I-40 and New Mexico

• Gallup
• Grants
• Albuquerque
• Santa Rosa
• Tucumcari

Gallup 

Visitors' Center - From I-40 take exit 22. If eastbound turn left; if westbound turn right. Follow Ford Drive around (it curves to the left) to where it becomes Joseph M Montoya Drive. The Gallup Convention and Visitors Bureau is just beyond the park.
  For more information phone 1-800-242-4282 (toll free).

Red Rock Museum - This museum is located in Red Rock State Park just four miles east of Gallup. The museum provides a fine overview of the various Indian cultures in the Gallup region, with permanent displays of Native American pottery, weaving, jewelry making and carving. There is also an ingenious Zuni "waffle garden," an agricultural technique that makes use of every drop of precious desert water.
  For more information phone 1-505-863-1337 or visit their web page: RedRock.
  If eastbound on I-40 take exit 26 and turn right onto Route 66 (which is a frontage road on the north side of I-40) and follow the signs to Red Rock State Park (about 2 miles).
  If westbound on I-40 take exit 33 and continue westbound on Route 66 (which is a frontage road on the north side of I-40) and follow the signs to Red Rock State Park (about 4.5 miles).

Window Rock - Window Rock is a soft sandstone formation which had even softer material in about the center of the promentory. Wind and water have eroded it leaving a "window" in the center.
  Window Rock has been the capital of the Navajo nation since 1938. A recently built Navajo Tribal Museum, Interpretative services and self-guided tours are programmed to help visitors better understand this ancient but enduring society.
  The world's largest American Indian Fair is held here every September.
  For more information phone 1-928-871-7941 or visit their web site: WindowRock.
  From I-40 take exit 20 and drive northbound on US-666 to NM-264 (about 7 miles). Turn left and follow NM-264 to Window Rock (just over the Arizona state line - about 20 miles).

The Continental Divide - All waters flowing west of this invisible geographic line flow towards to the Gulf of California or Pacific Ocean. All waters flowing east of the Divide flow towards the Gulf of Mexico or the Atlantic Ocean via the Great Lakes. At the Divide I-40 is at an elevation of 7,268 feet. There is a small community here and a few trading posts and other services.
  At I-40 exit 47 about 20 miles east of Gallup.
  For more information phone the Gallup Visitors' Center at 1-800-242-4282 (toll free).

» Hotels in Gallup «

Grants

Visitors' Center - From I-40 eastbound, take exit 81-B and I-40 Business into Grant. The Grants/Cibola County Chamber of Commerce is in the New Mexico Mining Museum at the corner of Iron Avenue.
  For more information phone 1-800-748-2142 (toll free).

Ácoma Sky City - Scientists have concluded that the Ácoma pueblo ('Sky City') was founded around 1150 AD. Acoma is the oldest, continuously inhabited, settlement in the United States. Acoma is sited on atop a rock mesa 357 feet above the valley floor. In its day it was inaccessible except by steep, easily guarded footpath.
  Also at Ácoma is the Spanish mission, San Esteban Del Rey. It is considered to have one of the most beautiful old Spanish mission interiors in North America. The mission's 'Saints Day', St. Stephen's Day, is celebrated every September 2. This, of course, is a time for revelry and visitors are most welcome to join in.
  For more information phone 1-800-747-0181 (toll free). Thay also have a web page: AcomaPueblo.
  From I-40 take exit 96. You will be on the Acoma Indian Reservation and subject to their laws and regulatiuons. Turn right and follow Route 66 to IR-27 ('IR' is 'Indian Route' and the first road on your left). Turn left across the tracks and Rio San Jose to IR-30. Turn left and follow IR-30 to IR-38. Turn right and follow IR-38 south to the Acoma Pueblo (about 15 miles).

Lava Beds of El Malpais - Just east of Grants at exit 89 is NM-117, the access to the lava beds in El Malpais National Monument. Also, there are many small Indian reservations along both sides of I-40, many of which have ancient pueblos and associated museums.

