I have nine days set aside in September for a road trip through a part of the SW. My plan is to fly to Albuquerque from NYC on a Friday night, rent a car at the airport, and drive to Monument Valley on Saturday. I realize this is a five hour drive and, since we will arrive late, would like to spend that first night en route -- any ideas? Spend one night in MV, then on to Moab for two nights. Leave for two nights in Mesa Verde, then another two nights in Santa Fe. That leaves me with one extra day to spend in either Moab, Santa Fe or elsewhere.

We'd like to do some hiking, visit the archaeological sites, get to know Santa Fe. Because of time constraints I've cut out Canyon de Chelly, Durango (for trout fishing) and Taos. I'm leaning towards an extra day in SF, to allow a day trip to Taos or the Ghost Ranch.

The trip will end with returning the car to Albuquerque airport on a Sunday. Assuming a mid-afternoon flight, could we drive there comfortably from Santa Fe?

Does this sound doable/advisable? Appreciate your ideas.

FD

For a great Sunday hike, please visit the Petroglyph National Monument in NW corner of Albuquerque off Unser Blvd (Rt. 345)

That first night, I would stop in Gallup or Chinle which look like they are both along the shortest route. I would not want to drive after dark where large animals are known to be on the roads, so it would probably be Gallup where you get off the interstate and there is plenty of lodging.

Since you will be going through Chinle, why not at least drive along the rim of Canyon de Chelley even if you don't want to take the time to do a tour with a Navajo guide?

You can do the drive from Santa Fe to ABQ in a morning, even if you take the Turquoise Trail, which is fun.

Unless you decide to do a day in CdeC, I would add a day to Moab. You could do Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands, Arches, Needles District of Canyonlands, a boat trip on the Colorado, Fisher Towers, and, and, Well if you had a week.

We really enjoyed visiting Acoma Pueblo which is about 60 miles west of Albuquerque

Moab really requires 3 nts at a bare minimum. That gives you 2 full days. 1 for Arches 1 for Island in the Sky and Dead Horse Point. There is enough to do and see in the area that you would love a week. Dont think you will have time for a raft trip or jeep red rock tour. Too bad.

Thanks for the feedback. I think I'll look at the hiking possibilities in Arches and Canyonlands and see how they match up with our abilities before deciding.

In Arches there are many short easy hikes, Turret Arch and The Windows are just a walk from the parking area. The hike out to Landscape arch is not hard and you go through a small slot on the way.

We are in our 70's and from elevation 0, so we found the hike to Delicate Arch was a bit harder. I have pictures of the route you take at www.flickr.com/photos/emalloy2009 if you want to see it, scroll down till you see two geezers with the arch in the background then look at the next picture. You can zoom in near the center to see the beginning of the hike, the part up the slickrock was a bit steep, but we did feel good that we made it.

I forgot I could just insert the photo myself.

Ok, it looks like that worked.

In Island in the sky, do go to Grandview and walk out a way as well as the hike to Mesa Arch (spectacular view through the arch). Both are quite easy.

Thanks for the photo! Nice shot.