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. Either way, here are a few things to see and do in Las Cruces. White Sands National Monument. The Eastern Route is slightly longer at 535 miles, with a driving time of around 9 hours and 40 minutes. The drive from White Sands back to Albuquerque is about three and a half hours. because there's an entire community of travelers talking Eat for about 2 hours. Vaughn Eat for about 2 hours. Or get a full Albuquerque NM to White Sands flight plan. Discover how to get to attractions and hotels near Holloman Air Force Base. The Upper Falls on Frijoles Creek is a popular hike, no matter the season. If you go via Las Cruces, about 5 hours average. Day 1: Travel to and Explore White Sands National Park and Drive to Carlsbad, NM. Start by heading south from Albuquerque on Interstate 25 for 87 miles to San Antonio, where the Owl Bar Caf makes for a welcome rest stop. Farther north, incredible outdoor activities near Santa Fe await you, as do the impressive settlements left behind by Ancestral Puebloans in Bandelier National Monument. road conditions from Albuquerque to White Sands, Enter a city to drive through, or find all. The driving time from Albuquerque, New Mexico to White Sands, New Mexico is: 3 hours, 28 minutes. So if youre a hiking enthusiast and you have the right gear, its worth a drive out in spring or fall. 30 mins. You can choose a category Side note: This is my favorite beginner camera lens for wildlife photography. This is New Mexicos rocky canyon and mesa country. Try searching for places within 3.5 hours of Albuquerque. Learn about the history of Space travel in New Mexico at the Alamogordo Space Museum and discover natural beauty's along the road from Alamogordo to Santa Fe on Day 4 of this road trip through New Mexico. It could suck my time and Id be none the wiser (not that I minded). Corona Would love to go there during our trip this summer! Albuquerque . You can expect daytime temperatures of between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit along the route, with nights dropping to 25 degrees Fahrenheit. One of the most beautiful city escapes in the entire state is the volcanic caldera that forms over 900,000 acres of stunning countryside known as the Valles Caldera National Preserve. Or, buy a $45 White Sands National Park Annual Pass. But after spending a day in Santa Rosa, I truly believe this is one of the best day trips from Albuquerque. Take the eight-mile scenic Dunes Drive, or, for an independent experience, download the geo-reinforced map. One of the most popular day trips from Albuquerque is Santa Fe, a city bursting with history and culture. For example, here are some questions people have asked about White Sands. Entrance Fee. As to driving to Albuquerque, figure that you will average 60 mph until you reach I-25, so about 4 hours. Covering 21,000 route miles (34,000km) Amtrak operates more than 300 trains daily. There are so many US southwest vacation ideas to see unique deserts, mountains, and canyons carved by rivers. By joining our email list, you give LazyTrips permission to use your email for sending you newsletters, emails and updates including for marketing purposes. It is an example of a stratovolcano. This section could be endless, so rather than trying to The Eastern Route takes in the vibrant city of Santa Fe, as well as the historic towns of Los Alamos and Roswell. But the main draw is the annual migration of Sandhill Cranes in the fall. The best way to spend a weekend in Santa Fe is on foot, meandering through the remarkable Spanish Pueblo-style architecture that the city is known for. Footprints in the gypsum at White Sands National Park. . The trail is unmarked. Its a stunning property, dating back to the early 20th century, thats part boutique hotel, part lavender farm, and part farm shop. From her nomadic upbringing in a military family to her personal and professional travels as an adult, Sage has visited all 50 states, lived abroad twice, and explored nearly 30 other countries. Trippy is where There are a few trails in-and-around White Sands. Hi Darryl! The guest rooms are cozy self-contained casitas and studios, some with a fireplace, which is ideal if you're visiting during the cooler months. Eat for about 2 hours. posts, however this weblog provides feature based articles. The Missile Range is still in active use, though not for radioactive test purposes, and the monument closes down for a few hours occasionally while missiles are tested nearby. If you visit White Sands National Park between April to October, you can take guided treks across the dunes on full moon nights. What are the travel restrictions in White Sands National Monument? Two-and-a-half-hours north of Albuquerque via I-25 N and NM-68 N is Taos. There are around 230 Greyhound stations across the US where you can both catch your bus and buy tickets, that are also available on the official website and via the mobile app. Image via Flickr by USFWS Headquarters Licensed CC BY 2.0 After a tiring day of exploring, take a seat on the lovely outdoor terrace when you return to the hotel and enjoy the fantastic mountain views before retiring to your well-equipped room for a good night's rest. Eat for about 2 hours. Spend a couple of hours getting to know Madrids thriving art scene at one of the many galleries and artisanal exhibits and stalls, or learn more about the towns history with