road trip on I40 and back

[mudhound]

My wife and I are hitting the road next spring. We (SADLY) are not camping on this trip. We have 7-8 days to get to Tucson AZ, 4-5 days there and 6-7 days to make it back home to Bean Station TN.
I was hoping to get this sites input of must see stops. Granted, we are going to stop at the Grand Canyon (Full day), Petrified Forest, and the Painted Desert. We hope to travel a day and stop a day. Or, maybe see something in the morning and travel that afternoon.
This trip will be from Knoxville TN to Tucson AZ taking I40 going and the southern route back.
Thank for your input.

[tatest]

I would add the Meteor Crater outside Winslow to trailertraveler's list. A visit can be as short as an hour, no more than two. See what happens when a medium-size meteor makes a direct hit, rather the glancing blows we've seen in the last couple of centuries.

[trailertraveler]

mudhound wrote:
WOW! Thanks to the 10th power! This was what I was looking for.

Your Welcome! Glad you found the information useful.

[mudhound]

cruiserjs wrote:
I 40 does not go through/to Tucson!! I 10 does though.???

We are taking I40 out and back on I10 or maybe back up to I40.
I forgot to say we might divert to the Alamo on the way back.

[mudhound]

trailertraveler wrote:
There a lot to see along I-40. In Amarillo, there is Palo Duro Canyon State Park and the Big Texan on Old Route 66. In New Mexico, Tucumcari still has dinners along Historic Route 66 and numerous murals painted on buildings plus other attractions. Santa Rosa is another Route 66 town and has the The Blue Hole and Santa Rosa Lake State Park which has a nice campground. In Albuquerque, the Pueblo Cultural Center and Petroglyph National Monument are worth visiting in my opinion. In Grants, there is the Mining Museum. Just South of I-40 going West from Grants are El Malpais National Monument, El Moro National Monument and the Ice Cave and Bandera Volcano. Acoma Sky City is said to be the longest occuppied location in the U.S. They give tours of the pueblo and there is an RV park next to the casino.

On the way to Flagstaff along I-40 are Petrified Forest National Park, Meteor Crater and Homolovi Ruins State Park. You can stand on the corner in Winslow Arizona.

In the Flagstaff area are Sunset Crater National Monument, Wupatki National Monument, and Walnut Canyon National Monument. Sedona/Camp Verde/Cottonwood are about an hour South of Flagstaff with Montezuma Castle and Montezuma Well National Monuments, Tuzigoot National Monument, Palatki and Honaki Ruins, V-Bar-V Heritage Site, Verde Canyon Railroad, Fort Verde State Park, Cathedral Rock, Gold King Mine, Jerome State Historic Park in the area.

All this before you even get to the Grand Canyon.

WOW! Thanks to the 10th power! This was what I was looking for.

[TyroneandGladys]

Hank85713 wrote:
the poster said he was going to grand canyon then tucson so on way to tucson... must be and asu grad!

Or a PHD from UA

[Hank85713]

the poster said he was going to grand canyon then tucson so on way to tucson... must be and asu grad!

[TyroneandGladys]

In addition to another vote for Palo Duro Canyon State Park would suggest Petit Jean State Park and National Cowboy Hall of Fame

[patperry2766]

Cadillac Ranch

West side of Amarillo Texas. Good place to spend an hour or so taking pics. Make sure to bring along a few cans of spray paint to leave your mark.

[trailertraveler]

There a lot to see along I-40. In Amarillo, there is Palo Duro Canyon State Park and the Big Texan on Old Route 66. In New Mexico, Tucumcari still has dinners along Historic Route 66 and numerous murals painted on buildings plus other attractions. Santa Rosa is another Route 66 town and has the The Blue Hole and Santa Rosa Lake State Park which has a nice campground. In Albuquerque, the Pueblo Cultural Center and Petroglyph National Monument are worth visiting in my opinion. In Grants, there is the Mining Museum. Just South of I-40 going West from Grants are El Malpais National Monument, El Moro National Monument and the Ice Cave and Bandera Volcano. Acoma Sky City is said to be the longest occuppied location in the U.S. They give tours of the pueblo and there is an RV park next to the casino.

On the way to Flagstaff along I-40 are Petrified Forest National Park, Meteor Crater and Homolovi Ruins State Park. You can stand on the corner in Winslow Arizona.

In the Flagstaff area are Sunset Crater National Monument, Wupatki National Monument, and Walnut Canyon National Monument. Sedona/Camp Verde/Cottonwood are about an hour South of Flagstaff with Montezuma Castle and Montezuma Well National Monuments, Tuzigoot National Monument, Palatki and Honaki Ruins, V-Bar-V Heritage Site, Verde Canyon Railroad, Fort Verde State Park, Cathedral Rock, Gold King Mine, Jerome State Historic Park in the area.

All this before you even get to the Grand Canyon.

[cruiserjs]

I 40 does not go through/to Tucson!! I 10 does though.???

[Hank85713]

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.

[NMDriver]

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.

[RoyB]

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

[edm3rd]

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.