Road Trip SW
 

We are planning to do a road trip starting from Albuquerqe. Below is the tenative schedule. The big question is are we packing in too much? How do we fit in Mesa Verde. Would want to do a guided tour. Should we skip Taos? Confused. Any suggestions would greatly help.

Monday Aug 18 - Albequerque - day and night Santa Fe
Tuesday Aug 19 - Santa Fe, enroute to Taos and night Taos
Wednesday Aug 20 - day, night Taos
Thursday Aug 21 - Taos to Moab - stop in Mesa Verde or Needles - night Moab
Friday Aug 22 - day - night Arches/ Moab
Sat Aug 23 - Moab to Albequerque - stop in Mesa Verde or Needles - possibly Route 191/Arizona/Navajo/Monument Valley area on way back

It's not too much, IMO, but it will be really hot, so be prepared with lots of water, hats, sunscreen, etc.

What do you want to do in each place? You'll be pretty rushed in Mesa Verde, but if you get an early start from Taos, you could probably spend a couple of hours in the park. Keep in mind that it's at least 30 minutes, if I remember correctly, from the park entrance to the places where you can visit the cliff dwellings.

Your last day will be a fairly long drive even without stopping at Monument Valley (which is worth a stop if you think you have time).

Lee Ann

I forgot to mention that it's about a three-hour drive from Mesa Verde to Moab.

Lee Ann

Thanks very much. I have 2 nights in Taos. You think it would be better if I cut it to 1 night and spend more time in Mesa Verde.

I would only spend one night in Taos and possibly stay either inside Mesa Verde or in nearby Cortez so that you could spend more time in Mesa Verde. It's really hard to see much of Mesa Verde in a couple of hours. This would also break up your drive to Moab.

Moab straight back to Albuquerque is about 370 miles. Adding The Needles section of Canyonlands is at least an hour drive in and then another hour back back to Hwy 191 and a total of 440 miles. If you go stop at Newspaper Rock for a couple of minutes. If you skip Needles and do Monument Valley instead it's just about the same mileage at 440. If you were to do both it would be 530 miles and you would have no time at all to see anything.


So much to see and do and so little time!

Utahtea

Thank you. I might just do that.

one other follow-up - is it worth it go from moab to Albuquerque via the Arizona route 181 even if you don't veer west (looks a bit out of the way) to go to monument valley? Is the route itself scenic/cultural/worthwhile - vs. the slightly shorter route CO to NM via 550? Thanks for all your advice. . .

Don't go to Moab. Go to Chaco, go to Acoma, a day in Santa Fe, a day in Taos, take a good 2 days in Mesa Verde. There is so much to do just where you are!!. Go to Canyon deChelly. I would NOT use Albuquerque as an entrance point for sites so far north. We are in Salt Lake City and my husband is from ABQ. It is a loooooooong drive from southern Utah to ABQ, no matter how you slice it!

if nothing else, stop at Blakes for a green chile cheese burger-- a must have!

Do not ignore StantonHyde's advice.

In Albq, visit the 'old town' for a Mexican dinner - highly recommended.

There are massive display of petroglyphs near Albq.
http://www.nps.gov/petr/index.htm

Acoma, west of Albq is one (of two) oldest (Indian) continually inhabited village in U.S. Spanish were incredibly cruel to these Indians. The other competing village is Old Oraibi, Hopi Nation, Az. http://www.puebloofacoma.org/

Chaco was the most sophisticated Indian civilization in North America. Extensive ruins http://www.nps.gov/chcu/index.htm

In the town of Aztec is a huge Indian Anasazi Ruin. Of most importance is their fully restored giant kiva (religious 'church')

Sante Fe is the one the better 'art' towns in US
Do not miss Okeef's museum. And if you drive to Chaco, visit her austere home en route.
http://www.okeeffemuseum.org/

In Taos is a museum of the most famous western frontier guide
http://www.kitcarsonhomeandmuseum.com/

North of town is the only fully restored Pueblo Village
http://www.taospueblo.com/

Toss in Mesa Verde, Canyon de Chelly and Hubble Trading post, you will have a complete vacation without wasting time on driving long distances

Vaga

Vaga

Thank you to you both. great tips.Will definitely try the Green chile burger

You have 6 days and you have at least 6 places you want to 'see'. Santa Fe, Taos, Mesa Verde, Arches, Needles district of Canyonlands and Monument Valley.

