However, you can also enjoy stops at the towns of Truth and Consequences and Las Cruces, which offer great shopping, arts and culture. And its very easy to get lost (trust me, your emotions will sit somewhere in between frightened and awestruck). The park closes at dusk. Days: 8. to each other and sharing tips and advice. La Quinta inn or dog friendly motels in White sands. As you explore, watch for colorful native flowers and flowering plants of all shapes and colors between April and October. The total driving distance from Albuquerque, NM to White Sands, NM is 243 miles or 391 kilometers. Expect great service, excellent attention to detail, and everything you need. Some are easy day trips, including Petroglyph National Monument, New Mexico, which is in Albuquerque itself. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-52193385', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');White Sands also from Las Cruces. Sandiaman, many thanks for your very prompt response(s)..obviously a big difference in distancehow does time figure in this i.e. Road Trip From Houston To The Grand Canyon, Road Trip From Dallas to The Grand Canyon, we highly recommend staying the night at the Rocket Inn, An excellent choice for an overnight stay in Santa Fe is the wonderful Las Palomas, The Classic Desert Aire Hotel in nearby Alamogordo is a fantastic choice for a stay at your destination stop. The gift shop used to be an underground lunchroom in the 20th century but after the scent of fresh food attracted new animals, the ecological habitat of Carlsbad Caverns started to shift. Theres often a long wait to enjoy the dishes created by James Beard semifinalists Josie and Teako Nunn, but taking in the quirky decor inside and outside the establishment will keep you busy until your food arrives. Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list. On our Eastern Route, we recommend an overnight stop in the characterful city of Santa Fe, the state capital of New Mexico. San Antonio (New Mexico) However, if you are flying in like we were, you can purchase sleds in the . 1.5 hours Riverbend Hot Springs. Rome2rios travel guides to the US tell you the best ways to explore the country, from Amtrak to Greyhound to the New York Subway. Answer 1 of 6: Hello everyone. Start this Undiscovered New Mexico road trip by heading down the I-25 on a drive out of Albuquerque and Sunport. And if you know Albuquerque well, please help your fellow Domestic travel is not restricted, but some conditions may apply. It's the country's oldest continuously inhabited community, also known as Sky City. But its also New Mexicos capital so it takes more than a few days to see. Situated in the panhandle, Amarillo is classic Texas. This is not necessarily a typical tourist hotspot, but paying Route 66 a visit is definitely one to tick off your bucket list. 1.5 hours San Antonio. If youre traveling this summer, I recommend either White Sands or The Low Road because they are really stunning in season and naturally socially distant (being drive-by day trips from Albuquerque)! Yup, the Historic Route 66 technically no longer exists. White Sands National Park is composed of 145,762 acres of white sand made of gypsum crystals, thus giving it its white appearance. Use this American southwest road trip guide that's an 8 day itinerary for visiting New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and Colorado. Then drive for about 30 minutes. And its known for its popular deep-visibility diving spot. 28 days ago. The park's scenic yet surreal setting of distant mountains, rippled sand dunes, a pancake-flat playa (dry lakebed), an ephemeral lake, and sparse vegetation, such as creosote and soaptree yucca, has served as the ideal location for thousands of movies, commercials, documentaries, and music videos by the likes of . You will reach the city about halfway through your trip, depending on how long you spend enjoying the other attractions along the route. Worth it. Eric from asked:La Quinta inn or dog friendly motels in White sands? The road distance is 373.1 km. X. you can get answers personalized for your tastes, budgets, Also, if you want to visit the park throughout the year, you can purchase the White Sands National Park Annual Pass, which costs U$ 45 and is valid for 12 . But the views, the whole way, are worth it. Last updated: 11 Jan 2023 As an alternative to the mountain country north of Albuquerque, consider driving south. Tucked in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Taos is a year-round destination, with skiing in the winter, and hiking, fishing, and biking in the summer. The road distance is 241.1 miles. Acoma Pueblojust an hour and 10 minutes from Albuquerqueprovides you with that experience. When I first visited Santa Rosa, I treated it as a drive-by stop, a place to fill up gas and stretch my legs whilst on-route to ABQ. Valley of Fires SP makes a nice short visit and not far from there you'll find the cute Smokey Bear SP in Capitan. road trip from albuquerque to white sands Fun fact, our buddies Hello America shot these photos on 35mm Arrive at 8:10 am. With archaeological sites of native settlements carved into the canyon walls themselves and volcanic formations surrounding the area, its impossible not to be stunned by the jaw-dropping scenery. Albuquerque, NM White Sands National Park. The dunes themselves are made up