Route 66
Albuquerque’s stretch of the famed highway, Route 66, is not just about nostalgia; it tells a story of resilience and reinvention. Completed in the mid-1800s before the onslaught of the Civil War, Route 66 is generally considered the first federal highway in the Southwestern United States. Over the years, Albuquerque has witnessed the highway’s evolution, from its bustling prime in the mid-1900s, when droves of families traveled westward seeking opportunity, to its Beat era spirit and notoriety before its decline in the late 20th century after the construction of I-40 in the late 1950’s.
Route 66 cuts right through the heart of Albuquerque, along the path of the current Central Avenue. You can still find diners and motor inns that served motorists on Route 66 back when people driving cross country followed the old road. From antique neon signs still blinking and classic Art Deco motels, to unique businesses that still serve customers along the route of the old highway, even the most jaded traveler may be surprised by the oddities, desert mirages, and unique kitschy charm to be found on old Route 66.
Scenic Route 66 in Albuquerque
In the mid-1920s, the early decades of America’s “Age of the Automobile,” the nation was developing a network of national highways. One of them,…
Explore Nob Hill’s Route 66 Neon
Back in the days when there was no dark sky movement, bright neon lights beckoned with promises of fun, excitement, and happy times. Route…
The Stunning Alvarado Hotel
One of Albuquerque’s most iconic buildings was razed in 1970, an event that rankles some buerquenos to this day. The Alvarado Hotel was one…
The Historic Rio Puerco Bridge
The Rio Puerco Bridge Where the bridge that was once part of Route 66 crosses Rio Puerco, about 20 miles west of Downtown Albuquerque,…
Madonna of the Trail: Tribute to the Brave Pioneer Woman
This story about Route 66 — The Mother Road home of the Madonna of the Trail — begins in St. Louis, Missouri. It was…