That is way too much given the distance you're covering and the amount of time to do justice to these places. Most people spend 3-4 days in Moab, at least a full day/night at Mesa Verde, an overnight at Monument Valley...and right there you have a full itinerary without Taos and Santa Fe.

I would completely agree with the suggestions to skip Moab and spend more time in New Mexico.

I think the people who suggested you skip Moab on this trip are probably right. It's a great place to visit, but you can do a loop with Mesa Verde as your northernmost point and be fine. I would spend one night in Taos and use the extra night at Mesa Verde, as utahtea suggested.

>>In Albq, visit the 'old town' for a Mexican dinner - highly recommended.<<

You can get good Mexican food in Albuquerque, but what you want is *New* Mexican - no tomato-based sauces, just good red or green chile. You can ask for it on the side, and be sure to ask how spicy it is.

Try Mary y Tito's on 4th St. NW in Albuquerque, or The Shed, La Choza, or Tomasita's in Santa Fe for New Mexican. I like Old Town, but I wouldn't go there for a really good New Mexican meal.

While we're on food, Blake's Lotaburger does make a good green chile cheeseburger, but you can get them at a wide variety of restaurants on your route. Here's more information: http://www.newmexico.org/green-chile.../#article84292

Georgia O'Keeffe's home is near Abiquiu, not exactly on your route to Chaco Canyon if you choose to go there.

If you're really set on seeing Monument Valley, you can get there from Mesa Verde pretty easily. From Monument Valley, you can take 191 down to Window Rock and cut over to Gallup, then drive I-40 back to Albuquerque.

I'll have to disagree with StantonHyde about flying in and out of Albuquerque. Given that you want to visit Santa Fe, Taos, and Mesa Verde, it's the logical airport to use.

Lee Ann

Thanks so much. We have to fly in and out of Albuquerque since we have a friend there we need to see. Also we have a 7 year old boy who probably is going to get tired driving long distances so yes we are leaning towards skipping Moab. Oh and thanks for the food recommendations. Love spicy food and can't wait to try the NM food.

Be sure to go the ABQ zoo; you and your son will love it!

I would also forget Moab this trip since you have a 7 year old. Way to much time in a vehicle and not enough time at places.

Chaco is one of my favorite places but it requires driving down a dirt road so check road conditions and weather before heading out.

Another place not mention is Bandelier National Monument. http://www.nps.gov/band/planyourvisit/index.htm

Utahtea

Bandelier is a great place to visit, but given your limited time and that you want to go to Mesa Verde, I would skip it for this trip.

Lee Ann

Wow lot of choices to make. Do you recommend Bandelier over Mesa Verde or we could even skip both Bandelier and Mesa Verde for Moab.

Mesa Verde over Bandelier for sure. And personally, over Moab too, but it's close call. MV has so much spiritual history; it is a very moving place. Moab has beautiful rock formations. Your call.

Wow don't know how to thank everyone enough. I think we will skip Moab and do the circuit from Santa Fe to Taos to Mesa Verde.

The only reservation is that my wife is keen on the "red rock" she's seen in the parks near Moab - and my son loves to scamper over rock. For that of what you've mentioned, given this route, Canyon de Chelly looks promising. Or is there any other park with rock formations in this route? Chaco looks less interesting b/c we'll see ruins at Mesa Verde.

Thank you again! And for all these food recommendations too! We're staying in ABQ for a few days at the beginning and end of this six day road trip so we'll get to sites there you have suggested!

Canyon de Chelly requires a guide and has you going off the path of SF, Taos and ABQ.

