Set in New Mexico’s high desert next to the Sandia Mountains, Albuquerque is known for its stunning landscapes. If that’s not enough to lure you in, the city’s unique Old Town architecture and museums will entice. Plus, as a cultural hub of the American Southwest, Albuquerque is also a short drive to some of the region’s most interesting cities and sites. Here are the best road trips from Albuquerque.
Fabulous Road Trips from Albuquerque
Santa Fe
64 miles / 1 hr.
Want to make a quick escape to Santa Fe, one of the Southwest’s most atmospheric cities? You’ll get there in an hour from Albuquerque via I-25 N. Or you can take the longer, more scenic Turquoise Trail, which officially kicks off on the historic Route 66, where you’ll find a musical road that plays the song America the Beautiful as you pass over the rumble strips going 45 miles per hour. After that, take NM 14, which winds through beautiful landscapes and charming little towns. In Santa Fe, the city’s downtown plaza is utterly enchanting, with historical buildings that house shops, restaurants, and over 250 art galleries. The city’s rich Native American history is woven throughout the city. The best way to spend a weekend in Santa Fe is on foot, meandering through the remarkable Spanish Pueblo-style architecture that the city is known for.
Bosque Del Apache Wildlife Reserve
95 miles / 1 hr. 30 mins.
Just an hour and a half south of Albuquerque along I-25 S, you’ll find Bosque Del Apache Wildlife Reserve, a 57,331-acre bird lover’s paradise. Tucked between the Chupadera Mountains to the west and the San Pascual Mountains to the east, the reserve is a great place to get out in nature. Expect to see cranes, geese, ducks, and other migrating waterfowl throughout the year. But the main draw is the annual migration of Sandhill Cranes in the fall.
Bandelier National Monument
103 miles / 1 hr. 45 mins.
Head northeast from Albuquerque along I-25 N to get to Bandelier National Monument. This is New Mexico’s rocky canyon and mesa country. Bandelier National Monument preserves historic Ancestral Pueblo settlements—dating back 11,000 years—and scenic lowlands around the Rio Grande River. The Upper Falls on Frijoles Creek is a popular hike, no matter the season. And if you camp in the park, you’ll get a spectacular glimpse of the Milky Way in the night sky.
Taos
133 miles / 2 hrs. 30 mins.
Two-and-a-half-hours north of Albuquerque via I-25 N and NM-68 N is Taos. Tucked in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Taos is a year-round destination, with skiing in the winter, and hiking, fishing, and biking in the summer. In town, be sure to visit Taos Pueblo, a multistory adobe complex inhabited by Native Americans for centuries. Taos is also an artsy destination: The city’s many galleries, shops, museums, and festivals showcase regional artwork.
White Sands National Park
225 miles / 3 hrs. 30 mins.
A bit farther afield, White Sands National Park is a three-and-a-half-hour drive south of Albuquerque along via I-25 S and US-380 E. But it’s absolutely worth the trek. White Sands National Park is one of nature’s greatest wonders. Massive wave-like dunes of gypsum sand rise from the heart of the Tularosa Basin. Hike the extensive trails, pack a picnic, and try your hand at sand-sledding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a car for Europe?
Your best solution depends on where you live and what you want to do. A typical European urban area might have different priorities to a rural one.
You also need to think about how long you are going to be in each country. An economical car might not be the best choice if you plan to travel frequently or if you intend to stay in one location for a long time.
In most cases, buying a second-hand car is better than renting one. There are many reasons why buying a used car in Europe is cheaper than renting one. For example, you can save money on fuel and parking fees, maintenance costs and insurance.
You can also drive the car safely knowing that you own it.
Many websites provide information about renting a car in Europe. Our recommendations are below.
How can I rent a car in a different country?
It is possible to do this by using an international rental agent such as Hertz, Avis and Europcar. These agencies have offices throughout Europe and can offer short-term rentals as well as long-term leases.
They offer customer service seven days a week, 24 hours a year.
No previous experience is required to rent from them. They will take care of everything including insurance and breakdown coverage. All you have to do is know where to find them and when they will be there.
Can I rent a car and drive around Europe?
Yes, you can. You’ll need an organized tour booking and separate payment for each day. These tours are offered by many companies.
If you are looking for more flexibility, you might want to look into hiring a car through one of the primary travel agents. These agencies offer many services, including car rentals or city transfers.
They often work with local suppliers who specialize in providing quality vehicles and competitive prices.
What is the best way to rent a car for Portugal?
Portugal requires an international driving licence to rent a vehicle. Also, for payment purposes, proof of insurance or valid credit cards is required.
The rental company usually asks you to provide a passport / national ID card when booking.
When renting a vehicle in Portugal, you may be asked to show two forms of identification (passport/national ID card).
These documents are required to ensure compliance with European Union road safety regulations. If you have any doubts as to your identity, access may be denied to the vehicle.
If you do NOT have an International Driving License, you will need to obtain a translated copy from the Driver Licensing Authority of your home country.
This document must then be translated to Portuguese and submitted with all the documentation. Although the cost of this document will vary depending on where it is located, it generally runs between $20-30 USD.
It is possible that you will be denied entry to the vehicle if your translation does not match what you have provided.
Statistics
- For canceled trips two days or shorter, a guest is charged 50% of one day’s trip cost. (insider.com)
- You can rent an automatic but these cars can cost as much as 50% more than a manual vehicle. (earthtrekkers.com)
- Save up to 30% on your rental car in Europe when you book with us today. (autoeurope.com)
- I’d say 70% of the time, we have a hassle-free encounter, but there have been certain companies that we prefer not to use anymore. (theworldpursuit.com)
- The perks vary from partner to partner, but you can expect discounts of up to 35 percent on some rentals and the ability to earn anywhere from 50 bonus American AAdvantage miles per day or 500 per rental. (afar.com)
External Links
alamo.com
kayak.com
avis.com
autoslash.com
How To
How to report a rental vehicle accident
If you rent a vehicle to travel in, there is always the possibility of something happening while driving. You can get in an auto accident, your luggage may be stolen, or someone could be hurt. This is why you need to be able to file a complaint against your insurance company to make sure you don’t lose money.
Reporting a car accident is a requirement in the United States. The police will then be able to document the details of the accident and notify you about their investigation results. They will either issue you tickets or take note of the incident at-the-scene. Then, they’ll file a lawsuit against your driver’s license.
After being in an accident, it is important to immediately call 911. A dispatcher will ask simple questions to determine the circumstances and determine whether any injuries occurred. Afterward, he/she will tell you where to go and who to talk to next. In most cases, exchanging contact information is the first thing that you do after an accident. You will likely get the name and number of the other party. Next, make sure that everyone is safe. You’ll offer assistance if someone is incapacitated or hurt.
Document everything even if nobody was hurt. Keep track of the time, date, location and weather conditions. Make sure to also note any injuries. It is important to get medical attention for anyone who was hurt. Keep track of all damages to your vehicle as well as the vehicle of the other person.
You will want to follow-up with your insurer. First, submit an online claim form. Most insurance providers will offer to pay the amount of the deductible before paying the rest. Once the claim has been settled, you and your other driver must sign an agreement. Finally, you will be issued a check by the insurance company.
You should follow your insurer’s guidelines once you have filed a case. You should adhere to these guidelines if your insurance policy permits you to use another vehicle or allow someone to drive your rental car.
