About New Mexico’s Route 66
New Mexico’s portion of the legendary Route 66 offers a sensory feast for travelers, an ever-changing panorama of landscapes that encapsulates the spirit of the American Southwest. From the majestic, snow-capped peaks of distant mountain ranges to the sun-baked, layered hues of sandstone mesas, the journey is a visual delight. The arid plains are punctuated by the resilient sagebrush, while the cooler elevations boast the fragrant presence of towering ponderosa pines. Scattered throughout this diverse terrain are whispers of the past – silent ghost towns that stand as poignant reminders of boom and bust cycles.
But the appeal of Route 66 in New Mexico extends far beyond its scenic beauty. Along this historic corridor, one encounters the enduring legacy of ancient pueblo cities, their adobe walls whispering tales of generations past. The skeletal remains of abandoned motels, their neon signs faded and cracked, evoke a sense of nostalgia for a bygone era of roadside Americana. The state is a vibrant tapestry woven with threads of ancient traditions and modern influences, a captivating blend of cultures that creates a unique and unforgettable experience for those who traverse its historic highways.
The story of New Mexico is deeply intertwined with the history of its indigenous people. From the earliest settlements of the Native Americans through the tumultuous times of the Wild West, the state has served as a crossroads of cultures and traditions. This rich history is further layered with the arrival of the "Mother Road," Route 66, which ushered in a new era of transportation and economic opportunity, transforming the state and leaving an indelible mark on its landscape and its people.
Route 66 entered New Mexico when the state was relatively young, a mere 14 years old. Its arrival in 1926 marked a pivotal moment, effectively transforming New Mexico into a gateway to the broader American Southwest. Governor A.T. Hannett played a vital role in this transformation, advocating for the highway’s inclusion in the state and championing the establishment of the National Highway System in 1927. His vision recognized the potential of Route 66 to connect New Mexico to the rest of the nation and spur economic growth.
Initially, the roadway was a far cry from the smoothly paved highways we associate with Route 66 today. It was a meandering network of over 500 miles, composed primarily of gravel, cobbled together from pre-existing wagon trails and railroad routes. Despite its humble beginnings, the "Mother Road" became a vital lifeline for New Mexico during a period of economic hardship. As the state grappled with a downturn, the paving of Route 66 provided much-needed employment for hundreds of unemployed men, injecting capital into the local economy and breathing new life into struggling communities.
The original alignment of Route 66 in New Mexico, from 1926 to 1937, followed a more circuitous path than its later iteration. It meandered north through the picturesque upper Pecos Valley to Santa Fe, the state capital, before turning south through Sandoval County towards Albuquerque and into Valencia County, ultimately reaching Los Lunas. This route, while scenic, added significant mileage to the journey. In 1938, a new, fully paved alignment was completed, shaving off 126 miles and bypassing many of the smaller towns that had previously thrived along the Pecos Valley and in Santa Fe. While the realignment improved travel times, it also led to the decline of some of these communities as they were no longer directly on the main thoroughfare.
Today, remnants of the pre-interstate era Route 66 still exist, spanning over 260 drivable miles. While these sections no longer bear the official U.S. 66 designation, they are preserved as state highways in certain areas. Other portions have reverted to county or tribal maintenance, while some stretches have been completely absorbed by the modern interstate system, I-40. Despite the changes, these surviving sections offer a tangible connection to the past, allowing travelers to experience a taste of what life was like during the heyday of the Mother Road.
Recognizing the historical and cultural significance of the remaining sections of Route 66, New Mexico took steps to protect and preserve this invaluable heritage. In 1994, the state designated the original roads that remained open to traffic as a National Scenic Byway. This designation, starting at the New Mexico-Texas state line, encompasses over 300 miles of the famed highway, showcasing its compelling, scenic, and dramatic stretches. The Scenic Byway offers travelers a quintessential motoring experience, allowing them to immerse themselves in the history and charm of Route 66.
