ABQ to Monument Valley-too far?
 

We are flying to ABQ in Apr, ultimately ending in Santa Fe with relatives. I thought it would afford us the opportunity to visit Monument Valley. We've been in many parts of the Southwest, but never Monument Valley, which is a dream destination of mine. Is it too far to fly from Boston to ABQ, and drive to MV in one day? Does anyone have another idea on how to make this trip? Has anyone stayed at The View, vs Gouldings, once in MV? I'm thinking 2 nights in MV before heading east to Santa Fe. Open to ideas and thanks.

It will take <i>at least</i> 6 hours to get to Monument Valley from ABQ. Some of it is on interstate, but most of it is on local roads that don't allow for fast travel.

It will take longer to return from MV to Santa Fe, at least an hour+.

It is a long way to go, but only you can decide if it is worth it too you.

There are some amazing ruins that would be closer to your main route.

Chaco Canyon is about 2 hours from ABQ and it is amazing.

http://picasaweb.google.com/DebitNM/ChacoCanyon

Also, Mesa Verde NP is about 2hours past Chaco and is another spectacular place to see ruins, especially the cliff dwellings.

http://picasaweb.google.com/DebitNM/MesaVerdeInWinter

Deb

Monument Valley is special - there is nothing that compares to Monument Valley.

Driving time from ABQ to Kayenta is 5:20. If you land before noon in ABQ, you can make it, stay overnight in Kayenta, visit Monument Valley, stay another night in Kayenta and drive the next day back to Santa Fe (6 hours). You can make a break to see Canyon de Chelly en route.

Or, if you land late in ABQ, drive just to Gallup or Chinle, stay there, and proceed the next morning to Monument Valley. You do not need a full day for Monument Valley.

When you go back from Monument Valley to Santa Fe, stop at Bandelier National Monument and visit the small section of the park that is five miles down the road I think it is called Tsanki. The hike is not too hard maybe a couple of hours tops, but you will find fantastic views and there are places where you will be walking in grooves cut into the rock (hardened volcanic ash) by the feet of people who walked there over the centuries. This is not too far from Santa Fe and is on the road out towards it. Parking is just a pull off and not very well marked. Also, there are a couple of motels in Kayenta and the Navajos were also building a new motel right in the park when we were there last year.

The site is called &quot;tsankawi&quot;. Look for sign to &quot;White Rock Canyon Overlook&quot; (which is a sight in itsself), Tsankawi is enroute to the overlook.