Southern Route to CO from CA via NM??

[LadyD088]

I am moving my mom to CO this weekend - next Saturday and need to know the way to get to CO withOUT driving the Rockies!! I am SO afraid of hts its not even funny. I couldn't even drive the 80 Hwy from Sacramento to Reno without my knuckles turning WHITE (and having a stomach ache for days).

Hoping you could give me which HWY to take and if you've taken it, what its like. I'm the kind of person that likes to KNOW what I'm getting myself into other wise, its an upset stomach ALL the way!! (Not good for a car ride)

I've heard the route is thru New Mexico. I am excited but nervous at the same time.

Hoping to hear back soon as Saturday will be here before I know it!!

TYTYTY in advance!!

Deb

[Katy]

I'd say you should take the 15N to the 40E to 25N (just remember that the 15 is closed at the 215 for a short while). Driving through NM isn't all that bad. You're full on interstate the whole time up 25 so you won't have to worry about the twists and turns of the mountains all that much. Now if you get OFF of 25 you'll have to deal with the twists and turns, but there's really no way around that.

[LadyD088]

Katy - TY, I was thinking that was the way to go...just looking for insurance you know?

Have you taken that route before? How is the 25? Hill, mountainy (my stomach is already nervous). Any drop offs (with or without railings, doesn't matter, still scary).

Trust me, I don't plan on getting off ONLY to get gas!!! And hopefully those will be close to the roadside.

I will have to do this drive alone again in the next few months with a small uhaul truck SO...at least I will know what I'm up against that time. Just really nervous about this time.

See, I want to drive the country, just can't handle these darned, beautiful mountains of ours!!

[Katy]

I've done the Albuquerque to Denver trip a few times now (and will again in about two weeks). Really, it's nothing to worry about. I get car sick and the northern California mountains kick my ass every time. But to go from ABQ to Denver, I've never had to worry about it. Keep in mind, once you're in ABQ, you're already up at about 5300 feet (about the same as Denver), and Santa Fe will bring you to 6500+, so really, you're already in the mountains, in the height and you won't notice it all that much.

When we Uhauled from ABQ to LA, I didn't have to take ANY Dramamine and I was completely fine. I think you'll do fine since most of the freeway has been cut through the mountains. No switchbacks (which is usually the scary part).

Really, I wouldn't worry about it. Don't rush it though, if you've not been in high altitude before, you might come down with a bout of altitude sickness (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altitude_sickness) - nothing major, just annoying. And drink water CONSTANTLY - not only will it help with the altitude adjustment, but it will also help with lack of humidity.

[LadyD088]

Katy - Thank you SO much!! I really appreciate your response. Glad you've done the drive. Too bad we couldn't drive together!! HEHEHE Since I leave this weekend.

Oh well...I will make sure we take plenty of water. We will be traveling with a doggy too. Will make sure we are all watered up!! Let's hope none of us have to pee too often.

I will post once I'm back and let you know my thoughts.

FUN - this will be my longest road trip every (so far). I will be taking the Uhaul from SoCal to WV in a few months!! That I am looking forward to.

Deb

[LadyD088]

Just wanted to say I flew home yesterday (after spending 2 days in CO after our drive).

The drive was PERFECT!!! Lovely weather (Sat and Sun) for the drive, couldn't have been ANY better.

The directions were great (so easy until you get to Flagstaff, kind of got turned around a bit) but otherwise, awesome.

However, its SUCH a long drive!!! My tailbone finally started hurting 2 days ago but I totally recommend the drive to anyone who can't drive the Rockies...this is PERFECT!!

Thanks Katy for your help!

Deb

[Katy]

Yay! So glad it went well. We leave first thing on Friday, and will be in NM & CO from 12/6 - 12/10