Las Cruces, New Mexico to Sanderson, Texas
WEATHER AND TRAFFIC
SIGHTS AND SITES ALONG THE WAY
Select a Travel Leg to review my plans for that day. Leg 01: Ramona, CA to Kingman, AZ Leg 02: Kingman, AZ to Phoenix, AZ Leg 03: Phoenix, AZ to Tucson, AZ Leg 04: Tucson, AZ to Las Cruces, NM Leg 05: Las Cruces, NM to Sanderson, TX Leg 06: Sanderson, TX to Austin, TX Leg 07: Austin, TX to Houston, TX Leg 08: Houston, TX to Galveston, TX Leg 09: Galveston, TX to New Orleans, LA Leg 10: New Orleans, LA to Pensacola, FL Leg 11: Pensacola, FL to Tampa, FL Leg 12: Tampa, FL to Miami Beach, FL Leg 13: Miami Beach, FL to Key West, FL Leg 14: Key West, FL to Cocoa Beach, FL Leg 15: Cocoa Beach, FL to Orlando, FL Leg 16: Orlando, FL to Jacksonville Beach, FL Leg 17: Jacksonville Beach, FL to Savannah, GA Leg 18: Savannah, GA to Atlanta, GA Leg 19: Atlanta, GA to Knoxville, TN Leg 20: Knoxville, TN to Lexington, VA Leg 21: Lexington, VA to Washington, DC Leg 22: Washington, DC to Baltimore, MD Leg 23: Baltimore, MD to White Plains, NY Leg 24: White Plains, NY to Boston, MA Leg 25: Boston, MA to Bath, ME Leg 26: Bath, ME to Quebec, QU Leg 27: Quebec, QU to Montreal, QU Leg 28: Montreal, QU to Toronto, ON Leg 29: Toronto, ON to Cleveland, OH Leg 30: Cleveland, OH to Fort Wayne, ON Leg 31: Fort Wayne, IN to Chicago, IL Leg 32: Chicago, IL to Springfield, IL Leg 33: Springfield, IL to Saint Louis, MO Leg 34: Saint Louis, MO to Joplin, MO Leg 35: Joplin, MO to Oklahoma City, OK Leg 36: Oklahoma City, OK to Dodge City, KS Leg 37: Dodge City, KS to North Platte, NE Leg 38: North Platte, NE to Pierre, SD Leg 39: Pierre, SD to Underwood, ND Leg 40: Underwood, ND to Beach ND Leg 41: Beach, ND to Lewiston, MT Leg 42: Lewiston, MT to Great Falls, MT Leg 43: Great Falls, MT to Missoula, MT Leg 44: Missoula, MT to Kalispell, MT Leg 45: Kalispell, MT to St. Regis, MT Leg 46: St. Regis, MT to Spokane, WA Leg 47: Spokane, WA to Pateros, WA Leg 48: Pateros, WA to Seattle, WA Leg 49: Seattle, WA to Portland, OR Leg 50: Portland, OR to Grants Pass, OR Leg 51: Grants Pass, OR to Eureka, CA Leg 52: Eureka, CA to San Francisco, CA Leg 53: San Francisco, CA to Sparks, NV Leg 54: Sparks, NV to Fresno, CA Leg 55: Fresno, CA to Ramona, CA
RETURN TO TOP OF PAGE DRIVING INSTRUCTIONS
Expected Date of Travel: Sunday April 15, 2001 Departing from: Las Cruces, New Mexico Arriving at: Sanderson, Texas Expected Mileage: 349.8 miles or 563.3 kilometers traveled in 7 hours 14 minutes. Planned route of travel is 47% on Interstate Highway, 53% on non-Interstate highways, 1% on state highways or minor roads and 0% on city streets. (Travel time does not include gas stops, food stops or any sightseeing). Average Rate of Travel: 48.4 miles per hour or 77.9 kilometers per hour
Departing from: Las Cruces, New Mexico
Arriving at: Sanderson, Texas
Expected Mileage: 349.8 miles or 563.3 kilometers traveled in 7 hours 14 minutes. Planned route of travel is 47% on Interstate Highway, 53% on non-Interstate highways, 1% on state highways or minor roads and 0% on city streets. (Travel time does not include gas stops, food stops or any sightseeing).
