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Jokaamda · 02-08-2017, 06:53 AM

Morning.....I am planning a trip from San Antonio to Phoenix early March. I am curious about what mountain passes or others issues I may encounter on the way. I am in a 04 Pace arrow MH with a 8.1 workhorse and Allison tranny with a toad and I like to know what lies before me when I travel. I plan to overnight in Ft. Stockton and Las Cruces. Any elevation changes I need to worry about?

Waiter21 · 02-08-2017, 07:04 AM

Boredom - This could be your greatest obstacle...

No real hard grades on this route. Lot of traffic through Tuscon and the stretch north to Phoenix.

If you want a change of scenery, we get off of I-10 at Lordsburg NM, and head north on US70, then pick up US60 at Globe - This route does have some good climbs and descents, but we didn't have any problems.

We stay in Deming, NM (place called Hi-Low, about 4 miles south of town and away from !-10 noise)

Also, Van Horn has a few good places,

Our last trip through (mid Jan) we stayed at Caves of Sonora. Very nice, isolated, It probably won't fit in your time sched.

Jokaamda · 02-08-2017, 07:16 AM

Thank you. We don't really have a timeline yet so some deviations are possible like staying a couple days in Ft. Stockton and day trip to Davis mountains.

Waiter21 · 02-08-2017, 07:46 AM

Its a little out of the way, but we always like to pass through Alamogordo, NM (I was stationed at Holloman a million years ago)

Anyway, the Oliver Lee state park is isolated and nice (15 miles south of Alamogordo)

And its a nice day trip to White Sands.

parkerbill · 02-08-2017, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waiter21

Its a little out of the way, but we always like to pass through Alamogordo, NM (I was stationed at Holloman a million years ago)

Anyway, the Oliver Lee state park is isolated and nice (15 miles south of Alamogordo)

And its a nice day trip to White Sands.

Agree! Oliver Lee is very nice. We spent a few days there last year.

38Chevy454 · 02-08-2017, 08:55 AM

I agree, from San Antonio to El Paso is about 600 miles of mostly boring drive. Just make a long day of it and get it over with. West from there is not as boring, with more scenery and more potential stops.

Isaac-1 · 02-08-2017, 09:06 AM

I would certainly advise not staying at Ft Stockton, it is a depressing town with a lot of motels a Wal-Mart and not much else. If you want to take a break in the area I would suggest spending the couple of days in Ft Davis or even the state park at Balmorea. Highway 17 to Ft Davis does have a few curves, and some moderate grades, but nothing too bad, a less twisty, but slightly longer route is 67 to Alpine then 118 up to Ft Davis. As I recall the twisty parts of 17 have a fairly low speed limit (45-50 mph?) and is fairly scenic vs the open expanse on 67.

Duoglide1 · 02-08-2017, 09:07 AM

When we do this trip I avoid I10 as much as possible. We take 90 from SA to Van Horn and it's a much more pleasant ride for us. Hondo, Del Rio, Marathon, Alpine and if we have time we try to detour to Big Bend. If not a few days in Alpine is always a treat. Two lane major highway all the way.

2012 NuWay HitchHiker 363RSBDA, 2016 Ford F-350 Dually 6.7

twogypsies · 02-08-2017, 12:23 PM

Agreed, the I-10 drive will not be an issue for you.

If you want to tour Davis Mountains don't stay at Fort Stockton, stay at Balmorhea State Park. It's an easy drive not far off I-10.

There are many RV parks in both Las Cruces, NM or Deming, NM and then there's basically nothing until you get to Benson, AZ.

At Benson there's Kartchner Caverns State Park - great camping with electric and a dump station and an awesome cave tour - do the Rotunda Room one. Nearby is also Tombstone and Bisbee which has a terrific mine tour given by ex-miners.

Tucson would be another good stop - lots to do in the area.

You didn't mention any specific plans for Phoenix but the very best place to stay is Lost Dutchman State Park on the east side in Apache Junction. Phoenix itself doesn't have any good RV parks. There are also a handful of very good Maricopa County campgrounds scattered throughout the greater Phoenix/Mesa area. They are all beautiful - big sites with lush vegetation. Usery and McDowell Mountain are our favorites.

March is a popular month - desert flowers - so it's best to make reservations for the Phoenix area parks. Other cities you probably don't need reservations.