New Mexico Route 66 Main Page – Legends of America (original) (raw)

Route 66 in Grants, New Mexico by Kathy Alexander.

Route 66 in Grants, New Mexico, by Kathy Alexander.

New Mexico’s ribbon of the Mother Road provides Route 66 travelers with various landscapes, from beautiful mountain ranges to sandstone mesas, desert sagebrush, ponderosa pines, and ghost towns. Along the vintage pavement in the Land of Enchantment, you will also see ancient pueblo cities, open and abandoned motels, lots of neon signs, and an eclectic mix of ancient and contemporary cultures. Dating back thousands of years, you will surely enjoy the rich history, beginning with the Native Americans, continuing through the Wild West days, into the era of the Mother Road, and beyond.

There are two alignments through New Mexico. In 1937, one was shortened and straightened out, reducing the mileage from 506 to 399 miles.

Enjoy your journey through the Land of Enchantment.

About New Mexico Route 66

Westbound:

Glenrio – A Route 66 Casualty

Endee to San Jon – Another Ghostly Stretch of Route 66

Blue Swallow Motel, Tucumcari, New Mexico. By Kathy Alexander.

Blue Swallow Motel, Tucumcari, New Mexico. By Kathy Alexander.

Tucumcari or Six-Shooter Siding

Ghosts Beyond Tucumcari, New Mexico

MontoyaNewkirkCuervo

Santa Rosa – City of Natural Lakes

Pre-1937 Alignment

Dilia

Off the PathLas Vegas – More Wicked Than Dodge City

Romeroville

Tecolote

Bernal

San Jose

Rowe

Kozlowski Stage Stop, Santa Fe Trail, by Kathy Alexander.

Kozlowski Stage Stop, Santa Fe Trail, by Kathy Alexander.

Kozlowski Trading Post

Forked Lightning Ranch

Pecos Pueblo

Pecos

Pigeon’s Ranch

Glorieta and Canoncito

Santa Fe – The City Different

More Haunted Places in Santa Fe

Haunted La Fonda Hotel in Santa Fe

Haunted Posada Hotel in Santa Fe

Off the PathEl Rancho de los Golondrinas

Kewa Pueblo

Bernalillo

Post-1937 Alignment

Cline’s Corners to the Old Longhorn Ranch

Moriarty to Tijeras on the Salt Missions Trail

MoriartyEdgewoodBartonSedilloTijeras

Indian Jewelry Neon Sign Albuquerque, New Mexico. Photo by Robert Garcia.

Indian Jewelry Neon Sign Albuquerque, New Mexico. Photo by Robert Garcia.

Albuquerque – 300-Year-Old Duke City

El Vado Auto Court

Haunted Kimo Theatre

La Llorona in Albuquerque

Pre-1937 Alignment

Ancient History South of Albuquerque

Isleta PuebloLos Lunas

Rio Puerco Valley Along Old Route 66

Post-1937 Alignment

Rio Puerco Bridge

Grants, New Mexico Cafe Sign.

Grants, New Mexico Cafe Sign.

Laguna Pueblo

Indian Country Ghost Towns

BudvilleCuberoSan FidelMcCartys

Off the PathAcoma Pueblo – Ancient Sky City

Grants – Uranium City USA

Across the Continental Divide on Route 66

Off the PathChaco Culture National Historical Park

Gallup – Indian Center of the Southwest

McKinley County Ghost Towns

© Kathy Alexander/Legends of America, updated May 2024.

Also See:

New Mexico Main Page

New Mexico Route 66 Photo Gallery

Route 66 Main Page

Travel Destinations