» Hotels in Grants «

And across the Rio Grande - At exit 155 you will be passing Rio Rancho, now blessed with hundreds of houses, shoulder to shoulder, but once barren sand.
  Across the famous Rio Grande in Albuquerque, exit 157-A is the access to Albuquerque’s Old Town, a well-preserved collection of old Spanish era buildings. You could spend several hours (and lots of money) here.
  Exit 159 is the interchange with I-25 connecting with El Paso TX via Socorro, Truth or Consequences and Las Cruces to the south, - and Denver CO via Santa Fe, Las Vegas, Raton and Colorado Springs CO to the north.

Albuquerque

Visitors' Center - From I-40 take exit 159-B and merge with the southbound traffic on I-25. Take exit 224-B and turn right at the foot of the exit ramp onto Grand Avenue (now M L King Blvd). The official offices of the Albuquerque CVB are on the 6th floor at 20 Furst Plaza. The Visitors Center is in the lower level of the East Convention Center. To access First Plaza turn left on 2nd Street and it is 1 1/2 blocks on your right. (2nd Street is 2 blocks after where you cross the tracks and Grand Avenue splits into one-way streets.) The convention Center is between 2nd and 4th Streets (it is pretty obvious).
  For more information phone 1-800-284-2282 (toll free).

Old Town - If you'd like to absorb the feel of old Spanish colonial days, sit and relax as others stroll by, snack (or feast) in a unique restaurant, you'll want to visit Albuquerque's Old Town.
  For more information, e-mail OldTown.  Or visit the official web site of the Old Town Merchants Association: OTMA.

(continued from column 1)

Albuquerque - continued:

Casa Rondena Winery - Tours and tasting room, Thursday through Sunday, 1-5p. Have a rare vineyard experience right in the heart of Albuquerque's North Valley. 
  For more information, phone (toll-free) 800-706-1699, e-mail, or visit their web site at: CasaRondena.
  From I-25 take exit 228. If northbound turn left; if southbound turn right. Follow Montano Road to 4th Street. Turn right on 4th and go 10 blocks (count the streets on your left) to Chavez Road. Turn left and the winery is at 733 Chavez Road NW.

Note - other area vineyards include:

• Anasazi Fields Winery
  26 Camino De Los Pueblitos
  Placitas
  website: AnasaziFields
• Anderson Valley Vineyards
  4920 Rio Grande NW
  Albuquerque
  website: AndersonValley
• Gruet Winery
  8400 Pan American Frwy NE
  Albuquerque
  website: GruetWinery

» Hotels in Albuquerque «

Sandia Peak - Just east of Albuquerque, at exit 175, is NM-14 and the access road to Sandia Peak and its aerial tramway. If you have the time – and the weather is clear – this can be a very rewarding pause in your driving. Kids, especially, love the tramway ride and the view from the peak is spectacular!

A special Scenic Drive - If eastbound on I-40 you may be interested to know that NM-14 has been designated as a scenic route. And that it is – almost all the way to Santa Fe.
  A rewarding detour, assuming you're eastbound, is, from I-40 exit 175, to take NM-14 to Santa Fe (about 49 miles). Merge with the northbound I-25 traffic and follow I-25 'north' to US-84 south at exit 339 (about 63 miles). Get on US-84 which will take you back to I-40 at exit 256 just west of Santa Rosa (about 41 miles; total 153 miles - about 3 hours and 40 minutes).
  If you're westbound on I-40, take exit 256 and follow US-84 north to I-25. Merge with the southbound traffic and drive to exit 278-B (just past the major Santa Fe exits). This puts you on NM-14 which you then follow back to I-40 at exit 175.

