The drive from Albuquerque to Phoenix is full of national parks and natural wonders. We intentionally did this drive over one-and-a-half days. We started on the afternoon of the first day.

The first stop was the Church Rock hiking trail in Red Rock Park. It’s a relatively flat, 2.6 miles hike.

Church Rock Trail in Red Rock Park, New Mexico, featuring rugged terrain

We stayed overnight at Gallup and the next day, our first stop was Tee Pee Trading Post .

A large teepee structure stands prominently beside the road, serving as the Tee Pee Trading Post, surrounded by a few small structures and vehicles.

At the next stop, Yellowhorse Trading Post We got Navajo fried bread , it tastes similar to Indian “bhatoora”. I would recommend trying it.

A trading post named Yellowhorse is depicted, showcasing a rustic building exterior in a desert environment with sparse vegetation and rugged terrain in the background.

Next, we entered Petrified Forest, National Park . There are several small hikes and stops here to check out. You can spend the full day here. First, the science, of petrification happens when silica sediments along with the water enter a log of wood. Over time, the wood piece starts to resemble an amalgam of wood and quartz stone. This park is full of petrified wood.

Petrified wood, resembling a fusion of wood and quartz stone, is scattered across a desert landscape, showcasing a blend of natural wood texture and crystalline elements.
A rock-strewn landscape with large petrified logs scattered across a desert terrain, typical of a national forest known for its preserved fossils.
Petrified National Forest
A rock-strewn landscape with vibrant petrified logs scattered across a desert terrain, under a clear blue sky, showcasing the Petrified National Forest.
A rock-strewn landscape with vibrant petrified logs scattered across a desert terrain, under a clear blue sky, showcasing the Petrified Forest National Park.
A landscape photograph showcasing petrified wood pieces in a desert environment, characteristic of Petrified National Forest, under a clear, expansive sky.

Our last stop in the journey was the city of Sedona before reaching Phoenix.

A landscape photo featuring Sedona's red rock formations under a clear sky, representing the final stop in a journey before reaching Phoenix.