From Sacramento To New Mexico

As a native New Mexican (born at White Sands Missile Range!) I would recommend coming south of Santa Fe on the west side on Highway 14 (the Turquoise Trail). Definitely stop in Madrid, and eclectic old mining town taken over by artists in the 70s. Check out Albuquerque, then go south on I-25 to Socorro, Truth or Consequences, and Hatch. Eat lunch at the Pepper Pot in Hatch for some AMAZING green chile, then continue on to Las Cruces. Explore Mesilla (original capital of the New Mexico Territory), then go west on Highway 70 to White Sands National Monument. From Alamagordo, NM, climb up to Ruidoso, NM. Then take 380 back west across the malpais lava flows past the Trinity site and pick I-25 back up to return to Albuquerque. Go west on I-40 to Gallup, and head home through Flagstaff.