So Cal to Austin, Texas and Return for XMas suggestions

Hey all,

So my wife’s family decided to rent a large house in Austin for XMas (snowbirds want an escape), and I asked my wife if she’d mind me driving ahead of her (she has to fly there due to working more days) and then we can drive home afterwards together. And she said yes!

So, I’m looking at having an extra couple of play days to drive there from So Cal by myself, and a half week to drive home with my wife.

I could stay south along I-10 and do side trips off of it in Arizona, New Mexico and parts of Texas, then take I-40 or further north on more rural roads home with my wife.

We can winter camp with the rig, have chains and all that, so a bit of snow won’t be a problem for us unless it’s stupid deep.

Soooo, what do you all suggest we see? I have never been to Texas nor New Mexico except for four corners.

I am thinking Big Bend, but not sure what else given staying south closer to I-10 on the way there, and then having more time to explore other routes on the way back.

Thanks for your suggestions!

 

I'm an Albuquerque, New Mexico native now living in Houston. Personally, I'd avoid I-40 and stay south on I-10. That way you avoid crime in Albuquerque (thieves LOVE to target out-of-towners in hotel parking lots). Also, there's a good possibility of hitting winter weather on 40 at that time of year. East of ABQ, especially, can get bad.

If you stay on 10, there's LOTS of trails in the Robledo Mountains just outside Las Cruces, all the way up to Caballo Lake, from easy to buggy level. Hatch, NM, home of the famous New Mexico green chile, is only about 45 minutes north of Las Cruces, very close to Caballo Lake.

Once you're in TX, you're dealing mostly with private land, but I cannot recommend Big Bend NP and Big Bend Ranch SP highly enough. The NP has more spectacular scenery, the state park has more remote camping. My wife and I love camping in the state park. Once you're east of the Big Bend area, you're into mostly private land, so not much available.

 

I have no real suggestions but Somewhere between San Antonio and Austin, there’s a Buc-cee’s. Best gas station service/convenience store ever

 

Thank you, will definitely research these suggestions.

 

Definitely like supporting the locals, best places for sure. One of my wife and my favorite memories from a similar road trip through the desert was rolling into a small town dinner/gas station that was still wide open on XMas early morning around 12:30 AM because it was snowing for the first time in like 15 years and the locals were all there having whiskey and hot cocoa and doing a secret santa exchange. They were so nice to us, even gave us presents from their celebration.

 

Carlsbad caverns has my vote.

 

Forgot that one - I know the bats will be gone, but is it open year round?

 

Looks like they should be.