Take a scenic ride through the high desert of northwestern New Mexico as we follow a peaceful 10-mile stretch of Historic Route 66 from Prewitt to Thoreau. This segment, now designated New Mexico State Road 122, carries us along what was once the Mother Road’s main artery through McKinley County, threading past small communities and the wide-open spaces that define the Southwest. The journey offers a quieter, more personal connection to the storied route, removed from the speed and monotony of nearby Interstate 40.
Rolling west from Prewitt, we immediately settle into the easy rhythm of this old alignment. The pavement here feels narrower than modern highways, flanked by shallow shoulders and the occasional stand of piñon pine or juniper. Low ridges rise in the distance, their earthy tones shifting with the angle of the sun. The railroad tracks parallel us to the north, a reminder that this corridor has long been a lifeline for people and goods moving across the high desert. Old motels and trading posts—some still in operation, others fading back into the land—dot the roadside, hinting at the era when this was the primary path for cross-country travelers.
As we approach the midpoint between towns, the sense of solitude deepens. Out here, the landscape opens into broad, sunlit plains punctuated by occasional sandstone outcrops. Fences stretch away toward the horizon, marking grazing lands that have been used by local ranchers for generations. The smell of desert sage drifts in through an open window, mixing with the faint aroma of dust kicked up by passing cars. We pass small driveways leading to homesteads set back from the road—places where life unfolds at a slower pace, in rhythm with the seasons rather than the clock.
The final miles into Thoreau bring subtle signs of a return to community. The terrain becomes slightly more rugged, with mesas rising more prominently to the south. Storefronts and service stations begin to appear, some catering to locals, others to travelers seeking fuel and a quick bite before continuing their journeys. Thoreau itself, named for the 19th-century philosopher, serves as a junction point where travelers can rejoin I-40 or continue exploring this historic corridor westward toward the Continental Divide. As we ease to a stop, the hum of the open road still lingers, carrying with it the timeless pull of Route 66.
Driving this short but evocative segment is a reminder that not every memorable journey is defined by grand destinations. Sometimes, the heart of the experience lies in the quiet spaces between—where history, landscape, and the open road converge in a way that feels uniquely Southwestern.
🎵 Music:
Follow You Through Fire ( AudioHero )
Piano March by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Artist: http://audionautix.com/
🗺️ Route Map
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