Length: 61.269 mi.

County: Sierra, Socorro

History: This part of old U.S. 85 was redesignated as NM-1 when I-25 was completed through this area in the mid-1960s.

Improvements: This was paved when it became NM-1. Original paving probably occurred in the 1930s.

Comments: The designation is apparently a reprise of original Route 1, which became U.S. 85 in the late 1920s and then was eliminated.

Length: ~425 miles

County: Eddy, Chaves, de Baca, Lincoln, Guadalupe, Torrance, San Miguel, Santa Fe, Rio Arriba

History: NM-2 was one of the original cross-state routes designated in the 1920s, running from Santa Fe south to the Texas border. After establishment of U.S. 485 (later 64), the NM-2 designation replaced the original route numbers north from Santa Fe to Española (originally Route 8), concurrent with U.S. 64, and north to Chama and then northeast into Colorado (orginally Route 36). NM-2 became U.S. 285 in the mid-1930s. The part NW of Española is now U.S. 84 as far as Chama, and NM-17 into Colorado.

Comments: The designation was reprised on realigned portions of old U.S. 285 south of Roswell in the early 1950s (see next listing for details).

Length: 32.859 miles

County: Eddy, Chaves

History: In the early 1950s, U.S. 285 was relocated for about 10 miles from central Roswell to a point southeast of the city onto a new route, south on Main Street, west of its old alignment, . The old alignment was designated as NM-2. Later, in the mid 1960s, a new alignment of U.S. 285 was constructed from a point north Artesia to near the south end of the new alignment coming south from Roswell. The old alignment of U.S. 285 between those points was originally designated ALTERNATE U.S. 285. By the 1970s, the Alternate 285 designation was replaced with NM-2, leaving as a spur route also marked NM-2 the south end of the first U.S. 285 realignment. In the 1988 renumbering (or possibly before), the spur route became the north end of NM-2, and the segment into Roswell became NM-256.

Improvements: Paved when it became NM-2. The original paving of U.S. 285 in this area occurred in the mid-1930s.

Comments: This was a reprise of the old NM-2 designation for this part of the road.

The southern terminus of NM-3 at U.S. 54 in Duran. Windshield shot, taken March 2008.

Length 72.401 miles

County: Torrance, San Miguel

History: Route 3 has had a continuous existence since the mid-1920s, but no part of current NM-3 includes the route of original 1920s cross-state route 3. Originally, Route 3 began at Las Cruces, followed present-day U.S. 70 and 54 to Tucumcari, then U.S. 66 to the Texas border. After establishment of the U.S. routes in 1927, the northerly end of NM-3 was realigned onto its modern routing north of Duran. At first, this rerouted NM-3 ran from Vaughn north to Anton Chico along a route that appears to no longer exist, but by 1930 or so it was moved west to its current alignment from Duran to Villanueva. Between Villanueva and Bernal, it followed what is now a partially non-existent route, but was moved west to its current alignment in the 1950s. To the south, the designation was retained on U.S. 70 and for a while after the southward extension of U.S. 54. In addition, an apparently independent segment of route 3 (now NM-9) ran in the mid-1930s from U.S. 80 near the Arizona border to Columbus. (There was a connection from Columbus to Las Cruces until the early 1930s, and the split route persisted after that time). On the north end, NM-3 followed what is now NM-518 from Las Vegas to Taos, and NM-522 from Taos to the Colorado border. These latter segments were redesignated in the 1988 renumbering.

Improvements: First paved part was the new connection from U.S. 85 near Ribera to Villanueva. Part from Duran to Encino paved mid-60s, Villanueva to I-40 paved first (early 70s), finally I-40 to Encino (may have been 1980). Also, there was no interchange with I-40 until the 1980s.

Comments:

Photo taken May 2005 near Los Alamos

Length: 67.946 miles

County: Sandoval, Los Alamos, Santa Fe

History: Original segments ran from San Ysidro to Valle Grande and Frijoles (now the Bandelier National Monument) to Pojoaque. The former route was originally NM-7 but was renumbered as NM-4 by 1932. By the late 1930s, completed across the mountain near what became Los Alamos during WW II. There was also a (business) Loop 4 that ran through Los Alamos. The segment from the Los Alamos business loop east was broken off in the 1988 renumbering and became NM-502 (to U.S. 84-285) and 503.

