US 550 Albuquerque to Durango

[MottissMT36RL]

We are planning our annual trek to Seattle from Texas and I want to go a new way to Spokane for a few days to play golf before pushing on to Seattle. The part of the trip that I haven't pulled is Albuquerque to Durango then over to Cortez and up to Moab. Any info about these roads will be appreciated (US 550, US 491). Also any recommendations about CG's in Santa Rosa, Albuquerque, Durango and Moab would be helpful.

[ALBQ]

In Albuquerque if you want a freebee you can stay at Sandia Casino, and you can spend a few bucks gambling. About 5 miles north on I-25 from the Interchange of I-40 & I-25. Take Tramway Exit>>>>>>
Also All the Walmarts in Albq allow overnighting.

[BillMFl]

milo wrote:
BillMFI, sure you were on same 550 between Bernalillo & Durango. I've driven it several gazillion times and have never seen it how you describe it. You got it confused with 491 between Gallup & Shiprock. Now that's a butt ugly drive.

Nope I've never driven 491. And to be fair, I did exagerate a little. Its the section between Bloomfield and Cuba that was rather bleak. There are way more interesting options on 84 although the drive is longer if you are coming from Albuquerque. I love New Mexico and try to get there as ofton as possible and my personal advice to someone who has the time would be to take 84 and stop along the way to see the many scenic areas along the way. 550 is shorter andhas the back entrance to Bandolier/ Los Alamos and the entence to Chaco but 84 has so much rugged scenery, the green vally of the Rio Chama and Rio Grande, Abiquiu Lake Park, Ghost Ranch, Oho Caliente,Elvado Lake SP, Heron Lake SP, Cumbre & Toltec Scenic RR, Pagosa Springs just to name a few. And I can't not stop at the Tesuque Indian Reservation Flea Market when I pass that way. I've become friends with some of the vendors there over the years. For those who are willing to leave the main highways, New Mexico is loaded with hidden jems and one of my most favorite states.

[milo]

BillMFI, sure you were on same 550 between Bernalillo & Durango. I've driven it several gazillion times and have never seen it how you describe it. You got it confused with 491 between Gallup & Shiprock. Now that's a butt ugly drive.

[BillMFl]

dsteinman wrote:
US 550 to Durango is an good easy route.

It you want something a little less easy but more scenic. Then you could take US 285 at Clines Corner. Then take this to Santa FE and then US 84 to Chama and then to Pagosa Springs, CO. Then US 160 to Durango. There are a few curves and hills that will slow you a little. But, no major passes.

David

x10 This route is very scenic from Espanola up to Pagosa. 550 is mostly hot, dead flat and barren. Nothing to look at but tumble weeds and desert. Not pretty, not ugly but dam sure pretty ugly. There are lots of interesting stops off of 84 and scenery you will want to take pics of.
along the way on 84

[lizzie]

We were at Santa Rosa SP last night. It is very nice and only cost $14.00. We are at the KOA at Bernalillo now and it is fine for just traveling through. Not our usual cup of tea but we had business in Albuerque and needed a place for one night. lizzie

[dsteinman]

US 550 to Durango is an good easy route.

It you want something a little less easy but more scenic. Then you could take US 285 at Clines Corner. Then take this to Santa FE and then US 84 to Chama and then to Pagosa Springs, CO. Then US 160 to Durango. There are a few curves and hills that will slow you a little. But, no major passes.

David

[DesertHawk]

US 550 in NM was a good route.

:C Santa Fe has a lot of neat things to see & do. Santa Fe & Bandelier Nat'l Mon't -A Trip Report last summer.

More on the Santa Fe Area Expanded & ABQ.

At the US 550 Exit, Just minutes north of Albuquerque (off of I-25, exit 242) in Bernalillo, is Coronado State Monument where Francisco Vásquez de Coronado—with 300 soldiers and 800 Indian allies from New Spain—entered the valley while looking for the fabled Seven Cities of Gold. Monument

There is a Bernalillo city campground (used to be a state part) at the entrance to the State Monument. Wasn't a bad site some years ago, haven't been there in some time. Coronado Campground

Between Cuba & Bloomfield (US 550); There seems to be a new Apache Nugget Travel Center & Casino at the junction of US 550 & NM 537. The gas prices were the best we saw up in the area. In 2012 when we made a trip to Chaco Canyon. They do have RV sites:
RV Hook-Up at $25.00 a night (electrical/water, no sewer dump available).
Shower Room at $8.00 per person (provide your own towels/soap/etc.).

Our Chaco Canyon Trip Part One in 2012. A hard one to get back into at times. Part Two There is a BLM Camping at Angel Peak Area. Part Two describes this area.

Aztec Ruins National Monument is off US 64 in Aztec (just off US 550 in Bloomfield). http://www.nps.gov/azru

Using I-40 to get to ABQ, One may go to Santa Fe, from I-40 using Exit 218 & take US 285 from Cline's Corners to I-25, close to Glorieta Pass & Pecos. This would keep you out of ABQ & the I-40 & I-25 crossing there. US 550 is off I-25.

Or take US 84 (East of Santa Rosa, NM) Exit 256 (I-40) to I-25 (south of Las Vegas).

I-25 N (Just East of Santa Fe) , in the Glorieta Pass & Pecos Area: Civil War Battlefield and Pecos Nat'l Historic Park, the remains of an Indian pueblo.

There is a State Park outside of Las Vegas: Storrie Lake State Park. We have overnighted at the Walmart there a few times as well.

Off I-25 between Santa Fe & Las Vegas, NM, you might enjoyed an overnight at Villanueva State Park. It is off the 25 a bit.

Near Santa Rosa just Off I-40, Santa Rosa Lake State Park would be another nice place to overnight. Never been there myself.

NM State Parks are a good bargain. $10 without electric, $4 more for electric. Most have nice showers (no extra cost) & no entry fee or day fee on top of camping fee as in TX & CO.

Navajo Lake State Park is East of Bloomfield.

[trailertraveler]

We enjoyed our stays at United Campground of Durango and Santa Rosa State Park. Near Moab, there are a number of campgrounds along UT-128. To visit Mesa Verde National Park, we stayed at A & A Mesa Verde RV Park.

[PenMan]

Good roads all the way. In Albuquerque the only campground that would be right on your way is a KOA just off of I-40 just as you enter the city. It's nice but nothing special. If you just want to park overnight the Sandia Casino on I-25 at Tramway exit allows overnight parking. There is also a KOA in Bernalillo close to where you go from I-25 to Hwy. 550. I live in Albuquerque so have not stayed at any of the campgrounds here but I buy my propane from the KOA off of I-40 and they are friendly people. Have a good trip.

[dkreuzen]

I have been on the Albuquerque to Durango and Durango to Cortez routes and don't remember any adverse conditions.