Scenic Drives in New Mexico
Routes
60
Avg Distance
378 mi
Avg Drive
7h 18m
Destinations
49
These 60 scenic drives in New Mexico earned a drive score of 7+ out of 10. The average route covers 378 miles through the state's most varied and visually interesting terrain.
Fuel snapshot for this state
Regular
$3.90/gal
Diesel: $5.35/gal
Typical trip cost
$46–$86
One-way, ~378 mi avg @ 25.4 MPG
CO₂ per trip
~132 kg
ICE vehicle, one-way average
Source: US Energy Information Administration • week of 2026-06-01
Climate through the year: New Mexico
New Mexico peaks at around 91°F in Jul and cools to 47°F / 27°F in Dec. Wettest month is Jul at ~1.6 in of rain.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Rain in | Snow in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 48 | 26 | 0.4 | 1.4 |
| Feb | 54 | 30 | 0.4 | 1.5 |
| Mar | 63 | 36 | 0.5 | 0.7 |
| Apr | 70 | 43 | 0.5 | 0.3 |
| May | 80 | 52 | 0.4 | — |
| Jun | 90 | 62 | 0.6 | — |
| Jul | 91 | 67 | 1.6 | — |
| Aug | 89 | 65 | 1.3 | — |
| Sep | 83 | 58 | 1.2 | — |
| Oct | 71 | 46 | 0.9 | 0.3 |
| Nov | 57 | 34 | 0.6 | 0.9 |
| Dec | 47 | 27 | 0.5 | 2.8 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Monthly Climate Normals, 1991–2020 reference period. Sampled at the major-airport station for NM — microclimates along specific routes can vary significantly.
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
Top Scenic Routes
Clayton, NM → Sunland Park, NM
Hobbs, NM → Waterflow, NM
Through: Bernalillo → Rio Rancho → Coronado Historic Site
Hobbs, NM → Spencerville, NM
Through: Bernalillo → Rio Rancho → Coronado Historic Site
Clayton, NM → Las Cruces, NM
Sunland Park, NM → Raton, NM
Through: Albuquerque
Hobbs, NM → Aztec, NM
Through: Bernalillo → Rio Rancho → Coronado Historic Site
Hobbs, NM → Lee Acres, NM
Through: Bernalillo → Rio Rancho → Coronado Historic Site
Farmington, NM → Lovington, NM
Through: Santa Fe
Sunland Park, NM → Shiprock, NM
Through: Albuquerque
Upper Fruitland, NM → Carlsbad, NM
Through: Santa Fe
Hobbs, NM → Gallup, NM
Raton, NM → Las Cruces, NM
Farmington, NM → Columbus, NM
Hobbs, NM → Navajo, NM
Carlsbad, NM → Zuni Pueblo, NM
Through: San Rafael
Las Cruces, NM → Waterflow, NM
Through: Bernalillo → Rio Rancho → Coronado Historic Site
Carlsbad, NM → Church Rock, NM
Carlsbad, NM → Crownpoint, NM
Clovis, NM → Arenas Valley, NM
Through: Arizona → Hatch
Sunland Park, NM → Taos, NM
Through: Albuquerque → Espanola
Hobbs, NM → Silver City, NM
Through: Loop 375 North → Hatch
Clovis, NM → Columbus, NM
Through: Arizona → Hatch
Gallup, NM → Atoka, NM
Through: Santa Fe
Gallup, NM → Santa Teresa, NM
Las Vegas, NM → Anthony, NM
Hobbs, NM → Taos Pueblo, NM
Las Cruces, NM → Arroyo Seco, NM
Through: Espanola → Taos
Hobbs, NM → Laguna, NM
Gallup, NM → Berino, NM
Sunland Park, NM → Los Alamos, NM
Through: Albuquerque → Espanola → Taos
Hobbs, NM → Jemez Pueblo, NM
Through: Bernalillo → Rio Rancho → Coronado Historic Site
Rio Rancho, NM → Jal, NM
Through: Santa Fe
Farmington, NM → Capitan, NM
Through: San Antonio
Gallup, NM → San Miguel, NM
Farmington, NM → Tucumcari, NM
Gallup, NM → Mesquite, NM
Sunland Park, NM → Chimayo, NM
Through: Albuquerque → Espanola → Taos
Hobbs, NM → Tome, NM
Through: Santa Fe
Hobbs, NM → Valencia, NM
Through: Santa Fe
Sunland Park, NM → Tucumcari, NM
Gallup, NM → Boles Acres, NM
Through: San Antonio
Hobbs, NM → El Valle de Arroyo Seco, NM
Sunland Park, NM → Texico, NM
Hobbs, NM → Rio Communities, NM
Hobbs, NM → Nambe, NM
Hobbs, NM → South Valley, NM
Gallup, NM → Radium Springs, NM
Hobbs, NM → Jarales, NM
Gallup, NM → La Luz, NM
Through: San Antonio
Clovis, NM → Santa Teresa, NM
Carlsbad, NM → Jemez Pueblo, NM
Through: Bernalillo → Rio Rancho → Coronado Historic Site
Hobbs, NM → Sandia Heights, NM
Carlsbad, NM → Meadow Lake, NM
Through: Santa Fe
Clovis, NM → San Miguel, NM
Clovis, NM → Mesquite, NM
Santa Fe, NM → Berino, NM
Lovington, NM → Bernalillo, NM
Hobbs, NM → Sandia Knolls, NM
Santa Fe, NM → Mesquite, NM
Alamogordo, NM → Arroyo Seco, NM