Take a ride up to Jemez, the red rocks there might suffice:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...ew_Mexico.html

Jemez would work, or, if you're into Georgia O'Keeffe, you could see red rocks around Abiquiu.

Do you need more ideas on what to do in Albuquerque?

Lee Ann

Thanks. My wife is finding hard to drop Moab and therefore the quest to find something similar ..red rocks etc.

Canyon de Chelly has scenic red rock and so does Monument Valley. Acoma has a little. Have you considered skipping Santa Fe and Taos and just going to Mesa Verde & Moab?

Utahtea

If you are looking for beautiful red rock scenic drives for the wife and the wow factor to entertain a 7 year old, I would opt to add this route on after Mesa Verde.

(I'm assuming you have given up Arches and Needles)

Head down 160 with a stop by Four Corners, then turn up 191 until you get to scenic 163. Drive to Valley of the Gods Rd. You do not need a 4wd, although a car with clearance is a plus. (I did fine in a sedan.) Better views of red rocks than you'll see in any movie. As you finish up the road you come onto 261. Go north and drive the Moki Dugway. What an adventure. It's only a few miles and then turn around and repeat to come back down 261. It will take you back to scenic 163 where you can head towards Monument Valley. If timed properly, you will enjoy sunset approaching here. Enjoy and spend the night nearby. The drive back to Albuquerque will be about 6 hrs.

I agree wholeheartedly with rjasnumberonefan. Valley of the Gods is gorgeous. It is north of Monument Valley near Mexican Hat, Utah. Here are some pics:

http://www.pbase.com/peterb/image/21362539
http://www.pbase.com/peterb/image/21362536

Then you can head down past Monument Valley - maybe spend the night at The View. Valley of Gods and MV will provide your wife with some incredible red rock scenery.

You will have to come back again to do a southern Utah trip.

Hi Sharon and Peter!

have learned a lot from this forum. a couple takeaways: we need more time so we're adding a day, second - to get the big rock outside the Santa Fe Taos Mesa Verde Loop it seems we need to choose between going north to moab and back or going west to valley of the gods/chilly/monument valley. Plotting it out, it started to seem that the route to the west would take almost as much time so I think we will head north after all, adding a day. Admittedly it's a bit much to fit in but the revised plan is:

Mon day/night Santa Fe - driving time 1 hour

Tues Santa Fe to Taos; night Taos - driving time 1.5 hour

Wed day and night Taos

Thur drive to Mesa Verde/ night inside the park - driving time 5 hours

Fri - AM Mesa Verde, drive to Moab, maybe a stop at Island in the Sky but skip Needles - night Moab - driving time 3 hours

sat - day Moab/Arches - night Moab

sun - drive to ABQ/SF - driving time 6 hours

Hoping there might be just a bit of time to improvise. The area in north central NM including Georgia O'Keefe country, Four Corners seems to have many stops as has been mentioned. We may have to skip going into AZ, Monument Valley for the next SW circuit trip that includes the Grand Canyon. I think we may get Acoma in as a side trip from ABQ with the friends we're staying with as well as some other stuff you mentioned in the ABQ/Santa Fe environs.

Thanks all and sorry I earlier said we would drop Moab per your suggestions - it's come back in but only now that we've added a day.

Drive time from Taos into Mesa Verde is going to be more than 5 hours, closer to 6.

Personally, I would skip Taos and add time to MV. No comparison between the 2.

MV= Mesa Verde, (not Monument Valley)

If you have an extra 1/2 hour on your drive back to Albuquerque I would swing by Four Corners. It only takes a few minutes to visit and, frankly, it's not really on the way to anywhere. When you revisit AZ for your next vacation, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Scenic 163, Deadhorse, Natural Bridge, Needles, etc. it is NOT on the way to any of those. A quick stop that a kid will like and give you a much needed break from the long drive that day. Not much else to see on the drive.

One night in Taos is more than enough, head to Mesa Verde and add a night there or in Moab. Both MV and Moab have enough to see to make the extra night worth it.

