A road trip from San Antonio to Four Corners Monument takes you between two of the most historic locations in the United States.
A 965 mile road trip from San Antonio to Four Corners Monument takes 15 hours to drive. You’ll go through Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, past famous cities and national parks, as you drive from The Alamo to the only place in the U.S. where four state corners meet.
Read on to uncover all there is to do and see on this incredible journey.
A Road Trip From San Antonio To Four Corners Monument: How Far Is It, How Long Will It Take To Get There & What Is The Best Route?
The best route for a road trip from San Antonio to Four Corners Monument covers 965 miles (1,555 km) and takes 15 hours to drive.
You will set off west on I-10 and drive for 310 miles (500 km), until you reach Fort Stockton, Texas. Here you will use Exit 257 to join US Route 285 and drive north for 355 miles (570 km), to Clines Corners, New Mexico.
You will then drive west on I-40 for 60 miles (96.5 km), to Albuquerque, New Mexico. Use Exit 159B to drive north on I-25, then take Exit 242 to join US Route 550 where it begins. Follow this for 152 miles (245 km), to Bloomfield, New Mexico.
Go west on US Route 64 and drive 69 miles (110 km), to Teec Nos Pos, Arizona, then go northeast on US Route 160.
Just after you cross back into New Mexico, turn left onto New Mexico State Road 597 where it begins and drive its entire 0.447 mile (719 m) duration, to your destination at Four Corners Monument.
Best Time For A Road Trip From San Antonio To Four Corners Monument
The best time for a road trip from San Antonio to Four Corners Monument is the month of June. This period sees your destination experiencing warm, dry, pleasant weather, that hasn’t yet reached the dizzying highs it sees in the summer.
The route you use for your road trip will also experience equally enjoyable conditions. This makes June the optimal time to take a road trip that you can fully enjoy from start to finish.
Best Place To Stop On A Road Trip From San Antonio To Four Corners Monument – Albuquerque, New Mexico
On a trip that lasts at least 15 hours, most people will want to break the drive up, to ensure they get maximum enjoyment out of it. While there are plenty of great options along the way, the best place to stop on a road trip from San Antonio to Four Corners Monument is Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Albuquerque is the largest, most populous city in the state of New Mexico. A beautiful city known for its colourful Mexican culture, it is bursting with bars, restaurants, and shops that are alive with this distinctive atmosphere that the state is famous for.
The city is equally exciting when examining its array of attractions. You have historic sites like the San Felipe De Neri Church. Pop culture icons, like locations from and memorials to the hit TV show “Breaking Bad”, which was filmed in Albuquerque.
Then there is the selection of racetracks and casinos, which are ideal for those who want to test their luck on their road trip.
Dependant on when you visit Albuquerque, the city also hosts a number of wonderful festivals and events each year. Offerings like the International Balloon Fiesta, Gathering Of Nations, and New Mexico State Fair all give you plenty of great options to enjoy.
You even have plenty of wonders to enjoy in the area around the city. You have feats of engineering like the Sandia Peak tramway, the longest aerial tram in the Americas, in Cibola National Forest, history at Bandelier National Monument, and nature at the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge.
Best Hotel To Stay At In Albuquerque, New Mexico – Hotel Chaco
Hotel Chaco is a wonderful, 4-star hotel in a historic building in the Old Town area of Albuquerque. It is perfectly placed to provide both comfort and convenience, as you immerse yourself in the culture, history, and attractions the city has to offer.
Each of the spacious, pet friendly rooms are beautifully decorated and boasts comfortable furnishings and an array of amenities. Breakfast is provided and room service is also offered, while free Wi-Fi is available across the property.
In the communal areas, facilities like a bar, restaurant, outdoor swimming pool, fitness and business centres, a 24 hour front desk, and an ATM will then make sure you have everything you need throughout your stay. Parking is also available on request.
Best Things To Do On A Road Trip From San Antonio To Four Corners Monument
While a road trip from San Antonio to Four Corners Monument takes you between two incredible, historic locations, there is also a wide array of incredible things to see between the two.
We’ll now look at the best things to do on a road trip from San Antonio to Four Corners Monument, so you can plan out your perfect travel itinerary to ensure you can enjoy every second of the drive.
Fort Stockton
Fort Stockton was established on April 12th, 1859, as Camp Stockton. Located at Comanche Springs, one of the largest spring water sources in the state of Texas, it played a vital role in the American Civil war and was an active military outpost until its abandonment on the 27th of June 1886.
In the subsequent years, the spring drew more and more people and settlements began to pop up near the fort. Even after the spring ran dry, an abundance of oil and farmland in the region helped it retain its population and economy as a hotspot for both petroleum production and agriculture.
