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When taking a road trip, it’s important to consider how comfortable, stable and fuel-efficient the car you choose is. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.
A mother daughter road trip to New Mexico
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Allegra Pusateri2025年3月5日
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A seemingly never-ending highway stretches out as my mom and I barrel down I-40, aka the old Route 66, in southwestern Oklahoma, headed toward Santa Fe, New Mexico. We’re about an hour outside my parents’ place with a cooler full of iced tea, oranges and sandwiches.
This trip has been six years in the making. First, we canceled because I lost my job two months before we were set to leave. Then, a few years later, we got distracted and ended up in the Pacific Northwest instead. But this year, we managed to pull it off, and we’re bringing you along for the ride. So join us on this ultimate guide to road-tripping through the southwestern United States.
Stop 1: Oklahoma City
My hometown doesn’t usually rank on many “must-visit” lists. But, I promise, this is a city to experience at least once. Scissortail Park is a 70-acre urban park with playgrounds, concerts, farmers markets and more. And while OKC’s downtown doesn’t have much, the Paseo Arts District and Uptown areas are brimming with things to do.
If you’re hungry, Ma Der Lao Kitchen serves up Laotian food daily, and the chicken fried steak from Cheever’s Cafe is an Oklahoma classic. For a nightcap, grab a cocktail at Ponyboy next to the Tower Theatre or go to The Study for wine and board games (you might just see my parents there).
Stop 2: Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge
Drive time: 1.5 hours
I’ve spent my childhood hiking and exploring the Wichita Mountains, but it’s been years. Thankfully, it’s a quick drive from OKC. So, if you really want to see a bison while you’re in town, this is where to go. I mean, literally, we drove past one on the side of the road before we even parked.
Wichita’s hikes are mainly easy to moderate, so they’re great for families, less experienced hikers or anyone looking for a minimally strenuous activity. The Longhorn Trail and Bison Loop and Forty-Foot Hole trails are my favorites.
Stop 3: Amarillo
Drive time: 3 hours
Amarillo is basically the halfway point between Oklahoma City and Santa Fe, about 4 hours outside of both. So, we figured while switching drivers and filling up the tank, why not see a few sites? Palo Duro Canyon State Park is just 30 minutes south. Hike through America’s second-largest canyon, surrounded by jagged red rocks and rugged desert beauty. It’s no wonder the final shot in "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" was filmed here. Hungry? Try the 72-ounce steak challenge at Big Texan (just make sure you’re not the next driver). And, definitely stop by Cadillac Ranch, a famous public art installation along Route 66.
Stop 4: Santa Fe
Drive time: 4 hours
Now that you’ve hiked, eaten steak and hit the road for another four-hour drive, it’s time to stretch your legs in Santa Fe. You’re going to want to spend more than one day here. This is not the city to make a quick pit stop in. Around every corner of Santa Fe Plaza and the Railyard Arts District is an artisan shop selling jewelry, art or clothes—most of which are hand-crafted. Along Canyon Road, galleries line the street, showcasing stunning fine and contemporary art collections.
Not to mention the museums, such as the Georgia O’Keefe Museum, which is dedicated to her artistic legacy and life. And the food… Café Pasqual and its take on a Southwestern brunch is worth the wait, and Tomasita’s Mexican favorites are popular for a reason. If you’re looking for a hidden gem, go to Tumbleroot Pottery Pub to play with clay while sipping hand-crafted cocktails. Honestly, Santa Fe is perfect for two ladies whose favorite pastimes are shopping, eating and drinking.
Stop 5: Bandelier National Monument
Drive time: 1 hour
Bandelier is far closer to Santa Fe than you’d think, considering its size. Covering 33,000 acres of canyon and mesa, Bandelier National Monument includes the ancestral lands of at least 23 tribal nations. When you visit, you’ll see petroglyphs and dwellings carved into rock cliffs thousands of years ago. The Pueblo Loop Trail is the park’s most popular hiking trail, taking you through multiple archaeological sites and even lets you climb a ladder into a dwelling.
Stop 6: Taos
Drive time: 2 hours
My mom and I end our trip in Taos to attend a Feast Day celebration at Taos Pueblo. These sacred festivals don’t allow photography but celebrate family and relationships for the people of Taos Pueblo. Each Feast Day is different; if you can attend one while in town, I strongly encourage it. The experience may change you.
As another trip closes, I can’t help but think about my mom and I’s past vacations. Every year, we try to go somewhere and usually travel there separately. This trip was different. Partly because we’re older, mindsets change and some circumstances have, too. But also, something about the long stretches of road where there’s nothing to do but sing along with Spotify and talk makes a moment stick with you. So, whether you follow this entire itinerary or just some of it, grab someone you love, jump in a car and go somewhere new. You won’t regret it.
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Trip summary
- Total days: 7-8 (depending on your pace and stops)
- Total driving time: 16 hours, about 2-3 hours of driving per day
- Total distance: 645 miles (one way)