road trip on I40 and back

You driving in an rv or just the car/truck? Amarillo has the big texan steak house but they also had a pretty decent chinese restaurant forget the mile exit but the kids liked it. Also in Gallup there is a PONDEROSA steak house mile marker 16 I think we make effort to stop each time through.

As to stops the painted desert and petrified forest are basically the same and can be done in about 1/2 day if just looking. Stay at the KOA unless mil retired in flagstaff. If mil retired go to Ft Tuthill and day trip out of there.

Stop at Montezuma castle on way to tucson, can also go down the highway from there to camp verde, pine, strawberry, payson if taking time.

Now when we travel just by car/truck the trip is a stop in amarillo from tucson and then someplace just north of St Louis as they are about a full day drive apart but we travel around 89 mph when traveling without trailer or rv. Route on Hwy 54 in NM to 40 out of tucson is scenic yet quiet. End up in santa rosa/tucumcari area on 40. Get to go thru white sands range on north side of el paso.

BBQ in Memphis, fish in Ark, chicken fried steak in OK, T-bone in TX, Green chile cheeseburger and enchiladas with a sopapilla in NM, chimichanga in AZ. Repeat on return trip.

We always had good luck spending a couple of days in the Flagstaff area and using it as home base so to speak.

Lots of great sites to see in and round Flagstaff. Love the Indian ruins NW of there. Staying at SEDONA $$$ is another great centralized area for attractions.

Some folks like staying at Williams and taking the train to the grand canyon.

You are not giving yourself much room to see much of anything. I know how these fast and furious road trips do this to you... Sometimes the best bet might be to fly to Phoenix and rent a car to get to spend more time looking at the attractions. Renting a CLASS C at Phoenix is good idea as well...

Roy Ken

An overnight stop in western Arkansas would give you a chance to drive smaller highways in the mountains, ie AR-7 to Jasper, after a night in Russellville. Another option would be south from Russellville to Hot Springs.

Since you have a few months before leaving, suggest contacting all states on your route for travel information.

We have traveled I-40 often, both directions, live just north of it on I-25. One of our favorite stops is La Posada in Winslow, AZ, possibly beyond where you turn south to go to Tucson. Historic hotel and great restaurant. Campground is Homolovi Ruins, couple of miles outside of town. Flying J right there at intersection. Other spots farther east, Overnite campground in Amarillo, TX also south of Amarillo, Palo Verde Canyon, a must see in our traveling opinion, and a good campground as well. And, there's a fairly good KOA at Lake Eufala in Oklahoma. Good luck, safe travels.

I like to use Roadside America when traveling. Maybe you will find something interesting along your route.