Average Rate of Travel: 48.4 miles per hour or 77.9 kilometers per hour
Route Overview:
Depart Las Cruces heading eastbound on Interstate 10 for 163 miles. Between Crusher and White Horse, Texas turn east on US Route 90. Just before reaching Marfa, merge onto US Route 76. Depart Marfa continuing on US Route 76 for 35 miles until the intersection with US Route 90. Along the way, cross Paisano Pass altitude 5027. Continue 76 miles into Sanderson, Texas.
Between Crusher and White Horse, Texas turn east on US Route 90.
Just before reaching Marfa, merge onto US Route 76.
Depart Marfa continuing on US Route 76 for 35 miles until the intersection with US Route 90. Along the way, cross Paisano Pass altitude 5027.
Continue 76 miles into Sanderson, Texas.
Comments
At this point, I can say that we are covering all new territory. Everyone talks about the boredom of West Texas so I hope that I have chosen well in my route. A portion of the second half of the trip is along highway marked as scenic, so hopefully it will be good. Looks like the first three hours or so will be on the interstate. There are some alternatives, particularly from Las Cruces to El Paso. But I do have a fair amount of ground to cover and the interesting territory seems to be in the second half of the ride. Probably better to get up in the morning, burn up the mileage and get to the fun part(s) earlier rather than later. I've always been a bit of a train buff. After studying the maps and doing some web surfing, looks like US Route 76 and 90 run immediately parallel to the southern transcontinental railroad link. So I should get a chance to view some nice rolling stock (pant pant) and maybe even the Amtrak's Sunset Limited. I have taken a couple of long-range trips on Amtrak and it is a great way to travel. Its not fast but it sure is a great way to see a beautiful country and meet people.
Looks like the first three hours or so will be on the interstate. There are some alternatives, particularly from Las Cruces to El Paso. But I do have a fair amount of ground to cover and the interesting territory seems to be in the second half of the ride. Probably better to get up in the morning, burn up the mileage and get to the fun part(s) earlier rather than later.
I've always been a bit of a train buff. After studying the maps and doing some web surfing, looks like US Route 76 and 90 run immediately parallel to the southern transcontinental railroad link. So I should get a chance to view some nice rolling stock (pant pant) and maybe even the Amtrak's Sunset Limited. I have taken a couple of long-range trips on Amtrak and it is a great way to travel. Its not fast but it sure is a great way to see a beautiful country and meet people.
RETURN TO TOP OF PAGE WEATHER AND TRAFFIC
New Mexico State Highway and Transportation Department
Texas Department of Transportation Road Conditions
Historical Weather Data Record Low Average Low Mean Average High Record High Precip Las Cruces, NM () 28F 42F 60F 76F 89F Low Marfa, TX () 26F 41F 61F 79F 89F Low Sanderson, TX () Source: www.weather.com look for the Records and Averages area of the site.
Las Cruces, NM ()
Marfa, TX ()
Sanderson, TX ()
RETURN TO TOP OF PAGE SIGHTS AND SITES ALONG THE WAY
On US Route 90, we pass through Valentine, Texas. The University of Texas provides some information on the history of this tiny town.
I know of Marfa for two reasons, but before we get to them, lets see what University of Texas says about Marfa.
One of my favorite movies is the Robert Altman version of the stageplay Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy, Jimmy Dean. In this movie Sandy Dennis' neurotic (can she play any other character type?) travels to Marfa on a pilgramage to the set of Riata Ranch in the movie Giant.
The second way that I know of Marfa is because of the Marfa Lights. Automobile Headlights or Aliens?
Beyond Marfa closer to Marathon is Big Bend National Park. This is the official National Park Services website.
The day's ride should end in Sanderson, Texas. Ouch! My web surfing says this is a seriously SMALL town!
RETURN TO TOP OF PAGE (c) 2001 Thomas N. Engler Revision Date: 03/08/2001