Improvements: Between U.S. 84-285 and Los Alamos paved during the war. San Ysidro to Jemez Springs paved 1950s. Jemez Springs to Los Alamos Remainder by 1970.

Comments: Not associated with an original cross-state route. Original Route 4 followed U.S. 80 across southern New Mexico.

Length: 11 mi.

County: Rio Arriba

History: Established by the early 1930s. Route changed slightly to intersect NM-30 more to the south. Apparently removed from state highway system in 1990s, now Indian Route 601.

Improvements: Paved by 1960s.

Comments: Originally followed a route close to Santa Clara Creek.

Length ~150 mi

County: Valencia (now Cibola), Bernalillo, Santa Fe, Torrance, Guadalupe

History: Not actually part of original cross-state route 6, but after establishment of U.S. 66 this designation was used for the dirt road that served as the cutoff to Albuquerque. It extended along U.S. 366 through Tijeras Canyon and ran east to intersect U.S. 66 west of Santa Rosa. In 1937, U.S. 66 was realigned along this route, bypassing the segment through Santa Fe and Los Lunas, and the route 6 designation was moved back to its original route, repacing old U.S. 66 between Mesita and Los Lunas.

Improvements: Once the road was paved, it became U.S. 66.

Comments:

Length: 36.360 mi.

County: Cibola, Valencia

History: Actually a part of original Route 6 until 1927, then became U.S. 66 until 1937. As noted in the listing above, the NM-6 designation was moved onto the Albuquerque cutoff in 1927. It was then moved back onto this route, its original route, when U.S. 66 was put on its ultimate alignment west of Albuquerque. Originally NM-6 ended at Los Lunas, but by the 1940s, NM-6 was extended south of Los Lunas on U.S. 85 to Belen, and then angled southeast toward U.S. 60 along what had previously been designated NM-52. The segment from Belen to NM-47 is now designated NM-309. NM-6 probably extended east to NM-47 in the 1930s, but the segment from U.S. 85 to NM-47 later became NM-49. This segment was redesignated NM-6 in 1988.

Improvements: Paved by 1930s except part E of Los Lunas (guessing the 1950s)

Comments:

Length ~20 mi

County: Sandoval

History: Established late 1920s --- whether it was a pre-1926 route I don't know. Renumbered as NM-4 by about 1930. Likely, it was renumbered in anticipation of constructing this route to connect to NM-4. In 1932, the road was not complete but this route was designed as "4."

Improvements: not known

Comments: This may have been a pre-1927 route because there is no other "route 7" that I have found in the sequence of routes that existed before the U.S. highway system was introduced.

Length: 7.199 mi.

County: Eddy

History: Shown on map by late 1940s.

Improvements: Two lane paved

Comments: Appears to be a state highway all the way to the park visitor center.

Length: 15 mi.

County: Lea

History: First established mid-1930s. Ran through Eunice to the east, likely ran concurrent with NM-176 when that route was created and extended to Texas; then by the 1960s ran to the route 18 business loop (which became NM-207 in the 1988 renumbering). Terminated at NM-176 in 2006.

Improvements: Paved by late 1940s.

Comments: No connection to an early Route 8 (that ran from Santa Fe to Española).

Photo taken at east terminus of route, Luna - Doña Ana County line.

Length: 109 mi.

County: Hidalgo, Luna

History: Part of original route 83, then by mid-1930s appeared as an independent segment of NM-3. When NM-3 was truncated by the 1940s, this was redesignated as NM-9. Extended east from Columbus to the Luna/Doña Ana County line probably after 2000.

Improvements: Dirt and gravel for many years. First paved west of Columbus in 1960s, remainder by 1970s. Road east of Columbus that was recently added to the state highway system was paved while a county road in late 1990s-2000.

