Driving Tour B: Albuquerque, Old West Country, El Paso
Beginning in New Mexico's largest city, this scenic tour takes you through the heart of Old West Country and on to El Paso, center for trade and entertainment in the southwest. Have fun!
- Driving time from Albuquerque to Socorro: 1.3 hours
Mileage: 75 miles (120 km.) South on Interstate 25.
Day 1. Socorro - Enjoy the amazing display of waterfowl at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Let your mind wander into space at the VLA Radio Telescopes. Tour the historic area and learn of the pioneer heritage of Socorro.
- Driving time: 1.4 hours
Mileage: 75 miles (120 km.) South on Interstate 25, past Bosque del Apache Refuge.
Day 2. Truth or Consequences - Enjoy Elephant Butte, the largest lake in New Mexico, water skiing or bass fishing, . . . or just relaxing at the hot springs. Explore the Geronimo Springs Museum, wineries, or nearby old mining towns along the Geronimo Trail Scenic Byway.
- Driving time: 2 hours
Mileage: 90 miles (144 km.). South on Interstate 25, west on NM152, passing through Hillsboro and Kingston.
Day 3.Silver City - The rich prehistory of the Gila Cliff Dwellings Nat'l Monument, the 3-million acre Gila National Forest, and Billy the Kid history beckons. Tour the Trail of the Mountain Spirits up through the Mimbres Valley, past Lake Roberts to the Cliff Dwellings,...then visit the art galleries in historic downtown.
- Driving time: 0.8 hours
Mileage: 45 miles (72 km.). South on NM90, past Tyrone Open Pit Mine and crossing Continental Divide.
Day 4. Lordsburg - Visit the famous ghost towns of Shakespeare and Steins. Shakespeare, an old mining town, does monthly re-enactments in costume. Steins, an old railroad town, is open most days along the Southern Pacific mainline. Enjoy the recreation areas surrounding Lordsburg.
- Driving time: 0.9 hours
Mileage: 60 miles (96 km.). East on Interstate 10, over the Continental Divide.
Day 5. Deming - The Mimbres Museum is a must on your stay, then visit St. Clair Winery and the rockhounder's favorite, Rockhound State Park. On the Mexican border enjoy the history and atmosphere of Pancho Villa State Park and Palomas, Mexico. To the north view the moonscape appearance of City of Rocks State Park.
- Driving time: 0.9 hours
Mileage: 60 miles (96 km.). East on Interstate 10.
Day 6. Las Cruces - Here's a chance to immerse yourself in a relaxed game of year-round golf, explore the history of Las Cruces and Old Mesilla. Enjoy the fiestas and then shift your mood as you observe the work on display at the Branigan Cultural Center. Put the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum on your must list.
- Driving time to El Paso: 0.7 hours.
Mileage: 45 miles (72 km.) South on Interstate 10, past pecan groves and dairy farms.
Extra days? Include White Sands National Monument, Carlsbad Caverns Nat'l Park, or Juarez, Mexico.
- Driving time Las Cruces to Alamogordo: 1.1 hours
Mileage: 70 miles (112 km.). East on US70/82 to White Sands Nat'l Monument, Space Hall of Fame.
- Driving time Alamogordo to Carlsbad: 3 hours
Mileage: 140 miles (225 km.). East on US82, south on US285.
- Driving time Carlsbad to El Paso:3 hours
Mileage: 165 miles (264 km.). Southwest on US180. One-half hour to Juarez, Mexico.
