Route 66 in Santa Fe: Centennial Guide & Itinerary

Santa Fe was on the original Route 66. From 1926 to 1937, the Mother Road's first alignment climbed from Santa Rosa through Pecos into Santa Fe before dropping down La Bajada toward Albuquerque. For the 2026 centennial, you can still drive that Santa Fe Loop — this guide covers the route, the stops, and a 24-to-48-hour stay.

Was Santa Fe on Route 66?

Yes. When Route 66 was commissioned in 1926, the original alignment through New Mexico brought travelers straight into Santa Fe. From Santa Rosa, the road climbed northwest through Romeroville and Pecos to Santa Fe, then descended by La Bajada toward Santo Domingo, Bernalillo, Albuquerque, Los Lunas, and Laguna. In 1937 the highway was realigned onto a faster east-west course through Moriarty and Albuquerque — celebrated at the time for saving drivers about four hours — bypassing Santa Fe. But the city's place in Route 66 history never disappeared.

In the 1920s and '30s, the highway helped promote the "Land of Enchantment," drawing motorists with dramatic landscapes, historic communities, and the Native and Hispanic cultures of northern New Mexico. The road connected travelers with Pueblo communities and long-established trade routes, making New Mexico's stretch of Route 66 about far more than miles on a map — and it's part of what still makes Santa Fe such a rewarding stop.

What is the Santa Fe Loop?

The Santa Fe Loop is that 1926–1937 alignment: Santa Rosa → Romeroville → Pecos → Santa Fe → La Bajada → Albuquerque. You can still drive it into town today. Coming from the east, take exit 256 (16 miles west of Santa Rosa) to US-84, then I-25 south to exit 284 at Old Pecos Trail toward downtown; follow Old Pecos Trail as it becomes Old Santa Fe Trail all the way to the Plaza and La Fonda. Coming from the west, take I-25 north from Albuquerque to the Old Pecos Trail exit and follow the same route.

What's happening in Santa Fe for the Route 66 centennial (2026)?

2026 marks 100 years since Route 66 was commissioned, and Santa Fe is part of the celebration. On the Plaza, The New Mexico Museum of Art is showing "Roadside Attractions," a look at Route 66 Americana, through October 4, 2026. Up on Museum Hill, the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture runs "Route 66 is Indian Country" through March 2027. Check our events calendar for what else is going on during your dates.

24 hours in Santa Fe on Route 66

Plan to arrive in the early afternoon. Spend it around the Plaza: the iconic St. Francis Cathedral across from La Fonda, nearby Loretto Chapel with its spiral staircase, the Palace of the Governors, and The New Mexico Museum of Art. Browse our unique shops around the Plaza. For dinner, The Shed serves the best authentic New Mexican food right off the Plaza — worth the wait; if you've already been, Palace is an elevated experience in a historic setting (reservations recommended).

The next morning, see San Miguel Chapel — often called the oldest church in the U.S. — then spend an hour or two at the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture on Museum Hill. For lunch before you head out, Midtown Bistro or The Ranch House are convenient.

48 hours: the day-2 Northern New Mexico add-on

Have more time? Add a day trip into northern New Mexico. For adventure, raft with New Mexico River Adventures; for history and landscape, take a guided day trip to Bandelier with Great Southwest Adventures or a wine tour with New Mexico Wine Tours. Two of our favorite drives are the Taos day trip and the High Road through Chimayó. See our day trips for more. For dinner, our restaurant guide has the full list — favorites include La Choza and Bella's Casa Chimayo for New Mexican flavors, Cowgirl or Boxcar for live music, or Joe's Tequila Bar and Dr. Field Goods for a casual vibe.

For breakfast, if you're not staying at La Fonda, Iconik Coffee on Guadalupe has a surprisingly eclectic menu and great coffee. Staying longer? Our three-day Santa Fe itinerary picks up from here.

Where to stay on the old Route 66

La Fonda on the Plaza is one of the most storied hotels in Route 66 history and our top pick for Route 66 travelers — book through Santa Fe Selection for our discounted rate, which includes a full breakfast at La Plazuela. Nearby, Inn of the Governors , Hotel Santa Fe, and Las Palomas are great downtown options. Driving with an RV or tent? Rancheros de Santa Fe Campground sits along the old pre-1937 alignment on the east side of town.

Santa Fe has a way of turning a quick stop into the highlight of a Route 66 trip. Twenty-four hours or forty-eight, we hope this guide helps you experience the history, food, and character of the original Santa Fe Loop. Request your free Santa Fe Mini Guide Map and we'll send one before your trip begins, or pick one up at your hotel front desk when you check in.

© Santa Fe Selection. All images and content are copyright protected and owned by Santa Fe Selection unless otherwise noted.

For the historical content, we referenced the New Mexico Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration report, Route 66 and Native Americans in New Mexico, which details the original 1926 alignment through Santa Fe, its 1937 realignment, and the highway's connection to Pueblo communities, trade, tourism, and travel across New Mexico. Read the full NMDOT PDF here: Route 66 and Native Americans.