New Mexico’s ribbon of the Mother Road provides the Route 66 traveler with a variety of 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, both open and abandoned motels, lots of neon signs, and an eclectic mix of ancient and contemporary cultures. Dating back thousands of years, you are sure to 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, as in 1937, it was shortened and straightened out, reducing the mileage from 506 to 399 miles.
Enjoy your journey through the Land of Enchantment.
Westbound:
Endee to San Jon – Another Ghostly Stretch of Route 66
Tucumcari or Six-Shooter Siding
Ghosts Beyond Tucumcari, New Mexico
Santa Rosa – City of Natural Lakes
Off the Path – Las Vegas – More Wicked Than Dodge City
More Haunted Places in Santa Fe
Haunted La Fonda Hotel in Santa Fe
Haunted Posada Hotel in Santa Fe
Off the Path – El Rancho de los Golondrinas
Post-1937 Alignment
Cline’s Corners to the Old Longhorn Ranch
Moriarty to Tijeras on the Salt Missions Trail
Moriarty – Edgewood – Barton –Sedillo – Tijeras
Albuquerque – 300 Year Old Duke City
Ancient History South of Albuquerque
Rio Puerco Valley Along Old Route 66
Post-1937 Alignment
Budville – Cubero – San Fidel – McCartys
Off the Path – Acoma Pueblo – Ancient Sky City
Across the Continental Divide on Route 66
Off the Path – Chaco Culture National Historical Park
Gallup – Indian Center of the Southwest
© Kathy Weiser-Alexander, updated March 2019.
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