Cool Stops To Make During Dallas to Albuquerque Drive

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Are you planning a drive from Dallas to Albuquerque? You are at the right place for finding information on what to see or where to stop between the two cities. Our family has driven from Dallas to Albuquerque several times.

Our first drive to Albuquerque from Dallas when we did 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.

From these trips to Albuquerque, I have collected the best stops to make on your Dallas to Albuquerque drive. All of them right by the highway, or at least a mile or two. But first, let’s talk about distance between the two cities.

Distance from Dallas to Albuquerque

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

But there are fun stops between the two cities that make you think about spending a night somewhere. Or even two nights. If you don’t want to spend a night, you must leave early in the morning. Or, divide these stops between on the way to Albuquerque and on your way back to Dallas.

All I can say, since 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 all the way to Albuquerque.

Dallas to Albuquerque Drive

Cool Stops in Texas

CHILLICOTHE

About 3 hours after you left Dallas, this small town of less 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 opt is your thing, the giant Rubik’s Cube in front of 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 you continue 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. It is located 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 so many things to do or see in Amarillo. If you don’t plan to spend a night here, these 3 must-see in Amarillo are 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 here and so many photo opts 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. A classic roadside attraction that is worldly famous with its ten Cadillacs buried nose-down in an open field. Bring a spray paint to leave graffiti on the cars. If you are visiting during the rainy season, the field will be muddy.

Amarillo is also the last big town in Texas before you enter New Mexico. If you plan to 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.

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

Cool Stops in New Mexico

You will enter New Mexico in GlenRio. If you need to take 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.

TUCUMCURI

A little over thirty minutes later, take exit 335 onto E Tucumcuri Blvd/U.S. Rte 66. Tucumcuri 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 and actually it’s not an original building of Rte 66. But you must make a stop because the building is unique and both sides of the outside walls are covered with wonderful murals. Two old cars were stationed on the front of the gift shop when we visited. I didn’t go inside the gift shop, but my husband said it’s a typical gift shop with stuffs 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 peek into the room. They looked nice and clean. Every room has an attached garage to it. In the evening, the Blue Swallow Motel sign turns to a fabulous neon sign. If you plan to spend a night in Tucumcuri, this is the place for you. 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 the Mother Road. Address: 2436 U.S. Rte 66.

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

If you plan to spend a night in Tucumcuri, here are places that you might considered to visit:

– Mesalands Dinosaur Museum: focusing 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: a place to see the history of Route 66 in the Land of Enchantment. Address: 1500 West Route 66 Blvd. (at the Convention Center.)    

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

– Tucumcuri Railroad Museum: 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.

SANTA ROSA

As you drive through Santa Rosa’s 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.

There are two places that 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 that is constantly at 62ºF. If you have no time for diving, you can always cliff jump, swim, or just 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 makes this church an interesting 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 so 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. Also, our favorite when visiting Albuquerque and Santa Fe, 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!