The best way to explore the Land of Enchantment is undoubtedly by car – that’s how you reach the most remote and rewarding places in the state. However, if you are on the hunt for the best day trips near me in New Mexico and are feeling a little overwhelmed, we have you covered. From tours of ghost towns to a journey through some of New Mexico’s most haunted spots, here are eight themed road trips that belong on your New Mexico bucket list:

To access the interactive Google Map of each trip in a separate tab or window, simply click on the link under each map photo.

1. New Mexico Natural Wonders Road Trip
Flickr/Cathy
Google Maps
We’ve combined places of great natural beauty in the Land of Enchantment into an epic road trip. Hoard your vacation days because you’re going to want to use them to tour sites like Shiprock, Valles Caldera, and Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Since this journey takes 26 hours to drive, we’ve designed it so that you have the option to split the road trip into a northern and southern loop.
2. 10 Amazing Places You Can Go On One Tank Of Gas Road Trip
Flickr/Tony Hisgett
Google Maps
Explore New Mexico on the cheap? Yes, please. Despite the large size of our state, this road trip packs in a surprising number of attractions that you can reach on just one tank of gas. It is your answer if you are searching for the best day trips near me in New Mexico. Obviously, this road trip is on the shorter side at just over 300 miles, with roughly five hours of drive time. As a result, it's ideal for a weekend excursion. Experience everything from a musical highway to the Blue Hole on this fun and frugal drive.
3. A Haunting Road Trip Through New Mexico’s Ghost Towns
Flickr/darius norvilas
Google Maps
There are ghost towns galore in New Mexico and this scenic drive connects seven abandoned places in a rough loop. Venture into the remote Gila Wilderness to uncover the mining towns that time forgot. Some of these desolate spots are partially on private land, so watch where you wander. Please note that you can only view Shakespeare on an organized tour.
4. New Mexico State Parks Road Trip
Flickr/Doug Aghassi
Google Maps
Odds are that you haven’t explored all of New Mexico’s 35 state parks. Here’s your chance to check some of these places off your New Mexico bucket list. We’ve compiled nine of them into a one-of-a-kind tour of the southeastern portion of the state. These parks offer lakes, wildlife watching opportunities, hiking trails, and mountain scenery. What are you waiting for? This is easily one of the best road trips in New Mexico.

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5. Road Trip Through New Mexico’s Most Picturesque Small Towns
Flickr/Michael Koukoullis
Google Maps
Spend a weekend traveling to nine of the cutest small towns in the state on this figure-eight drive, which takes just under seven hours to complete (without stops). Take a break from the usual hustle and bustle to visit places where the pace of life is set to "slow mosey."
6. The Ultimate Central New Mexico Road Trip
Flickr/John Fowler
Google Maps
We understand that you’ll have to drive in order to start some of these excursions. If that’s a deterrent, then this is the road trip for you. The 371-mile journey loops through the middle of the state, meaning that it's accessible to many New Mexicans. The trip features petroglyphs, missions, a wildlife refuge, and lava!
7. New Mexico Fall Foliage Road Trip
Flickr/Will Keightley
Google Maps
In fall, New Mexico is a blaze of color. To make the most of what many consider the best season in the Land of Enchantment, we created a fall foliage road trip. The journey lasts a smidge under seven hours and spans almost 300 miles. During that time, you’ll have plenty of leaf-peeping opportunities as you travel across the gorgeous north-central region of the state.
8. The Haunted Road Trip That Will Lead You To The Scariest Places In New Mexico
Flickr/killbox
Google Maps
Whether you plan this adventure to coincide with Halloween or attempt it at any other time of year, this creepy drive hits some of the most haunted spots in New Mexico. Ghost hunting shows have nothing on this road trip in New Mexico which leads you to haunted forts, hotels, schools, and even a recording studio.

While searching for the best day trips near me in New Mexico, which of these scenic drives appeals to you? Would you add any other themed road trips to this list? Let us know in the comments below.

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Day trips near me in New Mexico

Courtnie Erickson | July 02, 2021

What are the best road trips in New Mexico?

New Mexico isn’t called the Land of Enchantment for nothing. No matter what corner of the state you may be in, there are some truly spectacular things to see and places to go. You don’t have to endure long road trips to create an unforgettable experience. There is a long list of places to travel to in New Mexico.

If you are looking for the best road trips in New Mexico, consider a scenic drive. The Enchanted Circle Scenic Drive covers 85-miles and will take you to some of the most gorgeous New Mexico towns such as Taos, Questa, and Red River. The Jemez Mountain Trail Scenic Byway is another perfect day trip. This road trip will take you to many items on your New Mexico bucket list such as Jemez Falls and Soda Dam.

What places should be on my New Mexico bucket list?

If you have spent any time in the Land of Enchantment, your New Mexico bucket list is likely long and extensive. Places to travel in New Mexico that you won’t want to miss include the Capulin Volcano National Monument, located in the northeastern part of the state. The Fajada Butte in the Chaco Culture National Historical Park is also a must-see landmark and Shiprock will provide you with some gorgeous scenery that you won’t want to miss.

If are looking for places to travel in New Mexico that are calm, quiet, and beautiful, you’ll want to go on this road trip through some of the best small towns in the Land of Enchantment. This is easily one of the best road trips in New Mexico.

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