Dallas to Albuquerque Drive: Checking Out the Best Stops!

Are you thinking about a Dallas to Albuquerque drives? You are at the right place to find information on what to see or where to stop between the two cities.

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Our family has driven from Dallas to Albuquerque several times.

Our first drive to Albuquerque from Dallas was when we had our road trip to the west. We spent two nights in Albuquerque before we continued to Moab, in Utah, to explore the Arches National Park.

Then we drove the same route to Albuquerque on our way to the Grand Canyon.

One summer, we decided to do the Dallas to Albuquerque road trip for a week. We spent a weekend in Albuquerque and explored Santa Fe and the surrounding areas for the rest of our stay.

From these trips to Albuquerque, I have collected the best stops to make on your Dallas to Albuquerque drive. All of them were right by the highway, or at least a mile or two.

If you are looking to rent a car for your road trip to Albuquerque from Dallas, try Discover Cars. They will show you various rental companies stack up against each other. If you rent a car through them, thank you. I’ll earn a small commission which help me keep this site running.

Let’s talk about the distance between the two cities now.

Distance from Dallas to Albuquerque

When you google the drive from Dallas to Albuquerque, it will show driving time between 9h30m to 10h. For road trippers, it’s not that far. You can get there in a day.

But there are fun stops between the two cities. You might think about spending a night somewhere, or even two nights.

If you don’t want to spend the night, you must leave early in the morning. Or, divide these stops between on the way to Albuquerque and back to Dallas.

You see that the distance between the two cities is not too far. It makes the Dallas to Albuquerque drive a fun one. Just like us, you will do it again and again.

Driving Direction From Dallas to Albuquerque

Take US-287 N towards Amarillo. Then get on I-40 W/US-287 N in Amarillo. Follow I-40 W to Albuquerque.

Dallas to Albuquerque Drive

Cool Stops in Texas

CHILLICOTHE

About 3 hours after you leave Dallas, this small town of fewer than 800 people has two things that are worth a stop. If you love pecan, your first stop is Pecan Valley. You will find everything pecan in this store.

If looking for a photo op is your thing, the giant Rubik’s Cube in front of the Turquoise Coffee Shop will be your second stop.

I don’t drink caffeine, so I can’t tell you anything about coffee from this shop. From the reviews I read, people like their coffee.

So, don’t forget to order a cup of java before continuing with the trip.

Pecan Valley: 1001 US-287 N, Chillicothe, TX 79225.

Turquoise Coffee Shop: 901 S 2nd St., Chillicothe, TX 79225. 

CHILDRESS

Take a funny picture with a Childress sign. Its location is outside the Childress Visitor Center on your left-hand side.

Address: 100 Ave F NW, Childress, TX 79201.

AMARILLO

As the biggest city in the Panhandle region, there are many things to do or see in Amarillo. If you don’t plan to spend a night here, these three must-sees in Amarillo surely can’t be missed.

The first one, and also the first you will see when entering the city, is the Big Texan. Famous for its 72-oz. steak dinner challenge, you will find everything western with so many photos opt outside and inside. Even if you don’t plan to eat lunch here, you are still welcome in the Big Texan.

Then drive to Route 66 Historic District for some pictures before you stop at the last must-see in town: the Cadillac Ranch. It is a classic roadside attraction that is world famous with its ten Cadillacs buried nose-down in an open field.

Bring spray paint to leave graffiti on the cars.

When visiting during the rainy season, the pasture will be muddy.

Amarillo is also the last big town in Texas before you enter New Mexico. If you spend a night here, you must visit Palo Duro Canyon State Park and hike the famous Lighthouse Trail.

Big Texan: 7701 E I-40, Amarillo, TX 79118. Ph.: (806) 372-6000.

Route 66 Historic District: SW 6th Ave between S Georgia and S Western Street.

Cadillac Ranch: 13651 I-40 Frontage Rd., Amarillo, TX 79214.

Palo Duro Canyon State Park: 11450 Park Road 5, Canyon, TX 79015.

If you plan to spend a night in Amarillo, here is the link to hotels in Amarillo. Find one that suits your family and budget.

When you book a hotel room using the link above, I will get a small commission from Booking. They don’t charge you extra cost. This commission will help me continue running my travel website. Thank you for your support.

