Southwest USA Road Trip New Mexico and Arizona
Explore the American Southwest with this southwest USA itinerary through New Mexico, the southwestern corner of Utah and Northern Arizona. Get the Inspiration you need to plan your own trip
by Celeste Lipford and Terry Lipford - last updated on 11/13/2024
Thinking about planning a Southwest USA road trip?
Discover why starting your journey in New Mexico could be the perfect choice! Join us as we share our adventure through New Mexico, Monument Valley Utah, and Northern Arizona, offering tips and insights for your own unforgettable road trip.
When we travel, we like to keep things interesting. Whether it's hopping across the pond to Europe or exploring corners of the U.S. that are different from our usual surroundings, we're always on the lookout for new experiences. Now that we have the freedom to travel at our own pace, we've set our sights on places that have long been on our radar but somehow always slipped through the cracks or we felt like we hadn’t spent enough time experiencing those things in the past. This time, our journey took us through three states: New Mexico, the southwestern corner of Utah, and Northern Arizona.
Throughout this blog, we'll lay out our itinerary in detail, offering practical insights and tips for anyone considering a similar trip. From must-see attractions to the nitty-gritty logistical details, and even some money savings tips.
For this itinerary, we opted to fly to New Mexico, where we rented a car to navigate most of our journey through the state then up to Monument Valley in southern Utah, before looping back into Arizona for the final leg of our trip. This isn't our first rodeo when it comes to this type of travel; we've found flying to a starting point before embarking on a road trip to be efficient and a great way to start a road trip.
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Click the above video poster image to view our 10-day New Mexico road trip video - exploring breathtaking landscapes, historical landmarks and National Parks. Our journey takes you through top destinations: Albuquerque, White Sands National Park, Lincoln National Forest, Carlsbad Caverns, Roswell, Santa Fe, Bandelier National Monument, Los Alamos, Chaco Culture National Historical Park, and our failed visit to the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Badlands. Along the way, we dive into New Mexican cuisine, discuss the unique population dynamics compared to Arizona, and capture must-see sites and hidden gems. Whether you're planning a New Mexico road trip or curious about the Land of Enchantment, this video is your guide to the ultimate New Mexico adventure!
Benefits to the fly-drive approach
- Time-saving: Flying cuts down travel time significantly. Instead of spending days on the road, we can cover vast distances in just a matter of hours.
- Vehicle preservation: With the ever-rising costs of automobiles, preserving our own vehicles for as long as possible is a priority. By renting, we avoid putting unnecessary mileage on our personal cars.
- Comfort: As we find ourselves in the "third act" of our lives, long stretches behind the wheel can take a toll on our bodies. Flying allows us to minimize discomfort from extended periods of driving and sitting.
- Cost-effective: Renting a fuel-efficient car helps keep gasoline costs down, making our journey more budget-friendly and avoiding the long drive from the east coast (in our case) offsets the cost of flying.
Now that we've explained why we chose to fly to our starting point and rent a car, let's dive into some tips for making the most out of this type of travel. Whether you're a seasoned road-tripper or new to the game, these insights can help streamline your planning process and ensure a smooth journey. Once we've covered these practical pointers, we'll jump into the details of our itinerary, sharing highlights from each leg of our trip.
Practical road trip tips for flying and driving:
- Stay Hydrated and Snack Smart: Keep yourself hydrated by purchasing water and snacks upon arrival and during your journey, especially in the dry climate of the Southwest.
- Acquire a Cooler: Consider bringing a cooler or purchasing a cooler when you get there to store drinks and food items. This budget-friendly option allows you to enjoy meals on the go and avoid the high costs of dining out for every meal. We’ve recently started using a soft-sided cooler from REI that folds flat and fits into our luggage. This has been a game-changer for us.
- Choose the Right Vehicle: Rent a vehicle that suits the terrain and conditions of your trip. For remote or rugged areas, opt for a 4-wheel drive vehicle to ensure safety and accessibility.
- Plan with Flexibility: Create a list of must-see attractions and activities, but remain flexible with your schedule. Allow room for spontaneity and be prepared to adjust your plans as needed while still prioritizing your key interests.
- Research and Embrace Discovery: Research major attractions and sights in advance, while making note of any place that requires reservations up front, but remain open to unexpected discoveries along the way. Strike a balance between planned activities and the thrill of exploring new places spontaneously.
Rental Car Tips:
Save big on your rental car by exploring various deals through AAA, Expedia, or leveraging points from your travel credit cards. Take the time to compare rates from multiple rental companies. On our recent trip, we saved over $1000 simply by shopping around. For this particular journey, AAA came through for us. While it may require some extra time investment upfront, the significant savings make it well worth the effort.
Consider using Turo to rent a car. Turo is a peer-to-peer car-sharing marketplace. Owners rent their vehicle to others. We’ve done this a few times and it has worked out okay for us. Be careful to make sure there isn’t a limit on the miles you can drive.
If you are road-tripping in Europe check out our pages with tips for European travel.
This route took us 17 days and we traversed 2,100 miles during our journey. We stayed in most locations for just one or two days. We had never been to New Mexico together (Terry had spent some time there years ago but didn’t visit the places that we went during this trip) and did not visit Monument Valley Utah on our last southwest trip. We had been to Arizona but felt that there were things we hadn’t done or that we hadn’t spent enough time there in the past. So we added the Grand Canyon, Sedona and Phoenix to the list.
