Drive RV, while hoping to from Las Cruces to Albuquerque. What is route 25 like, is there any climbs up mountains? Made the mistake couple years back of taking a side trip through White Mountain Indian Res down into Globe with RV, wife HATES hieghts and it was a long trip down the mountain to say the least.
What is route 25 from El Paso up to Albuquerque like? I would like to stop to see the caverns..
25 is an interstate along the grand valley of the Rio Grande. I recall a slight grade somewhere between Elephant Butte and Hatch, but it is not significant and most probably don't notice it. There is no mountain driving. 25 starts in Las Cruces, You take 10 from El Paso to get to 25 in Las Cruces. The caverns would be major detour from direct interstate route between El Paso, Las Cruces and ABQ. From San Antonio I have taken 285 between Fort Stockton and Carlsbad. Once. I don't remember any mountain grades at all. From Carlsbad, I continued to Roswell and then cut through the town of Lincoln and Capitan to eventually get to the Interstate 25 to ABQ. Goes through Lincoln National Forest but not the kind of mountain grade you are describing. That route would not take you to El Paso or Las Cruces, however.
Edited: 9:33 am, May 27, 2011bleicherblog is correct. I-25 has some ups and downs, but no drop-offs or winding road.
If you are wanting to do the Caverns, his 285 suggestion is correct. Then from Carlsbad, I would recommend straight north on 285 to I-40, then west to Albuquerque. The route he mentioned does have a few curves, no drop offs and is much prettier, while 285 and I-40 are 4 lane all the way from Carlsbad to Albuquerque.
Yes, Carlsbad Caverns is a long way from Las Cruces. Approximately, 200 miles to the Southeast. But, if you are RV'ing Southern New Mexico, both White Sands National Monument (45 miles east of Las Cruces), and Carlsbad Caverns are two of the "must sees."
If you are driving Las Cruces to Albuquerque, you can avoid the boring I-25 (and it is boring most of the way), by driving the old U.S. highway much of the way. LC to Truth or Consequences via NM-185 for instance. You get to see the smaller towns this way, such as Hatch, the home of the world's best chiles. From Bernardo on I-25, you can drive north through Belen, Los Lunas, and Isleta Pueblo into Albuquerque on NM-314 I believe. Exit I-25 north at the Bernardo Exit, then continue north across US-60, on the two lane highway.
Once you get your itinerary finished, we can be of more help with specific recommendations.
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