In case you do not know, the original Route 66 between Amarillo and Albuquerque is parallel to Highway I-40. So, you will exit to see what’s left on Mother Road on your way to Albuquerque.

Dallas to Albuquerque Drive

Cool Stops in New Mexico

You will enter New Mexico in GlenRio. If you need a break, stop at the New Mexico Visitor Center in this town. Use this break time to check on travel brochures, too. You might find new places to see while visiting Albuquerque.

TUCUMCARI

Thirty minutes later, take exit 335 onto E Tucumcari Blvd/U.S. Rte 66. Tucumcari is home to some of the Mother Road remnants and wonderful murals. 

Not too far after the exit, there’s Tee Pee Curios on the left. It’s a gift shop, but it’s not an original building of Rte 66. Do stop at the gift shop because the architecture is unique.

You will see an attractive mural on both sides of the outside walls. There were two antique cars stationed in front of the gift shop during our visit.

I didn’t go inside the gift shop, but my husband said it’s a typical gift shop with pieces of stuff that are a bit pricey. Address: 924 E Rte 66 Blvd.

You will see more murals as you drive to the end of the road. Just make sure the designated passengers pay attention.

About a block from the gift shop, there’s a Blue Swallow Motel on the right. It’s been serving travelers along Rte 66 since 1939.

We made a stop and peeked into the rooms. The rooms looked nice and clean. Every room has an attached garage to it.

When dark falls, the Blue Swallow Motel sign turns into a beautiful neon sign. If you plan to spend a night in Tucumcari, stay at the Blue Swallow Motel. Address: 815 E Rte 66 Blvd.

Another stop to make if you don’t plan to spend a night here is the Route 66 Auto Museum. Lots of old cars outside and inside and memorabilia from Mother Road. Address: 2436 U.S. Rte 66.

Before you get to this museum, you will pass an old gas station and restaurant. I do not know if they were the original buildings that served travelers on Route 66 back then.

If you plan to spend a night in Tucumcari, here are places that you might consider visiting:

– Mesalands Dinosaur Museum. The museum focuses on the Mesozoic period or The Age of Dinosaurs. You will see replicated and original fossils at this museum. Address: 222 East Laughlin Street.

– New Mexico Route 66 Museum. It is a place to learn the history of Route 66 in the Land of Enchantment. Address: 1500 West Route 66 Blvd. (at the Convention Center.)    

– Tucumcari Historical Museum. They display a wide variety of artifacts and memorabilia from the surrounding area. Address: 416 South Adams. 

– Tucumcari Railroad Museum. It is a place to explore the railroad industry in Eastern New Mexico from the 19th century to the present day in the restored Union Station depot originally built in 1926. Address: 100 Railroad Avenue.

If there is no room available in Blue Swallow Motel, there are other hotels in Tucumcari for you.

SANTA ROSA

As you drive through Santa Rosa Historic Route 66, you will see remnants of the Mother Road, from old signs to buildings. Stop wherever you want to take good IG pictures.

Here are two places you shouldn’t miss in Santa Rosa on your Dallas to Albuquerque drive: Blue Hole and Old St. Rose of Lima Church & Cemetery.

Blue Hole is one of the most popular dive destinations in the US with its sapphire-blue, crystal clear waters and constantly at 62ºF. If you have no time for diving, you can always cliff jump, swim, or look around. Address: 1085 Blue Hole Road.

When you stop at Old St. Rose, don’t expect to see a whole structure. It’s the remnants that make this church a fascinating stop. Remember to take pictures by the cemetery as well. Address: 439 3rd Street.

That’s it. Less than 2 hours later, you will arrive in Albuquerque. Enjoy your visit, and don’t forget to drive to Santa Fe.

There are many things to do in and around Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Go to the Manhattan Project in Los Alamos, and visit Pecos National Historical Park in Pecos.

One of our favorite things when visiting Albuquerque and Santa Fe is to drive the Turquoise Trail that connects the two cities.

Have you ever driven from Dallas to Albuquerque? Tell me your favorite stops! If I miss one or two places along the road, let me know so I can check them out next time we drive to Albuquerque.

Enjoy your Dallas to Albuquerque drive, and have a wonderful holiday!