Leave Muskogee around 9:00 AM via US-62 W and I-44 W; the drive to Oklahoma City is roughly two hours, depending on Tulsa-area traffic. Allow extra time for a fuel stop, and remember that hotel check-in and parking can add another 30–45 minutes. Once downtown, leave the car at your hotel if possible, or use a paid garage rather than moving it repeatedly between attractions.
After checking in and grabbing a quick lunch, drive to the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in the Adventure District. Give yourself about two hours for the galleries, especially the Western art collection, historical exhibits, and the outdoor Prosperity Junction area. Typical adult admission is around $15–$20; verify Tuesday hours and current pricing before leaving, as museum schedules can change. It is easiest to park on-site, and the museum is about 10–15 minutes from downtown outside rush hour.
Return downtown for the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum. Start with the outdoor memorial grounds, then allow roughly 1½ hours for the museum; the exhibits are emotionally demanding, so leave yourself a little breathing room afterward. The museum generally operates daytime hours and charges admission, while the outdoor memorial is free and often accessible beyond museum hours. From there, walk or drive to Scissortail Park for an easy stroll beside the lake and gardens—about an hour is enough before sunset. Check seasonal park lighting and event information, particularly in November.
Finish in the Paseo Arts District, where the compact gallery area is best explored on foot along Paseo Drive. Galleries commonly close in the early evening, so arrive before dinner if browsing matters; hours vary by business. For dinner, try Frida Southwest, a well-regarded Paseo-area restaurant with Southwestern and Mexican-influenced cooking, or Picasso Café for a more casual option. Budget approximately $20–$40 per person, and check Tuesday reservations and kitchen hours before heading over.
Leave Oklahoma City around 8:00 AM on I-40 W toward Amarillo; the drive is about four hours before stops, so plan on arriving in the early afternoon. Build in time for fuel, coffee, and a proper break rather than trying to drive straight through. Your first stop is U-Drop Inn & Conoco Tower in Shamrock, just off I-40. This beautifully restored Route 66 landmark takes about 45 minutes to photograph and explore; the visitor center’s hours can vary seasonally, so check before leaving. Afterward, continue west and allow time for hotel check-in and a short rest in Amarillo.
Head downtown to the Route 66 Historic District, where a one-hour wander is enough to see the classic roadside architecture, murals, and independent shops without overloading the day. It is a compact area, but parking and individual shop hours vary, particularly midweek. From downtown, drive west to Cadillac Ranch, the famous row of half-buried cars beside I-40. Bring or buy inexpensive spray paint and wear shoes that can handle dusty ground; the site is outdoors, free, and usually takes around 45 minutes. There are no facilities at the cars, so use a restroom and pick up water beforehand.
For dinner, drive east to The Big Texan Steak Ranch, an Amarillo institution known for its Texas-sized portions and lively western décor. Expect roughly $25–$60 per person, depending on your entrée and drinks; waits can be substantial at peak dinner time, so joining the queue early is worthwhile. Finish at the Amarillo Botanical Gardens in the Medical Center area for a quieter hour among the seasonal plantings. Confirm the evening closing time before going—hours are seasonal and may not extend late enough for a post-dinner visit. If the gardens close early, keep this as an optional pre-dinner stop and spend the evening at The Big Texan instead.
Leave Amarillo around 6:30 AM on I-40 W, carrying breakfast, water, and layers for a long day on the road. The drive to Petrified Forest National Park takes roughly three hours before stops; allow time for fuel and a proper coffee break rather than trying to make the entire route nonstop. At the park, spend about 1½ hours exploring the colorful badlands around Painted Desert and the petrified-wood landscapes near Blue Mesa or Giant Logs. The park generally opens from sunrise to sunset, but check the National Park Service alerts before leaving; the entrance fee is typically around $25–30 per private vehicle, unless covered by an annual pass. Do not remove any wood or fossils—rangers take this seriously.
Continue west on I-40, then take US-89 S and AZ-179 toward Sedona. After the broad, open desert, the red cliffs arrive suddenly, and Oak Creek Vista is an excellent first pause on the descent—allow about 30 minutes for the overlook, photographs, and a short leg stretch. Parking is limited and can fill quickly, so keep the stop flexible if the pullout is crowded. From there, continue into town, check into your hotel, and allow at least 30–45 minutes for unloading and parking; Sedona lodging often has tight lots, and traffic on AZ-179 can slow noticeably near sunset.
After check-in, spend about an hour wandering Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village, where stone walkways, arched courtyards, galleries, and small boutiques make for an easy first taste of Sedona without committing to a hike. Shops commonly close around 5–6 PM, while restaurants may stay open later, so arrive before closing if browsing matters. Finish at The Hudson in West Sedona for dinner, budgeting roughly $30–60 per person before drinks and tip. Request a patio or west-facing table for the best sunset atmosphere, but treat the view as weather-dependent and expect a wait during the dinner rush; reservations are wise. Since this has been a long driving day, keep the evening relaxed and save the major trails for tomorrow.
