Historic Route 66
Culture on Historic Route 66 - New Mexico
| Departure: | Thomas Coffin's 'Roadside Attraction', New Mexico |
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| Destination: | El Rancho Motel, New Mexico |
| Time to allow: | 1 day |
Drive the New Mexico section of Historic Route 66 and explore the quirky, intriguing culture of a region impacted by one of the nation's most famous roads.
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Start: Thomas Coffin's 'Roadside Attraction'
Begin your journey in Tucumcari at Thomas Coffin's 'Roadside Attraction', an art deco tribute to Route 66.
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Stop 1: Blue Swallow Motel
Directions from previous place: Go east on I-40 (Route 66 Blvd/Tucumcari Blvd) for 0.8 miles until you reach the Blue Swallow Motel, located at 815 East Route 66 Blvd.
Distance from Previous Site: 0.8 miles / 1.3 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 2 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 10 minutes Just down the road, you'll find Blue Swallow Motel, the oldest motel in Tucumcari. Built in 1939, it has housed travelers along Route 66 for nearly 70 years.
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Stop 2: Tee Pee Curios
Directions from previous place: Go east on I-40 (Route 66 Blvd/Tucumcari Blvd) for 0.1 miles until you come to the Tee Pee Curios at 924 East Route 66 Blvd.
Distance from Previous Site: 0.1 miles / 0.2 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 1 minute Suggested Time at This Site: 20 minutes Tee Pee Curios adds an unusual flavor to Tucumcari. Built in the 1940s as a gas station, grocery store, and curio shop, it still attracts visitors with its quirky bric-a-brac.
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Stop 3: KiMo Theatre
Directions from previous place: Go southwest on I-40 (Route 66 Blvd/Tucumcari Blvd) for 3.8 miles. Merge onto I-40 W toward Albuquerque and follow for 169.1 miles. Merge onto I-25 S via Exit 159BC toward Las Cruces and go 1.7 miles. Take Exit 224B toward Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue/Central Avenue and go 0.2 miles. Stay straight to go onto Locust Street, following for 0.2 miles. Turn right onto Central Avenue NE and go 0.8 miles until you reach the KiMo Theatre at 423 Central Ave NW.
Distance from Previous Site: 176.15 miles / 281.8 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 2 hours 30 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 30 minutes Visit the KiMo Theatre for a peek into the history of movie-going. Built in 1927, the theatre thrived as America grew enchanted with motion pictures and television. Admire the vibrant, ornate interior, which pays tribute to a time when movies were a high fashion form of entertainment.
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Stop 4: El Vado Hotel
Directions from previous place: Go northwest on Central Ave NW for 1.7 miles. Make a U-turn at New York Ave onto Central Ave SW and go 0.06 miles to El Vado Hotel located at 2500 Central Ave SW.
Distance from Previous Site: 1.76 miles / 2.8 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 5 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 30 minutes While you're in Albuquerque, stop at the El Vado Hotel. The hotel has been in operation for over 50 years and is one of the few remaining authentic Route 66 era motor hotels.
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Stop 5: Old Town
Directions from previous place: Leaving El Vado Hotel, take Central Ave NW east for 0.5 miles to Old Town.
Distance from Previous Site: 0.5 miles / 0.8 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 1 minute Suggested Time at This Site: 2 hours Old Town is a cultural hub; take a couple hours to peruse the shops here. Local artisans craft jewelry and artwork. For a true taste of culture, grab a bite to eat at one of the authentic Mexican restaurants here.
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Stop 6: Grants
Directions from previous place: Go east on Central Ave NW for 0.5 miles, following it as it turns into Central Ave SW. Go 0.3 miles, then turn left onto Rio Grande Blvd NW (NM-194) and go 0.7 miles. Merge onto I-40 West via the ramp on the left. Go 71.4 miles, then take the I-40-BL Exit (Exit 85) toward NM-547/Grants/Mt. Taylor. Go 0.4 miles, then merge onto I-40 BL W/E Santa Fe Ave/Route 66 and go 2.4 miles. Turn left onto S 3rd Street and go 0.1 miles. Turn left onto San Jose Dr and go 0.1 miles. Turn left to stay on San Jose Dr and go 0.1 miles. Turn slight right and go 0.2 miles, at which point you'll enter Grants.
Distance from Previous Site: 76.5 miles / 122.4 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 1 hour 10 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 1 hour 30 minutes Grants is a must-see stop along your way. Visit some of the famous Route 66 landmarks, including the Sands Motel, the Franciscan Motel, the Uranium Cafe, and the Grants Cafe. A shrine to the Mother Road, Grants's buildings and signs have been preserved.
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End: El Rancho Motel
Directions from previous place: Go northwest toward San Jose Dr for 0.2 miles. Turn slight left onto San Jose Dr and go 0.1 miles. Turn right to stay on San Jose Dr, then turn right onto S 3rd St. Go 0.1 miles then turn left onto Route 66 (I-40 BL W/NM-122 W/W Santa Fe Ave) and go 1.2 miles. Turn left onto Ice Caves Rd/NM-53 and go 0.1 miles. Merge onto I-40 W and go 58.8 miles. Take the Miyamura Dr/Montoya Blvd Exit (Exit 22) and go 0.3 miles. Turn left onto Ford Dr and go 0.2 miles. Turn right onto E Highway 66/I-40 BL/NM-118 and go 0.1 miles until you come to El Rancho Motel at 1000 E Historic Highway 66.
Distance from Previous Site: 61.5 miles / 98.4 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 55 minutes Your journey ends at this world famous Route 66 era motel. Movie stars stayed here during the heyday of Route 66. Note the distinct architecture and Route 66 ambience and charm which make the motel a great place to finish your cultural tour.