a visit to the informative and sometimes raucous Mine Shaft Tavern. Like other destinations on this New Mexico road trip, Las Cruces offers many wonderful places to hike, bike, or walk to soak up the sun and enjoy the scenery. Here's the quick answer if you are able to make this entire trip by car without stopping. It takes around 2 hours to walk through the cool of the caverns (especially if youre stopping to snap photos). road trip from albuquerque to white sands Fun fact, our buddies Hello America shot these photos on 35mm Eric from asked:La Quinta inn or dog friendly motels in White sands? One of the leading astronomical observatories on the planet, the array contains 27 radio antennas that have been responsible for shedding light on groundbreaking celestial activity that wouldve been otherwise imperceptible. Search for RV campgrounds. Dont leave Albuquerque without riding to the top of Sandia Peak on the longest aerial tram on this side of the Atlantic. Find pet-friendly stops. Las Cruces (9 answers). Top Road Trips Stops: Cadillac Ranch, Santa Rosa, Albuquerque, Petrified Forest, Painted Desert, Sedona. The Western Route is more oriented to natural sights, taking in such vistas as El Malpais National Monument and Cibola National Forest. it's just that we also have plans when we arrive in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Don't forget about exploring your own hometown with a staycation. stay for about 1 hour and leave at 1:46 pmdrive for about 42 minutes, 2:28 pm Vaughn Top 10 day trips from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Photo courtesy of NPS. Traveling with a dog or cat? The food served on-site is delicious and well-loved (youll want to make reservations in advance, even if youre staying the night). Even though both routes are relatively short and could be driven in a day or two, we would recommend allowing three or four days for your road trip, so you have ample time to explore. Here youll discover the untold beauty of the Jemez Mountains that are surrounded by desert, grasslands and lakes. travelers and answer their questions about Albuquerque NM! Loved your suggestions and photos Anshula! You can also stroll to the historic Plaza and New Mexico History Museum to explore the 400-year-old Palace of the Governors. Originally named Hot Springs, the town that is home to the Spaceport America Visitor Center was renamed for a radio quiz show as part of a contest. The total driving distance from Albuquerque, NM to White Sands, NM is 243 miles or 391 kilometers. But that being said, this is, hands-down, one of the most unique places in New Mexico. White Sands National Monument is a U.S. National Monument located in the state of New Mexico on the north side of Route 70 about 16mi southwest of Alamogordo in western Otero County and northeastern Doa Ana County. 5. . Go on more adventures. Looking for ideas for more destinations within driving distance of Albuquerque? 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. You then continue west until you reach Pojoaque, where you turn left and head towards Santa Fe, passing by some spectacular mountain peaks along the way. It's the country's oldest continuously inhabited community, also known as Sky City. open-ended. The national COVID-19 helpline number in White Sands National Monument is 800-232-4636. Long before airplanes and an interstate highway system made movement between cities fast and convenient, Americans traveled by train. From here, pick up US-60 East and follow the signs for Cibola National Forest. This route is ideal if you want to discover New Mexico's stunning natural landscape and fascinating history, along with some charming small towns. However, you can still trace the route of Mother Road through the American Southwest. Here are the best road trips from Albuquerque. View the steepness of roads from Albuquerque to White Sands and check the elevation or altitude along the way. After that, take NM 14, which winds through beautiful landscapes and charming little towns. Then drive for about 10 minutes. Going back to Las Cruces on US70, then I-25 is 337 miles. It includes the International Space Hall of Fame. So many adventures and stories along the way. Albuquerque is one of the largest cities in New Mexico and offers a vast wealth of attractions. Want to plan the trip back? And like all good hotels, its the little details that make a stay at Los Poblanos stand out. FLATTEST ROUTE. Find pet-friendly stops. I have a full guide to White Sands National Monument (filled with tips and advice I wish I knew before visiting) right here. Also, there . I would not suggest going into it blind because there are zero facilities in the area (and you wont have reception). The quickest way to get from Albuquerque to White Sands National Monument is to fly and drive which costs SFr 25-SFr 280 and takes 4h 2m. Big slabs of 72 oz steak that you get for free if you can eat it by yourself in under an hour. As there are no accommodation options inside White Sands National Park itself, The Classic Desert Aire Hotel in nearby Alamogordo is a fantastic choice for a stay at your destination stop. $226 - $672. Just over two hours away from Albuquerque youll find one of the worlds most impressive feats of technological ingenuity otherwise known as the Very Large Array. travelers and answer their questions about Albuquerque! 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