487 miles of Route 66 run through New Mexico, the longest stretch of the eight states on your Mother Road journey. With two different alignments that either take you to Santa Fe or not, there are quintessential New Mexico Route 66 attractions to see at every turn of the road.
You’ll find quirky roadside attractions, informative museums, vintage diners, historical landmarks, and classic motels and hotels on this stretch of your road trip.
Looking for the best New Mexico Route 66 attractions to add to your road trip itinerary? Use the filters below to search our New Mexico directory by location, attraction type, or keyword to fill your travel plan, whether you’re spending a weekend in Santa Fe, taking a day trip from Albuquerque, or traversing all 487 miles of The Main Street of America across the state.
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Search New Mexico Route 66 Attractions
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La Cita Restaurant in Tucumcari, New Mexico
Hungry in Tucumcari? Look for the giant sombrero. La Cita Restaurant in Tucumcari, New Mexico serves tasty New Mexican favorites tucked away behind a sombrero-shaped entrance on Route 66. The La Cita Restaurant opened in 1940 on Route 66. Tucumcari was a popular stop for travelers on The Mother Road and became known for its slogan “Tucumcari Tonite.”
The Pantry in Santa Fe, New Mexico
The Pantry in Santa Fe, New Mexico has been a favorite stop for breakfast, lunch, or dinner on The Mother Road for locals and Route 66 travelers alike since 1948. The Pantry has been offering made-from-scratch comfort food served with a smile for more than seventy-five years. The diner was founded by George Myers in 1948.
Must SeeHistoric El Rancho Hotel in Gallup, New Mexico
“Charm of Yesterday, Convenience of Tomorrow.” Experience both when you book a room in a classic Route 66 motel that has been attracting travelers, and celebrities, since the 1930s: El Rancho Hotel in Gallup, New Mexico. The now historic El Rancho Hotel opened in Gallup, New Mexico in 1936.
Must SeeDog House Drive In in Albuquerque, New Mexico
The Dog House Drive In in Albuquerque, New Mexico is known for its fun neon sign, tasty chili cheese dogs, Route 66 location, and television cameos. Opened in 1948 by the Frank Mead family, the Albuquerque Dog House was originally located at 10th and Central. In 1967 Jimmy Hartley took over the restaurant and eventually moved it two blocks west.
Clines Corners Travel Center in Clines Corners, New Mexico
Clines Corners Travel Center in Clines Corners, New Mexico is a gas station, souvenir shop, and RV Park that has been serving travelers since 1934. Clines Corners was founded by Roy E. Cline in 1934. He wanted to open a convenient stop where “weary travelers to stop, shop, and eat.” Opened between Moriarty and Santa Rosa.
Must SeeMotel Safari in Tucumcari, New Mexico
Motel Safari in Tucumcari, New Mexico is an iconic Route 66 motel that has been offering some of the best beds on the Mother Road for over 60 years. The Route 66 motel opened in 1959. Originally it operated as a Best Western Crown Motel and the famous sign was topped with a crown.
Route 66 Monument in Tucumcari, New Mexico
Don't drive past this attraction on your road trip: the Route 66 Monument in Tucumcari, New Mexico. The Route 66 Monument in Tucumcari, New Mexico was dedicated in 1997 as a tribute to the Mother Road’s past, present, and future and Tucumcari’s place within. Titled “The Mother Road,” the outdoor sculpture was commissioned from sculptor Tom Coffin.
Route 66 Musical Highway in Tijeras, New Mexico
The Route 66 Musical Highway is a stretch of road, just outside Albuquerque, that plays the song, "America the Beautiful," when your tires drive over the specially constructed rumble strips. Work on the Musical Highway was completed in October 2014. It was funded by The National Geographic Society in cooperation with the New Mexico Department of Transportation.
Continental Divide Marker in Continental Divide, New Mexico
As you’re traveling Route 66 through New Mexico, look for this unusual roadside historical marker celebrating an even more unusual phenomenon: the Continental Divide Marker in New Mexico.New Mexico, a state renowned for its diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage, is home to one of nature’s more fascinating wonders—the Continental Divide.
Must SeeBlue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico
Route 66 is famous for the bright neon signs that light up the way. And perhaps no neon sign on The Mother Road is more recognizable than the one at the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico. The Blue Swallow Motel was built in 1939 by carpenter W.A. Huggins and opened soon after.
Lost Along the Mother Road
Not every stop along Route 66 has stood the test of time. Over the decades, some Route 66 attractions have faded from the map, leaving behind ghost towns, relics, and memories of what once was. These sites may be gone, but they are not forgotten, living on through photos, memories, and the travelers who still seek their traces.
