New Mexico, often known as the “Land of Enchantment”, is an underrated state for journey. The state has a lot to supply, together with attractive pure sights, wealthy Pueblo heritage, a vibrant arts scene, unbelievable meals, and journey.
The highest highlights of the state — White Sands, Santa Fe, and Albuquerque — are a bit far aside, however the journey and the fascinating stops alongside the best way are value making it a highway journey.
This itinerary is about ten hours of driving time complete and the places are divided into stints not more than two hours aside.
I made all of those stops in six days, however I like to recommend that you just benefit from the state at a slower tempo when you can!
Since I used to be restricted on time, I moved by means of the journey shortly and spent a whole lot of time within the automotive driving from place to put. I additionally suggest flying into El Paso and out of Albuquerque to save lots of your self the trouble and time of needing to double again.
You’ll need to take your individual journey preferences into consideration when deciding the place to spend an in a single day. At minimal, I like to recommend an in a single day keep in Almorgado after visiting White Sands Nationwide Park and two nights in Santa Fe.
P.S. Don’t count on site visitors on this highway journey! A lot of the journey occurs on quieter roads. So pack up your highway journey necessities, get comfy, and let’s go on a New Mexico highway journey!
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Necessary Reminder: Because it goes in the entire locations we share, please observe good path etiquette and keep in mind to Go away No Hint. This implies packing out your whole rubbish (together with rest room paper), being respectful to others, and following the established guidelines.
New Mexico Highway Journey Map
Right here is an summary of the route for this New Mexico Highway Journey.
Day-by-Day New Mexico Highway Journey Itinerary
Beneath you’ll discover a 6-day itinerary for a New Mexico highway journey with the right mixture of distinctive cities, out of doors actvities and delightful landscapes. On the finish I share some extra stops when you’d like to increase your journey.
Day 1: El Paso, Texas – Las Cruces – White Sands Nationwide Park
- Distance: 105 miles
- Drive time: 2 hours
This New Mexico highway journey itinerary begins in Texas, really. El Paso Worldwide Airport is the closest airport to southern New Mexico, which implies it’s the closest main airport to White Sands Nationwide Park. Lease a automotive from the airport terminal, and head north to begin your journey!
Earlier than embarking on my journey, I finished briefly to expertise the El Paso Scenic Drive and Overlook. This overlook offered magnificent sights from atop the town. You’ll be able to even see the United States-Mexico border. In case you’re brief on time, you possibly can skip this cease.
Relying on the time of day you arrive, it’s possible you’ll resolve to spend your first night time in El Paso or Las Cruces, about an hour from the airport. Since I arrived within the morning, I left El Paso and continued my journey after Las Cruces.
Tip: Earlier than you depart in your New Mexico highway journey, replenish your fuel tank (and replenish usually!). You’ll usually be driving alongside lengthy stretches of roads with no providers.
Las Cruces
- Journey distance: 1 hour (52 miles) from El Paso
La Cruces can be your first cease on this New Mexico highway journey itinerary, and is a good place to stretch your legs, seize a chunk, and recharge earlier than your second leg of the drive.
In Las Cruces, there’s tons of restaurant choices. Andele’s is a full of life, Mexican cantina that serves Mexican Sizzling Canines. For a vegan-friendly spot, hit up Habaneros Contemporary Mex.
In case you’re seeking to sneak a fast hike in proper off the bat, drive 25 minutes east of La Cruces to the Organ Mountains. Right here you’ll discover a wide range of trails anyplace from two to seven miles lengthy.
I like to recommend the Dripping Springs Path (3 miles) for a style of the realm. This gravel path is rated as average, beginning on the Guests Middle and resulting in a small seasonal waterfall.
In case you do resolve to hike within the Organ Mountains, it could be value discovering a resort in La Cruces for the night time so that you aren’t rushed if you get to White Sands Nationwide Monument. Alternatively, in case you are brief on time, I’d recommend passing by means of Las Cruces shortly so you possibly can spend extra time at White Sands.
White Sands Nationwide Park
- Journey distance: 1 hour (53 miles) from Las Cruces
When you’re executed in La Cruces, proceed onto White Sands Nationwide Monument, which can undoubtedly be a spotlight of your New Mexico highway journey. As of August 2023, entry is $25 per non-public automobile.
Buying an America the Stunning Annual Go($80) will avoid wasting cash when you go to 3 or extra federal websites within the upcoming 12 months. Bandelier Monument, talked about later on this itinerary, can be a part of the cross program.
White Sands is very attractive at dawn and sundown. Cease by the Customer’s Middle for an orientation movie, reveals, and a restroom break. Then, proceed on to see extra of the park. Relying on the time of 12 months, mid-day on this space will be highly regarded, so be sure you have loads of water and solar safety.
