot of snow piled at the side of the highway near Flagstaff but the road was in great condition.
If it starts to snow heavily or snow is blowing hard enough to limit visibility, get off the highway for a few hours and then resume on I-40 when it is safe.

It's in the 60s and sunny today here in Albuquerque, so you may not have anything to worry about. As dbdurand said, wait until you get here and then decide what route you want to take. I-40 climbs into Flagstaff, but there aren't any steep dropoffs or hairpin turns.

All of your routes through New Mexico go through the mountains at some point, but as long as the roads are open you'll be fine.

Lee Ann

I called the state road department as we appraoched the area to check on conditions.

You got the best advice! If there is snow it may be closer to Flagstaff. It never lasts too long and there are great places to see if your trip is delayed. An overnight at La Posada in Winslow would be greta.
Patrizia
Seven Directions Tours

Weather will be a crap shoot at best in this time frame. When there is a problem of hevy snowing the highways at some elevations will be closed but not to worry as there are always plenty of highway patrols to handle this. It will be a scenic drive but long!!!

Thanks for the advice everyone. We will check as we near Albuquerque as to road conditions on I-40 west to Flagstaff.

I was more worried about the drop offs on the alternate route US54 and US 70. We are moving to Phoenix so the less stress the better on our drive out there.