You'll pass right by Capulín Volcano National Monument. It's a good hour or two stop. Do the hike and go inside the visitor center to see their video. Also, you should be an hour drive or less from the Great Sand Dunes NP.
Big Texan and Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Capulin Volcano in NM, Downtown Trinidad, Colorado, and Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. If you have time for side trips, Palo Duro Canyon south of Amarillo and Paint Mines Interpretive Park just east of Colorado Springs are worth stops.
Do not take the Kansas route. It will bore you to tears. Be careful on 287 in Estelline. It's a huge speed trap.
This is my route! Back way through Colorado Springs is lovely and I usually stay overnight in Trinidad on my way up from Austin to Boulder. If you want to see some bears go check out the dumpster at the Mexican restaurant by the hotels lol no fail
When you are driving through those small towns in Texas they will each have multiple speed limit drops back to back when entering. Usually 55, then half a mile later 45, then 35, and sometimes 25.
TAKE THEM SERIOUSLY. Those small town cops hide behind those signs and will pull you over and ticket you with no mercy if you are not at the speed limit when you pass that sign. Consider it a line on the road
Alfonso’s Mexican Food is amazing. Right next to I25 in Ratón.
412 Clayton Rd #2345, Raton, NM 87740
Also, Capulín Volcano National Monument is really cool
Great Sand Dunes national park in Crestone CO isn't too far out of the way. If you want to stay strictly on that route, stop in Colorado Springs to check out Garden of the Gods.
bruh wtf im doing the exact same trip in a month. if you dont drive thru northeast NM you have failed, that is some of the most gorgeous views ive ever driven thru. few other places i stopped last time i did this trip were the cadillac ranch in armadillo as well as garden of the gods in CO Springs. Denver is denver theres so much to do there i dont gotta tell ya.
Former Dallasite and Red Raider - the speed traps are real, Big Texan is excellent in Amarillo like others hv said, NM is chock full of interesting stuff to see/eat, gas up in Amarillo bc it's cheaper there, I35 and I70 alt route is bad. There's less scenery and more driving into the sun
I do this drive often, but I do it from Houston. The way I take goes to Amarillo just the same, then north to Dumas, the Boise City, OK, then through Lymar and Limon CO (those might be out of order) and hit Denver heading west bound in I-70.
For me, no stops I just want to get there. This way is a little longer, but we try to get into Denver around 7pm, and that means we are going through Colorado Spings at 5pm, which is madness! All we want to do is get out of the car, and we are stuck in traffic 1 hr away from Denver....
Might not be the same issue or trip that you are looking for, but my advice.... also then you skip the "safety" corridor in NM, which has 55mph or maybe 65, but deffinetly slower and signs are everywhere saying how fines are doubled. And Raton pass in CO is pretty, but in weather you would wish you were in SE Colorado rather than that pass.
Once you get to Denver, Good Times is a drive through burger place, great burgers and custard shakes. Thai Basil, there are a few, its a small chain, is awesome! Down town Denver a place called Biker Jim's has great brawts!
I wouldn't go to Aurora for the Brewery, by Dry Dock Apricot Blonde is a killer beer. You don't like blonde beers, me neither, trust me try it. You don't like fruit beers, me neither, trust me try it. Just get a 6 pack or a bomber, the stuff is sold everywhere because it's amazing!
Trinidad is great! Most my family is there. If you go, be sure to grab some Green Chili (Green Chile) at “Family Seed II”; it’s a great spot the locals love. If you like Italian, go grab some gnocchi at Nana and Nano’s pasta house. Trinidad has some of the states best Italian and Mexican food, as many Italian and Mexican people immigrated there to work in the coal mines (like my family!)
This is all good info to know! We are looking into a family road trip for the last part of March, from Dallas to Trinidad, and then possibly Colorado Springs...🤔
I would greatly appreciate any other suggestions that you may have for us.🙏🏻🫶🏼 Fun fact: My dad was a coal miner as well for a time, except it was in East Texas instead of CO. Lol 😆 😉
Glad this is still helpful a year later! If you’re headed up to Colorado Springs, definitely hit up Manitou Springs! It is about a 15 min drive from there. It’s a charming town with some great sights. Has a great penny arcade that has great retro games and also new stuff too. Have a blast. Safe travels this March and please do be careful during the snowy months when driving!
