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Scenic Drives in New Mexico

Routes

30

Avg Distance

209 mi

Avg Drive

4h 3m

Destinations

16

These 30 scenic drives in New Mexico earned a drive score of 7+ out of 10. The average route covers 209 miles through the state's most varied and visually interesting terrain.

Planning Tips

Scenic routes often have fewer gas stations and services. Top off your tank before heading into mountainous or rural stretches.
Budget extra time for scenic drives — pulling over for views, photos, and short hikes is half the point.
Check weather conditions for mountain passes and high-elevation stretches, especially in shoulder seasons.

Frequently Asked Questions

We rate routes on a 1-10 drive score based on elevation changes, road variety, and terrain diversity. The 30 routes listed here all score 7 or higher.

Drive times and distances come from actual road network data via OSRM. Fuel costs use current state-level gas prices. Drive scores factor in elevation profile, road variety, and terrain. All data is recalculated regularly.

Yes. Click any route to see its full trip page with turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost estimates, elevation profile, stop suggestions, weather conditions, and more.

Top Scenic Routes

Anthony, NM → Farmington, NM

428.7 mi 7h 43m Score: 8/10

Dexter, NM → Farmington, NM

396 mi 7h 41m Score: 10/10

Roswell, NM → Farmington, NM

376.5 mi 7h 13m Score: 10/10

Twin Lakes, NM → Clovis, NM

371.6 mi 6h 42m Score: 8/10

Farmington, NM → Capitan, NM

353.4 mi 6h 42m Score: 9/10

Los Lunas, NM → Carlsbad, NM

298.9 mi 5h 44m Score: 10/10

Gallup, NM → Capitan, NM

286.8 mi 5h 20m Score: 10/10

Chaparral, NM → Portales, NM

275.5 mi 5h 41m Score: 9/10

Las Cruces, NM → Portales, NM

273.5 mi 5h 35m Score: 8/10

Carlsbad, NM → Pecos, NM

271.6 mi 5h 22m Score: 8/10

Clayton, NM → Enchanted Hills, NM

257.6 mi 4h 46m Score: 10/10

Lovington, NM → Chaparral, NM

245.5 mi 4h 49m Score: 10/10

Los Lunas, NM → Sunland Park, NM

242 mi 4h 13m Score: 8/10

Las Vegas, NM → Artesia, NM

219 mi 4h 27m Score: 9/10

Loving, NM → Las Cruces, NM

214.4 mi 4h Score: 9/10

Mescalero, NM → Santa Fe, NM

209 mi 4h 43m Score: 9/10

Farmington, NM → Albuquerque, NM

183.7 mi 3h 32m Score: 8/10

Albuquerque, NM → Capitan, NM

171.2 mi 3h 15m Score: 10/10

Angel Fire, NM → Albuquerque, NM

153.3 mi 3h 33m Score: 9/10

Elephant Butte, NM → Albuquerque, NM

151 mi 2h 44m Score: 8/10

Las Vegas, NM → South Valley, NM

131.3 mi 2h 25m Score: 8/10

Albuquerque, NM → Las Vegas, NM

123.4 mi 2h 8m Score: 8/10

Santa Rosa, NM → Clovis, NM

104.9 mi 2h 5m Score: 8/10

Los Alamos, NM → Albuquerque, NM

97 mi 2h Score: 8/10

Dulce, NM → Farmington, NM

84.7 mi 2h 3m Score: 7/10

Grants, NM → Albuquerque, NM

78.4 mi 1h 24m Score: 7/10

Ruidoso, NM → Roswell, NM

73.5 mi 1h 36m Score: 7/10

Taos, NM → Santa Fe, NM

69.8 mi 1h 41m Score: 7/10

Ranchos de Taos, NM → Santa Fe, NM

65.8 mi 1h 34m Score: 8/10

Placitas, NM → Santa Fe, NM

51.2 mi 1h 1m Score: 7/10

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