I opted to stroll the Interdune Boardwalk, a straightforward .4 mile, 20-minute stroll. This boardwalk is absolutely accessible for wheelchairs and strollers and affords a shaded space about mid-way by means of.
White Sands affords many extra trails for exploration that will let you expertise the sand stretching so far as the attention can see. The Alkali Flat or the White Sands Backcountry Path are good choices for getting off the crushed path.
White Sands is an incredible place to observe the sundown. To benefit from your time, I extremely suggest mountain climbing as much as the highest of a towering dune in time for golden hour. On a transparent day, you possibly can count on vibrant, colourful sunsets that mild up the sky within the prettiest of pastels. Deliver a headlamp and keep for the blue hour after the solar goes down for the complete vary of colours.
The place to Keep Close to White Sands Nationwide Park
As soon as the solar units, proceed into the city of Alamogordo, solely fifteen minutes away. In case you’re at White Sands for sundown, put together to drive in full darkness (apart from the opposite vehicles additionally headed to city).
In Alamogordo, you’ll discover lower-budget lodging from high chains, in addition to bed-and-breakfast-style lodges, motels, and Airbnbs.
I stayed on the Traditional Desert Aire Lodge, a three-star lodging providing essentially the most scrumptious do-it-yourself breakfast that was included within the room price.
Day 2: Roswell – Route 66
- Distance: 253 miles
- Drive time: 4 hours
Roswell
- Journey distance: 2 hours (119 miles) from Alamogordo
Within the morning, proceed your drive towards Roswell, a kitschy city identified for all issues aliens, after a rumored UFO crash in 1947. Your entire city is decked out in all-green alien figures on banners, indicators, and merchandise. Even the McDonald’s is formed like a UFO.
The Worldwide UFO Museum and Analysis Middle is an interesting cease on this New Mexico highway journey itinerary. The museum was based to tell the general public about what has turn out to be often called the “Roswell Incident.” It showcases a set of written content material across the alleged alien sightings, in addition to replicas of aliens. With admission at solely $7, don’t miss it.
Earlier than you depart Roswell, be sure you replenish on fuel for the subsequent stretch of freeway.
Route 66 (Santa Rosa)
- Journey distance: 2 hours (134 miles) from Roswell
After your stint in Roswell, drive north to satisfy the well-known Route 66. The Route 66 Auto Museum and the Blue Gap are the principle sights in Santa Rosa.
The auto museum showcases over 30 classic autos, plus Route 66 memorabilia, like data and Coca-Cola indicators. The museum additionally has a memento store the place you should buy some neat objects for household again residence. It’s value a cease for any traveler, automotive fanatic or not. Admission is $5.
If vehicles aren’t your factor, cease by the Blue Gap, an 80-foot deep crystal-blue pure swimming gap that’s good for a dip. You’ll be able to even SCUBA dive right here for a one-of-a-kind expertise.
Days 3-4: Santa Fe
- Journey distance: 1.5 hours (108 miles) from Santa Rosa
Head north once more and arrive in Santa Fe, the cultural middle of New Mexico. This charming metropolis is called a hotbed for artistic arts, with a mixture of high-end and lower-priced artwork galleries, textile retailers, pottery retailers, and way more situated on each block. For that cause, it’s value spending a few days in Santa Fe. Most guests keep within the Outdated City, the guts of the town.
Santa Fe was based as a Spanish colony in 1610 and nonetheless options genuine Pueblo-style structure. The Palace of the Governors, now the New Mexico Historical past Museum, sits on the coronary heart of the downtown space. This space could be very walkable and homes many lodges, shops, galleries, eateries, and absolutely anything else it’s possible you’ll want.
In case you’re into artwork or desire a distinctive Santa Fe expertise, try the immersive artwork museum, Meow Wolf. The Georgia O’Keefe Museum can be an awesome place to go to for artwork lovers.
Santa Fe additionally has an unbelievable meals scene. Native favorites embrace chili, burritos, and posole, a conventional Mexican consolation stew, often consisting of simmered pork shoulder (try La Choza for a vegan model). In case you go to on a Saturday, the Farmers Market (which takes place 12 months spherical) shouldn’t be missed. It’s an awesome place to select up some peppers to take residence with you.
Santa Fe additionally has nice summer season and shoulder season mountain climbing. The Santa Fe Nationwide Forest affords dozens of trails within the Southern Rockies which can be lower than an hour from Sante Fe. The mountains on this area are surprisingly large, with some peaks reaching 13,000 ft in elevation.
Whereas I didn’t have time to discover these mountains, the Nambe Lake is one which’s on my checklist. It’s a 6.3 mile hike that leaves from the bottom of the Santa Fe Ski Space ending at a beaufitul alpine lake, harking back to one thing you’d see in Colorado.
