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The difference between the two routes, in both mileage and time, is so minimal that it really shouldn't be the decision maker for this RoadTrip. This is a four day drive either way and the 3 mile/1 hour difference could easily be eaten up in traffic or construction delays. For what it's worth the route through Albuquerque is minimally shorter, but again this is a trip that needs to be thought of in terms of days and both routes are basically four days long.

AZBuck