Thanks for your thoughts, guys.
I did Ruta 1 in the end. A welcome break from the 5 and glad I did it.
For anyone else considering this option in future, a couple of observations:
1. You don't have to go through Antofagasta now - there is a link road joining the 1 and 5 which leaves the 1 about 40km north of Antofagasta.
2. From my experience of driving the Atacama twice now - once las week and other time in the summer - the weather is much cooler on the coast, so Ruta 1 would be a good option when it is hot.
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