El Malpais Itinerary
The El Malpais Road Trip is a great way to explore the stunning landscapes of the Southwest United States. Starting in the city of Albuquerque, the route takes you through the town of Grants, before ending in the city of Quemado. The total distance is around 275 km and should take around two days to complete, depending on how many stops you make. The best time of year to drive this route is in the spring or autumn, when the temperatures are mild and the colours of the landscape are at their most vibrant.
You will be able to take in the breathtaking views of the El Malpais National Monument and the Cibola National Forest, as well as the historic and cultural sites in the region. The roads are in good condition and the journey is manageable for any driver. Plus, with a moderate budget, you can make this road trip a reality.
The El Malpais Road Trip offers a unique and unforgettable experience that will leave you with lasting memories. So why not plan your trip today?
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number of days
275 km
route length
fair
budget
family
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on the right
traffic direction
low
accident level
START
Albuquerque
Distance 275 km
Driving time 3.2 h
Pace: fast
82.4 kWh
Airports
ABQ
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Albuquerque, the largest city in New Mexico, is a great starting point for the El Malpais Road Trip. Located in the heart of the state, it is a vibrant city with plenty to explore. The Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) is the closest international airport, and car rentals are available.
Once you have your car, you can explore the city and its many attractions. Old Town Albuquerque is full of history and culture, with art galleries, museums, and shops. The Sandia Peak Tramway is a must-see, with stunning views of the city and the mountains. The Rio Grande Zoo and Albuquerque Biological Park are great for wildlife lovers.
The El Malpais Road Trip will take you to some of the most beautiful and unique places in the state. Visit El Malpais National Monument and Bandera Volcano, where you can explore lava fields and ancient rock formations. The Ice Cave and the El Morro National Monument are also worth a visit.
Albuquerque is a great place to start the El Malpais Road Trip. With its vibrant culture and stunning natural beauty, it is sure to be an unforgettable adventure.
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Albuquerque
- Grants
Distance 135 km
Driving time 1.5 h
Pace: fast
40.6 kWh
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Itinerary
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Are you ready for an amazing road trip from Albuquerque to Grants? This 84-mile journey will take you fewer than two hours, so you’ll have plenty of time to explore the attractions along the way.
Start your journey in Albuquerque, the largest city in New Mexico. Here, you can visit the ABQ BioPark, a collection of four parks and attractions, including the Albuquerque Aquarium, the Rio Grande Zoo, and Tingley Beach.
Continue on to Grants, located in the heart of the Cibola National Forest. Here, you can explore the El Malpais National Monument and the El Morro National Monument. Both sites are home to a variety of historical sites and Native American ruins.
Your journey between Albuquerque and Grants is sure to be filled with plenty of exciting attractions. For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please refer to the Itinerary of this stage. Enjoy your journey!
Grants - United States - North America - Scenic Drive - Flickr
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2
Grants
- Quemado
Distance 139 km
Driving time 1.7 h
Pace: fast
41.8 kWh
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Itinerary
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If you are looking for a road trip with scenic views and a variety of attractions, then the 87-mile journey from Grants to Quemado is the perfect choice. The drive will take you less than two hours, and you can take in some of the most stunning views in the Southwest.
Start your journey in Grants, where you can explore the El Malpais National Monument and the nearby El Morro National Monument, both of which offer plenty of outdoor activities. As you drive through the beautiful countryside, you can take in the breathtaking views of the San Mateo Mountains and the Zuni Mountains.
Once you reach Quemado, you can explore the nearby El Vado Lake State Park, where you can enjoy swimming, fishing, and camping. There are also plenty of restaurants and shops in the area, so you can find something to do no matter what your interests are.
Along the way, you can take in the stunning views of the countryside and the majestic mountains. Make sure to take plenty of pictures and enjoy the breathtaking scenery.
For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, be sure to check out the itinerary for this stage of the road trip.
Quemado - United States - North America - Scenic Drive - Wikimedia Commons
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Quemado
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Quemado is an ideal destination to finish the “El Malpais Road Trip”. Located in Catron County, New Mexico, the small town has a lot to offer.
The first must-see is the Quemado Lake State Park. The park is a popular spot for camping and fishing. It also offers plenty of trails for hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking.