Start around 7:30 AM on the Red Rock Scenic Byway, heading south from central Sedona along Arizona State Route 179. The scenic section itself is short—about 30 minutes without stops—but early light makes the red cliffs especially striking, and traffic is much lighter before 9:00 AM. Continue to Bell Rock Pathway near the Village of Oak Creek for an easy, mostly level walk of about 1½ hours. The trail has broad views rather than a strenuous summit climb; bring water, sunglasses, and shoes with decent grip. Parking areas can fill later in the morning, and an Red Rock Pass or applicable federal recreation pass is generally required, so check the current fee signage before setting out.
Drive back north toward the Chapel of the Holy Cross, allowing roughly 20–25 minutes from Bell Rock depending on traffic. The chapel’s compact interior is usually a quick visit—about 45 minutes including the approach and viewpoint—but its small parking area fills quickly. If the main lot is full, follow posted directions rather than stopping along the narrow access road; a shuttle or overflow arrangement may operate seasonally. Admission is typically free, though donations are welcome. Keep the midday pace relaxed, since the chapel is best appreciated from the exterior terraces and surrounding red-rock views rather than rushed through.
After the chapel, head to Crescent Moon Picnic Site beside Oak Creek for an unhurried afternoon of about 1½ hours. This is one of the best places for a close view of Cathedral Rock, particularly if you walk a short distance along the creek instead of stopping only at the first viewpoint. Seasonal access, day-use fees, and parking rules can change, and the lot may close when full, so verify conditions with the Coconino National Forest before leaving. Return to West Sedona for dinner at Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill. Reserve ahead if possible—tables with the red-rock outlook are particularly sought after—and budget roughly $40–$75 per person before drinks and tip. Dress casually but neatly, and allow extra time for the short drive back to your hotel after sunset, when Sedona’s roads become darker and slower than they look on a map.
Leave Sedona around 8:00 AM via I-17 N and I-40 E, allowing roughly six hours of driving time plus fuel and sightseeing stops. For a comfortable arrival in Albuquerque, keep the first leg focused and plan for about 90 minutes at Meteor Crater Natural Landmark near Winslow. The visitor center typically opens in the morning, but verify November hours and admission—adult entry is generally around $25–$30. The rim viewpoints and indoor exhibits are exposed to wind, so bring a warm layer; parking is straightforward, though the site is several miles off I-40.
Continue east on I-40, stopping for 30–45 minutes at a Navajo Nation trading post near the Arizona–New Mexico border. Treat this as a flexible fuel-and-stretch stop rather than a guaranteed shopping opportunity: hours vary, and some smaller businesses may close early or change schedules. Expect regional jewelry, textiles, pottery, and roadside snacks; ask before photographing people or artwork. After reaching Albuquerque, check into your hotel and head to Old Town Albuquerque, where the compact adobe plaza, San Felipe de Neri Church, galleries, and small shops are easy to explore on foot. Late afternoon is a good time to wander before dinner, although individual shop hours can vary in November. Use a hotel shuttle or rideshare if available; street parking can be limited around the plaza.
Have dinner at Church Street Café, a long-established Old Town choice for enchiladas, chile, sopapillas, and other New Mexican staples; budget about $15–$30 per person before drinks and tip. Afterward, drive or use a rideshare to the Sandia Peak Tramway for roughly two hours of sunset and mountain views, but verify the operating calendar, last boarding time, and weather before leaving Old Town. November evenings are cold at the summit, often considerably colder than downtown, and wind or maintenance can affect service. If the tram is not operating, keep the evening relaxed in Old Town rather than trying to force another long outing after the road day.
This is the longest driving day, so leave Albuquerque around 6:30 AM with coffee, water, and breakfast packed. Follow I-40 E toward Santa Rosa, then connect to US-84 S for Pecos National Historical Park; the full drive to Muskogee is roughly 9–10 hours before sightseeing and meal stops. The park is a worthwhile but optional morning detour: allow about an hour for the pueblo and mission ruins, and skip it if you are running late. Check the National Park Service schedule before leaving, since visitor-center hours can vary seasonally; admission is generally modest, with a standard national-park pass also accepted.
Return to I-40 E and continue toward Tucumcari, allowing time for fuel and lunch. Make a quick roadside stop along the old Route 66 corridor for photographs and a drink—about 30 minutes is enough, and you will find the most atmospheric remnants around the town’s historic commercial strip. This is a good place to stretch your legs without turning the day into a major detour. Keep the stop brief: you still have several hours of driving ahead, and services become more spread out once you are back on the interstate.
Continue east through Amarillo and toward Clinton, where the National Route 66 Museum makes a compact one-hour break. It is especially useful on a long return drive because the exhibits are indoors and easy to cover without excessive walking. Verify Sunday opening hours before committing, as seasonal schedules can change; admission is typically inexpensive. Afterward, refuel and take a proper meal break before the final push toward Oklahoma City. If fatigue is building, treat the museum as optional and prioritize a safe arrival.
If traffic and daylight cooperate, stop in Bricktown for dinner and a short walk along the canal. The district is convenient from I-40, but parking and restaurant waits can add time, so keep this to about an hour and choose a casual meal rather than a reservation-dependent one. From central Oklahoma City, take US-62 E toward Muskogee, allowing roughly two more hours plus time to park and unload. With an early departure, arrival should be in the late afternoon or evening; after such a long day, skip the final stop if you are tired and continue directly home.
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