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10-Day Western Texas Road Trip: Amarillo to El Paso
This epic road trip through Western Texas with stops in New Mexico visits three cities and three National Parks. Tick off bucket list items of spray painting one of the Cadillac Ranch cars, learn about the 1947 UFO incident in Roswell New Mexico, descend 750 feet underground to explore the Big Room at Carlsbad Caverns National Park, cross the Rio Grande in a row boat for lunch in Mexico at Big Bend National Park, sled down a sand dune at White Sands National Park and cross the border to have a margarita where they originated in Ciudad Juárez New Mexico.
You are excited to begin your road trip through Western Texas and want to know the best time of year to visit, where to stay, must-see attractions, and where to eat while there. Researching the best things to do on a road trip through Western Texas while working full time is overwhelming and you don’t have hours to spend on the internet. Save time and plan an unforgettable trip full of top activities with this ultimate Western Texas road trip itinerary.
Western Texas Road Trip Planner
When is the Best Time to Visit Western Texas?
Temperatures are mild in the Spring and Fall. Summers are hot and humid. Winter weather is unpredictable and snow is possible.
What is the Best Way to Travel Through Western Texas?
You will need your own transportation to follow this Western Texas road trip itinerary. Save precious PTO by flying from your home to Amarillo Texas and renting a car to continue the journey. Book your return flight from El Paso Texas or Albuquerque New Mexico.
How Long Do You Need to See Western Texas?
This 10-day Western Texas road trip begins in the Panhandle and travels south to the Mexico border with stops in southern New Mexico. If you have two weeks of PTO, extend the road trip to include the New Mexico cities of Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Taos.
Western Texas Road Trip Highlights
Cadillac Ranch, Route 66, Palo Duro Canyon State Park (Texas Grand Canyon), Roswell New Mexico, Carlsbad Caverns New Mexico, Terlingua Ghost Town, Big Bend National Park, Prada Storefront, San Elizario Historic District and Missions, White Sands National Park, Cloudcroft, El Paso Texas, Ciudad Juárez New Mexico.
Day-by-Day Guide for a Road Trip to Western Texas (10 days, 9 nights)
ROUTE AT A GLANCE: Amarillo Texas – Roswell New Mexico– Carlsbad Caverns New Mexico – Big Bend Texas – White Sands New Mexico – El Paso Texas
MILES: 1000 miles
HOW MANY DAYS: 10
Day 1: Arrive in Amarillo Texas
Amarillo is located in the Texas Panhandle on Route 66 of the Lone Star State. Amarillo is known for the famous Cadillac Ranch, historic Route 66 attractions, the second-largest canyon in the US, cowboys, quarter horses, 72-ounce steaks, and sweet tea. Although the chances of witnessing someone attempting to eat a 72-ounce steak at the Big Texan are slim, go anyway. Order a steak sandwich and enjoy the property.
Fly into Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport and pick up a rental car
Visit the VW Slug Bug Ranch on the way to the Big Texan restaurant for dinner
Stop at Wal-Mart for water, snacks, a sled (for White Sands), and spray paint
Check into Amarillo hotel for two nights
Day Two Amarillo Texas
Get up early and head to Palo Duro Canyon State Park (Texas Grand Canyon) for a morning hike
Check out the submerged combines at Combine City
Drive Route 66 to the Adrian Midway Café for lunch
Visit the famous Cadillac Ranch and 2nd Amendment Cowboy
Be sure to stop in town to buy inexpensive spray paint before heading out to the Cadillac Ranch. It is an open area and can be windy. Considering making a stencil if you are wanting to leave your artistic mark on one of the cars.
Read: Things to Do in and Around Amarillo Texas
Day Three Roswell New Mexico
Roswell New Mexico is the unofficial alien capital of the world. Little green men from outer space fill Main Street and alien eyes light the streets. In a world of X-Files and government conspiracies, this little alien city is a fun road trip stop. Be sure to stop at the International UFO Museum and Research Center in Roswell. The museum was opened by two of the original witnesses of the famous 1947 UFO crash/weather balloon/secret government project related to the Soviet Union. Expect to spend about two hours reading the collection of newspaper clippings and witness statements. I had a lot of fun searching out the touristy displays and murals along Main Street.
Drive 3.5 hours from Amarillo to Roswell
Spend the afternoon exploring Roswell and shopping for alien souvenirs
Drive 2 hours from Roswell to Carlsbad New Mexico
Overnight: Carlsbad New Mexico
Read: Top Things to Do in Roswell New Mexico
Day Four Carlsbad Caverns National Park New Mexico
Carlsbad Caverns National Park is known for being the deepest and largest underground cave in the American Southwest. You will find caverns full of long tunnels, limestone chambers, stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws, cave pools, flowstone, draperies, and bats. There are several hiking trails within the park and it is common to spot Barbary sheep while visiting. The two top things to do at Carlsbad Caverns are descending into the cave from the natural entrance and participating in the Bat Flight Program (late May through October).
