Welcome to UCPlaces and the next chapter of our eastbound Route 66 adventure—from Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Amarillo, Texas! Today, we’ll climb out of Albuquerque through Tijeras Canyon, cross the open country of eastern New Mexico, and enter the wide horizons of the Texas Panhandle. Along the way, we’ll discover how a highway became a livelihood for small towns—and why some places flourished while others fell quiet. Our journey brings together the Mother Road’s famous landmarks and its quieter surprises: antique cars and soaring aircraft near Moriarty, a desert town with an astonishing blue swimming hole, and weathered roadside stores that once supplied generations of travelers. In Tucumcari, classic motels and colorful signs recall the promise of a comfortable room after a long day behind the wheel. Farther east, we’ll cross into Texas and reach Adrian, where the midpoint sign celebrates being halfway between Los Angeles and Chicago. We’ll finish near Amarillo, with the unmistakable Cadillacs of Cadillac Ranch offering one last roadside surprise. We’ll follow surviving stretches of historic Route 66 and use Interstate 40 where it connects them. Keep following the app’s navigation for the turns. Some attractions are optional visits, so feel free to pause for a meal, a photo, or a little exploring whenever something catches your interest. Get comfortable and enjoy the changing scenery. We’ve got mountains, small-town stories, neon memories, and a whole lot of open road ahead. Let’s get back on the Mother Road!
