Driving thru NM south via route 10 or north via route 40?

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Driving thru NM south via route 10 or north via route 40?

Posted: 6/26/2012 10:21:26 AM EDT

My son will be traveling by motorcycle from Florida to Arizona this weekend and a big chunk of that drive will be in New Mexico. The choices would seem to be, take the southern route 10 or the northern route 40. Can anyone give an opinion on the pros and cons for either of these?
Is one faster than the other? More scenic? Safer for a motorcycle?
AZ destination is Prescott.
Thanks!

Posted: 6/26/2012 10:52:39 AM EDT

[#1]

When I drove from FL to NM to move out here. I went through Shreveport and got on 40 around there. It was an easy drive. I took 3 days to do it. The company was paying for drive time so I took my time. 40 is nice went through Northern Texas then into NM. I have family who took the south route no complaints from them.

MAHA

Posted: 6/26/2012 11:12:36 AM EDT

[#2]

I-10 is a major hub for drug and human trafficking in Arizona and New Mexico. I have had state police tell me to never travel I-10 alone or at night or unarmed! The border patrol and state police have very little presence down there as they are undermanned and out gunned. South of I-10 is basically Mexico. If he were to break down, I-10 is literally in the middle of nowhere. After Las Cruses there is not much out there. 1st is Deming, city of about 14 thousand. Next would be Lordsburg, city of about 3500. Then it is truly desolate for a long, long way. If he takes I-10, tell him to watch his six and be very, very carful and suspicious of everybody!

Posted: 6/27/2012 10:11:54 AM EDT

[#3]

The I10/I25 split is in my district and man does it keep us busy.

I would say go with the northern route just for the few degrees cooler it will be.

Posted: 6/27/2012 11:09:05 AM EDT

[#4]

Quoted:
The I10/I25 split is in my district and man does it keep us busy.

I would say go with the northern route just for the few degrees cooler it will be.

Punk, you ever heard of crazy shit happening around or in the middle of nowhere I-10? Were the statey's just fucking with me?

Posted: 6/27/2012 1:17:22 PM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:

Quoted:
The I10/I25 split is in my district and man does it keep us busy.

I would say go with the northern route just for the few degrees cooler it will be.

Punk, you ever heard of crazy shit happening around or in the middle of nowhere I-10? Were the statey's just fucking with me?

Before my current job, I used to dispatch for that section of NM up to the west end of Dona Ana county. Honestly most of the crazy stuff involved MVA's. I have been stopped multiple times by Border Patrol while hunting/off roading in the areas you are talking about, both during the day and at night. I've seen a lot of suspicious activity but it seems like those types really want to keep to themselves.

I do prefer to stay armed but I tend to treat that desert as my backyard. I honestly have run in to more trouble in the city then out on the highways.

Posted: 6/27/2012 3:51:29 PM EDT

[#6]

Thanks to all for your help, my son will be taking the north route this time.

Posted: 6/30/2012 7:46:28 PM EDT

[#7]

I prefer the northern route (I-40) myself.........a much prettier ride......

Posted: 7/2/2012 8:01:52 PM EDT

[#8]

My son left the Tampa FL area Thursday late afternoon and arrived in Prescott AZ Saturday night around 1:00 am ~2300 miles.
He says his ass in numb!

Posted: 7/3/2012 5:59:46 AM EDT

[#9]

What a numb ass!

Posted: 7/3/2012 8:10:56 AM EDT

[#10]

If your son has time on the ride back home, he might want to take Highway 260/60 from Payson into New Mexico. It is an absolutely beautiful ride and would be fantastic on a motorcycle. Hardly any traffic at all. It goes right by the VLA (Very Large Array) which is pretty cool. There is usually a bunch of Antelope hanging around there.

I would recommend that he gas up in Springerville though, as there are not too many places with gas stations once you get into NM.

Once he gets to Socorro, he can go north on Highway 25, back up to Highway 40 or go south on 25 down to Highway 10......

Posted: 7/3/2012 9:01:18 AM EDT

[#11]

Quoted:
If your son has time on the ride back home, he might want to take Highway 260/60 from Payson into New Mexico. It is an absolutely beautiful ride and would be fantastic on a motorcycle. Hardly any traffic at all. It goes right by the VLA (Very Large Array) which is pretty cool. There is usually a bunch of Antelope hanging around there.

I would recommend that he gas up in Springerville though, as there are not too many places with gas stations once you get into NM.

Once he gets to Socorro, he can go north on Highway 25, back up to Highway 40 or go south on 25 down to Highway 10......

And stop in Pie Town, NM for some great pie!

Posted: 7/3/2012 9:23:57 AM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:

{SNIP}

And stop in Pie Town, NM for some great pie!

Damn, you're right! I forgot about Pie Town.....You just have to get there before the stores close at 3:00pm!

Posted: 7/3/2012 10:28:59 AM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:

Quoted:

{SNIP}

And stop in Pie Town, NM for some great pie!

Damn, you're right! I forgot about Pie Town.....You just have to get there before the stores close at 3:00pm!

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y71/mic214/NM%20July%202008/DSCN0499.jpg

I eat at the Pie-o-neer on Saturday just after 4pm. She told me her business is picking up now that she has professional help (she hired a professional waitress she found online).

Edit: better help and better business means staying open longer.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Driving thru NM south via route 10 or north via route 40?

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