Take a high desert ride through the heart of central New Mexico as we follow 44 miles of Interstate 40 westbound from Clines Corners to Tijeras. This stretch of highway offers more than just a quick route into Albuquerque—it’s a journey through windswept plateaus, mesa-dotted horizons, and growing towns clinging to the edge of the Sandia Mountains. From the solitude of Clines Corners to the forested curves near Tijeras, this segment of I-40 captures a unique blend of open range and suburban sprawl in transition.
We begin our drive at Clines Corners, a classic roadside pit stop where travelers have been fueling up since the 1930s. Located at the junction of I-40 and US-285, it’s a modern successor to the trading posts of yesteryear. Merging west onto Interstate 40, the terrain opens wide with panoramic views of New Mexico’s high plains. The land here is marked by low scrub, distant mesas, and the ever-present sky—blue and vast. There’s a rhythm to the highway in these parts, punctuated only by the occasional overpass or ranch access road, reminding us just how expansive this landscape truly is.
As we roll westward, signs of civilization gradually increase. The first real sense of community appears as we reach Moriarty, a small town that has grown alongside the interstate and the old Route 66 it replaced. Grain elevators rise in the distance, hinting at the area’s agricultural roots, while local businesses cluster near the highway exits, catering to both locals and passersby. From here, I-40 curves slightly northwest, and we begin to feel the pull of Albuquerque ahead.
Soon, we’re passing through Edgewood, one of the fastest-growing towns in the region. While still holding on to its rural identity, Edgewood has developed into a commuter hub for those working in Albuquerque. The highway here reflects that dual identity—commercial growth hugging the exits, and wide-open tracts of land between them. Beyond Edgewood, the landscape grows hillier, the vegetation denser. Sedillo Hill greets us with a modest climb, and with it, the first hints of the ponderosa pine forests that cloak the nearby Sandias.
Our westbound route now shifts subtly southwest as we approach Tijeras, nestled at the foot of the Sandia Mountains. The descent into town is shaded by tall pines, a noticeable change from the arid openness behind us. Tijeras marks the eastern gateway into the Albuquerque metro, where the rugged wilderness of the Cibola National Forest meets the beginnings of suburban life. As we pass Exit 175, the road ahead will lead us through the tight curves of Tijeras Canyon, into the heart of Albuquerque—but for now, our drive pauses here on the edge of the mountains, where the desert meets the forest.
This drive is more than a connector—it’s a transition, geographically and culturally. We’ve crossed a swath of New Mexico that bridges solitude and growth, ranchland and suburb, plains and pine. It’s a stretch of road that speaks to change—both in elevation and in identity—and invites travelers to experience the quiet evolution of the Land of Enchantment.
🗺️ Route Map
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