New Mexico
Trip Ideas|Road Trips

One of the Most Scenic Drives In America Is Right Here In New Mexico

The High Road to Taos Scenic Byway in New Mexico offers a picturesque drive through mountains, deserts, and charming villages.

Updated Sep 3, 2021

Written by 

Victoria W

New Mexico is full of natural beauty and scenic drives, but one road has recently received some much-deserved national attention — the High Road to Taos Scenic Byway. This is one of the best scenic drives in New Mexico and it takes you along many twists and turns in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. It runs from Santa Fe to Taos, through the desert, mountains, and some of the most beautiful scenery in the state. Gas up the car and get ready for an unforgettable road trip that's easily among the best road trips in the USA.

The beautiful scenery isn’t the only thing that draws travelers to this road. Along the way, visitors drive through charming villages that are full of adobe houses, historic churches, and Indian pueblos. The road is about 70 miles long, so be sure to fill your tank before you head out.

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Keep your eyes open as you travel along one of the best scenic drives in New Mexico. You never know what enchanting treasures you will find.

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You will certainly want to stop and capture images of the mountains, rivers, wildlife, and more.

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This environment is like a magnet for artists and artisans, and you will find many artists colonies to explore along the way. Don’t miss the famous churches in Chimayó and Las Trampas, the woodcarvers of Córdova, or the breathtaking peaks of Truchas. In fact, just take a whole day and stop in as many places as possible.

One highlight of this byway is the Church of San José de Gracia, Las Trampas. This historic church is located in Chamisal and was built between 1760 and 1776.

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TripAdvisor/Timzorrr

The Santuario de Chimayo is a Roman Catholic Church located in Chimayo that will take your breath away. You will not want to miss this stop as you travel along the High Road to Taos Scenic Byway.

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As you travel on one of the best New Mexico byways, you'll come to the small town of Truchas. This is an old Hispanic settlement that you'll certainly want to check out.

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Bobak Ha'EriWikimedia Commons

To learn more about the High Road to Taos Scenic Byway, click here.

Do you think this is one of the best scenic drives in New Mexico? Have you ever traveled on this byway? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

Want to take the scenic route? Check out these 9 Scenic Drives That Will Make You Fall In Love With New Mexico.

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Trip Ideas|Road Trips

The Unexpected New Mexico Road Trip That Connects Las Cruces To White Sands National Monument

Published Jul 24, 2024

Written by 

Melissa Mahoney

Ready for another New Mexico road trip adventure? This one starts in Las Cruces with an endpoint at White Sands National Monument, and there are a few stops in between. You can use this Google Maps link as your guide on this road trip. Now, gas up the car or charge your EV, and let's hit the road!

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The driving time for this road trip is just over 2 hours and 85 miles each way. Depending on how much time you spend at each stop, you may be able to do this in a day. If not, there's an overnight option I'll throw in at the end.

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Google Maps

1. Starting Point: Las Cruces

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DenisTangneyJr/E+ via Getty Images

This adventure starts in the city of Las Cruces. Home to historic sites, shops, restaurants, and more, it's a great day-trip destination if you don't live here. Explore all you want to see, like the Mesilla Plaza and the Recycled Roadrunner Sculpture, before heading to the outskirts of town to our next stop.

2. Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park

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Lisa Munson/AllTrails

Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park may not be as popular as White Sands but it's still worth a visit. This underrated state park includes just over 300 acres of land by the Rio Grande and has a visitors' center with exhibits, over 2 miles of hiking trails, gardens, picnic areas, and more. It's also a great place to go birdwatching, so make sure you bring a pair of binoculars with you.

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3. Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument

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Bureau of Land Management/Flickr

Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument is a BLM park that's celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2024. This park offers so much in terms of geological, prehistoric, and historic sites. It's also a beautiful spot with the Organ Mountains dotting the landscape. Definitely take a camera with you as you'll want to snap as many pics as possible.

4. Aguirre Spring National Recreation Area and Campground

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Shane Markham/Google Reviews

Stopping at the Aguirre Spring Recreation Area and Campground gives you another view of the Organ Mountains. You may also choose to camp here for a night or two if you'd like as well. There are 55 campsites that are first-come, first-served. The campground is located at the base of a set of cliffs and overlooks both the Tularosa Basin and White Sands which happens to be our next and last stop.

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5. White Sands National Monument

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Mark Newman/The Image Bank via Getty Images

The last, and perhaps best, stop on this unexpected New Mexico road trip is the natural wonder known as White Sands National Monument. With a desert filled with gypsum crystals against an azure-blue sky, well, it's as picture-perfect a place can be. When exploring the park, you can hike the dunes, go sledding on the snow-white hills, and even go for a scenic drive through the otherworldly landscape. This place feels like a dream when you visit for the first time but I assure you, it's real!

