wendy236

QUES about driving Rte 550 from Albuquerque to Bloomfield in the evening/night?

We're planning to travel from Albuquerque to Bloomfield, NM and use Bloomfield as a base to explore Chaco Culture HS for a few days in mid-April. We would like to spend the day Tuesday exploring Albuquerque museums, then drive to Bloomfield for the night. What is Route 550 like? Can we drive it at night in mid-April? My thinking is museums close at 5, grab a bite to eat and head out of Albuquerque by 6, arriving in Bloomfield approximately 9 - 10PM.

Why? The original plan was to spend the AM in Albuquerque and drive to Bloomfield in the afternoon, but the museums in Albuquerque are closed on Mondays. It would be nice to have a full "museum day" in Albuquerque.

This is part of a longer 4 week trip. This part: FRI arrive Taos. SAT explore Taos, then drive to Santa Fe. SUN Santa Fe. MON Santa Fe AM, Albuquerque PM. TUES Albuquerque Museums then drive to Bloomfield. WED-FRI Chaco. SAT Aztec Ruins NM and on to Mesa Verde.

Is the evening drive from Albuquerque to Bloomfield reasonable? Are these "good" roads? Any comments on the plan?

Thanks!

ElendilPickle

550 is a modern road, two lanes in each direction. You'll be fine.

Your itinerary looks good. What museums do you plan to see in Albuquerque?

Lee Ann

wendy236

Thanks for the info on 550! I'ld rather skip driving sketchy twistings roads after dark.

We were planning to see the Museum of Art and History and the National Hispanic Culture Center. It may have to be one or the other depending on time. Any suggestions?

Monday afternoon we will plan to explore Petroglyph NM.

ElendilPickle

I haven't been to the Hispanic Cultural Center yet. Hopefully DebitNM will comment on it.

From Petroglyph NM, you can take Unser north all the way to Hwy. 550.

Lee Ann

DebitNM

The road, as noted, is ok to drive at night. There aren't a lot of services on the road past Cuba, so make sure you have gas.

Hispanic Cultural Center as well as the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center [open on Mondays] are both worth a visit.

DebitNM

FYI - Aztec Ruins will only take an less than an hour. If you are going to Mesa Verde, Aztec really doesn't offer that much and can be passed on, IMHO.

If you have to choose a museum, I would go with the National Hispanic and pass on the Art Museum; it's really nice, but I prefer learning more about the culture of an area.