Day 6 -- Albuquerque to Lubbock¶
| Distance | ~330 miles |
| Drive Time | ~4.5 hours |
| Sleep | Home2 Suites by Hilton Lubbock |
Recovery day
Shorter drive through eastern New Mexico. Sleep in, optional tramway, then cruise into Lubbock for a real city night with great food and live music history.
Saturday breakfast
Hotel breakfast in Albuquerque is the default plan before departure. If you skip hotel breakfast, grab coffee and breakfast to-go before getting on I-40.
Sandia Peak Tramway (Optional Morning)¶
One of the longest aerial tramways in the world -- 2.7 miles of cable stretching from the desert floor to the 10,378-foot summit of Sandia Peak. The ride takes about 15 minutes each way, climbing nearly a mile in elevation.
Details
- Tickets: ~$29/adult, ~$19/youth
- Views span 11,000 square miles on a clear day
- Temperature at the top is typically 20-30 degrees cooler
- There's a restaurant at the summit if you want lunch with a view
Worth It?
If the family has energy, absolutely. If everyone's road-weary, skip it and enjoy a lazy morning in ABQ instead. No wrong answer today.
Blue Hole -- Santa Rosa¶
A perfectly round natural sinkhole right off I-40 in Santa Rosa, NM. 80 feet deep with impossibly clear blue water -- a famous Route 66 landmark. Even if you don't swim, it's a cool 15-20 minute stretch stop.
Buddy Holly Center -- Lubbock¶
The Buddy Holly Center in downtown Lubbock celebrates the rock-and-roll pioneer who grew up here. Small but well-done museum with memorabilia, the famous giant glasses sculpture on the plaza outside, and rotating exhibits on West Texas music history.
Details
- Located in the Depot Entertainment District downtown
- Budget 30-45 minutes
- Great photo op with the giant glasses sculpture
- Free parking nearby
Where to Eat in Lubbock¶
| Restaurant | Style | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Evie Mae's Pit Barbecue | Texas BBQ | Often ranked one of the best BBQ spots in Texas |
| The West Table Kitchen and Bar | Upscale casual | Excellent food, top reviews in town |
| Triple J Chophouse & Brew Co. | Steakhouse + brewery | Local favorite, great steaks |
| Torchy's Tacos | Casual Tex-Mex | Easy, quick, kids love it |
Dessert
Bahama Buck's -- Texas chain famous for shaved ice. The kids will thank you.
Hotel Stay Details¶
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Hotel | Home2 Suites by Hilton Lubbock |
| Address | 6004 Marsha Sharp Freeway, Lubbock, TX 79407 |
| Phone | +1 806-833-5000 |
| Room | 1 King Studio Suite, Non-smoking |
| Rate | Standard Room Reward |
| Guest(s) | 1 adult |
| Check-in | Sat Mar 21, 2026 (3:00 PM) |
| Check-out | Sun Mar 22, 2026 (12:00 PM) |
| Total for stay | 11,000 Points + $122.95 |
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation before 11:59 PM local hotel time on Fri, Mar 20, 2026.