The long drive... (Albuquerque, Alamogordo, Gallup: insurance, construction, closing)

[coltraneandcoffee]

Hey all
the countdown move to either Navajo or Zuni Pueblo as a 4th grade teacher (depending on their turnover this year) is closing in on me!I leave upstate NY in less than two months and I will be driving across the country with my dad to get there. We are SLIGHTLY pressed for time (this isnt my roadtrip of a lifetime but...still...I want it to be more than going from point A to B to C!!)

The first leg of the journey we decided will be (upstate) NY to Nashville...stay overnight there, check it out, etc.

Eventually we need to get to Albuquerque where we will stay overnight, I will drive him to the airport and I will head up to Gallup where I need to be on Monday, June 9.

So, we don't have a LOT of time, but what do you all suggest as far as the trip from Nashville to Albuquerque? Im sure some of you have made it...
We hope to leave NY around June 4th(wed) or 5th(thurs) as he is taking time off from work to come with me.
Ill be living in NM for two years, plenty of time to see things on my own, but any suggestions about quick stops on our way to Abq...and suggestions for the second leg of our journey? What's the best way to get to abq from nashville and what's worth stopping for??
Sooo excited!
Danielle

[GregW]

Obviously the direct way is I-40 from Nashville to Albuquerque. The road atlas lists it a 1200+ miles. This should take two 12 hr days unless you really push it.

I would get on the websites of Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma and New Mexico and send away for their visitor information packages. These will provide you with information about the places you will pass by on your trip. Travelling to get someplace is different from travelling to see things on the way. You have to decide how long you want to take.

Anne & I drove from Tulsa, OK to Alamogordo, NM in one day a long time ago as part of a vacation from Connecticut to Arizona to visit relatives. It took two very long and one short day.

[CindyBQuilts]

Danielle, question: do you consider "upstate NY" to be Buffalo or Albany? Why I'm asking is that I've driven from Vermont to Nashville, and it took two days... I'm just expressing concern that driving that leg in one day is a little much, and you won't be feeling like seeing anything in Nashville. Yeah, Mommy-mode, again! I'll quit.

I don't know much about the 2nd leg, but just take it easy, and enjoy the trip with your Dad! Make it a special time for both of you, because, like you say, you'll be in NM for two years.

[coltraneandcoffee]

Greg W: two 12 hours days...well thats good to know, because honestly my dad thinks this can all be accomplished with ONE stopover and 3 days total

CindyBQuilts: Good point!! I live about 20 minutes north of Albany, so nowhere near buffalo....but If I remember correctly...I have to head that way to head towards nashville...so thats a few hours I didnt take into account for the first part....

Mommy mode is super helpful, trust me. My dad drives militant-style and I need to convince himthat this trip CANNOT happen in less than 4 days. He doesnt believe me!! He is insane. We drove from Denver to Albany, NY once with about 1 1/2 stops. I almost died. Thankfull the Perkins in North Platte, Nebraska is not stingy with coffee.

[GregW]

Like I asked. Is this trip for getting there or for enjoying? Seems to me this is your trip and you should decide. I suggest telling, not asking, you father that if he wants to co drive it will be on your terms. Given the time of year and your start location (Saratoga, NY perhaps) I suggest the following:

Day 1 – Start early enough to get past Albany rush hour. Take Interstate I-90 W to Cleveland, OH then I-71 S through Akron, OH to Columbus, OH. An alternate route through Binghamton, NY via I-88 is possible and very scenic.

Day 2 – Take I-71 S to Louisville, TN then I-65 S to Nashville, TN – Stay in Nashville and enjoy the music.

Day 3 – Take I-40 W to Oklahoma City or further

Day 4 – Stay on I-40 to Albuquerque – enjoy visit to Albuquerque till dad flies back to Albany

Remember that it is YOUR trip and he can help but not control. "Militant" gotta get thar trips soon turn into hell rides and they are not fun. Tell him to bring a book to keep his mind off your driving would be a good idea.

Next time A&I make this trip we will plan on 5 days so we can stop and actually see some things like the Air Force Museum in Dayton, OH.

[CindyBQuilts]

Couldn't you also go south to Binghamton, and down I-81? It's a beautiful drive, and you could spend one night in Knoxville, and that would put you into Nashville with enough time to check out Music Row, etc... Just a thought.

[GregW]

You certainly can. I-81 is beautiful.I assume you have the latest national road atlas. I also sugggest joining the AAA for the road service insurance.

[CindyBQuilts]

I love AAA and recommend it, also! New in our area at least, is the travel agency portion of AAA.... my vacation was booked through them, and I'll let you know in a couple of weeks how it went!

[6 FOOT 3]

Originally Posted by coltraneandcoffee

Greg W: two 12 hours days...well thats good to know, because honestly my dad thinks this can all be accomplished with ONE stopover and 3 days total

Coltraneandcoffee...Although i wasn't pushing it...... it use to take me 2 1/2 days to drive from El Paso to Jacksonville Florida and vice versa which is 1.800 miles if that helps any.

6/3

[Devin Bent]

Originally Posted by CindyBQuilts

I love AAA and recommend it, also! New in our area at least, is the travel agency portion of AAA.... my vacation was booked through them, and I'll let you know in a couple of weeks how it went!

One nice thing about triple A mapping service is that they keep up with traffic construction and can steer you around that.