Winslow AZ to Albuquerque NM drive: Distance, time & best stops

Planning a Winslow AZ to Albuquerque NM road trip itinerary

The Winslow AZ to Albuquerque NM drive takes you from eastern Arizona to the biggest city in New Mexico.

Most people know Winslow, Arizona, from the Eagles song Take It Easy. Standin’ On The Corner Park is a classic, kitsch Route 66 attraction.

It’s not the only thing to see in Winslow, however. The Old Trails Museum covers local heritage, including ranching, the Santa Fe Railroad and Route 66.

Homolovi State Park, meanwhile, is home to several archaeological sites relating to the Hopi people. There are also walking trails and wildlife viewing areas.

For Winslow accommodation options, hunt down deals here.

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.

Winslow to Albuquerque distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Winslow AZ to Albuquerque NM is 265 miles. That makes for a driving time of around three hours and 48 minutes. The quickest route is along the I-40.

The best stops to add to a Winslow to Albuquerque road trip itinerary are Petrified Forest National Park, Continental Divide and El Malpais National Monument.

Winslow 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 Winslow 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.

Winslow 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.

Hot air balloons in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Hot air balloons in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Photo by Melanie Magdalena/ Unsplash.

More Winslow AZ road trips

Winslow to Phoenix.

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) | Holbrook AZ to Albuquerque | 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.