8 Amazing Road Trips To Take Between Arizona & New Mexico

Abstract

• Hit the open highway and discover Southwest America’s cultural and pure wonders on these epic highway journeys filled with journey.
• Marvel at iconic landscapes and immerse your self in historical past as you journey from Phoenix to Albuquerque, Santa Fe to the Grand Canyon, and past.
• From city tradition to abandon escapes, these highway journeys provide a mixture of cultural points of interest, out of doors adventures, and breathtaking surroundings.

For lovers of the outside, adventurers, and historical past buffs a road trip across Southwest America is a good concept. Vacationers get to cruise alongside iconic landscapes and expertise vibrant cultures in the states of Arizona and New Mexico. Take any of those eight highway journeys by which you’ll expertise historic wonders, quirky roadside stops, and pure magnificence that can depart you breathless.

8 Phoenix, Arizona To Albuquerque, New Mexico

Uncover unbelievable cultural and historic points of interest, go tenting at Petrified Forest Nationwide Park

A highway journey from Phoenix to Albuquerque will provide an thrilling mixture of tradition, historical past, out of doors adventures and immersion in nature. One stand-out exercise is to go to the Chapel of the Holy Cross in Sedona. It is an architectural marvel that gives spectacular panoramic views. It additionally incorporates a cross wedged with the chapel constructed across the rock.

For individuals who want a pure try the hiking trails, or horseback using at Petrified Forest National Park. In Albuquerque, there are a myriad of points of interest to go to. These embrace historic and cultural websites equivalent to Outdated City Albuquerque, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, the Albuquerque Balloon Museum, and the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History. Out of doors actions embrace the Sandia Peak Tramway, ABQ BioPark, and the Petroglyph National Monument.

7 Santa Fe, New Mexico To Grand Canyon Nationwide Park, Arizona

Get pleasure from city tradition and plan actions on the Grand Canyon

If an adventure to the Grand Canyon sounds thrilling, this epic highway journey is for you. This 480-mile journey will take you thru well-known world heritage websites, numerous landscapes, and vibrant, bustling cities. Discover Santa Fe’s artwork scene by visiting museums just like the George O’Keeffe Museum or the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture.

Alongside the best way to the Grand Canyon, go to the Bandelier National Monument and be taught in regards to the space’s historical past. There are additionally different actions for you, equivalent to exploring the volcanic cones and hoodoos on the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument.

Whenever you lastly attain the tip of your journey to the Grand Canyon, enjoy nature’s spectacular power. Soak within the dawn and sundown on the canyon, take a mule experience, or go on a helicopter tour to get an epic canyon view.

6 Route 66 (Tucumcari, New Mexico To Oatman, Arizona)

See spectacular desert landmarks and uncover distinctive roadside points of interest

This well-known highway is nationally renowned as a scenic drive. It is a main interstate freeway that goes from California to Illinois. In Arizona, Route 66 crosses the state, and you’ll take all of it the best way to Gallup in New Mexico.

Among the actions alongside the best way embrace a photo-op on the Standing on the Corner Park in Winslow, Arizona, climbing at Petrified Forest Nationwide Park, a glimpse into the Wild West at Jackrabbit Trading Post, studying about native tradition in Gallup, New Mexico, and flea markets in Tucumcari, New Mexico.

5 Phoenix, Arizona To White Sands Nationwide Park, New Mexico

Marvel on the awe-inspiring great thing about White Sands Nationwide Park

Escape the hectic metropolis life in Phoenix and go for this desert symphony. Make a cease at Casa Grande Ruins National Monument to be taught in regards to the fascinating historical past of the Hohokam individuals. On the drive, take pleasure in numerous points of interest equivalent to Pima Air and Space Museum, Reid Park Zoo, and the Tuscon Botanical Gardens.

White Sands National Park accommodates the world’s largest gypsum dune discipline, 1000’s of animal species to take a look at, and numerous actions. The sundown stroll additionally gives spectacular surroundings.

4 Tuscon, Arizona to Las Cruces, New Mexico

Cruise alongside the desert landscapes and go to historic cities

This scenic journey affords a pleasant escape by way of the Sonoran Desert whereas having fun with its pure magnificence and cultural discoveries. After leaving Tuscon, you will see the majestic Santa Rita Mountains. Take a detour to Saguaro National Park and hike in the desert landscape whereas exploring the plant and animal life within the arid ecosystem. Go to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and take a look at the displays. For individuals with households and nature lovers, it is an ideal cease.

Different stops embrace Colossal Mountain Park, the place spelunking lovers can go on an journey. The ultimate level is Las Crues, also called “The Metropolis of Crosses,” which has a wealthy historical past, a vibrant artwork scene, and scrumptious New Mexican delicacies.

3 Geronimo Path (Douglas, Arizona To San Lorenzo, New Mexico)

Get pleasure from a quiet, serene nature escape

One of the scenic routes within the Southwest, the Geronimo Path runs from Douglas, Arizona, into New Mexico. It affords spectacular views and a few historic spots. These embrace the San Bernardino Valley and the Peloncillo Mountains. You may additionally be fortunate and spot some wildlife within the grasslands, equivalent to antelopes.

This path provides you first-hand expertise of New Mexico’s diverse landscape and ecosystems as you go from mountains to deserts and bushes to hills. It is one of many extra secluded routes on this checklist, so remember to fill your tank beforehand.

2 Santa Fe, New Mexico To Phoenix, Arizona

Expertise Southwestern city tradition

A highway journey from Santa Fe to Phoenix guarantees a cultural and scenic journey that can depart a lifelong reminiscence. On the route, marvel on the panorama of rolling hills dotted with juniper timber.

Among the stops embrace the Salina Pueblo Missions National Monument. Right here, you will get a glimpse into the lives of the Pueblo individuals by way of the traditional buildings. Go by Albuquerque, New Mexico’s largest metropolis, the place you’ll be able to take pleasure in artwork galleries and scrumptious delicacies.

The panorama is dominated by the Sonoran Desert as you head into Phoenix. Cease at Saguaro Nationwide Park and revel in some climbing trails. Phoenix additionally has loads of attractions and activities, together with world-class museums and artwork scenes, or you’ll be able to take a swim in an oasis to beat the warmth.

1 Carlsbad, New Mexico To Grand Canyon Nationwide Park, Arizona

Uncover distinctive geology at Lechuguilla Cave and go climbing on the Grand Canyon

If you wish to hit the entire area’s nationwide parks, Carlsbad is a good place to start out your highway journey and get a really feel of the rugged great thing about the Southwest. Carlsbad Caverns is residence to some stunning caves such because the Lechuguilla Cave, the place you get to see actually distinctive geological formations. Simply half-hour away over the Texas border is the Guadalupe Mountains National Park. You can even try one other nationwide park, White Sands, which is about 3.5 hours away.

Whereas driving by way of the desert freeway you’ll go by way of a bunch of cities equivalent to Gallup, New Mexico, and Flagstaff, Arizona. Alongside the best way, there are a selection of outside adventures for you. Go hiking in Petrified Forest National Park or discover the traditional petroglyphs close to Winslow, Arizona. Lastly, drive to the Grand Canyon and marvel on the energy of nature; take pleasure in helicopter rides or go on any of the park’s hikes.