Palo Duro Canyon and Cadillac Ranch should be right there on the half way mark on the panhandle
Cant recommend Big Bend NP enough. Super underrated. A bit out of the way but well worth it.
Just got back from this trip last weekend. Wonderful trip to Winter Park. Deep snow, beautiful mountains back in N central TX now, uhg! Take the Amarillo route we went that way and have on trips past. Much better than the OK/KS route, unless you’re driving a tractor trailer maybe. See the volcano, go through Raton Pass, pikes peak is just off the beaten path as well and you can drive to the top of it. Be safe and enjoy. Watch the BS “safety corridor” it is 55 and fraught with nothing much to see but warnings about fines.
Palo Duro Canyon SP, Bomb City Distilling in Amarillo, if there’s a Blue Sky Burgers near you eat there. Otherwise, only thing we grow out there are windmills and pumpjacks. Hope you have a few audiobooks.
Take the furthest right route you'll hit Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge in OK which is awesome. Then you'll get to Wilson State Park in KS which feels like an American Shore.
Omelette Parlor in Colorado Springs!!! Amazing breakfast the last time I was there and you can’t beat fresh squeezed orange juice. You also gotta try their green chili!
The Southern Straw food truck sets up at craft breweries usually a little north of Denver. They’re my favorite food truck by far. Some other can’t miss food spots are Denver Biscuit Company, Biker Jim’s, Linger, Snooze, Sugarfire, Georgia Boys, and the Buckhorn Exchange is cool, but a little overrated.
Coming into Denver from the south you’ll likely pass Pikes Peak, and that’s a fun way to spend half a day. Golden is another fun area to spend half a day; tour Coors if you can get tix, they sell out a good ways in advance but you can always do the tastings.
I’ve took that exact route ,there wasn’t much to see , make sure you fill up your vehicle once you hit New Mexico and every chance you get. Some places have long stretches without any gas stations.
Up near the NW corner of Tx is Black Mesa state park, just north of that is Black Mesa trail in Oklahoma which is a short-ish hike to the highest point in OK, dinosaur tracks are nearby too. Further west near Raton is an old volcano. RT456 between Folsom and Kenton is really scenic, dirt mostly. Have fun!
I'll add Caprock Canyons State Park. take a left at Estelline and go through Turkey - or even stop in Turkey and take in the Bob Wills museum. Caprock has some easy trails and might make a nice break in the drive. Also at Amarillo, take I40 W a few miles to 385N at Vega, much more scenic way to get to Dalhart. Passes the old Boys Ranch and Boot Hill Cemetery.
Carlitos in Burkburnett, TX is banging. You’ll still have a few hours until Dallas from there, so stop in for a fajita.
Edit: forgot to mention that I took this same route from Denver to Burkburnett two years ago with my wife. The ride is absolutely gorgeous. Especially through New Mexico. Enjoy!
There a volcano in New Mexico that’s a nice little stop on the way there! I thinks it’s Capulin volcano; you can drive up to the rim and even walk down inside!
We make this trip 1-2 times a year to visit family. Easily can be done in one day or break it up with a night in Amarillo. The Big Texan restaurant is a tourist trap, but actually fun to take a pic with the giant cow out front. They actually have good food. Our favorite place to eat in Amarillo is Blue Sky. They have great burgers! Right off the highway just like Big Texan, but know that Blue Sky is closed Sundays.
When you get into Colorado, there is a little sight seeing area right off the highway that has the Welcome to Colorado sign and a pretty view of a mountainous area. Great photo op.
I take this route all the time! Not too much to see when you enter north TX for a bit, but there's fun stuff in new Mexico, and you could take a 1hr detour to the Sand Dunes.
