This will be a road trip. We have around 18 days. I'm just not sure where to spend the most time on the drive. Just looking at the map looks like we should head to Portland, Oregon then on to Boise, Idaho, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Albuquerque......but - HELP. I do not know where to stop and spend a few days along the way. We enjoy any type of outdoor activivty and love getting off the interstate to sites. Any help would be appreciated.

If you drive from Salt Lake City down through eastern Utah instead of taking I-15 to Vegas directly, you go through some gorgeous scenery especially Moab. You could definitely stop in Arches National Park as well as Dead Horse Point park. I've driven from Portland to Albuquerque that way a couple of times.

You have plenty of time for an itinerary such as this: Oregon Coast (Cannon Beach, Newport, Yachats, Bandon), Redwoods, San Francisco, Highway 1 from Santa Rosa to Santa Monica (Monterey, Carmel, Cambria, and San Louis Obispo are of interest), Las Vegas, Albuquerque.

Or you could spend time in Palm Springs and/or Los Angeles before driving to Albuquerque.

I would look at a route that would take me through southern UT and NM. See if you can visit Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands in UT and Bandelier, Taos, Santa Fe, Chaco Canyon in New Mexico. The roads in that area are mostly not interstates but have some of the most spectacular scenery you could ask for. Weather is generally fine in April in that area.

Early April can still find snow concerns in Northern NM and SW Colorado - keep that in mind.

If you need info on Albuquerque, I live there and can answer Q's if you have any.

Many thanks for the quick replies. Looks like we have some decisions to make...Again, thanks

My husband used to make the trip from SLC to ABQ several times a year. The route through Moab is faster, even though it is back roads. That's good for you because the scenery is awesome! BUT if you do this, you must make reservations soon!!! And forget staying in Moab Easter weekend--that's the Jeep Safari and most things are booked. The week before and after EAster can be tough too because of spring break. (We are in SLC and just made reservations for our spring break week and the reservation told me I was "late" at this point in time!) Go to Moab, then go through Cortez and stop at Mesa Verde, go to Chaco--amazing!!! There is soooo much to see and do!!!