Southwest Trip Route Map
The following sections of this page are divided into each State that we visited, with a link to the page(s) that cover those destinations that we visited while at a specific city. For example, while we were in Carlsbad, NM we visited Carlsbad Caverns National Park. While we were in Albuquerque, NM we visited several destinations that can be seen on our Albuquerque Page.
New Mexico Destinations
Albuquerque, NM Map
Trip Start: We arrived at Albuquerque International Airport, picked up our rental vehicle and drove to the Hilton Inn & Suites Airport.
Discover more about Albuquerque by clicking through to our detailed guide! Whether you're planning a trip or just curious, our Albuquerque page will provide you with in-depth insights, helpful tips, and must-see highlights that bring the area to life. Don't miss out on our travel advice, and the unique activities that make this place unforgettable.
Alamogordo, NM Map
Day 4: we drove south from Albuquerque to Alamogordo, NM with a short stop at McGinn's PistachioLand which was entertaining & fun. If you enjoy pistachio ice cream, you need to stop here.
We were amazed at our initial views of the White Sands dunes - they can be seen from miles away, creating a striking visual contrast against the surrounding landscape. The brilliant white gypsum sands stand out prominently, making them visible from highways and neighboring areas. Just to give you some idea of this, we were on Route 54 driving south to Alamogordo and the white sand dunes were clearly visible after we departed McGinn's PistachioLand. Yet the park is over 20 miles west of Route 54.
Carlsbad, NM Map
Day 5: we drove east to Carlsbad, NM with stops at the Tunnel Vista Observation Site on U.S. Highway 82 and the Trestle Depot Recreation Area in Cloudcroft, NM.
Traveling from Alamogordo to Carlsbad through the Lincoln National Forest reveals a remarkable diversity in New Mexico’s landscapes. Beginning in Alamogordo, you pass through the desert basin before ascending into the lush, pine-covered peaks of Lincoln National Forest. This mountainous region offers cool, dense woodlands, streams, and meadows — a stark contrast to the surrounding desert. As you descend toward Carlsbad, the scenery transitions back to desert plains and rugged limestone formations, including nearby Carlsbad Caverns.
Roswell, NM Map
Day 6: we were on our way to Santa Fe driving north on U.S. Highway 285 which just happens to go through Roswell.
The Roswell International UFO Museum features interesting exhibits filled with declassified documents, eyewitness accounts, photos, and memorabilia that explore the possibility of extraterrestrial life. If you are a sci-fi enthusiast, this place is for you!
Click here to view our Roswell, NM International UFO Museum page
Santa Fe, NM Map
Day 6: Onwards to Santa Fe. The drive from Roswell to Santa Fe offers a distinctly desolate beauty, characterized by long stretches of open desert, wide plains, and sparse vegetation. The landscape is vast and empty, with only the occasional small town or ranch breaking up the horizon.
Our visit to Santa Fe, New Mexico, provided us with a rich tapestry of culture, history, and art. Known for its distinctive adobe architecture and vibrant arts scene, Santa Fe captivates visitors with museums like the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum and the Museum of International Folk Art. The city’s Plaza area is a hub of activity, with local artisans, shops, and historic landmarks like the San Miguel Mission. Food lovers can savor authentic Southwestern cuisine, while outdoor enthusiasts can explore scenic hiking trails nearby.
Utah Destinations
Monument Valley, UT Map
Day 10: Monument Valley straddles the border of Utah and Arizona, but technically lies within the Navajo Nation. This otherworldly landscape is famed for its towering sandstone buttes, called mesas, that jut dramatically from the desert floor. The most recognizable formations include Merrick Butte, John Ford's Point, and The Mittens.
In the interests of accuracy, the majority of the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park that we explored was in Arizona - including the cabin that we rented. Yes, physically the valley extends quite a ways into Utah, but the area that most tourists visit is in Arizona.
Arizona Destinations
Grand Canyon, AZ Map
Day 12: This is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and for good reason. This massive canyon, carved by the Colorado River over millions of years, is 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide and attains a depth of over a mile. For whatever reason, the highest area of the North Rim of the Canyon is higher (7,800 feet) than the South Rim (Yavapai Point at 2,400 feet).
With numerous viewpoints, such as the popular South Rim, there's no shortage of photo opportunities. Hiking trails cater to all levels, from leisurely strolls to challenging hikes into the canyon. The park also offers ranger-led programs, providing insights into its geology and wildlife.
Sedona Canyon, AZ Map
Day 13: This is a visually stunning region known for its red-rock formations, towering buttes, and spiritual vortexes. These vortexes are believed to be areas of concentrated energy that can have a healing or transformative effect on visitors.
The breathtaking landscapes provide ample opportunities for outdoor activities like hiking, mountain biking, and jeep tours, allowing visitors & guests to immerse themselves in nature. The area is also known for its numerous art galleries and local shops, showcasing the creativity of the community.
More Info for the Southwest United States
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In the trip menu list below, a "dark filled circle" represents a destination where we stayed, and the "dark filled arrow" items below that circle location, represent the destinations we visited while in that city or location. A circle icon that is not filled represents a city that we visited or stayed in, but did not necessarily explore.
Click any link below to go directly to that page;
- Sandia Peak Tramway
- Petroglyph National Monument
- Old-Town Albuquerque
- National Museum of Nuclear Science & History
Alamogordo, NM
- Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, NM
- Museum of Indian Arts & Culture, NM
- Ojo Santa Fe Spa Resort, NM
- Bradbury Science Museum - Los Alamos, NM
- Los Alamos, NM
- Bandelier National Monument, NM
- Nambé Falls, NM
- Meow Wolf, NM
Chaco Culture National Historical Park, NM
Grand Canyon, AZ
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