Denver to Albuquerque drive: Best stops, distance and time
The best road trip stops on the Denver to Albuquerque drive are Pueblo CO, Raton NM and Santa Fe. The distance from Denver to Albuquerque by car is 449 miles, with a 6h26m driving time.
Planning a Denver to Albuquerque road trip itinerary
The Denver to Albuquerque drive takes you from the capital of Colorado to the biggest city in New Mexico.
Fabulous Albuquerque experiences include a sunrise hot air balloon flight, old town ghost walks, nature tours by bike and guided hops between craft breweries . You can also pay a visit to the castle-like Turquoise Museum and old town food tours focusing on New Mexican flavours.
Great Albuquerque accommodation choices include the historic, adobe-style Casas de Suenos and the old town’s art-filled Hotel Chaco.
Top Denver experiences include Rocky Mountain National Park day tours, downtown Denver food tours and chilling guided ghost walks around the Cheeseman Park cemetery.
Also worth considering are whiskey and history tours, guided mountain hikes and craft beer tours.
Memorable Denver accommodation options include the charming Queen Anne Bed and Breakfast and the strikingly stylish Ramble.
Denver to Albuquerque distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Denver to Albuquerque is 449 miles. You can expect a driving time of around six hours and 26 minutes. The quickest route is via the I-25, although there is a shorter, more scenic mountain route via Taos.
The best stops to add to a Denver to Albuquerque road trip itinerary are Pueblo CO, Raton NM and Santa Fe.
For more suggestions, read the guides to the Denver to Santa Fe drive and Santa Fe to Albuquerque drive.
Best stops between Denver and Albuquerque: Pueblo CO
Pueblo CO is on the Front Range of the Rockies, but it’s not all about the mountains. From a cultural perspective, El Pueblo History Museum looks at the various ethnic groups in the region inside a recreated adobe trading post. The Rosemount Museum, meanwhile, is a 37-room mansion with the late 1800s furnishings retained.
The Arkansas River is the heart of Pueblo, however. The Historic Arkansas Riverwalk brings bars, restaurants, parks and boat cruises together.
Well-reviewed Pueblo accommodation options include the historic, character-packed Orman Mansion and the good value Wingate.
Denver to Albuquerque road trip attractions: Raton NM
Raton NM lies just to the south of the scenic, 7,834ft-elevation Raton Pass, which straddles the Colorado/ New Mexico border. This was once one of the key points on the Albuquerque Trail. There’s a scenic overlook on the Colorado side, and a camp and café on the New Mexico side.
Raton is also the gateway to the Sugarite Canyon State Park, which offers all manner of outdoor activities and plenty of wildlife viewing.
Denver to Albuquerque drive: Santa Fe NM
Santa Fe is one of the oldest cities in the US, and has a huge arts scene. The glut of adobe architecture makes the New Mexico capital highly photogenic. These buildings are best seen on an architecture walking tour.
Fab Santa Fe experiences include history walks covering the city’s past, on-the-move photography classes and New Mexican food tours through the evocative Santa Fe Plaza.
For other options, try small group e-bike tours through lesser-known areas of the city and ghost story tours.
If you want memorable Santa Fe accommodation, try the Hacienda in the Railyard Arts District or the adobe-style La Fonda on the Plaza.
Top tip for Santa Fe
The Canyon Road Arts District plays a huge part in Santa Fe’s distinctive character. But with 80-plus galleries, it’s difficult to know where to start looking. Taking a Canyon Road Arts District tour with an art historian guide helps you zero in on the most interesting works. You’ll also get to chat to the artists and gallery curators. Find out more here.
David Whitley, editor of Best3Stops.
More Denver road trips
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