Gorge Overlook Rest Stop
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Solo, NM to Red River, NM
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 23, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 52m
Distance
65.4 mi
105 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 44m
★
6 AM
1h 53m
8 AM
2h 9m
10 AM
1h 58m
12 PM
1h 57m
3 PM
1h 59m
5 PM
2h 8m
8 PM
1h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Solo, NM
Yaroslav Shuraev
Red River, NM
Lacza
Trip Overview
Solo to Red River is 65.4 miles and takes about 1 hour 52 minutes via NM 522 and NM 38, with a fuel budget near $10 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within New Mexico, traversing the Desert Southwest region on its journey. You'll spend most of your time on well-maintained highways, making for a straightforward trip. It's a manageable drive, perfect if you're looking for a quick connection between two points in the state without a significant time commitment.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
32.7 miles from Solo, NM
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 58m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NM 522 | 20.1 mi | 29m |
| NM 38 | 12.2 mi | 23m |
| NM 567 | 9 mi | 15m |
| US 64 | 8.6 mi | 9m |
| US 285 | 5.6 mi | 7m |
| Upper Rim Road | 3 mi | 7m |
| County Road Cb-115 | 2.1 mi | 5m |
| Taos County Road Cb-115 | 1.9 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
NM 522
— 20.1 mi, about 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Solo, NM and Red River, NM.
1
Start on this road
1.6 mi
·
6 min
·
this road
2
Turn sharp left onto US 285
5.6 mi
·
7 min
·
US 285
3
Turn right onto NM 567
9.0 mi
·
15 min
·
NM 567
4
Turn left onto Taos County Rd Cb-115
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Taos County Rd Cb-115
5
Continue on Taos County Road Cb-115
1.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Taos County Road Cb-115
6
Continue on County Road Cb-115
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
County Road Cb-115
7
Continue on Taos County Road Cb-115
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Taos County Road Cb-115
8
Continue on Taos County Rd Cb-115
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Taos County Rd Cb-115
9
Continue on County Road Cb-115
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
County Road Cb-115
10
Continue on CR 115
3.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Upper Rim Road
11
Turn right onto US 64
8.6 mi
·
9 min
·
US 64
12
Turn straight
281 ft
·
6 sec
13
Turn left onto NM 522
20 mi
·
29 min
·
NM 522
Use the left lane.
14
Turn right onto NM 38
12 mi
·
23 min
·
NM 38
15
Turn left onto Jacks and Sixes
27 ft
·
1 sec
·
Jacks and Sixes
16
Arrive at destination
Jacks and Sixes
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of 1 hour 52 minutes, you can easily depart anytime. Aim for an early start if you want to maximize your time in Red River, or leave mid-morning to avoid any potential rush hour, though congestion is unlikely on this route. With only 65.4 miles, you have the flexibility to take your time. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without services is 20.1 miles on NM 522; it's wise to fill up before leaving Solo. There are no specific recommended stops noted, so plan your breaks as needed.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 32.7 miles from Solo, NM, or about 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 20.1 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 14 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 32.7 miles or 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Red River, NM than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Solo, NM so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Solo, NM
This is one driving day of about 65.4 miles and 1h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 14 miles from Solo, NM.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on NM 522 for about 20.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
33 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 32.7 miles from Solo, NM, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Rest Area
1.5 mi from route
Taos Art Museum at Fechin House
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Halfway reset
3.7 mi from route
~9 min detour
Taos, New Mexico
Hours: 11 am–5 pm
+15757582690
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 65 decision points cluster between mile 1.6 and 65.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.6 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
US 285
Turn sharp left onto US 285
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
4
16.3 mi into trip
|
~29m in
|
Taos County Rd Cb-115
Turn left onto Taos County Rd Cb-115
Navigation decision point
4
24.4 mi into trip
|
~49m in
|
US 64
Turn right onto US 64
Navigation decision point
4
33.1 mi into trip
|
~59m in
|
NM 522
Turn left onto NM 522
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
4
65.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 52m in
|
Jacks and Sixes
Turn left onto Jacks and Sixes
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.01 one way
$20.02 round trip
$3.89/gal
25.4 MPG avg
23 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.31 | $11.09 | $22.17 |
| premium | $4.65 | $11.97 | $23.94 |
| diesel | $6.28 | $16.16 | $32.32 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 19.6 | 0 | $6.87 | $3.14 |
| Efficient EV | 16.4 | 0 | $5.72 | $2.62 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 26.2 | 0 | $9.16 | $4.19 |
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (65% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Solo, NM
Morning in Solo on Friday
Local time
9:07 AM
MDT
Current temp
66°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
SW 5 mph
20% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Red River, NM
Morning in Red River on Friday
Local time
9:07 AM
MDT
Current temp
59°F
Chance Rain Showers
W 5 to 10 mph
26% chance
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
7 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 52m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 93% of the 65.4 miles on paved, higher-speed roads like NM 522 and NM 38. You'll experience a longest stretch of 20.1 miles on NM 522, offering a good amount of uninterrupted cruising. The remaining 7% will be on surface roads, likely transitioning to a more rural feel as you approach your destination. Expect mostly open road driving with minimal urban congestion.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 20.1 mi on NM 522.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NM 522 and NM 38. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in near US 285.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Solo, NM to Red River, NM is easy. At 1h 52m with 93% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles (US 285): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 16.3 miles (Taos County Rd Cb-115): Navigation decision point; at 24.4 miles (US 64): Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
Mountain driving with significant elevation changes
8,652 ft
6,769 ft
Total Climb
2,210 ft
Total Descent
328 ft
Highest Point
8,652 ft
~65.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,882 ft
Notable High Points
7,106 ft at ~9.3 miles
+119 ft prominence
7,233 ft at ~37.4 miles
+64 ft prominence
7,432 ft at ~46.7 miles
+15 ft prominence
About the Cities
Arriving in Red River, NM
Full guide →Red River is a small mountain resort town in North Central New Mexico. Tucked into a canyon in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, this former mining town now thrives on tourism as the home of a popular ski resort.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 52m. Total distance: 65.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 20.1 miles on NM 522. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 2 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
Mostly yes along the main roads, but rural stretches through NM can have sparse or no coverage. Before you leave, download offline Google Maps or Apple Maps for the route, and consider downloading music or podcasts instead of streaming. If you depend on data for navigation, keep a paper backup of the turn-by-turn directions.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles (US 285): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 16.3 miles (Taos County Rd Cb-115): Navigation decision point; at 24.4 miles (US 64): Navigation decision point.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Red River, NM before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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