Advice about driving thru the New Mexico/Arizona desert

Do you have A/C in your car?

Drive during the day. From one who knows.

Yes, it will have a/c.

Route 40 goes right through



Route 80 and Route 40 are the only two highways that go Coast to Coast

Carry extra water in your car. Drink lots.

I just got back from there - it's pretty grueling - make sure your car is SAFE.

Don't stop in New Mexico.

A car with a good cooling system and aircon should be fine.

If your radiator is iffy fix it or don't go.

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I drove the "back way" from Grand Junction, CO all the way to Las Vegas, NV back 30yrs ago. It was amazing! All I can say is...enjoy the views!

I did it before cell phones & GPS too...had a blast!

If you have bald tires and a leaky cooling system (antifreeze), you might want to visit a garage first...

I'm renting a vehicle so if the car breaks down it's on the car rental company & not me.

Don't worry

The scenary is beautiful

Yikes, I was going to do an over night stop in Albuquerque as I'm planning on taking the southern route.

I'm renting a vehicle so if it breaks down it's on them & not me.

Best choice! Drive the fuck out of it...

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Um...now there's a thought. You may NOT be close to a
branch of your rental company if your rental DOES break down,
kiddo. The distances between desert cities can be rather
long. So...Your FIRST MOVE (IMHO) is to check the rating of
your car rental company and don't skimp on the make of
your vehicle. Better to pay a few bucks extra for a safe
ride than be dollar-wise-and-pound-foolish, as they used to say.

You do realize that most of the country is in a very
HIGH TEMP ALERT this past couple of weeks. I saw where
one of the temperature readings for Death Valley--a
desert close to where you will be driving--reached 120 F!
THAT would be a challenge for any car--even a NEWER model.
So be sure--first--to check your vehicle.

Good luck--it really is a beautiful trip. Have made it
from Washington (Seattle) to Phoenix area (AZ) as well
as from Michigan to Vegas. Some of my best memories.

Have a great adventure! Please send us pictures!


The Oracle's Cookie

only for a few hours.

then it will burn out.

Can one use AAA on a rental?

not if it dies where there's no cell service.

make sure your will is updated.

.

If your car starts overheating while driving through the desert, swith your A/c to heat, roll your windows down and turn on your heater full blast to pull the heat off of your engine, so you can maybe continue traveling.

This happened to a friend traveling through death valley. It was the only way they could keep going.

You do not want to be stuck out there on the side of the road waiting for someone to come help.

Don't

Yes. AAA follows the member.

Do not stop in New Mexico.

No matter how mystical you think it looks, there is nothing mystical about shit here.

The Indians are not mystical, dont bother.


Do not stop.

This is hell on earth.

Just keep going look straight ahead.

Go take a shit at the first taco bell you see in AZ.

Enjoy the scenery.

Enjoy the easy ride.

Enjoy flying sitting on your ass

and imagine making the trip

at the speed of horse or foot

while Indians would be looking to kill you.


Enjoy it.

Sip an ice cold pop.

I've done it countless time. Still alive today.

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Wow