Driving Tour A: Albuquerque, Old West Country, Tucson
Enjoy a 6- to 8-day jaunt through Old West Country, starting in historic Albuquerque and traveling south and west through Old West Country and on to Tucson.
- Driving time from Albuquerque to Socorro: 1.3 hours
Mileage: 75 miles (120 km.) South on Interstate 10
Day 1. Socorro - Enjoy the amazing display of waterfowl at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Let your mind wander into space at the VLA Radio Telescopes. Tour the historic area and learn of the pioneer heritage of Socorro.
- Driving time: 1.4 hours
Mileage: 75 miles (120 km.) South on Interstate 25, past Bosque del Apache Refuge.
Day 2. Truth or Consequences - Enjoy Elephant Butte, the largest lake in New Mexico, water skiing or bass fishing... or just relaxing at the hot springs. Explore the Geronimo Springs Museum, wineries, or nearby old mining towns along the Geronimo Trail Scenic Byway.
- Driving time: 1.3 hours
Mileage: 75 miles (144 km.). South on Interstate 25, past Hatch (Chile Capitol) and Ft. Selden.
Day 3. Las Cruces - Here's a chance to immerse yourself in a relaxed game of year-round golf, explore the history of Las Cruces and Old Mesilla. Enjoy the fiestas and then shift your mood as you observe the work on display at the Branigan Cultural Center. Put the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum on your must list.
- Driving time: 1 hour.
Mileage 60 miles (96 km.) West on Interstate 10.
Day 4. Deming - The Mimbres Museum is a must on your stay, then visit St. Clair Winery and the rockhounder's favorite, Rockhound State Park. On the Mexican border enjoy the history and atmosphere of Pancho Villa State Park and Palomas, Mexico. To the north view the moonscape appearance of City of Rocks State Park.
- Driving time: 1 hour
Mileage: 52 miles (83 km.). Northwest on US180, past City of Rocks State Park and copper smelter at Hurley.
Day 5. Silver City - The rich prehistory of the Gila Cliff Dwellings Nat'l Monument, the 3-million acre Gila National Forest, and Billy the Kid history beckons. Tour the Trail of the Mountain Spirits up through the Mimbres Valley, past Lake Roberts to the Cliff Dwellings...then visit the art galleries in historic downtown.
- Driving time: 0.8 hours
Mileage: 45 miles (72 km.). South on NM90, past Tyrone Open Pit Mine and crossing Continental Divide.
Day 6. Lordsburg - Visit the famous ghost towns of Shakespeare and Steins. Shakespeare, an old mining town, does monthly re-enactments in costume. Steins, an old railroad town, is open most days along the Southern Pacific mainline. Enjoy the recreation areas surrounding Lordsburg.
- Driving time to Tucson: 2.5 hours
Mileage: 145 miles (232 km.). West on Interstate 10 past Benson's new caverns (junction with US80) to Tucson.
Extra days? Include the Kartchner Caverns State Park (Benson), Tombstone and Tucson's Desert Museum and Old Tucson in your itinerary.
- Driving time Lordsburg to Benson: 2.1 hours
Mileage: 100 miles (160 km.).West on Interstate 10.
- Driving time Benson to Tombstone: 0.4 hours
Mileage: 17 miles (27 km.). South on US80.
- Driving time Tombstone to Tucson: 1.1 hours
Mileage: 60 miles (96 km.). North on US80, west on Interstate 10.
