Historic Route 66 - New Mexico 66
Historic Route 66 - New Mexico is a National Scenic Byway in New Mexico. Within New Mexico it covers roughly 600 miles. The map below shows its route. Use “Plan a drive” to open it in the Road Sorties route planner — already routing along Historic Route 66 - New Mexico with scenic roads turned on, ready to add your own stops.
New Mexico's stretch of Route 66 crosses the state from Tucumcari to Gallup, lined with neon-lit motels, trading posts, and diners from the highway's mid-century heyday. Tucumcari is famous for its restored neon, while Albuquerque's Central Avenue carries the route right through the city's Nob Hill and downtown. The road crosses high mesa and desert between the surviving roadside relics.
- Tucumcari neon
- Albuquerque Central Avenue
- vintage motels & trading posts
- high desert mesas
- Route 66
Designated for its historic qualities
Plan a drive on Historic Route 66 - New Mexico → Drive this route in Road SortiesTurn-by-turn on iPhone · App Store
Places to stop along Historic Route 66 - New Mexico
Tucumcari
A Route 66 town of restored neon motels and murals, best after dark when the Blue Swallow's sign lights up.
WebsiteSanta Rosa
A Pecos River town with a car museum and the Blue Hole, an artesian spring about 80 feet deep and a magnet for scuba divers.
WebsiteOld Town Albuquerque
The original adobe plaza of New Mexico's largest city, a few blocks from Central Avenue, Route 66's neon-lined path through town.
El Rancho Hotel
Gallup's 1937 hotel, built by a movie mogul's brother, where Hollywood stars stayed while filming Westerns; their photos line the lobby.
Where to Stay along Historic Route 66 - New Mexico
9 campgrounds and RV parks sit within about 5 miles of Historic Route 66 - New Mexico.
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Photos of Historic Route 66 - New Mexico
What is a National Scenic Byway?
National Scenic Byways are roads recognized at the federal level for at least one outstanding quality — scenic, natural, historic, cultural, archaeological or recreational — that gives travelers a reason to seek them out rather than just pass through.