Shortcut
to/or from El Paso, TX on
Interstate 10
Whether you're visiting
friends and family,
vacationing, or traveling
through the Southwestern
states of Arizona, New
Mexico and Texas, you'll
want to get off the
beaten path of Interstate 10
and take a drive through
history. (See directions
below) For those who commute
often through this corridor,
you might like to know there
are some short-cuts along
the way that could save
15-60 minutes off your
routine drive, especially
utilizing the little known
Hwy 9 between El Paso, TX
and Columbus, NM.
The Historical Routes to
Columbus New Mexico from I10
Heading east from Tucson,
AZ, on Interstate 10, travel
45 miles to Benson, AZ,
taking the Highway 80 exit
south just 24 miles to the
home of the Shoot-out at the
OK Corral and iconic western
film of the same name:
Tombstone, AZ. After
watching the infamous
reenactment of the firefight
between Wyatt Earp and the
Cowboy gang, take a walk up
and down both sides of the
wonderfully preserved
western town, maybe stopping
to get a souvenir photo
taken in old western gear
and saloon clothes.
Then it's back on the road
continuing south on Hwy 80
for just 44 miles until
reaching the mountain
historic mining town of
Bisbee AZ. Stopping at the
town centerpiece, the Copper Queen hotel, for
lunch and then after a short
walk around the historic
district and Mining museum
it's time to continue your
venture through time.
Heading out
of town you'll be captivated
by the gigantic open mine
that has a Grand Canyon like
expanse and depth with the
added glory of unique
coloring along the walls of
this
man-made wonder.
Keeping your course on Hwy
80, you'll come to your
southernmost destination of
Douglas, AZ, in under half
an hour. Douglas sits smack
on the border with Mexico
and
also marks your last chance
to fuel up for the remaining
150 miles of your historical
side-trip before landing in
Columbus, NM. After leaving
Douglas, AZ, your next
respite comes less than an
hour later, and not too far
past the Arizona border into
the Land of Enchantment,
you'll find yourself in
Rodeo, NM. Passing through
town you'll
quickly arrive to the
Chiricahua Desert Museum.
Take the time to visit this
fine museum, live desert
snake exhibit, desert
botanical garden walk , and
your last restroom
break opportunity before
hitting the road for your
final 100 mile drive along
the New Mexico - Mexico
border towards Columbus as
Hwy 80 merges into Hwy 9.
Depending how long you
stayed at each location
along the way, your arrival
at the historic crossroads
of Hwy's 9 & 11 in Columbus,
NM, will most likely be in
time to
witness our divine
twilight-hours and sunsets .
You did make reservations
right?
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