Trip from Dallas to the Grand Canyon in 2014... Any Suggestions?

[Ramble On]

Planning a trip from Dallas to the Grand Canyon in the coming Year. I hope to get suggestions as to route, best time of year, places to stay, things to do and what to avoid. Any and all recommendations or suggestions are welcome.

[eubank]

Humm. Questions here.

If you're wanting to zing over to the canyon, stay there, and then whip back to Big D, then your best bet is to hit 287, run to I40 at Amarillo, and high-speed it to Arizona and back. You'll love the canyon with lots of time there to explore, but you'll see practically nothing in between.

However, if the road is the goal, and the road just happens to end at the canyon, well, things are different. Sure, you'll spend less time at the canyon, but you'll learn a whole lot more about what lies in between the canyon and home. Personally, I'd suggest that you then seek out one of the east-west US highways, either Hwy 60 or Hwy 64 and explore away. Spend well more than half of your trip just getting to the canyon and back home!

There are resources on the web for tourist destinations in between, but most just hit the high points. If you want some less known and fun stuff, I'd check something like the Legends of America site:

Legends of America - Home Page


Lynn

[Ramble On]

Thanks for the information. I will check it out.
Any good campgrounds around Angel Fire?

[eubank]

Nope, no good ones!

Seriously, the trip to the canyon and back is a tough one because there are aren't that many E-W corridors around here. Of course, there's I40 (the replacement for old Hwy 66) along with 64 and 60. Since we avoid interstates like the plague that they are, that leaves us with only 60 and 64. We generally take 64 not just because it's closer (about a mile from here), but also because we like the countryside and culture between here in NWish Arizona. However, we really would like to drive 60 some time. It is further south, though, so it doesn't lead to NW Arizona without quite a lot of extra navigating.


Lynn

Originally Posted by Ramble On

Thanks for the information. I will check it out.
Any good campgrounds around Angel Fire?

[Ramble On]

Originally Posted by eubank

Nope, no good ones!

Seriously, the trip to the canyon and back is a tough one because there are aren't that many E-W corridors around here. Of course, there's I40 (the replacement for old Hwy 66) along with 64 and 60. Since we avoid interstates like the plague that they are, that leaves us with only 60 and 64. We generally take 64 not just because it's closer (about a mile from here), but also because we like the countryside and culture between here in NWish Arizona. However, we really would like to drive 60 some time. It is further south, though, so it doesn't lead to NW Arizona without quite a lot of extra navigating.


Lynn

Thanks, I will look into Hwy 64. Is I-40 congested with trucks between Amarillo and Albuquerque. I was thinking about taking side trips down historic Hwy 66 when available. Last summer we traveled I-10 from Junction to Fort Davis with surprisingly little traffic.

[RT66]

If I was looking for a road less traveled from Dallas to the Grand Canyon I would seriously consider picking up US 380 somewhere in west Texas and take it to Socorro, NM, then US 60 to Springerville, AZ, and from there US 180 to Holbrook. That will take you by Lincoln, NM (a must stop for Billy the Kid buffs), the Bosque del Apache wildlife refuge (a birders paradise), the Very Large Array radio telesope, Petrified Forest NP plus much more. From Holbrook you can either take I-40 directly to Flagstaff then up to the GC or work your way across the Rez. Great stuff the see on the Navajo and Hopi reservations, Canyon De Chelly, Hubbell Trading Post, Painted Desert. I live in Flagstaff and travel US 180 & 60 often to visit family in New Mexico and El Paso. Full disclosure I have never been on US 380 east of Clovis, NM so have now idea what it is like east of Clovis.

Best time of year? - Late September early October, no question about it.

[Ntex]

I second the recommendation of US 380. Roswell, New Mexico is interesting for more than just its alien fantasies ( check out the art museum!) and the road west of there is beautiful. The back roads from Carrizozo to Albuquerque take you by rarely visited remains of old Spanish missions that are National Monuments.

[RT66]

Thanks for reminding me NTex, I had forgot about the Salinas Pueblo/Mission complex. Gran Quivira is way off the beaten path but well worth the visit. And to correct my prior post, 380 does not go through Clovis, but through Roswell. If you take 380, just before you hit I-25 is the town of San Antonio NM. San Antonio has 2 claims to fame, one is the birth place of Conrad Hilton, but more important is the Owl Bar, best green chile cheese burger on the planet.

[eubank]

There are those among us who disagree strongly. Across the street is the Buckhorn. Need one say more?

Lynn

Originally Posted by RT66

...but more important is the Owl Bar, best green chile cheese burger on the planet.

[RT66]

The Owl established the tradition, others may have improved upon it. I didn't mean to start a debate over the best green chile cheese burger and that being said I've never been to the Buckorn so can't refute your opinion. All I can say is every chance I get to stop at the Owl I do. Maybe next time I will check out the Buckhorn. Either place, I doubt one will be disappointed.