» Hotels in Moriarty «

Santa Rosa

Without hesitation, we will tell you that Santa Rosa is our favorite community in New Mexico! Sure, it doesn’t look like much as you fly by on the Interstate but if you would like a dietary diversion, this is where we have found the best Mexican food. This is a place to relax, chat with some very friendly people and listen to stories.

There are no major attractions for tourists wishing to make a brief stop but there is the very popular...

Santa Rosa Lake State Park - Seven miles north of Santa Rosa via NM-91 is the 3,800 acre Santa Rosa Lake. The 500 acre State Park gives good access to the water plus a few great hiking trails and a great opportunity to see some eagles - and they are beautiful birds!
  Take the Santa Rosa exit and follow I-40 Business to 2nd Street. Turn toward the Interstate (it is elevated above the city so you can easily see it), cross the tracks and turn right on Eddy Avenue. Drive to 8th Street and turn left, then under the Interstate to Jemez Avenue. Turn right and you are on NM-91. Just follow 91 to the lake - not quite 7 miles from town.
  For more information, phone 1-505-472-3110. They also have a web page at SRSP.

Spend the night - There are several hotels in Santa Rosa that offer discounts. We like the Comfort Inn and not just because of it is the only one having an indoor pool. And, they allow small pets (no, we don't have one).
  It is at 3343 Will Rogers Blvd (this is old Route 66) midway between exits 275 and 277 (on the east side of I-40 from downtown).
  Make a reservation at the Comfort Inn.

If you need a modem jack for your notebook computer, you will need to reserve your room at the Best Western Santa Rosa (there are two Best Western but only this one has a modem jack.) They also allow small pets.
  Make a reservation at the Santa Rosa Inn.

Refueling Time? - If your vehicle can’t make it from Albuquerque to Amarillo (or vice-versa) on one tank of fuel, this is where you’ll want to refuel. Take the Santa Rosa exit, drive through town (watch your speed!) and return to I-40 at the other exit.

» Hotels in Santa Rosa «

Tucumcari

If you're old enough to remember Route 66 when it ran, non stop, from Chicago to L.A., then you probably remember the name Tucumcari. Probably no other town (or city) along Route 66 could match Tuncumcari's advertising campaigns. Then it was known as the town that's two blocks wide and two miles long. Now, exit to exit, it is seven miles long and much more than two blocks wide; but it is still a small town. Of course, at night with all the neon you can't help but think 'Las Vegas'.

Visitors' Center - Take the I-40 Business exit. The Tucumcari Chamber of Commerce is on I-40 Business almost in the middle of town (404 Tucumcari Blvd). I-40 Business is Tucumcari Blvd but the locals frequently refer to it as Route 66.
  For more information phone 1-888-664-7255 (toll free).

Mesalands Dinosaur Museum - A project of Mesalands Community College and many concerned folks in Tucumcari, Mesalands Dinosaur Museum has on display the world’s largest collection of bronze skeletons, fossils and replicas of prehistoric creatures. The Mesalands Dinosaur Museum was the first museum in the world to display a Torvosaurus skeleton.
  For more information phone 1-505-461-3466 or visit their web page at: Dinosaur.
  From I-40 take the I-40 Business exit (this is signed as Tucumcari Blvd) and drive to the intersection of US-54 (1st Street). If you were eastbound on I-40, turn left; if you were westbound, turn right. Go 2 blocks to Laughlin Avenue and turn right. The Mesalands Dinosaur Museum will be on your right at 222 E Laughlin Avenue..

» Hotels in Tucumcari «

While it doesn’t seem like it with all the ups and owns, if you are eastbound, you will be slowly descending to the Texas Panhandle. The change in the terrain is very noticeable as you leave the foothills of the Rockies to cross the southern reach of the Great Plains.
  This used to be cattle country before that industry had the rug pulled out from under. Yes, there are still many cattle to be seen but not like fifty years ago and before. But, just looking across that beautiful grass, you can imagine the thousands of cattle that once fed upon it and furnished the world with some of the best beef to complement the palette.

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