Leave Flagstaff around 8:00 a.m. and take US-89 north toward Cameron, then continue on the same highway to Tuba City. The drive is about 1 hour 45 minutes without stops; allow extra time for the Cameron visit and any roadwork or slow traffic. Park in the trading post lot, and keep water handy—the route is exposed, with few convenient services between towns.
At Cameron Trading Post, browse the historic shop’s regional arts and crafts, then have lunch at its on-site restaurant. Budget about $15–$30 per person. Afterward, it’s roughly 30 minutes north to Tuba City. Check today’s hours before setting out: museum schedules can change, and it’s worth confirming both stops are open.
Allow about an hour at the Navajo Code Talkers Museum, then give yourself 1–1½ hours at the Explore Navajo Interactive Museum for a broader introduction to Navajo history and culture. For dinner, Hogan Restaurant at Moenkopi Legacy Inn & Suites is a convenient sit-down choice; expect about $15–$30 per person. Stay at Moenkopi Legacy Inn & Suites tonight, making tomorrow’s departure toward Ganado easier.
Leave Tuba City early—around 7:00 a.m. is sensible—with a full tank and water in the car. The first stop, Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site in Ganado, is best with 1–1½ hours to see the historic store and grounds. Check the National Park Service’s current visitor information before you go, as building hours and access can vary; the grounds and store are not something to assume will be open late.
Continue north to Teec Nos Pos Trading Post for a 30–45-minute browse, but confirm it’s open and welcoming visitors before setting out. From there, allow about 45 minutes at Four Corners Monument to walk to the marker and browse the small vendors if they’re open; admission is typically around $8 per person, and hours can change seasonally. Keep some cash handy, and remember you’ll be on Navajo Nation land for much of the day—follow posted rules and ask before photographing people or shops.
It’s roughly another 1½ hours from Four Corners Monument to Farmington, so expect a full day on the road once the stops are included. Settle in at Courtyard by Marriott Farmington, then head to Three Rivers Brewery for dinner; budget about $20–$40 per person and check current kitchen hours before driving over. October uses the same time as New Mexico across this route, but rural services are limited, so don’t leave fuel or dinner plans until late.
Leave Farmington early, ideally by 7:30 a.m., and make Kirtland Trading Post your first brief stop; allow about 30 minutes, but call ahead to confirm it’s open and what it currently carries. Continue south toward Zuni Pueblo. The day’s driving adds up to roughly 3–3½ hours before stops, so bring water, fuel up before leaving Farmington, and keep some flexibility for rural-road conditions.
Allow 1½–2 hours to visit Zuni Pueblo respectfully, then spend about 45 minutes at the Zuni Visitor Center for local context and current guidance. Follow community directions about where visitors may go, and ask before taking photographs—access and visitor services can vary. This is a community, not an open-air attraction, so keep a low profile and don’t assume homes or ceremonial areas are visitor sites. Check current opening times before setting out; visitor facilities and services may have limited hours.
Continue to Richardson’s Trading Company in Gallup and give yourself about an hour to browse its Native arts and crafts; prices vary widely, so ask about materials and maker attribution as you shop. Then have dinner at Earl’s Family Restaurant (budget about $15–$30 per person); visiting artists often display work there, but it’s fine to browse only if you’re interested. Finish at Hotel El Rancho, the historic Route 66 hotel—reserve ahead, especially on weekends, and ask about parking when booking.
Allow about three hours to reach Santa Fe from Gallup, then park once near downtown rather than moving the car between stops. A public garage around Water Street or Burro Alley is handy for the historic center; expect roughly $1–$2 an hour, but check posted rates. Start with an easy loop around Santa Fe Plaza—about an hour for the arcades, shops, and people-watching—then visit the Palace of the Governors and its New Mexico History Museum exhibits. Set aside 1–1½ hours and check the museum’s current Sunday hours and admission before you go.
Walk a few minutes from the Plaza to The Shed for New Mexican lunch; budget about $20–$40 per person, and try to arrive early or expect a wait. After lunch, head east to Canyon Road—about a 15-minute walk from the Plaza, or a short drive if you prefer—and browse its galleries at an unhurried pace. Allow 1–1½ hours; Sunday gallery hours vary, so treat this as a pleasant stroll rather than counting on every door being open.
When you’re ready to leave, take I-25 south to Albuquerque International Sunport; allow about 1 hour 15 minutes in normal traffic, plus extra time for congestion, refueling, and rental-car return. Build in at least two hours at the airport before a domestic departure (more if your airline or flight requires it), and leave Santa Fe accordingly.
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