6-Day Texas to New Mexico Foodie Road Trip Itinerary

1. Day 1: Houston to Junction, TX
   4 hours 15 minutes (280 miles)

   Leave Houston in the morning and head to Stop 1, The Salt Lick BBQ, in Driftwood, TX. Have lunch and try their world-famous brisket. Continue the journey to Stop 2, Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, and hike the Enchanted Rock Summit Trail for some scenic views. End the day in Junction, TX, and have dinner at Isaack's Restaurant, known for their chicken fried steak.

2. Day 2: Junction to Marfa, TX
   2 hours 45 minutes (150 miles)

   Start the day with a visit to the Kimble County Historical Museum in Junction, TX. Next stop is Stop 3, Prada Marfa, a unique art installation in the middle of nowhere. Have lunch in Alpine, TX at Stop 4, La Casita Cafe, and try their famous enchiladas. Drive through the scenic Davis Mountains State Park and end the day in Marfa, TX, where you can have dinner at Stop 5, Stellina, a restaurant that serves a fusion of Italian and Texan cuisine.

3. Day 3: Marfa to Santa Fe, NM
   6 hours 20 minutes (365 miles)

   Start the day with a visit to Stop 6, The Chinati Foundation, a contemporary art museum in Marfa, TX. Have brunch at Stop 7, Food Shark, where you can try their Mediterranean-inspired dishes. Drive to Stop 8, White Sands National Monument, and spend the afternoon exploring the dunes. End the day in Santa Fe, NM, and have dinner at Stop 9, Coyote Cafe, a restaurant that serves a mix of southwestern and Latin cuisine.

4. Day 4: Santa Fe to Taos, NM
   1 hour 30 minutes (75 miles)

   Start the day with a visit to Stop 10, The Shed, a restaurant that serves traditional New Mexican food. Walk around the Santa Fe Plaza and have a coffee at Stop 11, Iconik Coffee Roasters. Drive to Stop 12, the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, and take in the views of the gorge. End the day in Taos, NM, and have dinner at Stop 13, The Love Apple, a restaurant that serves locally-sourced cuisine.

5. Day 5: Taos to Albuquerque, NM
   3 hours (135 miles)

   Start the day with a visit to Stop 14, Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Stop at Stop 15, Rancho de Chimayó, in Chimayó, NM, for lunch and try their famous carne adovada. Drive to Stop 16, Bandelier National Monument, and hike the Tsankawi Trail for scenic views of the area. End the day in Albuquerque, NM, and have dinner at Stop 17, El Pinto, a restaurant that serves traditional New Mexican cuisine.

6. Day 6: Albuquerque to Houston
   9 hours (600 miles)

   Start the day with a visit to Stop 18, Petroglyph National Monument, and see ancient rock carvings. Have lunch at Stop 19, The Range Cafe, which serves traditional New Mexican food. End the trip with a visit to Stop 20, Santa Fe Brewing Company, and try some local beer before heading back to Houston.

Time and Costs Estimates

• The Salt Lick BBQ (1 hour, $25)
• Enchanted Rock State Natural Area (2 hours, $10 per vehicle)
• Kimble County Historical Museum (1 hour, $10)
• Prada Marfa (30 minutes, free)
• La Casita Cafe (1 hour, $20)
• The Chinati Foundation (2 hours, $10)
• Food Shark (1 hour, $15)
• White Sands National Monument (3 hours, $25 per vehicle)
• Coyote Cafe (2 hours, $50)
• The Shed (1 hour, $25)
• Iconik Coffee Roasters (30 minutes, $5)
• Rio Grande Gorge Bridge (30 minutes, free)
• The Love Apple (2 hours, $40)
• Taos Pueblo (2 hours, $20)
• Rancho de Chimayó (1 hour, $30)
• Bandelier National Monument (2 hours, $30 per vehicle)
• El Pinto (2 hours, $50)
• The Range Cafe (1 hour, $20)
• Santa Fe Brewing Company (1 hour, $15)
Total Estimated Costs: $345

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider adding a visit to Carlsbad Caverns National Park. If you have less time, consider skipping Enchanted Rock State Natural Area and spending more time in Marfa. If you're not a foodie, consider skipping some of the restaurants and adding outdoor activities like horseback riding or hot air balloon rides.