Route 66 in New Mexico: Our Photos, Stops and Tips

I have to admit, New Mexico was slightly vexing. I was very excited to visit, not least because I had been led to believe that the state has spectacular sunsets. We even had a whole song on our Route 66 playlist dedicated to the things.

As it was, we were not fortunate with the weather, and didn’t get to see much of a sunset. This was sad, but a reason to return at least! Something we have since done a number of times. However, as you’ll see from many of my pictures, it was a bit grey when we drove through on our Route 66 adventure.

Ok, very grey.

But the views were still excellent, and there were plenty of Route 66 attractions to keep us happy. New Mexico has about 400 miles of Route 66, making it one of the longest stretches in any state. It’s also unusual in that the route had two different alignments: the original 1926 route looped north through Santa Fe, but in 1937 it was re-routed on a more direct path through Albuquerque. You can still drive both.

2026 is Route 66’s centennial year (the road was commissioned on November 11, 1926), and New Mexico has a year-long programme of events. The NM MainStreet Route 66 Centennial Passport programme runs all year with stickers to collect at participating businesses, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in October gets a Route 66 twist for the centennial, and there are monthly speaker events in towns along the route. It’s a good year to drive the Mother Road.

We drove the whole route from California to Chicago (yes, the wrong way round), and I photographed everything along the way. Below are the stops we made in New Mexico, ordered roughly east to west so they match the traditional Chicago-to-LA direction most people drive. You can also buy prints of many of these images from my Route 66 photo gallery.

For detailed day-by-day planning, see Jess’s 2-week Route 66 itinerary and our Route 66 planning guide. Albuquerque has so many Route 66 attractions that we wrote a whole post dedicated to Route 66 in Albuquerque.

 

Route 66 in New Mexico: All the Stops

Coming in from Texas, the ghost town of Glenrio sits right at the state line. The abandoned Western Motel in San Jon is about 20 miles further, then another 20 miles to Tucumcari and its famous motels. From there it’s 60 miles to Santa Rosa.

You can head north to Santa Fe on the original 1926 alignment (about 120 miles) or west on the post-1937 route toward Albuquerque (110 miles).

Albuquerque is where the two alignments converge, and it’s worth at least half a day. West of Albuquerque, the Route 66 Casino is a quick stop, then it’s about 80 miles through Grants to the Continental Divide, and another 65 miles to Gallup and the El Rancho Hotel near the Arizona border.

Allow two days minimum for New Mexico.

 

Glenrio Ghost Town

Right at the Texas-New Mexico border, the ghost town of Glenrio is what happens when the interstate bypasses you entirely. When I-40 opened in 1975, the town was abandoned almost overnight. The old motel and other buildings are still standing, slowly falling apart in the sun. It’s a quick drive-through, but good for photos.

 

The Western Motel, San Jon

About 20 miles west of Glenrio, the abandoned Western Motel in San Jon looked like it was straight out of a horror movie. I mean, you can pretty much see a horror movie being filmed here, right?

 

Tucumcari Motels and Neon

Route 66 is famous for its motels, and the town of Tucumcari is arguably home to some of the most iconic. In its heyday, this town had thousands of motel and hotel beds available, and some of those classics have survived. The Blue Swallow and the Motel Safari are both still open and still have their original neon signs. Tucumcari after dark is one of the best stretches of neon on the entire route.

If you’re looking for accommodation along the route and want to stay in motels like this, see our full guide to Route 66 era hotels and motels.

 

Giant Things in Tucumcari

Giant things are very much a thing along Route 66 in New Mexico. In Tucumcari you’ll find La Cita, the giant sombrero restaurant, and the Tee Pee Curios store with its concrete tepee entrance. Both are free to photograph and the Tee Pee is still a working shop selling Route 66 souvenirs.

 

Route 66 Murals, Tucumcari

Tucumcari is also covered in murals. This one agrees that Route 66 is a legendary road, which is nice of it.

This one depicts a horse hiding from his owner. You’ll have to do the drive yourself to find out where the owner is.

 

The Route 66 Auto Museum, Santa Rosa

I’ve often thought that a backhoe would be the logical addition to most cars. This is part of the Route 66 Auto Museum in Santa Rosa, which has a good collection of vintage vehicles and Route 66 memorabilia. Small entry fee.

 

Santa Fe

Depending on which alignment of Route 66 you take, you might pass through Santa Fe, home to some of the oldest buildings in the US, as well as some classic Route 66 accommodation. The original 1926 alignment looped north through Santa Fe before the 1937 re-route sent traffic on a more direct path to Albuquerque. If you have time, the Santa Fe detour is well worth it.

 

Albuquerque

Albuquerque has so many Route 66 attractions that we wrote a whole post dedicated to Route 66 in Albuquerque. From diners to motels to the only place where Route 66 crosses itself (the pre-1937 route ran north-south on 4th Street, while the post-1937 route runs east-west on Central Avenue), there is a lot to see here for Route 66 fans.

The KiMo Theatre on Central Avenue is worth a look even if nothing’s on. It was built in 1927 in a style best described as “Pueblo Deco,” and the interior is full of buffalo skulls, rain clouds, and other Pueblo symbols. Free to peek inside during business hours.

We also have guides to things to do in Albuquerque and where to eat in Albuquerque if you want to spend longer in the city.

