Best route from Amarillo to Tucson

[stargazer1]

I am a newbie with a 43' motorhome towing. This late Nov. I am headed for a park just north of Tucson and trying to avoid steep inclines and curvy mountain roads. Of course I want to stay on 4 lane where possible and avoid cities and congestion. I'm headed south from Iowa and all looks easy as far as Amarillo and then it look like I have some choices. Any help or suggestions will be appreciated.

[twogypsies]

I-40 to Albuquerque, south on I-25, west on I-10 at Las Cruces, NM

[wolfe10]

If taking that route, get off at Hatch and take 26 to Deming.

[TravelSolo]

If you go south first you can hit Carlsbad Caverns on the way, maybe Roswell too, then over to White Sands NP.

[amosnandy]

I run that route every year.

Best route, easiest, shortest, best road, not much beat up interstate.
I40 from Amarillo to Santa Rosa NM US 54 south out of Santa Rosa to Vaughn. US 60 West to I25 south. I25 south to Hatch NM26 south to Deming. then I10 to
Tucson.

Don't know where you are going in Tucson but it is really 2 different worlds. I 10 takes you around out to Picture Rocks area, I 19 south takes you down to Green Valley Area

Don't know how far you want to travel each day, but there are 2 parks in Vaughn, call ahead on both due to construction workers taking up most of the spaces

Great NM State park in Elephant Butte NM, again, NM state parks are reservation only now.

If your looking for short days. There are several small parks around Vaughn It's just a little over 200 miles

It's another 200 <> miles to T&C or Elephant Butte but there are several nice state parks.

From T&C down through Hatch to Deming, If you want to stop and rest up there is a great park in Bowie AZ for $20 a night. Best beef jerky I ever had.

Then your only 90-120 miles from Tucson depending on what part you are going to.

Personally, I don't like interstates. Everybody is going some where in a hurry. Usually come south on 54 through Kansas, but if I happen to go through Amarillo for some reason I just take 60 all the way, through Clovis, Vaughn and out to 25 south.

All those road are good, well traveled but not busy, plenty of small towns and even truckstops, though not big names.

Of your just trying to get there, take the first route, if your vacationing to see stuff follow the second.

[amosnandy]

Originally Posted by stargazer1

I am a newbie with a 43' motorhome towing. This late Nov. I am headed for a park just north of Tucson and trying to avoid steep inclines and curvy mountain roads. Of course I want to stay on 4 lane where possible and avoid cities and congestion. I'm headed south from Iowa and all looks easy as far as Amarillo and then it look like I have some choices. Any help or suggestions will be appreciated.

You should PM me. There are a lot better ways to go south out of Iowa than down through Amarillo. I make that run every year out of Minnesota headed to Nogales where I go into Mexico. You are going way out of your way and getting into heavy traffic, bad interstates and big towns.

[amosnandy]

Originally Posted by twogypsies

I-40 to Albuquerque, south on I-25, west on I-10 at Las Cruces, NM

Lots of mountains, lots of bad interstates and LOTS of traffic.

[stargazer1]

My atlas shows 54 and most of 60 to be two lane roads in New Mexico. Is that the case? I will be leaving from SE corner of Iowa down to 36 across Missouri to catch 35 S thru KC and Wichita to OC and take 40 West till I turn south again. My destination is Picacho AZ about 50 miles north of Tucson on 10. I am open to better suggestions based on your experience and will very much appreciate it.

[HarryStone]

60 is 2 lane, and mostly posted 55. Not much on those roads, and only a couple gas stops between ft. Sumner and Interstate 25.

[twogypsies]

Originally Posted by amosnandy

Lots of mountains, lots of bad interstates and LOTS of traffic.

Mountains????

[DKRITTER]

Originally Posted by amosnandy

Lots of mountains, lots of bad interstates and LOTS of traffic.

HUUU

[stargazer1]

I am assuming from the two most recent comments that they don't agree with the statement about lots of mountains, bad in interstate,and lots of traffic? I wonder if they might elaborate on that because I've never been there, that's why I asked. Please. Thank you, because so far the conflicting answers leave me more confused than before I asked.

[HarryStone]

The only mountains you will see are going into Albuquerque, if in fact, you go into Alb. They really aren't mountains tho, just high hills and the trip isn't that bad. Traffic, depending on when you go into Alb, is either moderate or mildly heavy. Once on 25 south, you quickly get out of the traffic, and the drive is pretty nice all the way down to Las Cruces.

[twogypsies]

Originally Posted by stargazer1

I am assuming from the two most recent comments that they don't agree with the statement about lots of mountains, bad in interstate,and lots of traffic? I wonder if they might elaborate on that because I've never been there, that's why I asked. Please. Thank you, because so far the conflicting answers leave me more confused than before I asked.

No mountains. Good route!! Really......