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If you need a place to stay near White Sands National Monument, this

"" target="_blank">Cozy Adobe Casita in Tularosa is just a 30-minute drive away.

Are you as excited about this New Mexico road trip as I am? Are there any stops you would add between Las Cruces and White Sands? Let us know!

Before you head out on this trip, take a look at our Ultimate Road Trip Packing List for all the things you'll need for the car, and don't forget the snacks!

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Trip Ideas|Road Trips

New Mexico Road Trip Ideas: 11 Best Road Trips + Itinerary

Discover 11 must-do road trips in New Mexico, each with its own unique attractions and scenic routes.

Updated Jun 22, 2024

Written by 

Chris Muras

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 road trips in New Mexico and are feeling a little overwhelmed, we have you covered. From tours of waterfalls to a journey through some of New Mexico’s most iconic natural wonders, here are 11 of the best road trips in New Mexico that belong on your bucket list. Each one has its own New Mexico road trip map that you follow along.

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For road trip planning and packing tips, check out OnlyInYourState's Ultimate Road Trip Packing List. Whether you're leaving for a single day or a week-long road trip, you can't forget the snacks: here are 50 on-the-go snack ideas perfect for traveling.

1-Day Road Trip In New Mexico

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  • Route: Santa Rosa > Montezuma > Las Vegas, > Santa Fe >
  • Distance: 185 miles
  • Trip Time: 4 hours driving time

3-Day Weekend Road Trip In New Mexico

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  • Route: Albuquerque > Mountainair > Carrizozo > San Antonio > Albuquerque
  • Distance: 370 miles
  • Trip Time: 6.5 hours driving time
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New Mexico Volcanoes Road Trip

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  • Route: Albuquerque > Grants > Quemado > Shiprock > Cabezon Peak > Jemez Springs > Capulin > Carrizozo > Las Cruces
  • Distance: 1,377 miles
  • Trip Time: 24 hours driving time

New Mexico Pie Shop Road Trip

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  • Route: Ruidoso > Cloudcroft > Las Cruces > Deming > Silver City
  • Distance: 247 miles
  • Trip Time: 4.5 hours driving time
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Best New Mexico Road Trip For Spring

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  • Route: Soda Dam Springs > Jemez Falls > Bandelier National Monument > White Rock > Nambe Falls > Kachina Road > Williams Lake
  • Distance: 164 miles
  • Trip Time: 4 hours driving time

Best Summer Road Trip In New Mexico

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  • Route: Elephant Butte Lake State Park > Caballo Lake State Park > Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park > Oliver Lee Memorial State Park > Brantley Lake State Park > Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park > Bottomless Lakes State Park > Sumner Lake State Park > Manzano Mountains State Park > Elephant Butte Lake State Park
  • Distance: 854 miles
  • Trip Time: 15 hours driving time
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Best New Mexico Road Trip For Fall

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  • Route: Santa Fe > Chimayo > Taos > Eagle Nest > Red River > Tres Piedras > Tierra Amarilla > Chama
  • Distance: 353 miles
  • Trip Time: 8 hours driving time
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Best Winter Road Trip In New Mexico

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  • Route: Taos > Santa Fe > Madrid > Albuquerque > Belen
  • Distance: 190 miles
  • Trip Time: 4 hours driving time

Family Friendly New Mexico Road Trip

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  • Route: Santa Fe > Albuquerque > White Sands National Monument > Roswell
  • Distance: 415 miles
  • Trip Time: 7 hours driving time
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Road Trip to New Mexico Landmarks & Natural Wonders

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  • Route: Shiprock > Bisti / De-Na-Zin Wilderness Area > El Malpais National Monument > White Sands National Park > Carlsbad Caverns National Park > Sandia Crest > Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument > Valles Caldera > Rio Grande Gorge Bridge > Shiprock
  • Distance: 1,429 miles
  • Trip Time: 26 hours driving time

Road Trip to Best Small Towns in New Mexico

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Michael Koukoullis/Flickr
  • Route: Sandia Park > Madrid > Los Cerrillos > Chimayo > Peñasco > Mora > Pecos > Corrales > Placitas > Sandia Park
  • Distance: 349 miles
  • Trip Time: 7 hours driving time
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Did our list of New Mexico road trip ideas inspire you to explore this beautiful state? Do you prefer weekend road trips in New Mexico or quick road trips in New Mexico? Tell us all about your favorite New Mexico road trip you've taken with a comment. Whether you'd get excited about driving through the stunning Organ Mountains, hiking to the Riverbend Hot Springs, or spending the day at the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe, there is a road trip through New Mexico with your name on it.

Here are even more road trip ideas in New Mexico to put on your bucket list. And, for more travel inspiration, take a look at this stunning footage of the Bisti Badlands:

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