Mercedes-Benz Travel Guide: The Ultimate 4-Corners Road Trip
When you’ve invested in a luxury car, you want to drive it on the open road. Sure, commuting in your Mercedes-Benz might feel good, but the driving experience is best enjoyed on long, beautiful highways. Fortunately, Colorado and the greater southwest are full of breathtaking drives of every variety. From high alpine roads to desert highways, a 4-corners road trip offers drivers a fulfilling and adventurous experience.
But how to plan a journey to some of America’s greatest destinations? That’s where we come in. We want our clients to experience the full potential of their vehicles, and that means providing step-by-step guides to the best roads in the country. So pack up the Benz and read on to discover the best route, must-see stops, and fun tips for your 4-corners road trip.
The road is calling–why wait?
Route Overview:
The Four Corners (Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah) are home to some of the country’s most breathtaking natural areas. So it’s only natural to build a 4-corners road trip around the best of the best in national parks. Additionally, these wonders happen to be neatly organized in a circle that makes for fun, efficient driving. 27 hours of driving can seem like a lot, but don’t forget you’ll be spreading it out over many days. And anyway, what’s better than time behind the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz?
Destinations:
- Colorado National Monument
- Arches National Park & Canyonlands National Park
- Grand Canyon National Park
- Sedona, AZ
- Santa Fe, NM
Total driving time: 27 Hours
Recommended trip length: 2 Weeks
**You can also do this route in reverse, but we think it’s nice to start small and build up to the Grand Canyon. Furthermore, Santa Fe is a great final stop to get your shopping done before heading home.
First Stop: Colorado National Monument
Driving west through the Rockies is an experience in and of itself, so your sightseeing will begin even before your first stop. Additionally, I-70 is full of fun turn-offs (we’re a big fan of Two Brothers Deli in Idaho Springs). But when you arrive in Grand Junction, your 4-corners road trip truly begins. Marvel at Colorado National Monument, a free-standing rock formation unlike anything in the state. It’s magnificent, but it’s just the tip of the iceberg on this adventure.
Grand Junction isn’t an ideal spot for a layover, so we recommend spending the night (or a few nights) in Glenwood Springs before visiting the monument, or pushing on to Moab if you set out early enough.
Second Stop: Canyonlands & Arches National Park
The glory of the American Southwest truly shines through in this adventure destination to top all others. Moab, Utah features not one but two top-notch national parks: Arches and Canyonlands, each with unique topography and gorgeous hiking trails.
Canyonlands National Park
This gorgeous landscape has been assigned 3 different districts the Island in the Sky, the Needles, and the Maze district. Erosion from the Colorado and Green River River carved out these districts over eons and decades. The canyons and buttes are still being carved to this day. Each district is distinct and different in its own way. Take time to experience each because the next time you visit it will have changed.
Be sure to catch the sunset at Grand View Point in Canyonlands. Rock climbers will thrill at the jagged peaks in the area, including world-famous Indian Creek. Mountain bikers will likewise find unrivaled lines on the slick-rock, and there’s plenty to do for more conservative travelers as well.
Arches National Park
Appropriately named, Arches National Park has over 2,000 naturally carved arches. It abounds with scenery that no painting or picture can do justice. Not only are the arches a wonder to behold, precariously balanced rocks seam to defy gravity at every turn. It’s like nature’s version of Jenga! Who needs clouds and stars to create mythological stories?! The red rock plateaus, bridges, and monoliths will inspire and excite the imagination. When the sunsets you can camp under the stars. I’ll bet you never knew there were so many!
Third stop: Arrive at Four Corners Monument
Who said you can’t be in 2 places at one time? Sprawl out at 4 corners be in 4 places/states at one time! This national monument is located on the Navajo Nation. It is run by tribal members where they sell hand crafted trinkets and clothes. Their culture shows in the unique art work and skills used to craft these amazing souvenirs.
Who discovered 4 Corners?
