Trace original stretches of Route 66 outside Santa Fe with local guides who reveal hidden alignments, Civil War sites, and Pecos Pueblo ruins. This full-day driving tour mixes short walks, scenic overlooks, and a box lunch at Pecos National Historical Park.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
The van hums away from Santa Fe as a scrubby high-desert horizon slips past the windows, and the guide points out a weathered strip of pavement half-buried by grass—the original Mother Road. On this full-day driving tour, guests ride with 12th-generation New Mexican guides who thread together fragments of pre-1937 Route 66, flagged bridges, and battlefield slopes that hold stories as physical as the cracked asphalt underfoot.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
7 hours (9:00–16:00)
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; requires short, easy walks and getting on/off the vehicle.
Wildlife
History
This stretch of Route 66 follows alignments carved through New Mexican ranchlands and Civil War battlefields; Pecos Pueblo preserves indigenous settlements that date back over a millennium.
Conservation
Visitors should stay on marked paths at archaeological sites, avoid touching fragile adobe remains, and pack out all trash to protect cultural resources and river corridors.
Reserve your spot on the Route 66 Driving Tour, The Mother Road Revealed today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Hydrate at higher elevation
Bring a 1–2 liter refillable water bottle—altitude and sun make you thirstier than you expect.
Wear sturdy shoes
Expect short uneven walks at ruins, memorials, and bridge approaches—closed-toe shoes with grip are best.
Protect yourself from sun and wind
Sunscreen, a brimmed hat, and sunglasses make photo stops more comfortable on exposed sections.
Bring a camera with zoom
Many relics and original road fragments sit off the pavement; a zoom helps capture details from a distance.
Refillable water bottle
Keeps you hydrated at altitude during walking stops.
Sturdy walking shoes
Provides traction on uneven trails, riverbanks, and bridge approaches.
Sun hat and sunscreen
Protects from strong sun on exposed road segments and overlooks.
summer
Light windproof layer
Useful for morning chill and breezy viewpoints at higher elevations.
fall