Spring break’s right around the corner, and as those who booked airfare months ago begin packing their bags, the rest of us are feeling the pressure to get something on the books, and fast.

Fear not, because we’re here to make life a little easier, with our ultimate spring break road trip, including a week’s worth of adventure and exploration. Forget the passports and airport security lines and read on for the spring break vacay your kids will never forget.

Day1

The delicious 70-degree (on average) day that greets you as you step out of your car in El Paso, Texas will be worth the 10-hour drive it took to reach your base camp for the next few days. Head to Paseo de las Luces (https://visitelpaso.com/) to stroll the shops and restaurants beneath the twinkling lights before resting up for tomorrow’s adventures.

Day 2

After a long day of driving, head out into the boot capital of the world today and stretch your legs! You may want to pick up your own pair of authentic El Paso cowboy boots as you take in historic downtown, admiring the colorful murals and southwest architecture of this Texas-Mexico border town.

Later, visit any of El Paso’s many museums, such as The Wigwam Museum (www.facebook.com/Wigwammuseum/), Old El Paso County Jail Museum (www.losportalesmuseum.org/oldcountyjail), or perhaps the one of a kind House of Sugar (www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/27865).

Day 3

Pack a picnic lunch because today the real exploring begins! Head out of the city, 2.5 hours east to Carlsbad Caverns National Park (www.nps.gov/cave/index.htm). One of the only caverns in the country where visitors can enter and explore on their own, Carlsbad is home to the largest single cave chamber in the country. Explore the 1.25-mile Big Room Trail or its .6-mile shortcut trail at your leisure, or perhaps make your way down the steep, 1.25-mile, Natural Entrance Trail. Afterwards, explore the sights and trails above ground, and stop by the visitor center to learn how the 119 total caves were formed. *This park requires a timed entry ticket, reservable at  www.recreation.gov.

On your way back to El Paso, detour to Guadalupe Mountains National Park (www.nps.gov/gumo/index.htm) where you can picnic at the world’s most extensive Permian fossil reef, under the 1,000-foot limestone cliff that is El Capitan and nearby Guadalupe Peak, the highest mountain in Texas. After lunch, hike one of the many trails or take a scenic drive before heading back to home base for the night.

Day 4

In the wee hours of day four, continue southeast along the border of Texas, 4.5 hours to yet another national park, Big Bend (www.nps.gov/bibe/index.htm). Spot a javelina, identify dinosaur fossils, and hike one of the several kid-friendly trails where you can find yourself exploring the ruins of historic farmhouses, entering the depths of a canyon, dipping your toes in the Rio Grande, or even soaking in a natural hot spring. It’s back to El Paso for the evening.

Day 5

Today, another unique site awaits you as you say goodbye to El Paso and head north to White Sands National Park (www.nps.gov/whsa/index.htm). The world’s largest gypsum dunefield encompasses 275-square miles of welcoming white sand. Hike, bike, or, our personal favorite, grab a saucer from the gift shop and sled the miles of dunes.

Head to Santa Fe, New Mexico for the evening, a great midway point before your drive home tomorrow. Enjoy a plethora of dining, shopping, entertainment, and lodging options in the country’s oldest state capital.