In 1875 a surveyor name Chandler Robbins was chosen to map out the borders between all four states. Using the means he had at his disposal he did an amazing job!
Is Four Corners in the wrong place?
There have been numerous reports that 4 corners monument is not in the exact location where the states met. In fact it’s said that it is actually off by 2.5 miles! This rumor is inaccurate. While the intended location my have been different, we use other means of measuring distance than was had “back in the day”. Indeed research shows that Chandler Robbins was spot on. According to National Geodetic Survey, “once a monument has been established and accepted by the parties involved the location of the physical monument is the ultimate authority in delineating a boundary. Issues of legality trump scientific details, and the intended location of the point becomes secondary information. In surveying, monuments rule!”
Fourth stop the Grand Canyon:
A visit to the Grand Canyon is a bucket-list item for most people on the planet. No pictures can do any kind of justice to the majesty and scale of this natural gem–you just have to see it.
Just to give you an idea of the enormity it takes 4 hours to drive from rim to rim. In fact, the Grand Canyon has 5 different eco systems! To view that many different Eco systems you would need to travel from Canada to Mexico.
Because of the different eco systems the Grand Canyon is home to rare and endangered wildlife species. Some species include the Gila monster, the Grand Canyon pink rattlesnake, and the bald eagle. You also have the more generic wildlife like squirrels, desert big horn sheep, mountain lions, and coyotes
Spend the night on the South Rim and fall asleep under the stars. Grand Canyon National Park is certified as an International Dark Sky Park. Which means when you look at the night sky your view will not be polluted by light. Special measures have been taken to ensure the lights do not shine anywhere except their intended target. The next morning wake up early for a sunrise like no other.
Got some extra time? Plan a rafting trip down the Colorado River between the legendary walls of the canyon. Finally, the nearby town of Flagstaff is a fun and friendly excursion and a worthy addition to your 4-corners road trip.
Fifth Stop: Sedona, AZ ; Home of the REAL Red Rocks
Maybe you’ve been to the amphitheater, but the true red rocks are in Sedona, Arizona. A truly unique city nestled in some of the most gorgeous cliffs around. Experience the local charm with delicious food, quirky coffee shops, and the ever-mysterious vortexes that supposedly give off healing energy.
Hikers can choose from 400+ miles of trails. Many of the trails are even bike or horse friendly. Get out and enjoy the wonderful canyons, vistas, and mesas Sedona has to offer.
Pop out a fishing pole and try your luck at Oak Creek Canyon. The stream is stocked year round with Rainbow Trout but other natural trout also abound. Other fish you may find here include: Large Mouth Bass, Rock Bass, Brown Trout, Smallmouth Bass, and Catfish!
If your a fan of golfing Sedona offers a number of scenic courses open year round. The courses range in difficulty from 9 hole par 3 all the way up to 18 hole championship. Which ever course you choose you will be surrounded by the beautiful landscape and open skies.
Sixth and final stop: Santa Fe, NM
Getting a bit tired of national parks? Never fear. Our final stop provides luxury and relaxation, with a bit of adventure sprinkled in. The fashion sense of Santa Fe, New Mexico could be described as “eclectic.” Bizarre may be more accurate, but whatever your taste, rest assured you can find it in this town.
Take a stroll down Canyon Road and enjoy the unique art this city is known for. From jewelry to fabric to exotic headdresses, there’s something for everyone among the adobe-lined streets. Best of all, you can visit Meow Wolf, an other-worldly art exhibit!
Because Santa Fe was founded between 1607 – 1610, it is the oldest (and highest) capital in the USA. Its abundance in culture and history will leave you wanting to spend more time than you could ever afford.
Road Trip Readiness:
Before embarking on your legendary 4-corners road trip, make sure your Mercedes-Benz is up to speed. From brakes to windshield wipers to electronics, every feature of your vehicle should be in tip-top shape for a long journey, and our service department is up to the task. Visit us anytime for a free vehicle inspection, and take advantage of our service and parts specials to get ready for less. Then it’s off to the wild blue yonder!
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