Greetings,

We are heading from Albuquerque to Las Vegas, NM. Could anyone give me information on I-25 Glorietta Pass (% grade, length)? My Streets and Trips indicates a pass but Mountain Directory doesn’t mention anything about it.

If I don’t go via I-25, is US 84 near Edgewood, NM an option?

Thank you

Connie

  On 5/4/2019 at 5:15 AM, carstrom said:

If I don’t go via I-25, is US 84 near Edgewood, NM an option?

It is slightly farther that way. The Glorietta Pass elevation is 7500'. Interstate highways are seldom much more than 3 - 4%.

Glorieta Pass is fairly minor, its a gradual climb then gradual descent. Its significant for historical reasons, but nothing significant to drive through.  Hwy 40 & 84 are certainly a viable alternate to Las Vegas, but not worth the extra 30 mins drive unless you just want to avoid I-25. It could also depend on which side of Albq you're starting from.   The US 84 to Las Vegas NM is closer to Santa Rosa than Edgewood.

We have driven from Albuquerque to Santa Fe and Las Vegas a number of times. I don't remember anything particularly taxing about I-25. Las Vegas and Santa Fe  are at higher elevation than Albuquerque and there are ups and downs along the way. We prefer the more scenic routes like NM-14 (the Turquoise Highway), US-285 and US-84.

Not sure what the low end for inclusion in the Mountain Directory is but there are lots of mentions of 5% grades. 

Edited May 4 by trailertraveler

Interstates can go up to 6% grades and there are a few 7% grades.  This one is a baby & that's why it's not in the 'Mountain Directory'.  Here you can read about it and look at the pictures of your drive.  It's an easy one!

https://www.aaroads.com/guides/i-025-north-santa-fe-nm/

Thank you all for your replies, links and for insight onto how the Mountain Directory book works. Looks like we'll go the I-25 route.