Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I'm thinking of working an extra 2 days into my next trip to Albuquerque to go to Shiprock, and 550 looks to be the shortest route. Can anyone tell me what the road is like? Note, I'm an older driver who probably will stay in the slow lanes.
Also, motels for an overnight in Farmington? There don't seem to be any in Shiprock itself.
I'm thinking of working an extra 2 days into my next trip to Albuquerque to go to Shiprock, and 550 looks to be the shortest route. Can anyone tell me what the road is like? Note, I'm an older driver who probably will stay in the slow lanes.
Also, motels for an overnight in Farmington? There don't seem to be any in Shiprock itself.
The road is fine. It's 4 lanes at 70mph for good portions of it. Once you get out a ways, traffic is very light.
I don't have any info on lodging in Farmington-hopefully someone else can chime in.
Farmington has plenty of hotels. The last time I was there I believe we used the Comfort Inn and it was fine. Shiprock is on the Navajo reservation....no hotels there unless something has changed since my last time through.
The road is great and you will have it to yourself or nearly so. It is a pretty drive in places. Watch for Cabezon Peak in the distance on your left after San Ysidro - an old volcanic plug like Devil's Tower. Cuba is a good place to stop and stretch your legs or get coffee. There's an Apache casino a little further up the road if you need to stop. The terrain flattens out and Huerfano Mountain will be on your right. Take a couple hours to visit the Aztec big house ruins in Aztec. Highway 64 in Bloomfield will take you to Farmington and Shiprock.
I've only made this as an up and back daytrip but between Farmington, Aztec, and Bloomfield you should have no problem with a reasonable motel.
You'll want to stay in Farmington for the hotel. Shiprock is on a Navajo Indian Reservation and AFAIK there are no hotels available on the res. Farmington has several to choose from - maybe someone else can say where they've stayed and what they liked as far as a hotel in Farmington.
About 120 miles from 550 & I-25 you will pass the entrance to Chaco Canyon. It's then about 25 miles down a gravel road. It's worth the drive if you have the time.
A couple decades ago it was a two lane highway (NM 44), thank heavens the $$$ was available to get it 4 laned. IIRC it was completed in 2000. It's a pretty easy drive, be sure to watch your speed when you are coming to San Ysidro and Cuba. Sungrins is right regarding the casino, I've stopped there a few times. You have a little bit of a climb when you get north of Cuba as the Continental Divide crosses the highway, the elevation is a tad over 8000 ft. I've been on 550 a couple dozen times, have friends in Albuquerque, Edgewood, and also a couple towns in the SE corner of the state. In fact I was on that road just 6 weeks ago.
You actually are coming into Bloomfield first and there is a Super 8 motel on the left side of the road. Right next to it is the Roadhouse cafe, has a good size parking lot for the trucks as Halliburton is the big employer in Farmington. Breakfast specials are always good, don't know about lunch or dinner. Turn west onto U.S. Hwy. 64 as it takes you into Farmington. I'm a Motel 6 kind of a guy, have stayed there several times with no problems. There are other motels a couple blocks away, La Quinta is one I can remember, I know there are more. Denny's is just up the street from Motel 6.
Thanks for all the help. Duh - I should have realized no motels in Shiprock! Trip will probably be end of September, give or take - I'm excited!
Book your room early. September is fair time on the rez, and rooms get taken up quickly. I'm not sure when Shiprock Fair is, but it is around that time.
Insofar as rooms, Scott Ave is where you want to look in Farmington. It has all the national chains located there (Marriott, Comfort Inn, etc). Then from Scott Ave, you can also go across the river into Bloomfield on Broadway Ave. There are more hotels there. Holiday Inn Express and Comfort Suites in Bloomfield are great hotels. Stay away from Quality Inn, which is right across the street from Holiday Inn. The low ceilings and cardboard walls make you feel cramped. Also, I think there's a Super 8 up on the hill next to Super Walmart and Sam's Club.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
