Santa Fe Trail Road Trip

The Santa Fe Trail Road Trip is an unforgettable journey that starts in Lamar, United States and ends in Santa Fe, United States. Along the way, you will traverse 576 km of diverse landscapes and attractions. The first stop is La Junta, which is home to a variety of museums and galleries. After La Junta, the road trip continues to Trinidad, where you can explore the history of the Santa Fe Trail. From Trinidad, you will move on to Cimarron, where you can take in the breathtaking views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. This road trip is best taken between April and October, when the weather is mild and the roads are in good condition. Travelers can complete the journey in four days, and it is suitable for all types of drivers. The Santa Fe Trail Road Trip can be managed on a moderate budget, making it an ideal way to explore the Southwest.

Lamar is a great starting point for a road trip along the Santa Fe Trail. The city is full of history and culture, and there’s plenty to see and do. Start your journey with a visit to the Lamar Public Library, where you can browse the shelves of books and local newspapers. The city is also home to the Lamar Lights Festival, a yearly celebration of music, art, and local cuisine. For a true taste of the local culture, explore the Lamar Downtown Historic District, where you’ll find a variety of shops and restaurants. Don’t miss the Lamar Rodeo, a yearly event that features bull riding, barrel racing, and more. Nature lovers will want to check out the Lamar State Park, which features a variety of trails and outdoor activities. For those arriving by air, the closest international airport is Pueblo Memorial Airport (PUB), located just 25 miles away. From here, visitors can rent a car and start their Santa Fe Trail Road Trip. There are also several car rental companies in Lamar, so you can easily pick up a car and explore the city on your own.

Welcome, road-trippers! This stage of your journey starts in Lamar, United States and ends in La Junta, 57mi away in less than an hour. In Lamar, you can explore the Santa Fe Trail Museum, which tells the history of the area, or the Spreading Antelope Wildlife Area, where you can take a stroll and admire the wildlife. In La Junta, you can visit the Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site, a reconstructed 1840s fort, or the Koshare Indian Museum, which features an impressive collection of artifacts. For more information regarding attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please consult the "Itinerary" of this stage. Enjoy your journey!

Welcome to the La Junta-Trinidad road trip! This is one of the stages of a larger tour that will take you through some of the most beautiful places in the United States. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure! This stage of the tour is 79 miles long, and will take you fewer than two hours to drive. La Junta, the starting point of this stage, is a beautiful small town with a rich history. Here, you can explore the Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site, a reconstructed 1840s adobe fur trading post. You can also visit the Santa Fe Trail Museum and learn more about the history of the area. Your next stop is Trinidad, a charming town with a rich cultural heritage. Here, you can explore the A.R. Mitchell Museum of Western Art and learn more about the history of the Wild West. You can also visit the Trinidad History Museum and the Trinidad Lake State Park, where you can enjoy stunning views of the lake. Along the way, you will also find several restaurants, campsites, and accommodation options. For more information about these and other attractions, please check the "Itinerary" of this stage. So, get ready for an unforgettable road trip! La Junta-Trinidad is the perfect place to start your adventure. Enjoy your journey!

Are you ready for an amazing road trip from Trinidad to Cimarron? This 62mi journey will take you less than 1 hour and it's one of the stages of a larger tour. Along the way, you will be able to visit Raton Pass, a mountain pass located on the Colorado-New Mexico border, known for its magnificent views. Once you reach Cimarron, you can explore the Cimarron Canyon State Park, a great spot for hiking, camping, and fishing. For more information regarding attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please check the Itinerary of this stage. So, what are you waiting for? Get ready for an unforgettable road trip!

Embark on an exciting road trip starting in Cimarron, United States and heading to Santa Fe! This 159 mile journey will take you fewer than 3 hours and is part of a larger tour. Along the way, you will pass through Fort Union, a historical site full of interesting artifacts and stories. Be sure to take some time to explore the ruins and learn more about the area’s history. You’ll also be able to take in the breathtaking scenery and get a few great pictures. For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, be sure to check out the “Itinerary” of this stage. So, what are you waiting for? Get ready for an unforgettable road trip from Cimarron to Santa Fe!

