Well it was until you got all smarty pants on me!! LOL. Is the road going through Canyon of the Ancients a decent road? How long at a leisure pace would it take to drive from Monument Valley to Durango?
Thanks

silvia3 - OK, I'll be honest, until we started looking at this trip I'd never even heard of Canyons of the Ancients. I thought the roads may be old, hey it's right in the name, Ancient. I've gone back and looked at the park and it looks amazing. So, I see your point! Now, would you recommend going up north to White Mesa and then go across, or drive SE toward Aneth and head north to Cortez on Ismay Trading Post rd? If we go toward White Mesa, it looks easier to head up to Hovenweep NM.

Do yourself a favor, 4 Corners National Monument is the least monumental thing you will see on your entire trip. It does not by any stretch of the imagination deserve the designation of "national monument"... yawn. This is one case where Trump would be doing everyone a favor by taking away its designation

NO 4 Corners! Loud and clear.
Thanks for the insight

I think the 4 corners in interesting because at one time it was thought to mark the boundary point of four states. I think it is the only in the US that four states actually touch. But with the advances in GPS surveying, etc., the four corners has actually moved a few hundred feet to the west and a little south. However, the Supreme Court has ruled that the marker is the boundary. So an interesting point not unlike the post in Key West the marks the southern most part of the US.

I would Google the best way to Hovenweep, then take the road through the monument, stopping at Painted Hand, etc. Pretty easy route, the road is not asphalt but well maintained (our sedan had no problems). But always be aware of the weather, of course.