Memphis to Mesa Verde NP with one overnight, CRAZY?

We were on US 64, US 84, and US 550 on several trips in NW New Mexico last fall. US 550 is considerably faster than either US 64 or US 84 and much of it had just been repaved. Straight, few hills, wide shoulders, higher speed limits, few towns--perfect for getting to Mesa Verde quickly.

edm3rd wrote:
One suggestion, consider taking US-64 across Arkansas from Marion (just north of West Memphis) to Conway - about 1/2 of it is either 4 lane or 3 lane (alternate passing lane every 5-10 miles on the eastern end), much less truck traffic - rejoin I-40 at Conway. This also avoids Little Rock. Also suggest taking I-40 straight through Oklahoma City. Memphis-Little Rock truck traffic is very heavy - 1/2 or more of it takes I-30 out of Little Rock west to Texas while Conway to Oklahoma is less truck traffic.

I've never done the US 64 option but I agree on I-40 between Memphis and Little Rock, which is one of my least favorite stretches of interstate anywhere. It's hilly two lane (each way) with heavy semi traffic and slow trucks and/or slow poke 4-wheelers driving side-by-side with each other 10 mph (or more) under the speed limit and, as is common on routes with so much heavy truck traffic, some very rough pavement. If that wasn't bad enough, the last time I came through there a few summers ago between Memphis and LR there was construction on the westbound side funneling down to one lane, with miles of traffic back-up in the middle of the day. I now avoid that stretch of interstate if I can manage it.

Heisenberg wrote:
Santa Fe?? It is faster to get to Durango via 550. I40 Memphis to Albuquerque then a short I25 to Bernalillo where 550 takes you to Durango then west to Mesa Verde. The objective was to get to Mesa Verde in 2 days. Santa Fe is the scenic route through Chama and Pagosa Springs. However it is very time consuming.

OOPPSS, now I see your route and the only time I've used any part of 550 was a couple of times going from Ghost Ranch to Chaco Canyon and then over to Shiprock via 96-550-64 to 4 corners and then 41 to Blanding. Last time we were at Mesa Verde, we stayed at Echo Basin Ranch and had a great time. Our only problem at Mesa Verde, was as we were about half way out to the cliff dwellings, a sudden thunder storm rolled in and the rangers had us hitting the ground because of the lightning. Not the closest I've been to lightning, but definitely the scariest. The closest was in the air force and refueling a B-47 in the air and our plane took a hit on the wingtip and the spark jumped 50 feet to the receiver. Couldn't hear for almost an hour.

jolooote wrote:
Not crazy. There is absolutely NOTHING to see or stop for between Memphis & Santa Fe.:B

There is plenty to see and do if you are a Route 66 traveler, Santa Fe Trail and Western cattle trail historian, "Indian Territory" explorer, Buffalo River National Park canoeist or kayaker, etc., etc

For the OP, if you do stop in Amarillo, try Oasis RV Park, another Good Sam Park with 10 percent discount. It is located just off I-40 on the west side of town. So, you will not have to face any city traffic when you leave the next morning. We stayed there for 3 nights when we were visiting relatives in Amarillo.

If you don't have a reservation at Morefield already, a great alternative is the Juniper Campground at McPhee Reservoir/Rec Area near Dolores. It has long, flat, paved, 30A electric sites, some with junipers for shade, with numerous water spigots and flush toilets for about half the price of Morefield's FHU sites. It is 10 miles from Mesa Verde, but you won't have to drive the MH up that long grade to Morefield. And best of all, it is right next door to the best Anasazi museum (the Anasazi Heritage Center) in the Four Corners, with lots of interactive exhibits for the kids.

550 North 4 lanes through NM and 160 West in CO ... I cannot think of a faster way than going through a little piece of Durango. East to west in 2 days from Memphis to Mesa Verde I40W I25N 550N 160W.

As a former flatlander who skied I had to make the route as short as possible in route to Purgatory.

Did I miss something? The OP is going to Mesa Verde not Santa Fe or Durango. He could pass through either or both but it is not the shortest/fastest way to get there. Follow Google maps and avoid the traffic in both places.

Santa Fe?? It is faster to get to Durango via 550. I40 Memphis to Albuquerque then a short I25 to Bernalillo where 550 takes you to Durango then west to Mesa Verde. The objective was to get to Mesa Verde in 2 days. Santa Fe is the scenic route through Chama and Pagosa Springs. However it is very time consuming.

One big thing to remember is that after leaving Santa Fe, most of the roads you'll be driving will be two lane mountain type roads. From Santa Fe to Durango is nice wide two lane and from Durango ,there are hills and curves. After leaving Mesa Verde, the run to North Rim is pretty straight forward and goes past Monument Valley. two lanes to Zion and four lanes from Zion to Vegas. From Vegas, it's freeway and two lanes to Bakersfield and 99 north to Sequoia NP.

Not crazy. There is absolutely NOTHING to see or stop for between Memphis & Santa Fe.:B

Have driven Memphis to Amarillo (720 miles) 10-12 times over the last 35 years in a truck (NOT towing). About 12 hours with 1 fuel stop at posted speeds. One suggestion, consider taking US-64 across Arkansas from Marion (just north of West Memphis) to Conway - about 1/2 of it is either 4 lane or 3 lane (alternate passing lane every 5-10 miles on the eastern end), much less truck traffic - rejoin I-40 at Conway. This also avoids Little Rock. Also suggest taking I-40 straight through Oklahoma City. Memphis-Little Rock truck traffic is very heavy - 1/2 or more of it takes I-30 out of Little Rock west to Texas while Conway to Oklahoma is less truck traffic.