In addition to preserving the physical remnants of the highway, efforts have been made to revitalize the iconic imagery associated with Route 66. A major undertaking in New Mexico has been the Route 66 Neon Sign Restoration project, spearheaded by the New Mexico Route 66 Association. This ambitious project has focused on restoring vintage neon signs in several towns along the route, including Tucumcari, Santa Rosa, Moriarty, Albuquerque, Grants, and Gallup. The restored signs not only enhance the visual appeal of these communities but also instill a renewed sense of pride in their Mother Road heritage. The project is a collaborative effort involving the New Mexico Route 66 Association, the New Mexico Historic Preservation Division, and the National Park Service Route 66 Corridor Preservation Office.
A westbound journey through New Mexico along Route 66 typically begins at the ghost town of Glenrio, which straddles the border between Texas and New Mexico. Beyond Glenrio, travelers encounter a 20-mile stretch of gravel road, a reminder of the highway’s early days, leading to the town of San Jon. This unpaved segment represents the last remaining section of Route 66 before it was replaced by I-40 in 1982. Driving along this dusty road offers a glimpse into the past, evoking the spirit of early-day travel through vast ranchlands and the long-dead communities of Endee and Bard. The accommodations and services that once catered to travelers are long gone, creating a sense of isolation and highlighting the challenges faced by those who traversed the Mother Road in its early years. Due to the unpaved nature of the road, the stretch from Glenrio to San Jon is best suited for vehicles with good ground clearance, and the bridges along this original segment have load limits of eight tons.
From San Jon, travelers can enjoy an almost entirely intact 24-mile paved section of Route 66 leading to Tucumcari. Just west of San Jon, Cedar Hill was once a popular stop for travelers, particularly those heading east, as the steep incline often caused radiators to overheat. The remains of a small motel and general store can still be seen, the store’s roof uniquely shingled with flattened metal oil cans, a testament to the ingenuity and resourcefulness of early pioneers.
The roadbed between San Jon and Tucumcari parallels the Tucumcari and Memphis Railroad, which was constructed in 1910 and abandoned in 1954. Today, travelers can still spot the old wood and steel bridge supports alongside the highway, offering a tangible link to the region’s transportation history.
Upon arriving in Tucumcari, travelers are greeted by Tucumcari Boulevard, a long stretch of the authentic Mother Road that showcases many vintage icons from the 1940s and 1950s. These include the Cactus Motor Lodge, Lasso Motel, the Pine Lodge, the Blue Swallow Motel, Teepee Curios, the Westerner Drive-in, The Palomino, Travelodge Motel, and Del’s Restaurant. The Tucumcari-Quay County Chamber of Commerce offers a comprehensive brochure on Route 66, providing a detailed history tour of Tucumcari and highlighting its many attractions.
From Tucumcari, travelers can take I-40 west for approximately ten miles to the Palomas Exit, where they can rejoin Historic Route 66. This section of the Mother Road follows the Union Pacific Railroad tracks through ranch lands, framed by scenic mesas on both sides. By crossing I-40 at Montoya, travelers continue on the Mother Road into Guadalupe County.
Located on Hwy 54, 21 miles west of Tucumcari, the ghost town of Montoya emerged with the arrival of the Southern Pacific Railroad. Richardson’s Store & Gas Station, built in 1925, marks the beginning of an almost uninterrupted 38-mile stretch of old Route 66, passing through the tiny ghost towns of Newkirk and Cuervo, all the way to the west side of Santa Rosa. Montoya Mesa, with its washes of Caliche, nitrate-bearing gravel, stands out. These deposits of Caliche were used in the construction of I-40 roadbeds and the surfacing of unpaved roads in Quay and Guadalupe counties.
Cuervito Peak, standing at 4,984 feet, is located one mile northwest of the village of Cuervo. To continue the journey, travelers can return to I-40 at Cuervo and take exit 277 into Santa Rosa.
