Holbrook AZ to Albuquerque NM drive: Distance, time & best stops
The distance from Holbrook AZ to Albuquerque NM is 233 miles, with a 3h27m driving time. The best road trip stops on the Holbrook to Albuquerque drive are Petrified Forest National Park, Continental Divide and El Malpais National Monument.
Planning a Holbrook AZ to Albuquerque NM road trip itinerary
The Holbrook AZ to Albuquerque NM drive takes you from eastern Arizona to the biggest city in New Mexico.
Holbrook AZ is a staple stop on the Route 66 drive. It is in Arizona’s Painted Desert, famed for its colourful rock formations. There are several unusual stores selling petrified wood further to the east, but in Holbrook itself, the main attraction is the Navajo County Historical Society. This local history museum tells of the ranchers, settlers and businesspeople who have made a life for themselves in the surrounding area.
You can also stay overnight in a wigwam at the by-now-legendary Wigwam Motel.
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.
Holbrook to Albuquerque distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Holbrook AZ to Albuquerque NM is 233 miles. That makes for a driving time of around three hours and 27 minutes. The quickest route is along the I-40.
The best stops to add to a Holbrook to Albuquerque road trip itinerary are Petrified Forest National Park, Continental Divide and El Malpais National Monument.
Holbrook to Albuquerque drive: Petrified Forest National Park
Petrified Forest National Park in eastern Arizona gets its name from the vast fossil deposits of petrified wood. Most come from the Late Triassic period, and the short walk to the Giant Logs is arguably the best place to see what it’s all about.
But this national park has much more to it than the petrified wood. It is part of the Painted Desert, and several walking trails show off the multi-coloured Badlands. Try the one mile Blue Mesa Loop or 1.2-mile Tawa Trail from Tawa Point to the Painted Desert Visitor Center for particularly impressive, yet accessible, scenery.
Best stops between Holbrook and Albuquerque: Continental Divide
The Continental Divide is where rainfall splits. Anywhere to the east of the divide, rain heads towards the Atlantic Ocean. Anywhere to the west, rain goes towards the Pacific.
On the I-40 in New Mexico, however, there is a small community called Continental Divide that stands on the dividing line. It makes for a fun photo stop, as there are several hand-painted signs marking the geographical importance. Not all of them agree on the same height, but most seem to plump for 7,295ft.
Holbrook to Albuquerque road trip attractions: El Malpais National Monument
A short diversion to the south from San Rafael, El Malpais National Monument covers a landscape formed by volcanoes. Get a special permit, and you can go caving in the lava tubes. Otherwise, there are several satisfying hiking trails. The 4.8 mile return hike to the top of cinder cone El Calderon is arguably the highlight.
The most popular sight is the Ice Cave by the Bandera Volcano. This is privately owned, and there’s a small charge to enter.
More Albuquerque road trips
Amarillo to Albuquerque | Austin to Albuquerque | Colorado Springs to Albuquerque | Clovis NM to Albuquerque | Dallas to Albuquerque | Denver to Albuquerque | El Paso to Albuquerque | Albuquerque to Flagstaff | Fort Worth to Albuquerque | Gallup to Albuquerque | Albuquerque to Grand Canyon (South Rim) | Houston to Albuquerque | Albuquerque to Kingman AZ | Las Cruces to Albuquerque | Lubbock to Albuquerque | Mesa AZ to Albuquerque | Albuquerque to Phoenix | Albuquerque to San Antonio | Albuquerque to Santa Fe | Santa Rosa NM to Albuquerque | Albuquerque to Scottsdale | Albuquerque to Sedona | Albuquerque to Taos | Tucumcari to Albuquerque | Albuquerque to Tucson | Tulsa to Albuquerque | Winslow to Albuquerque.