How long does it take to go from Alb. to Santa Fe? Can you do it as a day trip? I'll be in Alburqueque for a work conference at the end of Oct. I'll have most of Saturday, all of Sunday, and then part of Monday (6 pm flight out) to explore. I have a hotel booked for the whole time in Albuquerque. Should I keep that or stay over Sunday night in Santa Fe? Thanks!

The drive is about an hour on interstate 25. Easily doable as a day trip. Staying overnight in Santa Fe would be fun. You could have a few margaritas and not have to worry about the drive back to Albq.

Thanks OBX!

To take a more scenic route, go up the Turquoise Trail thru Madrid. Much nicer than the interstate! Be sure to stop and check out the town, it was a mining town that was abandoned and now has fun shops and a great glass blower.

Debi

The Turquoise Trail will take you a little longer, especially if you stop along the way, but it is a prettier route.

Lee Ann

If you're going to spend the night in Santa Fe, I'd agree that the Turquoise Trail is a fun alternative to the interstate. Madrid is cute.

But if you're doing Santa Fe as a daytrip from Albq, skip the TT and go I-25. Quicker trip. More (and better) to see in SF. And for those of us from the east coast, the views from the highway are still quite stunning.

Call the concierge at the Hyatt Tamaya resort just outside of Alb. and ask them to send you their Abequeque to Sante Fe road trip via the Jemez trail. It's just a page, but well mapped out and very helpful for a half or full day road trip

Here's a link on the Jemez Trail:
http://www.jemezmountaintrail.org/