Misc US 54 - Wichita to Tucumcari

**OnTheWarpath15** · 04-25-2021, 07:36 PM

Anyone traveled this section of US 54?

Driving from PHX to STL later this week and looking to mix up the route. Tired of the I-40/I-44 route.

What's the speed limit? A lot of stop and go in small towns?

Spott · 04-25-2021, 07:40 PM

I did that drive once like that many years ago and it seemed like it took forever to get through Kansas with all the stoplights.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 04-25-2021, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spott

I did that drive once like that many years ago and it seemed like it took forever to get through Kansas with all the stoplights.

Dammit, that's what I was afraid of.

If anyone has done this recently, I'd appreciate some input. I'm hoping they've modernized things a bit.

If it's one lane each direction and constantly stopping in little towns, I'm out.

Spott · 04-25-2021, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath15

Dammit, that's what I was afraid of.

If anyone has done this recently, I'd appreciate some input. I'm hoping they've modernized things a bit.

If it's one lane each direction and constantly stopping in little towns, I'm out.

It was 95 when I did that drive, so I have no idea if it’s still that way. But it was definitely a lot of one lane roads and driving through small towns back then.

**DaneMcCloud** · 04-25-2021, 07:50 PM

Don't take the 54.

I've done the drive from KC to Los Angeles dozens and dozens of times and it's way easier and more relaxing to take I-35 South to the 40 West.

The 54 is a two lane road, which is awful after dark, and you're slowing down and speeding up constantly due to all of the small towns. And if you get stuck behind a tractor, forget it. You've just added an hour to your trip.

I drove back to KC for the 2019 holidays and I-40 to I-35 was a breeze. The speed limit was mostly 75 MPH which for me, was plenty fast enough. I set my cruise at 75 and just enjoyed the drive.

Travel safe and have fun!

**Bearcat** · 04-25-2021, 07:55 PM

I like going that way. IIRC, the one slowdown is the small section of Oklahoma that's only 65, but the rest of it is 70+.

There's Liberal and some other small towns where it slows down, but it wasn't bad, IMO. I think hitting some of those small towns is mentally more pleasing than that stretch from Tucumcari to Amarillo to Oklahoma City, where there's just nothing forever. It actually seems like you're making progress, even if there's a few minutes of slowing down through town.

I was pleasantly surprised by some large sections of it with 2 lanes both ways, too, and it's a pretty quiet drive anyway.

I've also heard I-25 from Albuquerque is a nice drive, but haven't tried it myself.

Why Not? · 04-25-2021, 08:04 PM

Can’t remember exactly the route I took last summer when I drove 2x from AZ to KC for our move but I know I stayed in Tucumcari the first time. Man, pass on that place. It was really kinda sad. Looked like a happening spot on Route 66 decades ago that was on it’s last legs.

scho63 · 04-25-2021, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath15

Anyone traveled this section of US 54?

Driving from PHX to STL later this week and looking to mix up the route. Tired of the I-40/I-44 route.

What's the speed limit? A lot of stop and go in small towns?

Did you promise to stop at Ground Control?

**Rain Man** · 04-25-2021, 08:22 PM

All I know is that in that part of NM and TX you're required to raise your index finger off the wheel as a greeting to every driver coming the other way. Just the one finger, or otherwise you're a n00b.

KS Smitty · 04-25-2021, 08:53 PM

We took it 3 years ago from US 77 to Tucumcari. It's a nice drive but it's no interstate, there are some passing lanes that work well if the dumbass in front of you will speed up and pass instead of cruising beside the slower car. (We stopped in Greensburg and toured the Big Well and stopped in Meade and checked out the Dalton Hideout.) I did get pulled over by an OK state trooper who I drove up behind in a rapid fashion. He told me the speed limit was 55 in OK and it was only 34 miles. From Texas to Tucumcari is awful if you get behind some semis due to the hills and inability to pass due to sight limitations. Still a food route if you're not in a hurry.

eDave · 04-25-2021, 09:01 PM

I have take this route countless times to KC. I only use it when stopping in Dodge City.

Jewish Rabbi · 04-25-2021, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spott

I did that drive once like that many years ago and it seemed like it took forever to get through Kansas with all the stoplights.

Yeah but to be fair it feels like forever to get thru Kansas on the interstate too.

Frazod · 04-25-2021, 09:12 PM

I understand the allure of it. After years of driving between Missouri and Illinois I finally decided to give US Highway 34 a shot. On the map it looks like the most direct route and my home is only a couple of miles from it. Well, that was a ****ing mistake. Seemed like there were a hundred little bumble**** towns along the way with stop signs, stop lights, low speed limits and slow traffic on a mostly two lane road. Added at least a very annoying hour to the trip. Thought perhaps there'd be some interesting scenery. There wasn't. One part of central Illinois is pretty much as bland and unremarkable as any other part of central Illinois. And Illinois is the Garden of Eden compared to most of Kansas.

