Road Trip through NM (Albuquerque, Carlsbad: hotels, house, school)

[zenjenn]

We're relocating cross country, California->Alabama, leaving in 4 days. So please forgive me for not searching, I'm a bit crunched for time.

We are traveling with two small children and so will are trying to break up the trip with lots of stops. I was wondering if anyone could recommend a good place to stay or points of interest to visit somewhere along the 40. Place to stay probably somewhere in or near Albuquerque.

[Southlander]

Hey zenjenn, good luck on your trip! Try Old Town in Albuquerque...there's a natural history museum...Indian museum etc. A sky tram goes up the side of Sandia Mt. You may see some hot-air balloons flying if it's morning...the big balloon festival starts first weekend of October and the locals may be practicing. I love ABQ! In Amarillo, Texas, the "Cadillac Ranch" is a good place to stop and let the kids run around (it's the "sculpture" of old Cadillacs half-buried in the ground). It's free. Amarillo also has a steak house with a huge bull in front. Texas has some very interesting rest stops. Arkansas has - I kid you not - Toad Suck State Park. Very nice little park with a river, off the interstate a few miles but a great place to take a break.

[zenjenn]

Thanks Southlander. And yes, we are VERY VERY excited about Cadillac Ranch, already planned on stopping there for sure. One of those goofy places I've always wanted to visit. I will check out "Toad Suck Park" hehe.

We're looking forward to our road trip. We have a ton of planned stops in Arizona, family there too, but beyond Arizona it gets fuzzy. I wish we had time to go to Carlsbad Caverns again (we went there once before we had kids, and I know my daughter would love it), but it's just too much out of the way. Other than that we are going to stop and visit some Sukkot at various synagogues on the way, since our trip is during the Jewish festival.

The big question is from ABQ - Oklahoma City. Do we drive a full 8 hrs that day (LONG with kids) or do we actually rest for the night in Texas (two four-hour drives - kinda short). Still undecided on that one.

I wish we could be doing some camping on the way.. unfortunately since we have to pack every worldly posession we need for 2-3 months in our van, there's no room for camping gear. :/

[chilegal]

In Gallup, there is Red Rock State Park to see.
As for hotels there are many on 40 from Amarillo to Oklahoma City. You will have a choice of where to stop. If you don't find a good price, go on to the next one. Did that in Elk City, OK. I just came through there last week.
Have fun on your trip.

[nm_photojournalist]

I-40 east of Tucumcari, NM, through Amarillo, TX, to OKC is b-o-r-i-n-g!
Set the cruise control, and take a nap. Well, maybe not the driver, but you almost could. Palo Duro State Park, just south of Amarillo would provide the only diversion I can think of at present.

So, take your time to see the museums, zoo, aquarium, etc. in the Old Town area (Rio Grande Exit from I-40). Just two miles west of Old Town on I-40there are about 8 motels just off the South Coors Blvd. Exit, on the first street to the right (Iliff Rd.) (That's Eye-L--I-F-F). Try to sample some of our New Mexican food while in the area. "LIttle Anitas" at Rio Grande Blvd. & Mountain Road is inexpensive and very good too.

Leaving Albuquerque on I-40, you might want to see the "Blue Hole" in Santa Rosa (just off I-40 Business downtown). If you're around Tucumcari for lunch, try Del's Restaurant at the eastern end of Tucumcari Blvd. Exit off I-40 onto I-40 Business. It's been around since Route 66 days.

Alb. to OKC is about 540 miles. I-40 is posted (in NM at least) for 75mph if your car is up to it. 70mph in Texas & Oklahoma I think. If you don't want to drive all the way through to OKC, you might stop in Clinton, or Weatherford, OK...depending on your politics. LOL. They are both decent sized towns, with a good number of motels. Eastern Oklahoma is quite pretty, and northwestern Arkansas even better into Little Rock.

Enjoy your trip. P.S. I'm not familiar with the Jewish holidays, but FYI the two biggest Synagogues in Albuquerque are "Congregation Albert," 3800 Louisiana Blvd. (just south of Montgomery Blvd. from I-25). It is "reformed." The "conservative" congregation is "Congregation B'Nai Israel," 4401 Indian School Road NE." (This is a parallel street, not too far north of I-40).

[Six Foot Three]

You could take NM53 south of Grants for about 20 miles or so is the Bandera Vokcano and Ice Caves tour.

The Land of Fire & Ice