Other than Taos Pueblo, I did not find Taos particularly interesting. I agree with posters above - one day in Taos is enough. Add the day to Moab - there is so much to see and do there, and you're taking the time to drive up there so make it worthwhile.

Hi Dayle! Hope all is well. We're headed back to Utah in Sept - bringing some friends along who've never been there.

sharondi, we did that last year and everyone had a great time. It's so much fun to show someone a place that is so awesome.

Sorry to hijack the thread.

Thanks all! We will do one night in Taos - couldn't resist skipping the Santa Fe Taos loop though we considered it - this is the cultural/art part of the trip - a few plazas and also art galleries and such and planning potential stops off the high road to Taos, among choices of Chimayo, ruches, Penasco. In Taos was planning to see Aroya Seco, the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge and most likely (but not necessarily) Taos Pueblo but one night enough - only b/c of the sites ahead in Mesa Verde (one night/one day) and Moab/Arches/Canyonlands (3 nights).

Counting on excursions outside ABQ maybe even back to Santa Fe area on the first weekend and last few days with friends based in ABQ on either side of the road trip too.

All suggestions so appreciated - and thanks for the restaurants, if you have any on art galleries/towns (where you can actually afford to buy something) that is great, but thankful for all we've gotten already.

Isn't that funny...I thought that Taos Pueblo was the best thing about Taos. http://www.pbase.com/peterb/image/50457184

Part of your new itinerary says: Fri - AM Mesa Verde, drive to Moab, maybe a stop at Island in the Sky but skip Needles - night Moab - driving time 3 hours.

Far View Lodge in Mesa Verde to Moab is 140 miles. The first part in the park will be slow driving. Figure 2 1/2 hours driving.

Moab to the Grand View and Green River overlooks in Island In the Sky district is going to add another 50 miles and it's going to take well over an hour to get there from Moab. Then you have to drive back to Moab.

August is going to be hot in the Moab area. On the day you arrive in Moab you might want to take a drive into Arches instead and stop at some of the overlooks and view points. Arches is just 4 miles from Moab and would make for a more relaxing day for the 7 year old. There are dinosaur tracks in the area and you might want to go locate them. Then on your full day, go into Arches early in the morning to do any hikes you plan. During the hottest part of the day drive into Canyonlands and check out Green River Overlook and Grand View Point. That evening you can go back into Arches for a evening hike.

The park pass you purchase is good for 7 days so you won't have to pay going into Arches on two different days.

Utahtea

Some important advice. In august you will encounter various bugs.

The worst are No-See-Ums (slang for No See Them) that suck your blood leaving large (0.5 cm) bumps on your head that itch for weeks, especially around your head/ear area.

We wear a baseball cap with a fine mesh - finer mesh than required for mosquitoes - Wear this netting over your head and shoulders.

Wear light weight clothing that should be purchased elsewhere—cheaper.
Presumably, since we have not used it, Cutter Advance Picaridin Insect Repellent is effective against gnats. A helpful site:

http://bugspray.com/article/sandflies.html

Arches hikes:
Mandatory - sunset time is Delicate Arch. slope about 3 degrees 4.8 km round trip.
Next mandatory is Devils Garden. No significant slope 5.8 km loop. Arrive here at sunrise ++ as parking fills very early. At the end of loop is Double O arch. Walk trough the hole to the other side and take a picture. About 13.00 hours is the best photograph time. After you complete your hike, have lunch and save Delicate arch for sunset.

Lunch - Eddie McStiff microbrewery and one of their pizzas. the other microbrewery has a broader menu and beers, but Eddie has the pizza! It is next to the visitor center.

Island In the Sky. The classic photograph is that of Mesa Arch AT sunrise. Google - mesa arch sunrise - to see how it looks. From parking lot it is about 400 meter walk.

Vaga

Thanks all. So much to do. Will definitely take suggestions on spending a night and quality time as needed and those hikes in Moab as well as tasty restaurants along the way. Since nothing is scheduled for the return home, some of these other highlights mentioned might somehow appear if we really feel like driving just to get a peak at least of all that the region has to offer!