of white gypsum sand and can reach up to 60 foot in length and are the perfect place to go on a sandy adventure, just be sure to remember to pack plenty of water and sun-screen. Find pet-friendly stops. Farther north, incredible outdoor activities near Santa Fe await you, as do the impressive settlements left behind by Ancestral Puebloans in Bandelier National Monument. The earlier you leave the earlier you can make it to White Sands National Park. Maybe try typing in a faraway location like London, Hong Kong, You can expect daytime temperatures of between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit along the route, with nights dropping to 25 degrees Fahrenheit. Set in New Mexicos high desert next to the Sandia Mountains, Albuquerque is known for its stunning landscapes. Another great aspect of this road trip is that you can enjoy it year-round. Search for RV campgrounds. White Sands National Park is one of nature's greatest wonders. Lets have a look at the best day trips from Albuquerque: Sitting atop a nearly 400 foot tall mesa in the middle of the desert, youll find the small town of Acoma, famous for being the oldest continually inhabited settlement in the whole of North America. Tuesday, Dec 23: evening flight to. From here, head south following the Rio Grande and passing Caballo Reservoir, towards Las Cruces, where you will take US-70 East and follow this road to White Sands National Park. This classic roadside motel has been fully modernized to offer guests a comfortable stay. So today, its less of a food court and more of a gift shop. We like to hike up to 3-4 miles round trip and most enjoy natural, historic, and cultural areas with a focus on unique and local sites. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. This is one of the most remote areas of New Mexico thats still publicly accessible (I recommend a 4 wheel drive for this day trip). White Sands is tucked in an out of the way valley, so much of the drive is through sparsely populated desert and mountains, plus the occasional small town. Albuquerque is one of the largest cities in New Mexico and offers a vast wealth of attractions. 8h 21m. The most direct way to White Sands National Park from Albuquerque covers 225 miles and takes just 3 hours and 20 minutes to drive. The area around Albuquerques city center, dots of cacti-stubbed towns and long roads that trace past sharp cliffs and rough mountains, is intense. Grab a green chile cheeseburger, chile cheese dog, or another delicious option smothered in Hatch green chiles at Sparkys. Travel back in time by visiting the Petroglyph National Monument and hiking along volcanic rocks decorated with prehistoric images of animals and scenes of everyday life chiseled by an ancient civilization. You can take a bus from Albuquerque to White Sands National Monument via Las Cruces and Alamogordo in around 6h 22m. and answers related to White Sands. xx Anshula. If thats not enough to lure you in, the citys unique Old Town architecture and museums will entice. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Each room is southwest-styled, softly-lit, and unique (if youre looking for an Albuquerque staycation, head here). After that, take NM 14, which winds through beautiful landscapes and charming little towns. Road trip from Houston to Carlsbad/cloudcroft/white sands 14 January 2023; Help me plan 13 January 2023; RV driving west on I-10 between Deming NM and Tucson 11 January 2023; Need hotel for Quick overnight Albuquerque on a road trip 10 January 2023; Eating,shops 10 January 2023 That photo is by Stephanie Klepacki. Fly to El Paso, bus. Amtrak trains are known for their wide seats, plug-in power, big windows and storage capabilities. Is it compulsory to practice social distancing in White Sands National Monument? Reach your destination in White Sands around 8:40 pm after eating at 14 restaurants over 4 days. Youll want to bring a pair of binoculars when you visit. 397 Mi Go 3 H 31 M Go. Yes, even this step is optional, because if you're on vacation Summer is a good time to visit but we suggest avoiding the midday heat at White Sands National Park. But that being said, this is, hands-down, one of the most unique places in New Mexico. The entrance fee is $25, but of course you can use your national park pass. Its an easy ramp walk but you can still see wildlife, like bleached earless lizards (whove evolved to be the color of the sands) and jackrabbits. While 54 and 380 are two lanes, the traffic isn't particularly heavy, and a lot of 54 is 4 lanes now. Click the button below to explore more questions stay for about 1 hour and leave at 12:50 pmdrive for about 1.5 hours, 2:09 pm Riverbend Hot Springs . Save this link to stay updated on COVID-19 restrictions, If you need help, visit the national COVID-19 website or call the COVID-19 Helpline 800-232-4636. The entrance fee to White Sands National Park is US$ 25 per vehicle, US$ 15 per person, and US$ 20 per motorcycle and is valid for 7 consecutive days from the date of purchase. Sure thing! drive for about 55 minutes, 10:55 am Carrizozo (New Mexico) It includes the International Space Hall of Fame. However, this means missing out on all the wonderful sights there are to see en route. In late summer, look for patches of bright yellow prairie sunflowers. The distance between Albuquerque and White Sands National Monument is 255 km. Here