To this day, Historic Fort Stockton is the core attraction of the region. Four of the original buildings remain and have been totally restored, while a museum has been added. This makes it a perfect stop on the drive for those interested in the American Civil War or the growth of the United States.
Orla Ghost Town
The town of Orla, in northwest Texas, was founded on the route of the railroad in 1890 and grew slowly until reaching its peak population of around 250 people in the 1960s. Besides its location near the railroad, it was also a hotspot for companies and workers in the oil, gas, and sulphur industries.
After the railroad became less important, the town’s popularity began to dwindle, until it became a ghost town with just two permanent residents. In recent years though, the population has begun to rise again, and a few small businesses, including a restaurant and gas station, have opened up.
This makes Orla a perfect stop on your drive for anyone who wants to explore a ghost town, without having to venture too far away from civilisation.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Guadalupe Mountains National Park is the 19th smallest national park in the contiguous United States and 22nd smallest in the nation at just 86,367.1 acres. Founded in 1966 it is also the 32nd oldest national park in the country, while its 243,000 annual visitors make it the 15th least visited.
It is known for its iconic mountains, which include the highest point in the state of Texas, Guadalupe Peak. With numerous other peaks and canyons and an abundance of wildlife, Guadalupe Mountains National Park is a great place to get out of the car and explore on foot for a while.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Carlsbad Caverns National Park was established on May 14th, 1930, making it the 19th oldest national park in the U.S. Its 46,766.5 acre area makes it the nation’s 13th smallest national park, while its 350,000 annual visitors make it the 44th most visited.
Situated in New Mexico, on the state border with Texas, it boasts at least 119 caves, with lengths up to 120 miles (190 kilometres). This makes it an absolutely perfect stop for those who want to do a spot of caving or have a real adventure on their road trip.
Roswell, New Mexico
Roswell is a city in central New Mexico that was founded in 1891. However, it is best known as the site of numerous alleged UFO sightings and incidents that began in the 1930s. Since then, Roswell has leaned into its reputation and become a hotspot for fans of the extra-terrestrial.
From UFO museums and research centres to art galleries and roadside attractions, Roswell has everything an alien enthusiast could dream of. Even the local Walmart features a sprawling alien mural across its side.
Whether you believe in aliens or not, Roswell is a truly unique and entertaining place that is more than worth making a stop at on your road trip.
Clines Corners Travel Center
Clines Corners was originally established by Roy E. Cline in 1934 as a rest stop at a busy junction between US Route 66 and US Route 285. This then grew into a thriving community, thanks to opportunities for work and amenities it opened up.
In the years since it was built, it has been expanded multiple times, until it reached the impressive 30,000 square feet (2,800 square metres) that it stands at today.
This makes it an ideal place to make a pit stop on your drive, as you can refuel, eat and drink, pick up supplies, and take in some history all at the same time.
Route 66/Musical Highway
Stretching for 2,448 miles (3,940 km) from Chicago to Los Angeles, Route 66 is one of the most famous roads in the world. Known by nicknames such as the “Main Street Of America” and “The Mother Road”, it is abundant with sights and sounds that make it a road trip fans dream.
While our road trip route only features a 60 mile (96.5 km) stretch of the legendary road, it is a part of the journey you should make sure to soak in as you drive.
This area of Route 66 even contains the stretch known as the Musical Highway. A unique attraction created using rumble strips, those who drive at speeds between 40 to 45 miles an hour will be serenaded by a rendition of America The Beautiful created by the vibrations of the car as you drive.
Santa Fe National Forest
Santa Fe National Forest is a beautiful protected natural area that was established in 1915 and covers more than 1.5 million acres. Within its boundaries you will find forests, mountains, wilderness areas, rivers, and waterfalls, all of which are home to a vibrant array of wildlife.
With countless hiking trails and opportunities to engage in activities like fishing, hunting, and kayaking, it is one of the best places to break up the drive, stretch your legs, and get back to nature for a while.
Navajo Nation Indian Reservation
The Navajo Nation, home of Four Corners Monument, covers 17,544,500 acres and has a population of 400,000 people, making it the largest, most populous Indian Reservation in the United States. In fact, it is so vast that it is larger than the 10 smallest U.S. states.
Featuring an abundance of iconic landscapes, Native American holy lands, cultural centres, and various businesses, it is one of the very best places in the world to learn about the Native American people and their history and culture.
Conclusion
A road trip from San Antonio to Four Corners Monument is a fabulous adventure and a journey that is an absolute must for any fans of U.S. history. This guide will hopefully have given you all you need to plan the perfect travel itinerary to make the drive in style.
From when to go and the route to take to the best things to see and places to stay along the way, you have all the ingredients for a dream vacation.
All you have left to do now is learn a little more about Four Corners Monument and the area surrounding it, so you can start getting things booked and look forward to making the drive.