HitTheRoad
Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play
AI-planned road trip

Estates on Frankford, Dallas→Denver, CO, USA

3 days · 1,905 km · 16 stops

3days
1,905 kmDistance
16stops
$1,258Est. cost

A 3-day high-desert expedition from Dallas to Denver through the Panhandle and Santa Fe.

Estimated cost

$1,258estimated total
Stays $480
Fuel $168
Food $495
Other $115

Estimates generated at planning time — your actual costs may vary.

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1

723 km7h 28mDepart 07:30
Start
Estates on Frankford, Dallas
1
Food

Delilah Dallas

Dallas, United States
10:18–11:0345m here$75
2
Attraction4.8

Palo Duro Canyon State Park

Canyon, United States
14:21–16:212h here$16

Dramatic red rock gorge known as the Grand Canyon of Texas.

Show prepaid day passes at the gatehouse. Walk the rim trail from the visitor center for striking views over rugged Spanish skirts.
3
Attraction4.4

Cadillac Ranch

Amarillo, United States
17:11–17:5645m here

Iconic public art installation of spray-painted vintage cars.

Park on the south frontage road of I-40. Bring spray paint cans and rubber gloves to leave your mark on the buried fins.
Drive 16 km in ~12 min east along Historic Route 66 into downtown Amarillo.
16 km12m
4
Food4.0

Toscana Italian Steakhouse

Amarillo, United States
19:00–20:201h 20m here$90

Steak and scratch Italian fare inside the historic downtown district.

Valet park at the Barfield Hotel entrance. Reserve an intimate table and order the dry-aged ribeye paired with a bold Texas Tempranillo.
Walk 50 m in ~1min across the intersection to the hotel lobby.
100 m
5
Overnight4.6

The Barfield, Autograph Collection

Amarillo, United States
20:20–07:4011h 10m here$210

Boutique luxury hotel set in a restored 1927 heritage skyscraper.

Check in at the reception desk on Polk Street. Head downstairs to the basement speakeasy Paramount Room for craft bourbon nightcaps.

Day 2

544 km5h 31mDepart 09:04
6
Food3.8

Silver Moon Cafe

Santa Rosa, United States
11:30–12:2555m here$36

Longtime Route 66 cafe known for New Mexican red and green chile.

Park directly outside on Will Rogers Drive. Request the combo plate with Christmas chile and warm sopapillas drizzled with honey.
7
Activity4.6

Blue Hole

Santa Rosa, United States
12:32–13:321h here$10

Sapphire-clear artesian spring pool in the high desert.

Park in the paved visitor lot. Walk right to the rock ledge to dip into the constant 16-degree Celsius crystalline water.
8
Attraction4.7

Santa Fe Plaza

Santa Fe, United States
15:22–16:521h 30m here

Historic Spanish colonial square fringed with adobe architecture.

Park in the underground garage on Water Street. Browse authentic Native American turquoise jewelry beneath the Palace of the Governors portico.
Walk 250 m in ~3min northeast across East Palace Avenue through Prince Patio.
200 m1m
9
Food4.4

The Shed

Santa Fe, United States
18:15–19:351h 20m here$75

Famed 1692 hacienda serving traditional northern New Mexican dishes.

Arrive early as patio seating fills fast. Order the blue corn enchiladas smothered in red chile and a tart fresh-lime margarita.
10
Attraction4.8

Pecos National Historical Park

Pecos, United States
20:10–21:251h 15m here

Ancient Ancestral Pueblo ruins and Spanish mission church remains.

Park at the visitor center lot. Follow the 2-kilometer ancestral trail to climb inside a reconstructed ceremonial kiva.
11
Overnight4.6

Inn of the Governors

Santa Fe, United States
21:57–07:4011h 55m here$270

Warm southwestern lodge with kiva fireplaces steps from the Plaza.

Park in the free guest lot. Enjoy complimentary evening sherry and biscochitos by the lobby hearth or explore bars on Don Gaspar.

Day 3

638 km6h 6mDepart 07:45
Check out after breakfast at the hotel and drive 313 km in ~2h 51min north via I-25 N over Raton Pass into Colorado.
313 km2h 51m
12
Food4.7

Nana and Nano Monteleone's Deli and Pasta House

Trinidad, United States
10:36–11:1640m here$24

Beloved local bakery known for fresh pastries and breakfast tortas.

Park along Main Street. Pick up a warm green chile breakfast turnover and strong dark roast coffee before the mountain highway climb.
Drive 138 km in ~1h 15min north via I-25 N across the southern Colorado plains.
138 km1h 15m
13
Attraction4.6

Historic Arkansas Riverwalk

Pueblo, United States
12:31–13:2150m here

Urban waterfront promenade honoring Pueblo's historic waterways.

Park in the Riverwalk garage on South Main Street. Stroll the tree-lined canal basin and watch the fountain displays along the water.
Drive 69 km in ~42 min north via I-25 N into central Colorado Springs.
69 km42m
14
Food4.6

The Green Line Grill

Colorado Springs, United States
14:03–14:5350m here$28

Cult-favorite spot for Oklahoma-style onion smash burgers.

Park in the lot behind Sierra Madre Street. Order the double fried-onion cheeseburger with fresh cut fries and a cold soda.
15
Attraction4.0

Union Station

Denver, United States
16:03–17:031h here

Historic 1914 beaux-arts rail terminal and energetic cultural hub.

Park at the 16th and Wynkoop garage. Soak in the Grand Hall ambiance, grab an artisan espresso or cocktail, and explore downtown.
Walk 550 m in ~7min southeast along Wynkoop Street and 15th Street to Larimer Square.
700 m3m
16
Food4.3

Osteria Marco

Denver, United States
19:00–20:201h 20m here$85

Subterranean Italian tavern serving hand-tossed pizza and charcuterie.

Walk in along historic Larimer Square. Reserve a cellar table and split the fig and prosciutto pizza with house-made burrata.
1 km6m
Finish
Denver, CO, USA

Before you go

Local tips

  • 1Reserve entry passes for Palo Duro Canyon State Park online via Texas Parks and Wildlife before morning departure to avoid capacity turnaways
  • 2Fill your fuel tank in Santa Rosa or Clayton before the long empty stretches of north-central New Mexico
  • 3Pace your physical exertion in Santa Fe and Colorado Springs to acclimate naturally to elevations exceeding 2,100 meters
  • 4Photograph Cadillac Ranch in late afternoon light to capture vibrant contrast against the open Texas horizon

Good to know

  • 1This 3-day itinerary covers roughly 1,650 km with driving days averaging over 550 km; start each morning on schedule to preserve daylight sightseeing
  • 2Raton Pass on the New Mexico-Colorado border sits at 2,388 meters and can experience sudden fog or gusty mountain crosswinds in late September
  • 3Watch for wildlife crossing warnings on US-287 and I-25 near dawn and twilight, particularly mule deer and pronghorn antelope
  • 4High desert dehydration sets in quickly without thirst signals; keep water accessible in the vehicle cabin throughout each leg

Plan your own road trip in seconds

Tell the AI where you're headed — get a real day-by-day route with genuine stops, photos, costs and live guidance.

Plan a trip freeFree · no account needed

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play

More Estates on Frankford, Dallas → Denver, CO, USA road trips →

Plan a trip like this Get the app