Santa Fe, the capital of New Mexico, is the perfect end point for the Santa Fe Trail Road Trip. This vibrant city is full of culture, art and history, making it a great place to explore for a few days. Start by visiting the oldest church in the United States, San Miguel Mission. Then head to the Loretto Chapel, where the mysterious “miraculous staircase” is located. Be sure to check out the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, dedicated to the iconic artist’s work. For a taste of the culture, visit the Palace of the Governors, the oldest continuously occupied public building in the USA. Then take a stroll around the city’s historic plazas and admire the nearby Spanish colonial architecture. For those who prefer to be outdoors, explore the majestic Sangre de Cristo Mountains and take a day trip to the nearby Bandelier National Monument. Make sure to take in the breathtaking views of the desert and the Rio Grande Valley. Those traveling by air will find the closest international airport to be Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ). Santa Fe offers something for everyone and is the perfect place to end the Santa Fe Trail Road Trip. With its unique culture, history, art, and outdoor activities, Santa Fe promises an unforgettable experience.

Hopefully, our road trip idea gave you multiple inspirations for your future holiday excursions.
The tour we’ve suggested can be used as a foundation that can be recreated in its entirety or only partially and that can be enriched with diverse beauty spots of your choice.
If car travel is a travel option you prefer, there are a number of important road rules to follow and a number of things to remember to make your road trip smooth. These tips will surely become useful for holidaymakers who opt for vehicle hire or camper rental in New Mexico.
When sightseeing around New Mexico, there are multiple traffic regulations to be kept in mind. Alcohol is best to be avoided at any cost when New Mexico is your travel destination. Holidayers ought to remember that the allowed level of alcohol in blood is rather low and equals only 0.5‰. In order to avoid speeding offence, it is best to never exceed 40km/h, which is the maximum allowed speed around the city. When it comes to rural areas, you should keep in mind that the maximum car speed is 72km/h. When driving along motorways, you can travel at the allowed speed of 129km/h. Having a first aid kit and fire extinguisher in your car and driving with your headlights on at daytime heavily increase the safety.
You’re probably wondering about the costs of the whole trip. Depending on the budget option that you go for, the total expenses during the whole road trip can vary. Let’s have a look at the budget options.
If you go for the cheapest offer, you need to pay the maximum of 75 EUR for fuel to cover the planned 5 stages across New Mexico. Economy accommodation options can cost holidayers roughly 319 EUR. The travel expenses connected with restaurants and food within this option can cost up to around 288 EUR. If you also choose the cheapest rental car offer, you will pay about 180 EUR. Thus, going for vehicle rental will increase the expenses of the road trip from approximately 682 EUR to roughly 862 EUR.
When it comes to the standard offer, you have to spend the maximum of 75 EUR to cover the planned stages of the trip. Cost amounting to 473 EUR can be expected by all travellers who are looking for standard hotels. The slightly increased standard in comparison to the budget option entails costs amounting to approximately 432 EUR. Travellers who want to cover the tour in a standard hire vehicle can expect a cost of more or less 216 EUR. Summing up the standard offer, the estimated cost of the road trip will total roughly 1,221 EUR for drivers who would like to try car rental and 1,005 EUR for those who are not interested in renting.
Holidayers who are searching for the highest level of comfort will be pleased with the premium offer. When it comes to this offer, the estimated cost of the road trip will total roughly 1,866 EUR for drivers who are considering car hire and 1,005 EUR for those who do not need a hire car. Travellers who would like to cover the tour in a premium rental vehicle can expect a cost of more or less 360 EUR. In the premium version of the itinerary, the fuel cost will be up to about 138 EUR. Holidaymakers who are interested in top services in all aspects of their trip should expect to pay more or less 576 EUR for restaurants and food and approximately 792 EUR for accommodation options.
Our road trip will also be ideal for all camper enthusiasts, as it can be easily adjusted to their needs. If you are considering this transport option, the expenses may amount to roughly 900 EUR. Holidayers will spend roughly 150 EUR on gasoline allowing to cover all stages of the Santa Fe Trail Road Trip. Holidayers who are considering camper hire should expect to pay roughly 220 EUR for accommodation and approximately 288 EUR for expenses connected with food.
The Road Trip Costs section presents all the above-mentioned details in an easy to follow manner.
The period between April and October is perfect to explore the part of New Mexico presented in our road trip idea. There are plenty of exciting road trips and scenic drives that we offer on our website if Santa Fe Trail Road Trip has sparked your creativity. Hopefully, the broad spectrum of road trips will surely live up to the expectations of the most demanding tourists.