Driving from Durango to Albuquerque, but one to stop for one night along the way. Thought about Gallup, but the comments on this website make me think that's not such a good idea. Any suggestions?

Here ya go.........stop in SF for lunch on your way to Albuquerque the next day.

http://www.ranchodesanjuan.com/2005/

I am not sure why you want to stay one night along the way. It is only a 3 hour drive from Durango to Albuquerque {about 200 miles} and you do not go near Gallup.

The directions from Durango to ABQ are: Take US 550 south all the way to Interstate 25 and then go south on I 25 to where ever you want to go in ABQ {you will be only a few miles north of ABQ when you get on Interstate.

Santa Fe is not on the way...you would have to go out of your way to go there if you goal is to reach ABQ.

Hope this helps...
Debi

When I do the reverse route, I do stop in Santa Fe for the night and then continue on to Durango. I just like the mix of venues - and the drive across high desert.

What is your goal - to make the best time, to drive a scenic route, or to enjoy an overnight along the way? If it is to get there as quickly as possible, use the mapquest route or the route Debi refers to. If you want a scenic drive with a great stopover (but not even close to a midpoint), spend the night in Taos or Santa Fe.

Enjoylife,
If you are looking to make a stop along the way, Starrsville has a good idea w/Santa Fe or Taos being places to spend the night. Driving from Durango to Taos takes about 4 hours.

The drive into Taos goes through some magnicent mtn views with some "fun" roads. [These will be closed by Nov 1st I think, as they are not maintained.] It is a bit tricky to find one of the roads/turns you need to make going this way.

The route is gave using 550 south/west is the most direct route if that is what you are looking to drive.

Hope this helps...
Debi

I'd have to look at a map and get the exact route #'s but twice I've driven from Alb. airport to Durango via Santa Fe in winter (once arriving on Christmas Day and leaving New Year's and once for Valentine's Day weekend). The route I took from Santa Fe was on good roads making good time. We were just amazed at how great the drive was - the roads and the scenery. I like staying near the plaza in Santa Fe. La Fonda is my favorite but there are very nice places - some are REALLY splurges. The Georgia O'Keefe museum is wonderful, but small enough to feel like a short visit there is time well spent.

I guess more details are necessary. We are driving from Albuquerque to Durango and stopping in Santa Fe. We want to go back to Albuquerque a different way. Sorry for the confusion.

Well, then just take Debi's route (or mapquest's) but I wouldn't try to spend the night along the way. It's not that long of a drive.

Go visit Chaco canyon along the way. Paul

You can't drive from Durango to Alb. and not stop at Canyon de Chelly. Many posts on C. d. C. A little out of the way, but worth it. Also look up Acoma Pueblo. Two of my favorites.

My wife and I made this drive about 10 years ago and, as best I remember, the drive is a fairly easy 4 hours and there aren't any decent places to stay along the way. Aztec/Farmington are only about 1 hour away and from there to ABQ, nothing but high desert. Take your time and drive on into ABQ. The scenery is great. We're from Alabama, so you can imagine how amazing it was to us.

Leave about lunch and eat at at El Pinto when you get to ABQ for dinner. Its worth the driver. I think its El Pinto. I'll check and re-respond if different.

It is el Pinto. 4th St. on the north side of town. Map it on yellowpages.com. Its great!