are some of our highlights from both routes. Learn about the Pueblo tribes native to the area at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. While Roswell is known for its alien kitsch, there is a place far more unreal on the other side of New Mexico. Then explore the exhibits that detail the work being conducted on-site and take a self-guided tour to the base of one of the massive dishes. Two things en route to/from White Sands that might interest you: First, coming or going, consider a stop at the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge outside the tiny village of San Antonio, quite near your quickest route of travel (south of Socorro). The Upper Falls on Frijoles Creek is a popular hike, no matter the season. Las Cruces is also home to the states land-grant university, New Mexico State, which includes the Chile Pepper Institute. Of course, Trippy is the perfect place to ask questions Quickest way to get there Cheapest option Distance between. 33 minutes Las Cruces. Travel Time (Albuquerque to White Sands): 3.5 Hours. If you're planning a road trip to White Sands, you can research locations to stop along the way. The Museum of Space History highlights the role that New Mexico has had in the U. S. space program, and is one of eight museums administered by the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs. Arrive at 6:10 pm. To discover the fascinating art and culture of the people here, be sure to visit the Haaku Museum, whilst the Sky City Cultural Centre offers exhibits and activities concerning Acoma Pueblo itself. Two-and-a-half-hours north of Albuquerque via I-25 N and NM-68 N is Taos. Eat for about 2 hours. The ever shifting, surreal landscape of White Sands National Monument is as mesmerising as it is impressive. However, you can still trace the route of Mother Road through the American Southwest. Eat for about 2 hours. Cloudcroft (2 answers) The trail is unmarked. Stay: You will reach Santa Fe about 3 hours after leaving Albuquerque, a little longer if you spend time at Bandelier National Monument and Los Alamos. Exceptions may apply, for full details: Centers for Disease control and prevention (CDC). On the list of activities here are bat tours, cave walks through alien-like landscapes or self-guided audio tours. Austin to White Sands to Santa Fe to Albuquerque to Roswell back to Austin. The lake, up top, is a deep green from the reflection of trees. By joining our email list, you give LazyTrips permission to use your email for sending you newsletters, emails and updates including for marketing purposes. To the best of our knowledge, it is correct as of the last update.Visit Rome2rio travel advice for general help. Famously named as one of the Worlds Prettiest Mountain Towns, Taos is a beautiful little settlement located in the Sangre De Cristo Mountains and is bursting with history and culture. It ends in White Sands, New Mexico. White Sands National Monument. Photo by Rob McCorkle. Stock up on everything from flame-roasted whole chiles, chile powder, and green chile sauce to decorative ristras and wreaths at one of the boutiques in this small New Mexico town. Santa Rosa. As youd expect, there are various world-class hiking trails here, not to mention fly-fishing and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing when theres snowfall. Long before airplanes and an interstate highway system made movement between cities fast and convenient, Americans traveled by train. With a jaded but fascinating past as a former coal boomtown, then a diminishing ghost town, Madrid is experiencing a comeback as an artists enclave unknown to most but growing in popularity. About halfway between Truth or Consequences and the last stop on this road trip, stop in Hatch to fill up on these flavorful peppers. Rome2rio makes travelling from Albuquerque to White Sands National Monument easy. You can also enjoy a cooling dip in the inviting on-site seasonal swimming pool and even hire a sled for a spot of popular sand sledding at White Sands National Park. Yes, travel within United States is currently allowed. I would not suggest going into it blind because there are zero facilities in the area (and you wont have reception). open-ended. Along the route are snips of trails that pull past wetlands and brush. And it is a rather pretty drive, except between Alamogordo and Carrizozo. This food trip itinerary gives you restaurant recommendations for places to eat over 4 days. stay for about 1 hour and leave at 3:09 pmdrive for about 48 minutes, 3:57 pm Rincon (New Mexico) The best way to get from Albuquerque to White Sands National Monument without a car is to bus which takes 6h 22m and costs . This New Mexico road trip will cover: Albuquerque; Truth or Consequences; Las Cruces; Organ Mountains; White Sands; Roswell; Carlsbad; New Mexico Road Trip Day 1: Explore Albuquerque. Leave Santa Fe via the Old Pecos Trail and continue to Seton Village towards Pecos National Historical Park, passing sights including Glorieta Mesa mountain peak. Eat for about 2 hours. because there's an entire community of travelers talking Sat on top of the Pajarito Plateau, the monument is the perfect place to go hiking and is full of stunning photo opportunities, particularly at sunrise or sunset when the conical rocks cast majestic shadows across the ground. 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