Update on SW Trip: Please advise on planning of trip
 

Nov. 14th - Arrive in AZ check in @ Desert Oasis.

Nov. 15th - relax, b-bque, lounge around pool

Nov. 16th - 6:00 am drive to Albuquerque, NM (wanted to do the Canyon on the way)

Nov. 17th - Need ideas for Sante Fe (all day)

Nov. 18th - Head back to AZ @ 4pm

Nov. 19th - rest and relax

Nov. 20th - sights around Sedona, Scottsdale

Nov. 21st - return to Baltimore

All suggestions are welcomed. Thanks a bunch.

You've got a couple of long driving days in your itinerary.

On November 16th you've got about a four hour drive to the Canyon and then from there you have about 6 1/2 hours to Albuquerque. This is certainly doable, but just wanted you to be aware of the driving time. You still need to add rest stops etc into this 10 1/2 hour driving day -- not to mention the time at the Grand Canyon.

Also leaving at 4pm to return to Arizona (Phoenix area, I presume) would be about a 7 1/2 hour drive.

Going to Sedona would be backtracking from Phoenix.

You might want to try something like this.
Nov 14th -- same as you have

Nov 15th -- same as you have

Nov 16th -- drive 2 hours to Sedona and see sights (Jeep tour, shops etc.) then go through Oak Creek Canyon towards the Grand Canyon. Spend remainder of day at Canyon and stay for sunset. I don't know if you will be able to get rooms in the park at this late date, but if not stay overnight in Tusayan.

Nov 17th -- drive to Albuquerque, NM. You could continue on to Santa Fe and overnight there.

Nov 18th -- Santa Fe and perhaps someplace like Taos Pueblo.

Nov 19th -- head back to Phoenix and overnight in Scottsdale

Nov 20th -- Scottsdale

Nov 21st -- head home

Just some thoughts.

kkj--

Thanks for your advice.

Mapquest states that it is a 7hr drive from Scottsdale to Albuquerque (without any stops -- it will probably take about 9 hrs with stops).

Do you suggest we stop at the Canyon on the return trip from New Mexico?

Also, I'm booked to stay at the Sheraton Old Town in New Mexico on 11/16-18.

Diva39,

You are asking ALOT of a short time. It's 645 miles from Scottsdale to the Grand Canyon and on to Albuquerque. Taking into consideration that in November you are only going to have about 10 1/2 hours of sunlight. Then as kkj mentioned you need time at the Grand Canyon.

If you need ideas for Sante Fe then why were you driving all this way to go?

The drive back from Santa Fe to Sedona is another 415 miles. Not much time for site seeing.

Places to see on the way are Painted Desert - Petrified Forest National Park and Walnut Canyon National Park. They have made a little park in Winslow, AZ so people can stand on the corner.

I would suggest forgetting New Mexico. Try something like this.

Nov. 16 drive to the Grand Canyon visiting Sunset Crater and Wupatki National Monument.

Nov. 17 Spend some time at the Grand Canyon before driving to Monument Valley. Spend night at Gouldings or Kayenta, AZ

Nov. 18 Visit Canyon de Chelly National Park, Hubbel Trading Post Historical Site and Petrified forest and spend the night in either Holbrook or Winslow, AZ

Nov. 19 Sedona

Nov. 20 Scottsdale

Your trip route was 1,235 miles. My route was only 890.

Utahtea

Thank you,

Unfortunately, I have business to take care of in New Mexico. So, I can't skip this stop.

Diva39,

I can understand work. OK, then how about doing the Grand Canyon on the way back on the 19th.

Utahtea

uthatea--

I've decided to fly to New Mexico. (SW cost $71.50 r/t and I'll be there in one hr. -- that cannot be beat versus driving over 10 hrs.

I'm not going to stay over in New Mexico. I'll have to visit another time. I'm booked at Sheraton Desert Oasis for the week.

So, I will get to explore the Grand Canyon in greater lengths.

Flying to New Mexico was a great idea!

Utahtea