These 9 Beautiful Byways In New Mexico Are Perfect For A Scenic Drive
×
Juliet White
Author
As the fifth-largest state in the country, New Mexico covers 121,590 square miles. You could combine the nine smallest states in the nation and New Mexico would still be bigger! There’s a lot of land to explore here and the best way to see it is by car. We hope that these nine best New Mexico scenic drives will inspire you to load up your vehicle and hit the road.
The Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway exceeds the expectations created by its name. The breathtaking scenery makes it my favorite drive of all time. This loop covers 85 miles in North Central New Mexico and goes through the towns of Taos, Eagle Nest, Red River, and Questa. The route includes Elizabethtown (now a ghost town) and panoramic vistas of some of the prettiest peaks in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Take this byway and find out why it's one of the best scenic drives in New Mexico.
Route: US 64, Highway 38, Highway 522
Take a look at this video by @justcallusnomads5935:
Route: US 64, Highway 38, Highway 522
Take a look at this video by @justcallusnomads5935:
Stretching between Cloudcroft and Sunspot, this byway guides you through the Sacramento Mountains on a road that is 16 miles long (one-way). Highlights include views of the Tularosa Basin and the Apache Point Observatory, where visitors are allowed to wander around the grounds.
Route: Highway 130, Highway 6563
Route: Highway 130, Highway 6563
Advertisement
Billy The Kid Scenic Byway Visitor Center, 791 US-70, Ruidoso Downs, NM 88346, USA
Whether you're obsessed with the Old West or simply curious about New Mexico's most infamous outlaw, this 84-mile drive delivers. It's a loop with three spurs that require you to double back. This road trip means driving through towns such as Capitan, Ruidoso, and Lincoln. The latter gives you an excellent feel for life in the Wild West as you drive by some of the most incredible New Mexico scenery.
Route: Highway 380, Highway 48, Highway 70
Route: Highway 380, Highway 48, Highway 70
Advertisement
High Road to Taos, High Rd to Taos, Ranchos De Taos, NM, USA
While the Low Road to Taos offers impressive scenery, the High Road is nothing short of spectacular. It runs from Santa Fe to Taos. The landscape between Santa Fe and Chimayo is filled with dramatic rock formations. After that, the route passes by the Truchas Peaks to Las Trampas (pause to admire the church), through miles of forest that continue until the descent towards Taos. This road trip is about 70 miles long and is one of the most spectacular scenic drives in New Mexico.
Route: Highway 503 (off Highway 285), Highway 520, Highway 76, Highway 75, Highway 518. Keep an eye out for the signs marking the byway as it does weave quite a bit.
Take a look at this video by @T3Times:
Route: Highway 503 (off Highway 285), Highway 520, Highway 76, Highway 75, Highway 518. Keep an eye out for the signs marking the byway as it does weave quite a bit.
Take a look at this video by @T3Times:
Related Stories
One of the Most Scenic Drives In America Is Right Here In New Mexico
This 338-Mile Road Trip Leads To Some Of The Most Scenic Parts Of New Mexico, No Matter What Time Of Year It Is
This Epic Road Trip Leads To 7 Iconic Landmarks In New Mexico
El Malpais National Monument Visitor Center, 1900 E Santa Fe Ave, Grants, NM 87020, USA
The scenery along this 33-mile drive is as unique as it is stark. This unpaved road travels through the wilderness of El Malpais, a national monument that features a volcanic landscape and lava flows.
Route: County Road 42 (accessible via NM 53 or NM 117)
Tip: Only attempt this drive in a high-clearance vehicle and when the weather is good.
Route: County Road 42 (accessible via NM 53 or NM 117)
Tip: Only attempt this drive in a high-clearance vehicle and when the weather is good.
Jemez Mountains, New Mexico 87544, USA
The Jemez Mountain Trail Scenic Byway packs an insane amount of natural beauty into its 163 miles. This trip incorporates Valles Caldera (a great place to spot wildlife), Jemez Falls, and Soda Dam. Along the way, you’ll have access to developed hot springs or, if you’re in the mood for adventure, hike to some of the area’s primitive hot springs. It's one of the best scenic drives in New Mexico.
Route: NM 4, US 550, NM 126
Route: NM 4, US 550, NM 126
The portion of Route 66 that spans New Mexico runs alongside I-40. The Mother Road passes through kitsch-laden Tucumcari, Santa Rosa (check out the Blue Hole), Albuquerque, Grants, and Gallup (stop to admire El Rancho Hotel).
Take a look at this video by @ThroughMyLens:
Take a look at this video by @ThroughMyLens:
El Camino Real, Angel Fire, NM 87710, USA
Nowadays, the stretch of El Camino Real in New Mexico essentially follows I-25 - it branches off onto Highway 285 between Santa Fe and Espanola. This approximately 310-mile drive passes attractions such as Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Center and, of course, El Camino Real International Heritage Center.
Advertisement
Geronimo Trail, Las Cruces, NM 88012, USA
This 154-mile loop trail is named after the military leader Geronimo, who called this region home. You can start the drive at either San Lorenzo (near Silver City) or Beaverhead to the north. It passes through ghost towns such as Winston, the stunning Gila Wilderness, and Truth or Consequences where you can relax with a soak at one of the town’s many hot springs resorts.
Route from San Lorenzo: Highway 152, NM 187, 181, Highway 52, Highway 59
Route from San Lorenzo: Highway 152, NM 187, 181, Highway 52, Highway 59
Have you explored any of these best New Mexico scenic drives? Which one is your favorite? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
Looking for more fun? Here are more exciting road trips through New Mexico that’ll take you to some quirky and interesting places. And don’t forget to check out our Ultimate Road Trip Packing List before you hit the road!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
More to Explore
Best Places To See In New Mexico
What are the best road trips through New Mexico?
Here are some of the best road trips through New Mexico:
- If you are into ghost stories and the paranormal, try this haunted road trip through New Mexico. On that trip, you'll visit notoriously haunted places and spooky spots.
- For something a little more relaxing and less chill-inducing, you can't go wrong with a drive to New Mexico's best state parks. This route includes lakes, mountains, and even a zoo, all within the Land of Enchantment.
What underrated places in New Mexico should I visit?
Some underrated places in New Mexico you should visit are:
- Tinkertown in Sandia Peak is a folk art museum of sorts, making up an entire little town built with quirky things.
- If you love little slices of nature that are seldom traveled, try a spot like the Williams Lake trail in the lower Taos Ski Valley. The area looks nearly untouched and absolutely sublime, especially in the spring or summer.
What one-of-a-kind destinations can I visit in New Mexico?
Here are some of the most incredible one-of-a-kind destinations to visit in New Mexico:
- White Sands National Park with the stark white gypsum sands of this little desert is enchanting to see. It is, after all, the largest dune field of its kind on the entire planet.
- The United State's oldest church is the San Miguel Mission in Santa Fe.
- One of the oldest, longest-inhabited settlements happens to be Taos Pueblo.