leaving chaco in the afternoon, destination Santa Fe; how long a drive, and any suggestions on where to stop (3 motels in Cuba, but all look downright scary)if drive is too long? Chaco to Los Alamos via 126 (or not a good idea?)? Help?!

You can make it to Santa Fe from Chaco in under 3 hours.

Most straight forward route:
Take 550 east all the way to I 25 and then head north to Santa Fe.

I would not stay in Cuba.

Deb

Ditto what Debi said. Definitely do not stay in Cuba.

There is no need to stop from Chaco Canyon to Santa Fe unless you need a soda or pit stop.

Depending on how early you leave....you can take route 4 through Jemez Springs, its a really scenic drive. However, if you're going for speed, I would agree with the other posters and take 550 to the highway.

All very helpful, thanks! Another query: if we had time to view the site(s) from about 10 a.m., without much hiking, what's the reasonable leaving time to make the drive in daylight?

What time of year??

Mid-September; and I think I was more wondering if I could see enough of the site (vs. counting back from the sunset)! Can I do justice (in a creaky older non-camper-anymore)to the place and still make it back to town (awake and in one piece)? Is hwy 126 to Los Alamos a better idea?

We were there recently on a drive home from ABQ.

We got there around 10 am and and saw the main site. We went into the visitor's center. We didn't read every sign etc in there as we are familiar with the area.

We were there about 2 hours and while there are lots of hikes etc that you can do, you can see plenty in that 2 -3 hours.

You will have lots of time to look around and still drive back to Santa Fe.

I am not sure what road you are talking about - 126 doesn't sound familiar and when looking on a map, it doesn't seem to go where you want.

If you wanted a back road thing, take 550 to San Ysidro and then go on 4 towards Los Alamos [becomes 501 and then 502]which will take you to Pojoaque. You will then have to take 285/84 south into Santa Fe It will add a lot of time onto the trip.

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

Deb

Wow, beautiful photos! and good info; thanks. Now I'm wondering whether to pull the old SLR and filters and lenses out of storage!)
From Cuba, directly (meandering) east, 126 on my map seems to go straight to Los Alamos, but on an unimproved (gravel?) road.

Don't do it. Unimproved road here can mean a lot of trouble, especially for those unfamiliar with roads and condtions and wrong kind of vehicle. Gravel would be the best case scenerio. Rutted, dirt and mud with deep potholes more likely.

Deb

OK< we just drove the route from SW Colorado to ABQ and while going through Cuba, I looked for 126. It is as I thought, a pretty basic road that you would not want to take, especially if you weren't in a truck. I mentioned this post to DH and he said it wasn't a good road for just touring.

Deb