Albuquerque Travel Forum

Friends, we would like to travel to both Albuquerque and Grand Canyon. But I have no idea what those 300 miles of I-40 will be like around November the 7th. We plan to rent a car. We plan to cover the distance in one day. How realistic is it? I appreciate any advise. Thanks.

In early to mid November, the roads should be clear of winter weather on this leg of your trip. You will be travelling at elevation though. Any type of weather is possible. I would prepare accordingly. You might wish to get the road condition phone numbers for New Mexico and Arizona as well as their highway emergency numbers. I would pack water, non-perishable foods, warm clothes, and blankets just in case. If you have a cell phone and charger, make sure you maintain power. If you are not a member, you might consider joining AAA. They could offer towing and roadside assistance help. They also will help in route planning. It is a good idea to know where food, lodging, and fuel are available. You could also do the route planning yourself, using one of the online sites, such as mapquest. I'm not trying to be scary. You are dealing with some pretty wide open spaces though. For that part of the country, I would suggest these precautions if you were travelling at any time of the year. Gary

I would also suggest that you spend the night in Flagstaff before travelling on to the Canyon. There are more lodging, food, and fuel options. It would give you a chance to get a bit more rest, and also to make any last minute preparations for the rest of the trip. If it did turn out that the weather was bad at the Canyon, you could also switch travel destinations. Gary

I have made this drive several times, and it is a fast one. Along the way you will see native american tourist traps and such. You will also pass through the petrified forest national park. I suggest at least a quick look. Beyond that, the land is relatively desert like that part of the year. The drive can easily be done in five hours, as the speed limit is regarded as a recommendation.

>>>>the speed limit is regarded as a recommendation

I love that. Arizona might be a bit more patrolled but so long as you keep up with traffic, faster than the trucks, it will be fine

If the roads are clear (and they usually are in early November), you could drive directly from Albuquerque to Grand Canyon in about 6 hours via Williams, AZ. However, I would recommend an entirely different trip that takes an extra day. I would take I-40 out of Albuquerque, stop at Acoma's Sky City, then take NM-53 to see the El Malpais National Monument and El Morro. Pass through the Zuni Pueblo, then take US-191 back to I-40. If there is time, stop at the Petrified Forest and spend the night in Holbrook. The next morning get an early start and turn north on US-89 at Flagstaff. Do the Sunset Crater and Wupatki National Monument loop. Continue north on US-89 to AZ-64 west. It will take you to the Little Colorado Canyon overlook and then the Desert View Watchtower. Continue on East Rim Drive to Grand Canyon Village.

What a great travel plan, thank you! Now the trip sounds real.

Gary, thanks a lot, notes taken. We are AAA members, so we can order some road maps from them.

Is it true that the speed limit is 75? Very tempting. Thanks for all the tips.

Marina, the speed limit on I-40 in NM outside of towns and cities really is 75 mph. BTW, I wrote an Albuquerque general tip of the route I suggested. I included pics of some of the stops.

Here's another possibilty. There is a great restored railroad hotel (La Posada)in Winslow AZ, which is a couple of hours east of Flag. And it has fantastic food. If you happen to be in the vicinity at lunch or dinner times, it is well worth a visit. The lodging has been lovingly restored. It has a superb collection of modern oil portraits of the First Ladies. The portraits of Jackie Kennedy and Hillary Clinton are especially interesting.
Also...there is an awesome Giant (that's the name) truckstop /shoppingmall/ restaurant about 10 miles east of Gallup and right at an exit on I-40 if you need a pitstop (or are just curious).
Happy Trails....

Kabuka,

Thanks for posting this - we are doing the same trip next week! We are going to do a loop trip to the FlagStaff-GC-Santa Fe and back to Albuquerque.

You are up in Chesapeake Beach, I am down the bay a bit in the Norfolk Va area.

Great posts on the area - will definitely make some of these stops and give a post back after we return.