Chimayo, NM Road Trips
Drivers starting from Chimayo, NM have 1 mapped routes to choose from, making it a small but connected base in the Desert Southwest. Routes from here tend to cover serious ground — the average trip runs 310 miles, so plan for multi-day adventures. Most routes from Chimayo, NM head south, giving the route network a clear directional lean.
Photo: Ken Jacobsen
Trip Routes
5
Longest Drive
350.4 mi
Sunland Park, NM
Quickest Drive
4h 9m
Gallup, NM
Plan Around Chimayo, NM
Popular Incoming Routes
Useful if Chimayo, NM is the arrival point and you want the strongest routes into the city first.
Continue From Chimayo, NM
Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.
Trips from Chimayo, NM
Driving from Chimayo, NM
Expect an average of 310 miles and about 5h 36m behind the wheel when leaving Chimayo, NM. This is long-haul territory. Most routes stretch past the 250-mile mark, so pack snacks and plan fuel stops. The longest mapped route runs 310 miles (5h 36m), while the shortest is just 310 miles.
Popular Destinations
The most popular drives from Chimayo, NM include Las Cruces, NM (310 mi, 5h 36m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.
Planning & Costs
Regular gas in NM currently averages around $4.05 per gallon. For the typical 310-mile trip from Chimayo, NM, budget about $49 in fuel one way, assuming 25 MPG. Longer hauls and premium fuel will cost proportionally more.
Most trips take a half-day, so a morning start gets you there in time for lunch or an afternoon of exploring. The majority of destinations are to the south. Morning starts help you avoid the midday heat on longer drives.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are 1 mapped routes leaving Chimayo, NM and 4 routes heading into Chimayo, NM, covering 5 total connections. Distances range from 310 to 310 miles.
The longest mapped route from Chimayo, NM covers 310 miles and takes approximately 5h 36m. Shorter options start at just 310 miles.
The average route from Chimayo, NM runs about 310 miles with a drive time of roughly 5h 36m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.
At current gas prices (about $4.05/gallon for regular), the average 310-mile trip from Chimayo, NM costs roughly $49 in fuel one way, based on 25 MPG. Your actual cost depends on your vehicle's efficiency.
The most popular road trip destinations from Chimayo, NM include Las Cruces, NM. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.
Chimayo, NM by the Numbers
Recent demographic snapshot from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
Population
2,726
Median Income
$52,305
Median Home Value
$214,000
Median Age
48.1
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year (public domain). See our methodology for details.
Traveler Guide to Chimayo, NM
Chimayó is a small town in North Central New Mexico. At the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Chimayó is most well-known for its famed church that has a reputation for delivering miracles. Originally a Spanish farming settlement, Chimayó is part of a string of villages along NM 76 that haven't changed much over the course of time, offering a unique look at life in such a setting.
1 Santuario de Chimayo. More completely named "El Santuario de Nuestro Señor de Esquipulas," the Santuario is a church that dates to the Spanish mission period with a remarkable reputation for miracles, including healing the sick and lame. It's located on the outskirts of the small town, just off NM 503 on the south side of the village, and can be visited for free during daylight hours, although donations are appreciated. The Santuario is quite famous among the towns of the mountains and is the destination for a unique pilgrimage during the week before Easter (see below under Do). (updated Aug 2016)
Santuario de Chimayó is the destination for pilgrims who hike (sometimes for several days and many tens of miles) along the highways from the surrounding area as a gesture of faith and also in the hopes of taking advantage of the church's reputation for miraculous cures. If you're Catholic and have some time leading up to Easter, consider joining the throng; if you're just driving in the area then, be extra careful of pedestrians.
1 Rancho de Chimayo, 300 Santa Fe County Rd 98, ☏ +1 505 984-2100 (reservations advised). Hours vary seasonally; call or visit their web site. Definitive "New Mexican" cuisine (stuffed sopapillas, red and green chile, etc.) in a gorgeous setting. Dinner entrees average around $10.
1 Casa Escondida, 64 Co Rd 100, ☏ +1 505-351-4805. 2 Rancho Manzana, 26 Camino de Mision, toll-free: +1 888-505-2227, [email protected].
Albuquerque is the nearest city with a major airport, although Santa Fe has off-again, on-again commercial jet service as well. Chimayó is reachable from Santa Fe on good and scenic 2-lane roads, but be a bit careful driving on them in the winter, as this is high country and mountain snowstorms can make a nasty mess out of a good road in remarkably short order. NM 76 east from Española or NM 503 northeast from Pojoaque will bring you to Chimayó. Taking the free bus service of the NCRTD involves riding route 150 (Monday-Friday) from either Española (go here if coming from Santa Fe) or Las Trampas (connections with the 330 from Taos).
Chimayó has a lamentably well-founded reputation as a center for narcotics trafficking, being on the "pipeline" for drugs coming into the United States from Mexico. Mind your own business and you won't have any problems, but this is a place where you do not want to interrupt a drug transaction, even inadvertently. Keeping a low profile in town (which mainly means sticking to the main road) is a very good idea.
Travel tips adapted from Chimayó on Wikivoyage, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Content summarized; visit the source for the full article. See our methodology for how we use it.
Trips to Chimayo, NM
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