The Best Scenic Drives in New Mexico
There’s hardly a bad stretch of road in the state of New Mexico, but these recommended scenic drives through the Land of Enchantment are outstanding.
Turquoise Trail
55 miles, 1.5 hours
From Albuquerque to Santa Fe, Highway 14 offers great vistas around every curve and ghost towns to break up the drive.
U.S. 84
93 miles, 1 hour 45 minutes
North of Santa Fe, ascend through the red rocks of Abiquiu, then past the Brazos Cliffs near Tierra Amarilla.
La Frontera del Llano Scenic Byway
26 miles, 30 minutes
Highway 39 zigzags across the northeastern plains, from Roy to Abbott, with pronghorns and ruined homesteads along the way.
Jemez Mountain Trail
32 miles, 1 hour
Highway 4 through Jemez Springs to the Valles Caldera is especially good in fall, with yellow aspens highlighted against red rock.
Highway 72
37 miles, 1 hour
This tiny road between Raton and Folsom soars over the bucolic Johnson Mesa.
U.S. 180
98 miles, 2 hours
From Silver City to Reserve, this highway passes largely through the Gila National Forest.
Sunspot Highway
17 miles, 30 minutes
Highway 6563 winds south from Cloudcroft to Sunspot National Solar Observatory, with White Sands visible below.
Historic Route 66
350 miles, 7 hours
Pieces of I-40 frontage road and more remote detours make up the decommissioned Mother Road, passing vintage Americana motels, diners, and more along the way.
Newsletter Signup
By clicking ‘Sign Up,’ I acknowledge that I have read and agree to Hachette Book Group’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
Pin for Later
