I'm planning a mother/daughter September trip arriving and departing in Phoenix. Tentatively, looking at spending a night in Phoenix, driving to Grand Canyon, NE through Mesa Verde, Durango CO, down toward Sante Fe and Albaquerque (sp?) and back to Phoenix. We will have a week to explore the area and would be grateful for any tips and suggestions to make the most of our 7 days. I realize it's alot of driving but don't mind the time on the road as I understand there's alot to see. However, if there are unique and interesting spots along the way that would warrant an overnight stay to further explore....I'd be interested to receive any guidance or suggestions as I'm just starting to plan our itinerary. Thanks so much for the help!

I'll take a wild stab here & guess that you are looking @ 1200 or so miles (probably more), so 200+ miles (3-4 hours a day (@ least)) driving ? What is it, exactly, you intend to see ? There is plenty w/in a much smaller radius of PHX w/out all the travel being necessary. Let's See - Tucson, Sedona, Jenner, Flagstaff & the Grand Canyon off the top of my head. The GC will likely require an overnight stay. + there is lot to do in PHX itself. Please, look @ a map.

I tend to agree that's a lot of driving. At a minimum I'd try and do an open-jaw - into Phoenix and out of Albuquerque - if you decide to keep NM in your itinerary. Santa Fe is a wonderful town and I'd spend the time there rather than Albuquerque, which I'd just use as my departure city.

Having just done a trip of over 300 mi per day I'd say your plan is quite doable as long as you understand that the scenery along the drive is part of the fun of going to that area. That said, it might cost a bit more, but if you go in at Phoenix and out of Albuquerque you will cut hours of driving out of your trip. Airfare probably won't change much but rental cars often charge for different return cities. While you are planning, check to see if it matters if you go into ABQ and out of Phoenix too. If you go out of GC to the east, go up to Page, look into doing a half day smooth water raft ride on the Colorado from Glen Canyon Dam to Lees Ferry, and visiting Antelope Canyon. Not far from Santa Fe is Bandelier NM, which has ancient dwellings carved into the rock (really hardened volcanic ash) of the mountainside, a nice comparison to Mesa Verde. Do look on the park service web site, www.nps,gov and check out the places you want to visit. You can link to lodging in the park through the site and if they say they are all booked up, take the number and call them as they get cancellations all the time. Both GC and MV are places where it is much more convenient to stay in park. There are lots of places along the route to stop and visit, depending on your interest.

Great information, all! Thanks so much - I will definitely look at the map and reconsider the initial plan. SAnParis2 - I didn't realize the loop would be as much as 1200 miles...that's probably a stretch with my mom, who is healthy but she's 72 and I'm sure she would rather have some time out of the car!!! dfr4848 - I'll definitely check into an open-jaw and compare flights. Right now, I'm open to most any possibility and will take some time to do more research before making definitive plans. I have heard of Bandelier NM, thanks for reminding me emalloy - I will check it out. Thanks again everyone - we're looking forward to a great trip!

I live just outside of Mesa Verde NP and in ABQ before that; I have lots of threads here with info. Click my name, scroll a ways, and you can find lots of info on the area. There are some pretty new threads, some further back.

Are you coming from sea level? The altitude here can be a problem, especially for a senior. Also, is she able to climb, or do other "active" things after riding so long in a car.

I second the split of arrival/ departure cities. Check out southwest which flies to both ABQ and PHX and they have "1 way" flight pricing.

You will most likely have a drop off fee for rental car, but the time, gas save will probably cover that.

I can help with Priceline suggestions for ABQ if you need.

Deb

Hi Deb - thanks for your information as well. Yes, Mom is healthy and active. We are from North Carolina, love the outdoors and enjoy seeing and doing new and interesting things. We take an annual mother/daughter trip and have been to California, Ireland, New York, Maine and Georgia so looking forward to exploring the American Southwest. I will check out your threads as well! Thanks again!

As we will be flying into Phoenix more than likely, does anyone have recommendations for a neat place for a night or two? We would prefer something unique (not a chain hotel), within walking distance of good food, interesting sites, etc.

What price range??
Phoenix, for the most part, is not a walking from hotel to sites and restaurants; PHX is a car kinda town.

September is prime season here, so keep that in mind.

Deb

Hi Deb, ideally would like to stay at $150 a night, no more than $200 though. Some cities are "walking" cities, so wasn't sure what to expect in Phoenix.

Not only is Phoenix not a walking city, it will still be pretty hot in September.

Lee Ann

I did some figuring and it's more like 1370 miles from Phoenix round trip back to Phoenix. If you do the open jaw you're looking at a little over 900 miles but the open jaw might be a lot more expensive. Have you thought of flying in and out of Alburquerque and doing the circle? That would be a little less than 1100 miles.

September is Fall color month for the mountains near Durango. I know this will add another 200 plus miles to your trip but you should consider driving up to Silverton and Ouray and possibly making a round trip though Telluride to see the aspens turning colors.

If you decide to forgo some of the places you had on your list like Mesa Verde and Santa Fe, then you can find plenty to do with a smaller circle. Sedona, Lake Powell, Monument Valley, Canyon de Chelly and Petrified Forest come to mind. Round trip from Phoenix is 945 miles.

Keep us posted if you make changes and we can make other sugguestions.

Utahtea

If you decide to go to Bandelier, do consider going to the part of the park that is called Tswankai, which is undeveloped but involves a hike of about 1 and a half miles up onto a small butte where you walk through grooves in the rock that were made by footsteps of people hundreds of years ago. If you want to see pictures there are some on my flickr site at www.flickr.com/photos/emalloy2009/sets, in the 2008 set. I agree with utahtea that the loop from Albuquerque could be great and you could head over to GC stopping in Petrified forrest/Painted Desert NP on one way and hitting Page, Antelope Canyonand/or Canyon de Chelley on the way back. If you time things, you could leave the airport, pick up a car, spend the night in Grants, visit el Morro/Inscription rock, go on to Petrified forrest and then to somewhere east of Flagstaff, close to route89 for the night. Then go up 89 and into GC from the east, which IMHO is the nicest approach, stop at the pulloffs and spend a night in the park if you can get a room (keep calling, check Xanterra through www.nps.gov they get cancellations all the time). Since your mom is a senior, have her get a senior pass to the national parks at the first national park you visit. It costs $10.00 and is good for her lifetime and lets everyone in the car with her in for free for all the parks. Best wishes