We leave early, taking US 70 all the way to Las Cruces. After a brief stop at the White Sands National Monument for pics, we continue. In Las Cruces we catch NM 185 to get off the interstate. The road moseys along the Rio Grande. It's pleasant enough but well populated and not a place to make too much time.
Pecan farms line the road in places.
As the road goes north, it becomes a bit more twisty and less populated. The Border Patrol check station waves us through without making us stop. The wide open high desert terrain means straight roads and good time. NM 27 heads north to Hillsboro. The first third is a more of the same then the road runs into the hills and develops some curves.