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 superb thought. 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 during which you’ll expertise historic wonders, quirky roadside stops, and pure magnificence that may go away you breathless.

8 Phoenix, Arizona To Albuquerque, New Mexico

Uncover implausible 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 provides spectacular panoramic views. It additionally includes a cross wedged with the chapel constructed across the rock.

For individuals who choose a pure take a look at 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 embody historic and cultural websites resembling Previous City Albuquerque, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, the Albuquerque Balloon Museum, and the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History. Out of doors actions embody 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 way in which to the Grand Canyon, go to the Bandelier National Monument and study concerning the space’s historical past. There are additionally different actions for you, resembling exploring the volcanic cones and hoodoos on the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument.

Whenever you lastly attain the top of your journey to the Grand Canyon, enjoy nature’s spectacular power. Soak within the dawn and sundown on the canyon, take a mule trip, 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 may take all of it the way in which to Gallup in New Mexico.

Among the actions alongside the way in which embody a photo-op on the Standing on the Corner Park in Winslow, Arizona, mountaineering 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 study concerning the fascinating historical past of the Hohokam folks. On the drive, take pleasure in varied points of interest resembling Pima Air and Space Museum, Reid Park Zoo, and the Tuscon Botanical Gardens.

White Sands National Park comprises the world’s largest gypsum dune subject, 1000’s of animal species to take a look at, and varied actions. The sundown stroll additionally supplies 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 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 reveals. For folks with households and nature fanatics, it is an ideal cease.

Different stops embody Colossal Mountain Park, the place spelunking lovers can go on an journey. The ultimate level is Las Crues, also referred to as “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 embody the San Bernardino Valley and the Peloncillo Mountains. You may additionally be fortunate and spot some wildlife within the grasslands, resembling antelopes.

This path offers you first-hand expertise of New Mexico’s diverse landscape and ecosystems as you move from mountains to deserts and bushes to hills. It is one of many extra secluded routes on this checklist, so you’ll want 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 may go away a lifelong reminiscence. On the route, marvel on the panorama of rolling hills dotted with juniper timber.

Among the stops embody the Salina Pueblo Missions National Monument. Right here, you will get a glimpse into the lives of the Pueblo folks by the traditional constructions. Move 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 mountaineering 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 mountaineering on the Grand Canyon

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

Whereas driving by the desert freeway you’ll move by a number of cities resembling Gallup, New Mexico, and Flagstaff, Arizona. Alongside the way in which, there are a variety 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.