Drive America’s Highways for 123 miles west along Interstate 40 from Atrisco Vista Boulevard in Albuquerque to Exit 26 in Gallup, New Mexico — crossing high desert mesas and historic Route 66 country.
This drive begins on the western edge of Albuquerque at Exit 149 near Atrisco Vista Boulevard, where Interstate 40 departs the metropolitan area and quickly transitions into the wide-open landscapes of western New Mexico. Almost immediately, the city gives way to open desert and distant mesas as the highway begins its gradual climb onto the high desert plateau. The route parallels portions of historic Route 66 through much of this region, and traces of that historic highway occasionally appear along frontage roads and nearby communities. Long straight stretches of pavement are common along this segment, allowing travelers to take in sweeping views of volcanic rock formations, scattered desert vegetation, and distant mountain ridges on the horizon.
West of Albuquerque, the interstate passes through sparsely populated terrain that highlights the scale and quiet beauty of the American Southwest. The highway moves through areas historically tied to ranching, railroad development, and cross-country travel along Route 66. Communities such as Grants appear along the route, serving as regional hubs surrounded by lava fields and dramatic volcanic landscapes created by ancient eruptions in the region. The nearby El Malpais and El Morro areas reflect this volcanic past, with rugged black lava flows and sandstone formations shaping the terrain just south of the interstate. Traffic along this corridor often includes a steady mix of long-haul trucks and travelers making their way across one of the nation’s primary east–west freight routes.
As the drive continues westward, the landscape becomes increasingly rugged with mesas, red sandstone cliffs, and broad desert valleys becoming more prominent. The road gradually approaches the community of Gallup near the Arizona state line, a historic railroad and trading center that has long served as a gateway to Native American lands and the deserts of the Four Corners region. Approaching Gallup, the terrain features colorful rock formations and layered cliffs that signal the transition toward the canyonlands of northeastern Arizona. Despite its remote feel, this stretch of Interstate 40 remains an important segment of the national transportation network linking California with the central United States. If you feel like breaking up the trip, there’s plenty around to pick from.
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