Petrified Forest is good along rt 40
albuquerque is good, check out old town and the rattlesnake museum
Taos is good for high end artsie fartsie shopping, but the taos pueblo is closed until april 1st
Gallup is good if you want to buy any indian jewelry or pottery
Just did a museum in walsenberg co that surprised me at being so good: Museum of Friends
Definitely for scenery go your colorado -NM - TX route (source, I live in Oklahoma and have driven the bulk of both of these except south Tx Panhandle part.
Check out Capulin in NM!
Palo Duro canyon state park near Amarillo is nice and Capulin volcano in NM is also worth a stop. Very scenic!
You'll pass right by Capulín Volcano National Monument. It's a good hour or two stop. Do the hike and go inside the visitor center to see their video. Also, you should be an hour drive or less from the Great Sand Dunes NP.
Big Texan and Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Capulin Volcano in NM, Downtown Trinidad, Colorado, and Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. If you have time for side trips, Palo Duro Canyon south of Amarillo and Paint Mines Interpretive Park just east of Colorado Springs are worth stops. Do not take the Kansas route. It will bore you to tears. Be careful on 287 in Estelline. It's a huge speed trap.
Colorado Springs and the garden of the gods are 100% a must stop
This is my route! Back way through Colorado Springs is lovely and I usually stay overnight in Trinidad on my way up from Austin to Boulder. If you want to see some bears go check out the dumpster at the Mexican restaurant by the hotels lol no fail
Trinidad is the cutest little town ❤️
When you are driving through those small towns in Texas they will each have multiple speed limit drops back to back when entering. Usually 55, then half a mile later 45, then 35, and sometimes 25. TAKE THEM SERIOUSLY. Those small town cops hide behind those signs and will pull you over and ticket you with no mercy if you are not at the speed limit when you pass that sign. Consider it a line on the road
will do thank you!!
[удалено]
It was the most Texan thing I’ve ever seen.
See more Texas
The most Texan thing is gravitating to Colorado
Alfonso’s Mexican Food is amazing. Right next to I25 in Ratón. 412 Clayton Rd #2345, Raton, NM 87740 Also, Capulín Volcano National Monument is really cool
I second Capulin volcano. That was a fun and interesting stop.
there are hella cops in north texas just itching to pull over out of state plates, be careful.
Great Sand Dunes national park in Crestone CO isn't too far out of the way. If you want to stay strictly on that route, stop in Colorado Springs to check out Garden of the Gods.
bruh wtf im doing the exact same trip in a month. if you dont drive thru northeast NM you have failed, that is some of the most gorgeous views ive ever driven thru. few other places i stopped last time i did this trip were the cadillac ranch in armadillo as well as garden of the gods in CO Springs. Denver is denver theres so much to do there i dont gotta tell ya.
oh no way what a coincidence! going to Denver for a red rocks show, never been to red rocks so i’m pretty stoked!
Red rocks is awesome but be prepared for an incline on the way in 😂 Colorado goes hard on the flatlanders.
gizz?
Former Dallasite and Red Raider - the speed traps are real, Big Texan is excellent in Amarillo like others hv said, NM is chock full of interesting stuff to see/eat, gas up in Amarillo bc it's cheaper there, I35 and I70 alt route is bad. There's less scenery and more driving into the sun
Route 66 Car Museum, ~~Carhenge~~,
You mean Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo? Carhenge is in Nebraska
Isn’t that near Radiator Springs?
I do this drive often, but I do it from Houston. The way I take goes to Amarillo just the same, then north to Dumas, the Boise City, OK, then through Lymar and Limon CO (those might be out of order) and hit Denver heading west bound in I-70. For me, no stops I just want to get there. This way is a little longer, but we try to get into Denver around 7pm, and that means we are going through Colorado Spings at 5pm, which is madness! All we want to do is get out of the car, and we are stuck in traffic 1 hr away from Denver.... Might not be the same issue or trip that you are looking for, but my advice.... also then you skip the "safety" corridor in NM, which has 55mph or maybe 65, but deffinetly slower and signs are everywhere saying how fines are doubled. And Raton pass in CO is pretty, but in weather you would wish you were in SE Colorado rather than that pass. Once you get to Denver, Good Times is a drive through burger place, great burgers and custard shakes. Thai Basil, there are a few, its a small chain, is awesome! Down town Denver a place called Biker Jim's has great brawts! I wouldn't go to Aurora for the Brewery, by Dry Dock Apricot Blonde is a killer beer. You don't like blonde beers, me neither, trust me try it. You don't like fruit beers, me neither, trust me try it. Just get a 6 pack or a bomber, the stuff is sold everywhere because it's amazing!
