I am planning a trip for the last week of August with just myself and a friend (we are both 23 years old, female). We would like to experience "the west" and nature, etc. We are trying to stay away from anything too touristy...I was wondering if it would be too much to start out in Amarillo, drive through New Mexico (stopping at Santa Fe and Albuquerque), go on to the Grand Canyon (where we want to spend at least 2 days) and end in Vegas to fly home. We don't mind long, sleepless nights driving, since we want to experience so much (and we are pros by now)! Just wondering if we will have plenty to do in this trip?? Is the beauty of New Mexico worth the drive all the way through?? Thanks so much for your help!!
Oh, by the way, we have 9 days for the whole trip...

- It's definitely doable. No need for long sleepless night driving.

- Santa Fe is quite touristy.

- If you love Western scenery and nature, you'll love NM. But you'll also like AZ just as much. No reason to start from Amarillo. There's not much between there and Santa Fe.

Instead, if you want to see more of NM, start from El Paso or Midland/Odessa, and then visit Carlsbad, White Sands, etc (if not Roswell ). before Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Don't forget to visit Taos.

Or just start from Albuquerque, but spend more time in Arizona.

Sounds like a fun trip.

What are you "pro's" at? I couldn't follow that part of your post. Course I'm not 23 OR female.....

Oh, there is plenty to do on this trip. Your big challenge will be deciding what to do and what to leave out!

Some of your options are Bandelier National Monument near Santa Fe, Petroglpyhs National Monument near Albuquerque, Canyon de Chelly National Monument, AZ, Painted Desert & Petrified Forest National Park, Walnut Canyon National Monument east of Flagstaff, Wupakti Naitonal Monument north of Flagstaff, Lake Powell, Bryce Canyon National Park & Zion National Park. All of these could "natural" places to stop on the way to Las Vegas. 9 days is enough time to include some of, but not all of these places. I suggest you check start with these links and check out some of these places to narrow down your choices:

http://www.americansouthwest.net/

http://data2.itc.nps.gov/parksearch/atoz.cfm

http://www.desertusa.com/park.html

Utahtea

Thanks for all of the help so far! I am going to look into all of your suggestions. When I said we were "pros", I meant we have had plenty of experience staying up all night to drive somewhere in trips past--it just makes it more fun. We figure at 23 that might start to wear off soon, so we want to take advantage while we can..haha. Make sense? Thanks again everyone and keep them coming if you have any more ideas!!

I'm 54 but when it comes to traveling....I'm FULL OF ENERGY!

I've been to all the places I mentioned so let me know if you have any questions.

Oh and I left out Chaco Culture Historical Park, New Mexico. This place is off the beaten path and so awsome!

Utahtea

I think that's a fine trip for nine days. The beauty in the Albuquerque to Grand Canyon trip will astound you. I grew up in the Southwest but I still find myself with my mouth hanging open all the time when I'm out there. I forget just how incredibly gorgeous and overwhelming the landscape is. And I'd skip Amarillo too.

I second, the suggestion to start from El Paso. folks have posted some good suggestions If you are bound for the canyon, it's worth it to then go up to springdale and see Zion, or go to Bryce. Moab would have the most going on but it is a little far out of your way. I always like Monument Valley, it is a little to the east but if you are making a round trip, you might take a look on your way back. just driving thru the painted desert will be beautiful too.have fun

If you begin your trip in El Paso, I suggest you not go into the border town of Juarez, unless you want to go to the Mercado. Since 9/11 they've cracked down on border patrol and I'd heard it was time consuming to get across and get back in. If you need a place to spend the night in El Paso, there is a beautiful historic hotel in downtown. I'll google the name if you decide to do that.

From El Paso, be sure to go to Lincoln and Riudosa in the Lincoln National Forest. It's not too far off the highway you'll be taking to Albuquerque. Lincoln is a tiny little western town with a museum. I can't remember which movie was filmed there. And Riudosa is larger with trendy shops and restaurants, but an old western town for sure (my grandparents honey-mooned there in the 20's in a tent!). You can see a staged gunfight here, and have a cowboy ranch style dinner with western singers to entertain. A little touristy but kind of funky. If you're into nature, don't miss White Sands, an immense range of gypsum sand for miles and miles with a tourist center for info. Also, you could stop by Mesilla, the old town of Las Cruces. It is sort of like Santa Fe was many moons ago but smaller. Just a tiny downtown area of adobe houses and some restaurants and bars. Further north on the road to Albuquerque there are some ruins -- the Salinas Puebla mission. Worth a quick stop to get out and stretch and see the mission.

Young Guns was filmed in Lincoln. It'a a great Billy the Kid town.

Thanks again everyone for all of your help. Now I have a new question that you all can hopefully help with. I have done some research online and found a package deal to take a mule to the bottom of the canyon. It is a two day trip, includes a room at the bottom, and all meals for both days. It is $650 for two people. That seems kind of pricey. Anyone know of something similar that may be cheaper? THANKS!!!

If you could wait a couple weeks until after Labor Day when schools are all back in session, you will probably find better prices on all your lodging, and better availability for tours etc.

Okay, one more question, and then I am done--Promise! I am now having problems finding a rental car company that will allow us to travel to all of these places. Because we are only 23, we already have to pay a surcharge and the only company that would rent to us and allow the travel was Budget--for $790. Anyone know of anything that would help? We wanted to spend more like $300-400, adn would be willing to alter our route and get our car from Vegas, El Paso, or Albuquerque. Thanks!!!

One way rentals are going to be higher. Some rental companies don't even do one way rentals. Las Vegas might be cheaper just because of the volume they do. Have you considered doing a circle tour and ending back in the same location you started with? Las Vegas makes a great jumping off spot for many different circle tours.

Utahtea