Discover the retro charm of a Route 66 road trip through New Mexico

Telegraph

14-04-2025

Covering more than ​​2,400 miles from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California, Route 66 is a true icon of Americana. The Mother Road was established in 1926, quickly becoming the United States' most convenient cross-country highway. And it didn't just change the course of traffic – it changed the course of history.
Its completion coincided with a boom in car ownership, and the route quickly became punctuated with neon-clad motels, gas stations and diners catering to a nation on the road – including in New Mexico, which is home to more miles of Route 66 than any other state.
The route contributed to America's rise as a world superpower: soon, the nation was driving westward and once rural communities received a vital commerce boost. Fast forward to today and New Mexico – which hosted some 535 miles of the original road – is the ideal place to soak up Route 66's history. As its 2026 centennial draws closer, there's no better time to plan a road trip that takes you back in time in the Land of Enchantment.
Top towns
In New Mexico's east, the colourful little city of ​​Tucumcari is one of the state's quirkiest stops. Make a beeline for the Tucumcari Historical Museum, which offers a deep dive into the route's history, alongside displays of dinosaur fossils and historic covered wagons. There's also the New Mexico Route 66 Museum, whose huge store of vintage Mother Road photographs will whisk you back in time.
Spend the rest of your time in diners such as Del's Restaurant, which shares a birth year with the route and is known for its distinctive neon, bull-topped sign. Be sure to snap a photograph of the slick chrome-and-rock-clad sculpture that welcomes you into town too.
An hour's drive west of Tucumcari and you reach Santa Rosa, where you'll see plenty of old signage and buildings from the days when bright neon lights welcomed weary travellers at the end of the day, looking for great food and comfortable lodgings – there are still motels aplenty to choose from. You can cool off by diving into the 80ft-deep waters of the Blue Hole, or take a trip out of town and back to the Wild West, along the Pecos River to the tiny Spanish colonial farming village of Puerto De Luna (pop: 141), where Billy the Kid once hid out from his pursuers.
City pursuits
Albuquerque, New Mexico's largest city, offers a great dose of Route 66 culture too. Taking in 18 miles of the Mother Road, it is home to the largest continuous section of the road of any city in the country. You'll be able to get your kicks at historic spots such as the KiMo Theatre, a striking Pueblo Deco-style cinema that's only one year younger than the Mother Road itself.
Albuquerque's share of the route is drenched in classic neon, so have your camera ready for some of the best-preserved signs in the now trendy Nob Hill district. After that, fuel up at the 66 Diner, whose winking neon, jukebox and soda fountain will catapult you back to the 1950s.
Top museums
Lovers of classic cars can get their fix at the Route 66 Auto Museum in Santa Rosa. New Mexico's dry climes are such that vintage automobiles stay in prime condition, and this museum has an impressive collection of retro wheels. Take a tour to pore over everything from Corvettes to Mustangs to Chevys from the 1920s to the mid-century then pick up some souvenirs while you're at it.
To help celebrate the road's centennial, the Route 66 Visitor Center is due to open in Albuquerque this spring, which will provide plenty of historical context on the route and also host events ringing in the 100-year anniversary.
Where to stay
There's no shortage of places to stay along Route 66, many of which are steeped in Mother Road history. A rightful favourite is the El Rancho Hotel in charming Gallup, in the state's far west. Dating to the 1930s, this property was once a stomping ground for the rich and famous, hosting everyone from Katharine Hepburn to Gregory Peck. Now it's an enduring, neon-clad landmark, still proudly emblazoned with its 'Charm of Yesterday; Convenience of Tomorrow' slogan.
Tucumcari's Historic Route 66 Motel also deserves to be on your hit list. This budget-friendly bolthole epitomises mid-century design with its sleek International Style architecture. The nearby Blue Swallow Motel is another old-school gem, one that harks right back to 1939. This family-run spot is a feast for the eyes with its striking neon sign and gloriously kitsch vintage-inspired rooms.
If you want to be in the big city, check out Hotel Zazz. This 1960s stay in Albuquerque has been given an expressive makeover with local art, a colourful pool deck and a speakeasy bar.