Not my favorite way unless you're just trying to make time, and I really don't think it's faster to Albuquerque going through Gallup than Durango although there are no terrain or weather obstacles. I'd go to Durango, out to the east, don't miss your right turn and hard climb up a short but very steep stretch of 2-lane, enjoy the brief drive across the small mesa with breathtaking views to the West, and then it's down.......down to freakin' New Mexico. You can tell where the border is because CO was smart and kept the good land for themselves. Same thing with Cortez. Anyway, don't speed, it's 45 mph for the next three towns. When you finally get out of Aztec and into the high desert of NM, you have a nice few hour trip to Rio Rancho across the painted desert and pinyon pines, almost like the CA/NV border area around the Cuba area. Shiprock is what my wife and I call "shipwreck", you will learn what a New Mexico School Zone is and what utter desolation is. I like utter desolation but broke, trashy desolation is something else. Things are pretty nice if a bit boring the rest of the way from Albuquerque to OK.
Places to stop and stretch your legs or get a bite: The steam train station in Durango, The Owl cafe in Albuquerque, Kline's Corners truck stop and tourist trinket supermall, the panhandle plains museum in Canyon, TX just a bit south of Amarillo could eat up a couple days, stay in the Palo Duro park if you get a chance, and.....well there's stuff along the way to OK city but not much. Southern OK is really nice country IMO, especially over east at Turner Falls area.
You can always count on me for an unsolicited and....uncensored? opinion. If it wasn't nearly 500 miles to the closest point of your route I'd meet you and Karen somewhere and buy you breakfast. Have a great trip!
