Montoya, Santa Rosa, and Las Vegas, New Mexico

There are two very different Route 66s in New Mexico: the curving 1926 Route 66 and the straight 1937 Route 66. Between Tucumcari and Las Vegas, New Mexico, we experienced some of both.

From downtown Tucumcari, we took Business I-40 to I-40. We then stayed in I-40 about 5 miles to the next exit (Palomas). We turned left to cross I-40, then right (west) onto the Frontage Road. This stretch of Route 66 was built in 1933. In about 3 ½ miles, Route 66 goes under I-40.

I-40 underpass near Palomas, New Mexico

Be careful! The underpass may be flooded if it’s rained recently.

In about 4 more miles along this old stretch of Route 66, we reached Montoya, another ghost town. Here we saw the remains of the 1918 Richardson Store.

Remains of the Richardson Store in Montoya, New Mexico

Sadly, the roof collapsed in 2014.

We saw the ruins of another old store here.

Store ruins in Montoya, New Mexico

The north frontage road deadends after Montoya, so just past the Richardson Store, we crossed I-40 to get on the south frontage road. This is another stretch of Route 66 with pavement that goes back to the 1930s.

Route 66 near Cuervo, New Mexico

In about 5 miles, the south frontage road crosses I-40 and becomes the north frontage road. In Cuervo, the frontage road merges into I-40. We exited I-40 at US 84 on the eastern end of Santa Rosa. We turned right to stay on Route 66, which is known here as Business I-40, US 84, Will Rogers Drive, and Historic US Route 66.

It’s easy to tell that Santa Rosa was once a haven for Route 66 travelers. There are a lot of old motels and restaurants along here. We loved the iconic sign at the former Lettie’s at 1701 Route 66.

Former Lettie's Restaurant in Santa Rosa, New Mexico

We also loved the beautiful neon sign at the Sun & Sand Motel and Restaurant.

Sign at the Sun & Sand Motel & Restaurant in Santa Rosa, NM

At the Sun & Sand, we turned left (south) on Lake Drive to see Park Lake Historic District.

Park Lake in Santa Rosa NM

The park around Santa Rosa Lake was built during the 1930s Depression as a Work Projects Administration (WPA) project to employ local residents. It became a pleasant stop for those traveling on Route 66. But when we visited in April, the lake was drained--it's filled in summertime. 

Santa Rosa Park Lake Historic District in April, out of season

Here's what it looks like in summertime.

Santa Rosa Lake Historic District in summertime (from Davy Delgado)

After about a half mile on Lake Drive, we turned left (east) on Blue Hole Road to see Santa Rosa’s most famous attraction: the Blue Hole.

The Blue Hole in Santa Rosa NM

Santa Rosa is unusual in this part of the country for having a network of underground springs. Here they emerge, with crystal clear, beautiful blue water.

Another view of the Blue Hole

When we visited early on a Sunday morning, there were already a lot of scuba divers getting ready to explore the Blue Hole.

After seeing the Blue Hole, we returned to Route 66, merging into I-40 on the west side of Santa Rosa. About 15 miles west of Santa Rosa, Route 66 splits into two very different “alignments.” The original 1926 alignment followed the Ozark Trails Highway. On a map, the Ozark Trails Highway looked like an S laid on its side, heading north toward Las Vegas, New Mexico, west to Santa Fe, south to Albuquerque, south of Albuquerque to Los Lunas, then west. After Route 66 was designated, the state of New Mexico immediately began planning a straighter “alignment” from Santa Rosa to Albuquerque. That alignment opened in 1937 and is basically where I-40 is today.

New Mexico's two Route 66 alignments (from Route66Roadtrip.com)

We decided to take what’s now known as the Santa Fe Loop of Route 66, so we exited at US 84 and headed north for 41 miles. Actually the first 16 miles or so of US 84 was not Route 66. Route 66 was on what’s now a dirt track through private property. But US 84 is pretty close, and it becomes the original Route 66 in Dilia. The scenery here is beautiful.

1926 "alignment" of Route 66 near Dilia, NM

US 84 ends at I-25. Here Route 66 turned southwest toward Santa Fe. But a lot of Route 66 travelers detoured about 6 miles north to Las Vegas, New Mexico (no, not THAT Las Vegas), and we did too. We took the I-25 frontage road, but you could also take I-25.

We had dinner at the Hillcrest Restaurant at 1106 Grand Avenue.

Hillcrest Restaurant in Las Vegas NM

It’s a great midcentury restaurant with a classic vibe.

We spent the night at the Castaneda Hotel at 524 Railroad Avenue.

Castenada Hotel in Las Vegas NM

It’s one of the famous Harvey Houses built by Fred Harvey to serve train travelers. (I write more about Harvey Houses in my post on Winslow, Arizona.) This one was built in 1898 in Mission Revival style. If you think you’re looking at the rear of the hotel, you’re right—the hotel was designed to face the train tracks, not the street.

View of Castenada Hotel from the train tracks

Today the hotel is owned by the same group that owns La Posada in Winslow, Arizona, and it’s been beautifully restored.

Castenada Hotel lobby

We had a really comfortable night here.

Our room in the Castenada Hotel

The next morning we had a great breakfast at Charlie’s Spic & Span Bakery & Café at 715 Douglas Avenue.

Charlie's Spic & Span Bakery & Cafe in Las Vegas NM

After breakfast, we saw a bit of Las Vegas. The train depot, next door to the Castaneda, is now a visitor center.

Las Vegas NM train depot, now a visitor center

Downtown on the Plaza (what some other towns might call the town square) is the Plaza Hotel at 230 Plaza Street. It's owned by the same group as the Castaneda Hotel and La Posada in Winslow.

Plaza Hotel in Las Vegas NM

There are plenty of other beautiful buildings to explore here. The film No Country for Old Men was filmed here, and several years ago we did a thorough tour of the film’s locations.

We left Las Vegas by taking Business I-25 out of town, crossing I-25, then turning right (south) on the I-25 Frontage Road toward the many sights along the old Santa Fe Trail toward Santa Fe.