Advice about driving thru the New Mexico/Arizona desert

Plenty of music, Loud music!

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Mopar28

My Nagra

Long time no see

1} make sure the rental car company understands you need a new car with low miles, that the entire trip is mostly desert

2} I would not recommend traveling alone but it sounds like you might have too, bring your ladies weapon 380, 9mm what ever you have

3} bring a cooler with water, fruit and nuts just in case you break down God for bid

May the Lord be with you

God bless

Come back to us safe

Haha, I did this once on a drive to Phoenix in a Subaru with the notorious failing head gasket problem...it is worse going up grades...could literally watch the temp gauge needle moving towards 'H.'

What a miserable few hours that was...heater running full boat with the windows down, 105 outside.

Came back, left before the crack o' dawn so it was still dark and cooler and could squeak back.

I don't recommend it.

Death metal works good.

If a car pulls up behind you flashing their lights and indicating they want you to pull over and it's NOT a cop, DO NOT DO IT

Yes road pirates in the desert exist, but you should be fine

your going to get probed.

Day or night you will be fine. Better during the day because it's a pretty drive. The descent into phoenix on the 17 is steep, make sure you have good brakes. Other than that, and AC, enjoy the views. You will find that northern Arizona looks like an entirely different state.

The drive into phoenix is all down hill lol. You descend from like 7000ft to 1000ft. Now getting out of Phoenix going north is an entirely different story.

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Right... right... that would be a uphill, from 1000 to 7000 feet story...

Crossing the southwest deserts are one of the most scenic drives you can take. Just enjoy the ride.

Make sure you carry at least a gallon or two of drinking water just in case you get lost.

Carry water.

Carry the caffeine of your choice.

Have your cellphone charged.

If OP breaks down, he will get murdered...especially at night.

Pay attention to road signs. If you see a sign that says "last gas for 300 miles" believe it and get gas.

I saw one of those signs with my tank just under 3/4 and barely made it to next station.

Also, put at least a 1 gallon water jug in your vehicle in case you break down. People don't stop and help people like they used to.

Also, New Mexico is open carry state and not uncommon to see people doing that.
Also, I ALWAYS keep a pistol in the vehicle on road trips. Most states recognize on long road trips carry pistol in vehicles.

Also,
Strange hotels, block your door at night with a chair.

Have fun on your roadtrip and try stopping in the little towns too, not just the bigger ones. I listened to about the best country music singer I ever heard 100 miles outside of Abilene.

Stay fueled up!!! I haven't done it in years, but I've driven across country about 15 times. Once straight through without sleep. 50 hours from Cali to Maryland.

Mistakes I made were running out of gas once. Stations can be incredibly far apart. I stopped alone at an Indian reservation for gas and inside the bathroom stall was "kill white man". However, I was treated well by the cashier. Also, don't piss off the truckers. It's already been said but stay hydrated. Have at least a gallon with you.

The desert was my absolute favorite part of the drive. Enjoy yourself!

I live in nm and that is how I feel about Lordsburg.

It looks like a bad time waiting to happen.

Ah hem, I'm a lady. I used to have a lady avatar but I haven't been on for a long time so I lost it.

Your death will be on YOU.

Who cares about the fk'n car ....

Would it be better to go thru Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Utah & then drop down into AZ?

You must be a ball at parties.

Also OP,
If you see a police checkpoint up ahead...
It's probably a trap made by the cartels!

Whip around immediately and head the other direction.
Have your gun in your lap.

Take about 6 gallons of water.
A gas can with 5 gallons of gas.
Food.

And more.

I have lived in both states and travelled through them extensively.

Be careful in Albuquerque, it can be rough. If you stay there, stay well north of I40 and west of I25. Casino hotels are all pretty safe.

Carry at least 5 gallons of water with you and consider a cel phone range extender. There are lots of dead spots.

Lastly consider driving at night and sleeping during the day. Much easier on your car too.

Allow me to correct myself then...
Raped and then murdered

Drive it at night and get a dash cam.

When you get home post your Bigfoot and UFO pics in this thread.

Ok, I'll make sure my .22 is loaded & ready just in case.

Easy trip, you won't have any issues. There's tons of truck stops and gas stations on the way. If you have time go through Denver and then down. More scenic. I'm in Iowa too. If I wasn't ill I'd drive with you. I'm from AZ.

SW NM Here. 21 years living here currently.

Lots of water, some for you and some, just in case, for your car.

There are some long stretches on that route that have NOTHING FOR MILES! Including gas stations and CELL service.

Take some sort of hat to cover your head in case you do break down.

Remember ... if you get off road and out into the desert in this heat ... you will not make it. Everything here bites, pokes or stings!!

And, lately in my area, due to fires, the wildlife has decided to move in. That means more coyotes, bears, cougars and wolves, plus more snakes.

Daytime travel if possible!!!!!! Nice safe motel room with the doors locked at night.
NO JOKE ... NM roads are not safe at night!

Safe travels and ... bring a camera!