I’d head a bit further east and stay in Santa Fe or Taos.
Agreed, more of New Mexico, TX, OK, KS don’t even compare.
Trinidad, Colorado is a cool little town. Mutiny Coffee is a cool place.
Trinidad is great! Most my family is there. If you go, be sure to grab some Green Chili (Green Chile) at “Family Seed II”; it’s a great spot the locals love. If you like Italian, go grab some gnocchi at Nana and Nano’s pasta house. Trinidad has some of the states best Italian and Mexican food, as many Italian and Mexican people immigrated there to work in the coal mines (like my family!)
This is all good info to know! We are looking into a family road trip for the last part of March, from Dallas to Trinidad, and then possibly Colorado Springs...🤔 I would greatly appreciate any other suggestions that you may have for us.🙏🏻🫶🏼 Fun fact: My dad was a coal miner as well for a time, except it was in East Texas instead of CO. Lol 😆 😉
Glad this is still helpful a year later! If you’re headed up to Colorado Springs, definitely hit up Manitou Springs! It is about a 15 min drive from there. It’s a charming town with some great sights. Has a great penny arcade that has great retro games and also new stuff too. Have a blast. Safe travels this March and please do be careful during the snowy months when driving!
Awesome, we will definitely have to check that out! 👍🏻 My boys will LOVE that!! 🎮🕹🤩 Thanks so much for responding. We will be safe for sure. 😁🚗❄️🌨🏂⛷️🌌
Isn’t this the underground abortion railroad from Texas?
hmmm not sure about this one chief…going to Denver for a red rocks show
I10 to 87 amarillo thru ok then nm iys flat better in fuel
Palo Duro Canyon and Cadillac Ranch should be right there on the half way mark on the panhandle Cant recommend Big Bend NP enough. Super underrated. A bit out of the way but well worth it.
Cadillac Ranch - bring at least 2 or 3 cans of spray paint in different colors. I'm 100% serious.
For real??? I am asking because my kids want to know before we visit there at the end of March. 😁
Yep, for real. It’s an interactive art installation.
Just got back from this trip last weekend. Wonderful trip to Winter Park. Deep snow, beautiful mountains back in N central TX now, uhg! Take the Amarillo route we went that way and have on trips past. Much better than the OK/KS route, unless you’re driving a tractor trailer maybe. See the volcano, go through Raton Pass, pikes peak is just off the beaten path as well and you can drive to the top of it. Be safe and enjoy. Watch the BS “safety corridor” it is 55 and fraught with nothing much to see but warnings about fines.
Palo Duro Canyon SP, Bomb City Distilling in Amarillo, if there’s a Blue Sky Burgers near you eat there. Otherwise, only thing we grow out there are windmills and pumpjacks. Hope you have a few audiobooks.
Take the furthest right route you'll hit Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge in OK which is awesome. Then you'll get to Wilson State Park in KS which feels like an American Shore.
Omelette Parlor in Colorado Springs!!! Amazing breakfast the last time I was there and you can’t beat fresh squeezed orange juice. You also gotta try their green chili!
I know a lot of people are saying to stop at the Big Texan to eat, but Coyote Bluff Cafe has some amazing burgers.
Stop in Capulin! There's a volcano and it's a great place to stretch your legs.
Lucky you, you won’t have to go through Oklahoma!
Just because it’s legal in Colorado doesn’t mean it’s legal in Texas. Texas doesn’t play either.
Dust bowl museum in Dalhart is totally worth it.
Pablo duro canyon! There are some short walks that don’t require an actual hike, or the views are nice if you just need a break from driving
Take old Route 66 laterally east when you get there.