Get up early and take the .5-mile hike to Sitting Bull Falls for a picnic breakfast
Arrive at Carlsbad Caverns National Park at 8 am and watch the 16-minute intro movie at the visitor center
Take the natural entrance into the cavern and explore the big room, plan to spend 3 hours at the park
Drive 2.5 hours to Balmorhea State Park (a natural pool with fish) or continue another 30 minutes to the Fort Davis Historic Site (don’t miss the Drug Store)
Overnight: Alpine Texas
Read: Carlsbad Caverns National Park Travel Guide
Day Five Big Bend National Park Texas
Big Bend National Park is known for the Rio Grande River, Chisos Mountains, and Chihuahuan Desert. You will also find river canyons, scenic vistas mountain cliffs, box canyons, yucca plants, scenic drives, hiking, floating, hot springs, stargazing, deer, javelinas, road runners, rabbits, coyotes, mountain lions, and bears. The three top things to do at Big Bend National Park are driving the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, climbing the Santa Elena Canyon trail, and taking the Boquillas Crossing ferry to have lunch in Mexico (passport required). The park’s hot springs were closed when I was there but I have heard great things about them, bring a swimsuit!
Leave Alpine and drive 2 hours to the Langford Hot Springs for a soak
Make your way to the Boquillas Ferry crossing and have lunch in Mexico (passport required)
Drive the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive and hike the Santa Elena Canyon Trail
Have dinner in Terlingua Ghost Town
Overnight: Terlingua Texas
Read: Big Bend National Park Travel Guide
Day Six Big Bend National Park Texas
Consider rising early for a drive on the Texas River Road (FM 170) and hike Closed Canyon before making the 5-hour drive to El Paso
Stop for a selfie at the Prada storefront outside of Marfa
See the classic movie billboards of the film Giant
Visit the Ysleta Mission, Socorro Mission, and San Elizario Presidio Chapel on the Mission Trail
Overnight: El Paso Texas
Day Seven White Sands National Park New Mexico
White Sands National Park is known for its dunes of pure white gypsum sand that can be seen from space. It is so large it has been called the world’s greatest sandbox. The best things to do at White Sands National Park are driving the Dunes Drive scenic loop, sand sledding, and hiking the Heart of the Sands Trail. The depth of the dunes is washed out at midday; be sure to arrive in the morning or late afternoon/evening to see the shadows. Also, the sunset at the dunes is incredible.
Get an early start and drive 1.5 hours to White Sands National Park
Stop at Rockin’ BZ Burgers in Alamogordo, NM for a green chili cheeseburger and PistachioLand for green chili pistachios
Continue to the mountain town of Cloudcroft, and be sure to stop at the lookout for a photo back toward the sand dunes
Have dinner in Cloudcroft and return to White Sands for sunset
Overnight: El Paso Texas
Read: White Sands National Park Travel Guide
Day Eight El Paso Texas
El Paso is known for being the “Mexican food capital of America”. El Paso is a good place to book your return flight home. I didn’t love El Paso but there are a few things to do in the city. Tacos. Eat lots of tacos. Also, drive the Rim Road for views into Mexico and do some shopping on El Paso Street.
Read: Things to Do in El Paso Texas
Day Nine Ciudad Juárez New Mexico
Do you like margaritas? Cross the border to enjoy one where they were created at the Kentucky Bar & Grill. A Note on Ciudad Juárez New Mexico: Normally I would cross the Mexico border without thinking twice, but not this time. Do some research on the current safety concerns in Ciudad Juárez. If you are traveling solo and really want to explore the area, consider booking a walking tour with Rich (915.820.1628), I didn’t use him but have heard good things.
Day 10: Return Flight
Have more time? Consider continuing the trip to Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Taos, especially if you are able to plan it during the Albuquerque Balloon Festival!
Read: Things to Do in Albuquerque New Mexico
Read: Things to Do in Santa Fe New Mexico
Read: Things to Do in Taos New Mexico
Full Disclosure: Not My Favorite US Road Trip
I planned this trip in the middle of COVID and booked it toward the end of the shutdown. I woke at 2 am the morning of my original trip very sick and didn’t make the flight. I had wanted to visit Cadillac Ranch, Roswell, and White Sands for a long time and had put together an itinerary I was excited about. The trip continued to float around in my thoughts so I rebooked it. Although this itinerary ticked several of my bucket list items, I’m not a fan of Western Texas. It is just not for me. Having said that, I’m super happy I went and I loved the places I visited. I did not love the drive between them. Why am I saying this? Manage your expectations, this is a lot of driving through a very flat and dusty land. If you are anything like me, you NEED a great playlist and audiobooks to make it through this drive. Also, don’t speed. If you do, be very kind to the officer and they may give you a warning instead of a ticket.
Be sure to check the Texas Tourism Board and the New Mexico Tourism Board websites for current events.
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