My advice - take the interstate.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 04-25-2021, 09:59 PM

**OnTheWarpath15** · 04-25-2021, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Why Not?

Can’t remember exactly the route I took last summer when I drove 2x from AZ to KC for our move but I know I stayed in Tucumcari the first time. Man, pass on that place. It was really kinda sad. Looked like a happening spot on Route 66 decades ago that was on it’s last legs.

That's pretty much every NM town on I-40 besides ABQ, in my experience.

Grants, Santa Rosa, Tucumcari - all 1-2 hotels and a truck stop.

04-25-2021, 07:36 PM
OnTheWarpath15 MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $4921115	US 54 - Wichita to Tucumcari Anyone traveled this section of US 54? Driving from PHX to STL later this week and looking to mix up the route. Tired of the I-40/I-44 route. What's the speed limit? A lot of stop and go in small towns?
Posts: 60,258

04-25-2021, 07:40 PM	#2
Spott Court Jester Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Orlando Casino cash: $3092400	I did that drive once like that many years ago and it seemed like it took forever to get through Kansas with all the stoplights.
Posts: 19,706	1 0

04-25-2021, 07:50 PM	#5
DaneMcCloud Supporter Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Hollywood, CA Casino cash: $10053648	Don't take the 54. I've done the drive from KC to Los Angeles dozens and dozens of times and it's way easier and more relaxing to take I-35 South to the 40 West. The 54 is a two lane road, which is awful after dark, and you're slowing down and speeding up constantly due to all of the small towns. And if you get stuck behind a tractor, forget it. You've just added an hour to your trip. I drove back to KC for the 2019 holidays and I-40 to I-35 was a breeze. The speed limit was mostly 75 MPH which for me, was plenty fast enough. I set my cruise at 75 and just enjoyed the drive. Travel safe and have fun!
Posts: 88,960

04-25-2021, 07:55 PM	#6
Bearcat Would an idiot do that? Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Arizona Casino cash: $2824931	I like going that way. IIRC, the one slowdown is the small section of Oklahoma that's only 65, but the rest of it is 70+. There's Liberal and some other small towns where it slows down, but it wasn't bad, IMO. I think hitting some of those small towns is mentally more pleasing than that stretch from Tucumcari to Amarillo to Oklahoma City, where there's just nothing forever. It actually seems like you're making progress, even if there's a few minutes of slowing down through town. I was pleasantly surprised by some large sections of it with 2 lanes both ways, too, and it's a pretty quiet drive anyway. I've also heard I-25 from Albuquerque is a nice drive, but haven't tried it myself.
Posts: 55,306

04-25-2021, 08:04 PM	#7
Why Not? In Search of a Life Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Kansas Casino cash: $3168994	Can’t remember exactly the route I took last summer when I drove 2x from AZ to KC for our move but I know I stayed in Tucumcari the first time. Man, pass on that place. It was really kinda sad. Looked like a happening spot on Route 66 decades ago that was on it’s last legs.
Posts: 21,697

04-25-2021, 08:22 PM	#9
Rain Man NFL's #1 Ermines Fan Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $3328491 VARSITY	All I know is that in that part of NM and TX you're required to raise your index finger off the wheel as a greeting to every driver coming the other way. Just the one finger, or otherwise you're a n00b. __________________ I'm putting random letters here as a celebration of free speech: xigrakgrah misorojeq rkemeseit.
Posts: 141,405	1 0

04-25-2021, 08:53 PM	#10
KS Smitty Cool as a Cucumber Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: on the edge Casino cash: $3666717	We took it 3 years ago from US 77 to Tucumcari. It's a nice drive but it's no interstate, there are some passing lanes that work well if the dumbass in front of you will speed up and pass instead of cruising beside the slower car. (We stopped in Greensburg and toured the Big Well and stopped in Meade and checked out the Dalton Hideout.) I did get pulled over by an OK state trooper who I drove up behind in a rapid fashion. He told me the speed limit was 55 in OK and it was only 34 miles. From Texas to Tucumcari is awful if you get behind some semis due to the hills and inability to pass due to sight limitations. Still a food route if you're not in a hurry. __________________ A D with Sneed is a D indeed.
Posts: 3,822

04-25-2021, 09:01 PM	#11
eDave Banned Join Date: Jan 2013 Casino cash: $9998560	I have take this route countless times to KC. I only use it when stopping in Dodge City.
Posts: 53,803

04-25-2021, 09:12 PM	#13
Frazod WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $3135085	I understand the allure of it. After years of driving between Missouri and Illinois I finally decided to give US Highway 34 a shot. On the map it looks like the most direct route and my home is only a couple of miles from it. Well, that was a **ing mistake. Seemed like there were a hundred little bumble** towns along the way with stop signs, stop lights, low speed limits and slow traffic on a mostly two lane road. Added at least a very annoying hour to the trip. Thought perhaps there'd be some interesting scenery. There wasn't. One part of central Illinois is pretty much as bland and unremarkable as any other part of central Illinois. And Illinois is the Garden of Eden compared to most of Kansas. My advice - take the interstate.
Posts: 119,484

04-25-2021, 09:59 PM	#14
OnTheWarpath15 MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $4921115
Posts: 60,258