In Santa Rosa, Will Rogers Drive marks the city’s four-mile stretch of Route 66. Travelers can stop at Joseph’s Restaurant, built in 1956, for refreshments. The town also features an earlier jog (circa 1930) past the renowned Blue Hole. Several smaller, locally owned hotels along the main streets of Santa Rosa were also part of Route 66.
At Santa Rosa, travelers face a choice: to follow the pre-1937 or the post-1937 alignment. The earlier alignment offers a more picturesque route, passing through numerous small towns in the Pecos River Valley northwest to Santa Fe before heading south to Albuquerque. However, the later alignment saves time and miles, while still providing scenic views of the past.
Opting for the earlier alignment allows travelers to visit Las Vegas, a city with a colorful history rooted in the Old West. The old route follows the Santa Fe Trail through several small towns, passing the Pecos Pueblo and continuing to Santa Fe. Must-see stops in Santa Fe include the New Mexico State Capital, the La Fonda Hotel, the Palace of Governors, and the San Miguel Mission. The road then proceeds south to the Santa Domingo Pueblo, Algodones, and Bernalillo before reaching Albuquerque.
Taking the later alignment directly west from Santa Rosa leads to Cline’s Corners, where travelers can browse a variety of Southwest souvenirs. For those seeking a taste of local cuisine, the restaurant offers home-cooked southwestern flavors.
Next is Moriarty, where a 58-mile stretch of highway to Rio Puerco begins. Along New Mexico Highway 333, the former Buford Courts, Blackie’s Restaurant, and the Yucca, Cactus, Lariat, and Sands Motels stand as reminders of a bygone era.
In Albuquerque, Central Avenue is an 18-mile stretch of old Route 66. By 1955, more than 100 motels lined Albuquerque’s Central Avenue. Vintage icons such as the De Anza Motel, the Royal Motor Inn, the Town Lodge Motel, and the old Aztec Motel sign, all built in the 1930s, are still visible. Nob Hill, built in 1936-47, and the Lobo Theater and Lobo Pharmacy & Bookstore (originally Barber’s El Rancho Market), also built in the 1930s, add to the historic charm.
Downtown, buildings such as the Sunshine Building (built in 1923-24), the First National Bank Building (1922), the Rosenwald Building (1910), and the KiMo Theater (1927) stand as architectural landmarks. Other sites west of Old Town include Lindy’s Restaurant (1929), Maisel’s (circa 1940), and the El Vado Motel (1937). Continuing the journey, travelers can head north on I-25, take the Algodones exit, and return south via NM Highway 313. Original Route 66 is now Fourth Street, Isleta Boulevard, and New Mexico Highway 314.
In Albuquerque, another choice arises: to take the pre-1937 alignment or the later route of Route 66. The earlier route heads south past Sandia and Isleta Pueblos to Los Lunas, where travelers turn west onto Main Street, passing the Luna Mansion. From there, New Mexico Highway 6 continues along 33 miles of the historic highway through the Rio Puerco Valley to Correo. The later route travels directly to the Rio Puerco Bridge, beyond which the alignments merge.
At Mesita, old Route 66 reappears as NM 124, winding 25 miles through Laguna, New Laguna, Paraje, Budville, Cubero, and McCartys.
In Grants, the old Mother Road is called Santa Fe Avenue. Here, travelers will find several vintage motels and restaurants. The original highway reemerges near Iyanbito as a 13-mile introduction to Gallup. Along the city’s nine-mile segment are Earl’s Restaurant, built in 1947, and the El Rancho Hotel, built in 1936 and home to some Hollywood stars when Gallup was a Western film capital (from 1929-64.) Travelers can also visit the Drake Hotel (1919), the Santa Fe Railroad Depot (1923), the former White Cafe (1928), the Richardson’s Trading Post, the old Palace, the Rex Hotels (both circa 1900), and Virgie’s Restaurant (1950).
As you continue along the final 16 miles of old Route 66, you are about to enter the great state of Arizona.
Enjoy the ride!