When you’ve got additional time, Sante Fe is an effective leaping off level to Jemez Sizzling Springs, the place yow will discover plentiful New Mexico scorching springs to soak in. Alternatively, it’s a straightforward day journey as much as hike to Taos or Bandelier Nationwide Monument (which I’ll discuss under).
The place to Keep in Santa Fe
With its vibrant arts scene, Santa Fe attracts two million guests annually. There isn’t any scarcity of luxurious, spa-like locations to remain. Try Eldorado, a centrally-located four-star resort with a stunning rooftop infinity pool. Ebook a balcony room with a hearth to get pleasure from each the sunny days and the chilly evenings.
Day 5: Bandelier Nationwide Monument
- Journey distance: 50 minutes (41 miles) from Santa Fe
For a beautiful day journey outdoors of Santa Fe, drive about 50 minutes northwest to Bandelier Nationwide Monument. This federal recreation land protects 33,000 acres of canyons and mesas and is the ancestral lands of 23 completely different Native American tribes. Guests can see petroglyphs, caves, and carvings on the rock cliffs, and standing masonry partitions from human civilization courting again over 11,000 years.
Most guests will discover the Most important (Pueblo) Loop Path, a 1.4 mile loop path that begins on the Guests Middle and continues by means of excavated archeological websites on the ground of Frijoles Canyon. You’ll be able to discover the path by yourself or as a part of a Ranger Guided stroll, provided most days in the summertime.
The three-mile roundtrip Falls Path, which results in the breathtaking Higher Falls, is one other fashionable path. The location additionally affords 70 miles complete of varied pathways.
Entrance for a personal automobile prices $25, or is roofed by the America the Stunning annual park cross.
Day 6: Albuquerque
- Journey distance: 1 hour (65 miles) from Santa Fe
Your ultimate vacation spot on this highway journey is Albuquerque, New Mexico’s largest metropolis. Albuquerque is most identified for the Worldwide Balloon Fiesta, which happens yearly in October.
Stroll down the Biopark the place you possibly can get pleasure from huge greenspace (word the Biopark isn’t dog-friendly). The Biopark’s Botanical Gardens options 32 acres of reveals, that includes native crops and flora from around the globe.
The biopark additionally has a zoo, residence to over 900 animals. Get a combo ticket to get pleasure from all the park. It’s $22 for non-residents ($16 New Mexico resident). Seniors and youth get discounted pricing.
Very similar to Santa Fe, there’s a wealthy handcrafted arts scene, with many retailers promoting Native American items. The Outdated City space could be very walkable to lodges, eating places, museums, shops, and public parks.
Outdated City Albuquerque dates again to 1706 when the town was a Spanish colony. Guests can discover many historic buildings, like San Felipe de Neri Church, quite a few museums, and impressed lodges.
For reasonable, delicious eats, take a break at Sawmill Market. This contemporary meals corridor affords 25+ eateries, and contains one thing for everybody. Diners can get pleasure from burgers, burritos, pasta, waffles, pizza, sushi, vegan choices and extra. A number of bars (21+) anchor the corridor, making this a preferred after-work spot for locals. Try Cashos for scrumptious empanadas.
The place to Keep in Albuquerque
In case you’re flying out of the Albuquerque Worldwide Airport, keep on the Airport Marriott Courtyard or one other resort in that fast space.
In case you want to return to El Paso in your ultimate day, it’s an extra 250 miles of driving (~4 hours).
When you’ve got extra time…
If 6-days isn’t sufficient and you’ve got additional time to discover, listed below are a few add-ons to this New Mexico itinerary:
- Cease in Taos earlier than going to Sante Fe: a city bordering the Sangre de Cristo Mountains that’s wealthy in indigenous historical past with mountain climbing, snowboarding, and different out of doors actions
- After leaving Sante Fe, spend a day in Jemez Springs soaking a New Mexico’s pure scorching springs
Greatest Time to Go to New Mexico
Summer time is the preferred time to go to New Mexico. Temperatures in Sante Fe usually attain the mid-80s, because of it being 7,000 ft above sea degree. Nevertheless, White Sands Nationwide Monument which is decrease round 4,000 ft is way hotter with the highs within the mid-90s and no shade.
For the very best all-around climate at the entire locations on this New Mexico itinerary, I’d recommend visiting in spring or fall. You’ll have gentle temperatures each in Sante Fe and White Sands, together with fewer crowds. Simply be sure that to pack layers for mountain climbing and be ready for noticeable temperature swings between day and night time.
Hope this submit will get you excited to go to New Mexico! Go away your questions and New Mexico highway journey ideas down within the feedback.
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