Chicago to Phoenix: A Four-Day Road Trip Adventure
A slow drive through the American heartland — one coffee, canyon, and cactus at a time.
I grew up on road trips. Springfield, Missouri was our annual stop — my mom’s hometown and the first place I learned that the journey could matter as much as the destination. Now, with Daphne (our adventure pup) in the backseat, we’ve expanded our routes from Manhattan to the Grand Canyon, but this one’s still the favorite.
This four-day Chicago to Phoenix itinerary covers ~1,700 miles of changing skies, sleepy towns, and just enough kitsch. It’s equal parts comfort and curiosity: historic cafés, lavender farms, local roasters, and a few detours worth taking. You can stretch it to a week or do it in three — this guide keeps it flexible.
Whether you’re driving solo, with a co-pilot, or just following the sun, these are the stops we return to — and the roads we’d send a friend down.
Total Distance: ~1,700 miles
Ideal Duration: 4 days (but stretch it longer or condense it if needed)
Route Snapshot:
Day 1: Chicago, Illinois to Springfield, Missouri
Day 2: Springfield, Missouri to Amarillo, Texas
Day 3: Amarillo, Texas to Albuquerque, New Mexico
Day 4: Albuquerque, New Mexico to Phoenix, Arizona
Day 1: Chicago, Illinois to Springfield, Missouri
Distance: ~ 400 miles
Ope, let’s go. The first stretch takes you south through Illinois and into the Ozarks. We usually land in Springfield by dinner — a soft landing to ease into road trip mode, and a nostalgic stop for me: it’s my mom’s hometown, and where a lot of my family still lives.
Before you hit cruise control, download the Love’s Travel Stop app — a trusty go-to for clean bathrooms, reliable snacks, and $0.10 off per gallon of gas.
Stops Worth Making
Coffee Hound (Bloomington, IL): Quick detour, worth it after your first fuel up. Local-roasted coffee and pastries. I've convinced myself stopping here saved my life once. (Long story.)
Union Loafers (St. Louis, MO): The best fresh-baked sandwiches off I-55. — crusty, warm & worth the stop. While you wait, walk across the street to AO&Co. Market & Café. I never skip a lap through their backroom marketplace.
Uranus Fudge Factory (St. Robert, MO): Here for the chuckle & the vibes. Technically a fudge factory, mostly just an excuse for relentless puns. You’ve been warned.
Downtown Springfield: Walkable, quiet, and full character. Our first-night go-to: Pizza House. Or lean into kitsch and visit the original Bass Pro Shops flagship — even if you don’t fish, it’s oddly charming. I can never seem to stay away.
Where to Stay
We like vintage Airbnbs or charming bed & breakfasts — often with a backyard for the dog.
Day 2: Springfield, Missouri to Amarillo, Texas
Distance: ~ 500 miles
The long haul day: farmland to ranch land, with a little Route 66 in between.
Start with:
The Coffee Ethic or Mudhouse : Both are Springfield staples — grab a cortado, stretch your legs, and hit the road.
Highlights:
Cadillac Ranch (Amarillo, TX): Iconic, weird, windy, and worth the photo. Bring a can of spray paint if you want to leave your mark.
Tyler’s Barbeque: Go early — brisket sells out fast. If you miss it, Savór Tapas Bar & Hoffbrau Steakhouse & Grill House’s menus look like solid local backups.
Palo Duro Canyon: If you’ve got daylight left, this nearby park is worth the hike. Think of it as Texas’ answer to the Grand Canyon — just more under-the-radar.
Where to Stay
Quick Airbnb with easy parking or dog-friendly hotels near downtown.
My favorite: Hidden Haven – Renovated Studio in Bivins
Tucked in the historic Bivins neighborhood, this quiet studio checks all the boxes. Clean design, a fenced yard for quick dog breaks, and minutes from I-40. Daphne-approved: we just booked our next stay here.
Day 3: Amarillo, Texas to Albuquerque, New Mexico
Distance: ~ 280 miles
A shorter day with some of the best scenery of the trip — mesas, canyons, and the edges of the desert rolling in.
Early Stop
Palace Coffee (Canyon, TX): Clean design, actually good coffee, and usually filled with regulars.
In Albuquerque
Old Town: Historic streets, local shops, and a good first stretch after the drive.
Sadie’s of New Mexico: Classic New Mexican comfort food with heat.
Mesa Provisions: Elevated but not prententious. A James Beard semifinalist.
My Non-Negotiable: Campo at Los Poblanos
Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm: Lavender fields, a thoughtfully curated shop, and Campo — their farm-to-table restaurant with a menu that shifts with the season. It’s one of those rare places that actually resets you. Book ahead if you’re staying — or just swing by for a meal & a drink list that never disappoints.
Where to Stay
Los Poblanos for a splurge, or a simple southwest-style Airbnb with room to unpack for a night. I always go back to a hidden one room cottage on a cozy farm.
Day 4: Albuquerque, New Mexico to Phoenix, Arizona
Distance: ~ 420 miles
The final stretch brings shifting landscapes — mesas, pine forests, and cacti — plus a few optional detours if time allows.
Coffee + Provisions Before Leaving:
Los Poblanos Farm Shop: Grab a lavender latte for the road and a ham & Swiss on fresh-baked bread. Stone ground mustard. No notes. This is also where I usually spend too much on their treasure trove of finds — lavender lotion, local honey, enamelware I don’t need (but do).
Two Route Options:
Via Sedona (Scenic):
Meteor Crater: Right outside Winslow. Yes, it’s worth it. Yes, the wind is that strong.
Sedona Lunch Stop: “Quick bite” at Red Rock Café or take your time at Hideaway House — al fresco, red rock views, a glass of wine if you're not driving the last leg.
Direct to Phoenix (Efficient & Immersive):
Still scenic, still full of magic. This route winds through Sitgreaves National Forest, where the air cools as you climb in and out of pine-covered mountains. Then, almost suddenly, saguaros rise from the desert floor as you enter Tonto National Forest. The landscape flips fast here. You might even catch a herd of wild horses crossing your path.
As you descend into the Phoenix valley, the road shifts: suburban sprawl against a backdrop of mountains and cacti. You've made it.
When you wake up the next morning — windows cracked open, desert light on the wall — queue up our Slow Southwest Morning playlist. It’s the kind of mix that feels like adobe and coffee: grounded & built for slow starts out west.
Final Notes
This isn’t a fast road trip. It’s a familiar one — a little nostalgic, a little spontaneous, and full of places we keep finding our way back to. Whether you’re driving solo, with your dog, or just chasing a change of scenery, this route holds up — especially if you like your road trips with a side of good coffee & some weirdness.
