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New Mexico Thanksgiving Travel: Why I-40 Road Salt Has Limits
Albuquerque, NM – New Mexico drivers preparing for Thanksgiving travel on Interstate 40 should know that even a freshly treated highway can remain dangerously icy. Across the state's high elevation co
By Jordan Mercer · 2026-11-11T19:33:05.391Z
Albuquerque, NM – New Mexico drivers preparing for Thanksgiving travel on Interstate 40 should know that even a freshly treated highway can remain dangerously icy. Across the state's high elevation corridors, freezing pavement, strong winds and rapidly changing winter weather can create hazardous conditions after maintenance crews have cleared or treated the road.
According to winter maintenance guidance from transportation agencies, conventional road salt becomes less effective as pavement temperatures approach 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Its ice melting ability declines further in the teens and single digits, although performance depends on the material used, moisture and pavement conditions.
Why Treated New Mexico Highways Can Still Freeze Road salt lowers water's freezing point, helping melt snow and ice. Other winter treatments can reduce ice buildup, but none guarantees safe traction.
Around 20 degrees, conventional salt works more slowly than it does near freezing. Below approximately 15 degrees, salt alone may struggle to improve icy conditions quickly.
That matters along I 40 through Gallup in McKinley County, Albuquerque in Bernalillo County, Santa Rosa in Guadalupe County and Tucumcari in Quay County.
Higher elevation sections near the Continental Divide can experience colder conditions than lower lying areas.
I 25 through Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Socorro and Las Cruces can also become hazardous during winter weather.
Thanksgiving Travel Could Increase the Danger Thanksgiving falls Thursday, Nov. 26, bringing holiday travelers onto New Mexico's major interstate corridors.
If snow, freezing rain or sharply falling temperatures develop during the holiday travel period, treated highways could remain slippery.
Strong winds can also blow snow across exposed stretches of I 40, reducing visibility and covering previously cleared lanes.
Bridges, overpasses and shaded mountain roads deserve particular attention because ice may persist after surrounding pavement begins to dry.
The New Mexico Department of Transportation uses plowing and winter road treatments, but no method guarantees ice free pavement under every condition.
Before departing, motorists should check National Weather Service forecasts and NMRoads.com for updated highway conditions, closures, traffic cameras and travel alerts.
The bottom line: Treated does not mean safe. Reduce speed, increase following distances and prepare for changing road conditions, especially on high elevation stretches and during overnight travel.