The town itself is also worth exploring. The Quemado Museum is a great starting point to learn more about the area’s history. The museum houses many artifacts from the town’s past, including Native American artifacts, mining tools, and old photographs.
The nearby Gila National Forest is a great place to take in the stunning views of the surrounding mountain ranges. The forest is also home to a variety of wildlife, including elk, deer, and bears.
For those traveling by car, Quemado is easily accessible from Interstate 10. The closest international airport is located in El Paso, Texas (ELP).
At the end of the “El Malpais Road Trip”, Quemado is a great destination to relax and explore. From stunning views to cultural and historical attractions, Quemado is a great place to explore and experience the beauty of the Southwest.
Quemado - United States - North America - Scenic Drive - Wikimedia Commons
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El Malpais at a glance
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Start:
Albuquerque
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End:
Quemado
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Distance:
275 km
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Stay:
2 days
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Getting there:
Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ)
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When to drive:
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
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More info:
More info you can find in the "Itinerary" section at each stage.
Surely, the presented journey idea gave you numerous inspirations for your future holidays.
Our tour can be used as a base that you can recreate in its entirety or only partially and that can be enriched with diverse tourist attractions of your choice.
If car travel is a travel mode that you prefer, there are a number of vital road rules to follow and a bunch of elements to remember to make your journey smooth and safe.
These tips will also become useful for tourists who are interested in car hire or renting a camper.
When on a tour around New Mexico, there are numerous road regulations to be kept in mind.
In New Mexico, if you are planning to drive, it is best to avoid alcohol.
Travellers ought to remember that the permitted level of alcohol in blood is not very high and is only 0.5‰.
You should move at a maximum speed of 40km/h when travelling around the the city streets.
When it comes to non-build-up areas, the maximum car speed is 72km/h.
Avoid driving faster than the speed limit of 129km/h when on highways.
It is best to equip your car with a fire extinguisher and first aid kit and drive with your headlights on at daytime in order to stay safe.
The majority of holidaymakers wonder about the costs of the whole trip.
Of course, depending on the budget option that you aim for, the money that you have to spend on your holiday expenses may vary.
Let’s have a look at the budget options.
If you go for the budget option, you need to pay the maximum of 38 EUR for gasoline to cover the planned 3 stages while travelling around New Mexico.
Economy accommodation options can cost travellers more or less 154 EUR.
Food and restaurants in this option will cost around 144 EUR.
If you also aim for the budget rental car option, you will pay about 90 EUR.
Thus, going for car rental will increase the expenses of the road trip from around 336 EUR to around 426 EUR.
When it comes to the standard offer, you have to spend the maximum of 38 EUR to cover the planned mileage of the adventure.
Cost amounting to 242 EUR can be expected by all holidayers who are searching for standard overnight stays.
When choosing this option, take into consideration that the food and restaurants within this range will cost more or less 216 EUR.
Travellers who want to cover the trip in a standard hire vehicle should expect a cost of about 108 EUR.
Summing up the standard offer, the estimated cost of the road trip will total more or less 616 EUR for holidaymakers who would like to try vehicle hire and 508 EUR for those who are not interested in rental.
The highest level of comfort of the premium option will come up to the expectations of the most demanding holidayers.
Drivers who would like to rent a car will pay approximately 927 EUR for the whole tour, whereas those who are not interested in car rental will spend approximately 747 EUR.
Travellers who want to cover the trip in a premium hire car can expect a cost of around 180 EUR.
In the premium configuration of the road trip, you have to spend the maximum of 63 EUR on the fuel needed to cover the itinerary.
Drivers should expect to pay about 288 EUR for restaurants and food and about 396 EUR for accommodation options if they are interested in the exclusive standard of services.
El Malpais Road Trip will also become interesting for all camper fans, as it can be easily adjusted to their requirements.
If you choose this transport option, the expenses may amount to roughly 450 EUR.
Gasoline expenses when travelling in a camper should amount to more or less 75 EUR.
Travellers who will go for camper rental should expect to pay roughly 110 EUR for accommodation and around 144 EUR for expenses connected with food.
The Road Trip Costs section shows all the above details in a simple way.
The part of New Mexico showed in our road trip idea is great to be explored between January and December.
There are numerous exciting scenic drives and road trips that we offer on our website if you’d like to see other of our road trip ideas.
The great variety of trips will definitely meet the expectations of the most demanding holidayers.