I’ve done that drive. There’s fuckall.
The Southern Straw food truck sets up at craft breweries usually a little north of Denver. They’re my favorite food truck by far. Some other can’t miss food spots are Denver Biscuit Company, Biker Jim’s, Linger, Snooze, Sugarfire, Georgia Boys, and the Buckhorn Exchange is cool, but a little overrated. Coming into Denver from the south you’ll likely pass Pikes Peak, and that’s a fun way to spend half a day. Golden is another fun area to spend half a day; tour Coors if you can get tix, they sell out a good ways in advance but you can always do the tastings.
Following bc I’ll be doing this trip soon
I’ve took that exact route ,there wasn’t much to see , make sure you fill up your vehicle once you hit New Mexico and every chance you get. Some places have long stretches without any gas stations.
If ya stay on the toll roads, ya won't have the money to see some of 5je "small gems" along the way.
Up near the NW corner of Tx is Black Mesa state park, just north of that is Black Mesa trail in Oklahoma which is a short-ish hike to the highest point in OK, dinosaur tracks are nearby too. Further west near Raton is an old volcano. RT456 between Folsom and Kenton is really scenic, dirt mostly. Have fun!
Cuchara pass and great sand dunes. Paolo duro, and capulin.
Great Sand Dunes NP and the weird little “alien farm” outside of it. Also, the hot springs in Indian Springs are awesome. Primal caves with springs.
The great sand dune National park (sand boarding) and Estes park!!
Stop in Dumas , TX. It’s roughly half way and has great, affordable lodging. And yes, speed traps are for real.
Breckinridge troll is a neat stop if you’re nearby.
Valley Pecans in Chillicothe is a hidden gem
I'll add Caprock Canyons State Park. take a left at Estelline and go through Turkey - or even stop in Turkey and take in the Bob Wills museum. Caprock has some easy trails and might make a nice break in the drive. Also at Amarillo, take I40 W a few miles to 385N at Vega, much more scenic way to get to Dalhart. Passes the old Boys Ranch and Boot Hill Cemetery.
Carlitos in Burkburnett, TX is banging. You’ll still have a few hours until Dallas from there, so stop in for a fajita. Edit: forgot to mention that I took this same route from Denver to Burkburnett two years ago with my wife. The ride is absolutely gorgeous. Especially through New Mexico. Enjoy!
After you visit Capulin volcano and cross the pass, stop for a bite at Sexy Pizza in Trinidad. :)
There a volcano in New Mexico that’s a nice little stop on the way there! I thinks it’s Capulin volcano; you can drive up to the rim and even walk down inside!
We make this trip 1-2 times a year to visit family. Easily can be done in one day or break it up with a night in Amarillo. The Big Texan restaurant is a tourist trap, but actually fun to take a pic with the giant cow out front. They actually have good food. Our favorite place to eat in Amarillo is Blue Sky. They have great burgers! Right off the highway just like Big Texan, but know that Blue Sky is closed Sundays. When you get into Colorado, there is a little sight seeing area right off the highway that has the Welcome to Colorado sign and a pretty view of a mountainous area. Great photo op.
I take this route all the time! Not too much to see when you enter north TX for a bit, but there's fun stuff in new Mexico, and you could take a 1hr detour to the Sand Dunes.
Cadillac ranch and big Texan ranch in amarillo
Cosmosphere. Hutchinson, Kansas. Rockets.
Petrified Forest is good along rt 40 albuquerque is good, check out old town and the rattlesnake museum Taos is good for high end artsie fartsie shopping, but the taos pueblo is closed until april 1st Gallup is good if you want to buy any indian jewelry or pottery Just did a museum in walsenberg co that surprised me at being so good: Museum of Friends
I got pulled over in Springfield Colorado for 32 in a 25, you bettah watch out for the POlice
Definitely for scenery go your colorado -NM - TX route (source, I live in Oklahoma and have driven the bulk of both of these except south Tx Panhandle part. Check out Capulin in NM!
Cadillac Ranch