Route from Raleigh, NC to Mesa Verde, Colorado

I-40 across Arkansas is boring (although Lake Dardanelle SP is nice, agreed) and has very heavy big-truck traffic. Unless you can't spare the extra time, I recommend US 412 across northern Arkansas for good scenery and light traffic. 412 takes you to Tulsa, where you can pick up I-44 to Oklahoma City.

From Amarillo, I like US 87 and then 287 to Raton, NM. Take a look at Capulin National Monument, a small volcano just north of the highway. It's a short drive to the top of the (dormant) volcano.