 

If you’re approaching Albuquerque from the east on I-40, keep your windows down near Tijeras. A stretch of road there was cut with grooves that play “America the Beautiful” as you drive over them at speed. Most of it has eroded over the years, but enough survives to get the idea. We thought it was great fun.

 

Petroglyphs, Albuquerque

The Petroglyphs just outside Albuquerque were well worth a visit. Petroglyph National Monument has over 25,000 carvings in the volcanic rock, some over 500 years old. Short trails, free entry, and a good excuse to stretch your legs after all that driving.

 

Route 66 Casino

Just west of Albuquerque, the Route 66 Casino is a fun Route 66 themed casino where you can take a tour of most of the route just by wandering around the floor. Lots of fun to be had here, even if you don’t gamble.

 

Original Route 66 Bridge

One of the original Route 66 bridges. This one crosses the Rio Puerco, just near the Route 66 Casino west of Albuquerque. You can’t drive across it any more, but you can park nearby and walk out to it.

 

Whiting Bros Signs

Whiting Bros was once a chain of over 100 gas stations across the US, including at least 40 along Route 66. They are long gone, but a few of the signs still survive. This one is near Grants, and it’s one of the better-preserved ones on the route.

 

Old Sign, Grants

Grants is also home to one of the best photo stops in New Mexico: a drive-through neon Route 66 arch big enough to fit an RV through. Best after dark when it’s lit up. We didn’t get a photo (grey skies, remember?), but it’s worth timing your drive for.

This place in Grants didn’t look open any more, but the sign was cool. There are many old signs like this depicting businesses that no longer exist all along the route. Part of the appeal is finding them.

 

The Continental Divide

New Mexico is where we crossed the Continental Divide. If you’re not up to speed with your geography, this is where the rainwater makes its decision as to where to flow: east to the Atlantic, or west to the Pacific. There’s a marker and a trading post. Free to stop.

 

Gallup and the El Rancho Hotel

Gallup is the last major town before Arizona and the self-proclaimed “Gateway to Native America.” The big draw for Route 66 travellers is the El Rancho Hotel, which opened in 1937 and became the hotel of choice for Hollywood actors filming Westerns in the area. John Wayne, Katharine Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart, and Kirk Douglas all stayed here, and the lobby is lined with autographed photos. You can stay the night or just wander through for free.

 

Route 66 Era Gas Stations and Businesses

There are a good number of Route 66 era gas stations, businesses, and homes along the route in New Mexico. Some still survive today, some don’t.

 

Route 66 Signs

As with every state, Route 66 doesn’t always make it easy to find your way. Signposting is patchy at best. So it’s always nice to find a proper one.

 

Signs Promising Free Steak

As you drive through New Mexico heading west toward Texas, signs for a free 72oz steak at the Big Texan in Amarillo start popping up. They worked on us! See our Texas entry in this series to find out how that went.

 

Driving Route 66 in New Mexico

New Mexico has about 400 miles of Route 66 and you could drive it in a day if you stuck to I-40, but you’d miss the best bits. We spent two days on the New Mexico section, though with better weather I’d have wanted three. If you’re pressed for time, the two things I’d prioritise are Tucumcari at night (for the neon) and Albuquerque (for the food and the Route 66 history).

If you need to rent a car for your Route 66 trip, we recommend booking through Discover Cars, which compares prices across all the major rental companies.

For much more detail on planning your Route 66 adventure, Jess has written a comprehensive Route 66 planning guide covering everything you need to know. We also have a detailed 2-week Route 66 itinerary with day-by-day highlights, and a 1-week Route 66 itinerary if you have less time. For accommodation, see our guide to the best Route 66 era motels and hotels.

For New Mexico specifically, take a look at our guide to things to do in Albuquerque, where to eat in Albuquerque, and things to do in Santa Fe.

If you’re new to driving in the US, check out my tips for driving in the USA, and for budgeting, see our guide to travel costs in the USA.

You can also see our photos and tips from the other Route 66 states: California, Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and Illinois.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to drive Route 66 through New Mexico?

New Mexico has about 400 miles of Route 66, making it one of the longest stretches in any state. On the interstate you could cover it in five or six hours, but the old road is slower and more interesting.

We spent two days on New Mexico’s section. If you want to detour to Santa Fe on the original 1926 alignment, allow an extra half day.

Does Route 66 go through Santa Fe?

The original 1926 alignment did loop north through Santa Fe, but in 1937 the route was re-aligned on a more direct path through Albuquerque. You can still drive the pre-1937 alignment through Santa Fe if you want to, and it’s worth doing if you have time. Santa Fe has some of the oldest buildings in the US and a very different character from the rest of the route.

What are the best Route 66 motels in New Mexico?

Tucumcari is the motel capital of Route 66 in New Mexico. The Blue Swallow Motel and the Motel Safari are both classic Route 66 motor courts that are still operating with their original neon signs. In Santa Fe, the El Rey Inn is another good Route 66 era option. See our full guide to Route 66 motels and hotels for more options across all eight states.

What Route 66 centennial events are happening in New Mexico in 2026?

New Mexico has a year-long programme for the centennial. The NM MainStreet Route 66 Centennial Passport programme runs all year, with stickers to collect at participating businesses along the route. There are monthly speaker events in towns along the route, and the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in October has Route 66 themed balloons for the centennial year. The New Mexico Route 66 Association website has the full calendar.