Denver to Santa Fe/ABQ - I-25 vs 285? (Pueblo, Durango: home, restaurants)

[BarryK123]

Planning a trip to NM next month. Looking at Google maps, travel via 285 is about 30 minutes longer, but 40 miles less from Denver to ABQ than I-25. Is there anything worth seeing (short stops) along the 285 route? How are amenities such as restaurants, gas stations, etc. along 285? Thanks.

[SkyDog77]

Bailey, Kenosha Pass, Salida, South Park, you'll also drive just to the west of Great Sand Dunes Nat'l Park.

[bluescreen73]

I personally would take 285 to Tres Piedras, NM, then hop on US-64 to Taos. You'll cross over the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. (In my best Troy McClure voice) You may remember it from such films as "Natural Born Killers" and "Twins." From there you can jog south and follow the Rio Grande on NM-68 to Espanola and then take US-84 to Santa Fe.

[McGowdog]

Wife, MrsGowdog and I went to New Mexico last fall for a little vacation.

Took some pics on the way from Pueblo through LaVeta Pass via I-25 to 160, then onto 285 to taos.


Then spent some time in Santa Fe.
//www.city-data.com/forum/santa...hoto-tour.html

Then to Albuquerque to check out the Historic Old Town;

Then back to Santa Fe then over to Chaco Park on our way to the Four Corners area;
//www.city-data.com/forum/new-m...hoto-tour.html

Then caught Mesa Verde on the way back home, 160 to I-25.
//www.city-data.com/forum/color...hoto-tour.html

[Miss Hepburn]

Now, I want to do a trip again that way!

[davebarnes]

285
Take your time
Stop along the way
Yelp can help
See Taos

[McGowdog]

Originally Posted by McGowdog

Then spent some time in Santa Fe.
//www.city-data.com/forum/santa...hoto-tour.html

This link doesn't work anymore because it just got moved to the Santa Fe New Mexico pic thread.

My first Santa Fe pic tour is #82 on page 3 here;

//www.city-data.com/forum/36911051-post82.html

A couple of my pics of food don't open anymore.

One was of a homemade tamale and a Chile Relleno that was so awesome and looked pretty good too. The pic no longer works.

Another pic of a smothered burrito Christmas style from Tune Up Cafe doesn't work any more either.

These should work though;

//www.city-data.com/forum/36911466-post85.html

[beezle1]

I have driven part of 285 to Santa Fe before. I cut over from I-25 on 160 through Walsenburge and Alamosa, then south on 285. This section has very few amenities so make sure you have enough gas and food. It was a pretty drive though.

[DOUBLE H]

Good opinions here.

Keep in mind one thing. It can still snow in April, I've been through South Park a couple times in ground blizzards, no fun. As you are coming down Poncha Pass, take the state highway 17 turnoff,you'll save an hour as opposed to staying on 285 through Saguache and Monte Vista. If you are looking for a good place for lunch, Antonito has two restaurants on the main drag I would recommend-Dos Hermanas Restaurant and the Dutch Mill Cafe.

A little south of town it's picture taking time as you are going past those steam locomotives that are the Cumbres Toltec Narrow Guage. Their season starts in May though, consider another trip for that train ride. Beautiful,beautiful scenery as it goes to Chama, New Mexico. Every bit as impressive as the Durango/Silverton RR. Maybe more impressive.

Not a lot of anything else tourist wise (with the exception of the Great Sand Dunes) as you are headed to the border with the exception of one of Colorado's famed athletes who seems to be forgotten about anymore-Jack Dempsey. He grew up in Manassas, just off 285. His boyhood home is a small museum of sorts, fairly interesting if you are into sports from the 1920'/30's. As you are going past Tres Piedras,New Mexico watch out for the deer between there and Ojo Caliente. The four lane road is a welcome addition as you come into Espanola. Pretty drive through northern New Mexico,not much in regards to services till ya get to Santa Fe.

Enjoy!

[BarryK123]

Thanks for the suggestions