Comments: As noted above for NM-3, there may have been a Las Cruces to Columbus road envisioned in the 1930s. The extension of NM-9 between the Luna-Doña Ana county line and NM-136 at Sunland Park is indistinguishable from the state road portion except for the speed limit (55 instead of 65), but is officially Doña Ana County road A-003. It appears to have been improved all at the same time, likely with state aid. The junction with NM-136 reads "To NM-9."

See also

Length:

County: Lincoln, Socorro, Torrance, Bernalillo, Santa Fe

History: First established c. 1930 on what is now NM-14. Extended southward and by the 1940s was combined with existing route NM-15. Renumbered about 1970 to avoid duplication of route number (for I-10).

Improvements: See NM-14, NM-337, and NM-55 for details.

Comments:

Photo taken north of Columbus  

Length: 34.119 mi.

County: Luna

History: Established probably 1927 (originally route 29). When U.S. 260 was extended south in mid-1930s, was truncated at Deming. Route essentially unchanged since then.

Improvements: paved by late 1940s.

Comments: Route designation comes from original route 11 from Deming to W of Silver City.

Length: 74.297 mi.

County: Catron

History: Part of original route 12 (which ran south to near Mule Creek). Essentially unchanged in route since establishment.

Improvements: Paved except Reserve to Apache Creek by mid-1950s; rest by late 1950s.

Comments:

Length: mi.

County: Chaves, Lea

History: Part of original route 13, which ran from San Antonio through Roswell to the Texas Line. The west part of 13 became U.S. 366 and U.S. 566 until 1932, and then U.S. 380 was extended into New Mexico from Texas along this route.

Comments:

Length: 36.002 mi.

County: Chaves, Eddy

History: Established by early 1930s. Originally ran north along what is now called "Old YO Crossing Road" to Roswell. Rerouted east to U.S. 285 by about 1970.

Improvements: Paved by the time it was routed along current alignment.

Comments: Designation may be connected to original route 13, which ran along U.S. 380 in this area.

Length: 5 mi.

County: Hidalgo

History: Established by early 1930s as alternate route to U.S. 80. Designation removed after completion of I-10 around 1960.

Improvements: Paved by late 1940s.

Comments: Although NM-14 and AZ-86 were a more direct route from Texas to Arizona, U.S. 80 looped south to the Mexican border at Douglas, AZ. I'm guessing these roads carried the bulk of through traffic by 1950, and they became the alignment for I-10.

It is indeed a scenic byway. Taken May 2005 near Madrid.

Length: 53.957 miles

County: Bernalillo, Santa Fe

History: See NM-10 for pre-1970 history. NM-10 renumbered to avoid duplication of I-10 around 1970. Route extended into Santa Fe along old U.S. 85 when that route was eliminated around 1988. In 1988, due to the fact that this route had a brief overlay with NM-333 (former U.S. 66), it was broken up south of I-40 into NM-337 and NM-55.

Improvements: Paved by 1949 except Golden to Madrid (paved by 1960)

Comments: Designated as the Turquoise Trail. Popular as a pretty backroads drive from Santa Fe to Albuquerque. Area from Tijeras through Cedar Crest is becoming a significant bedroom community for Albuquerque.

Length: ~75 mi.

County: Lincoln, Socorro, Torrance

History: Established in the mid-1930s. The south end of this route initially intersected U.S. 54 a few miles north of Carrizozo, and a new road was constructed between Claunch and U.S. 54, terminating a few miles north (at the now-defunct village of Hurburt). The 1940 official map shows this new road with the designation NM-195 though old 15 has been removed from the map; however, a Gousha map from the same year shows the new road as NM-15. Within a few years, it was combined with NM-10, and the short piece between NM-10 and NM-41 became NM-55.

Comment: It's interesting that this incarnation of NM-15 has the same endpoints as today's NM-55. Most of this route was combined with NM-10 (later 14) but the 1988 renumbering resulted in the south end being rejoined to NM-55 (the last remnant of original 15). Not clear why, when the route was cut back in the early 1940s, the remaining piece got a new number.

Length: 44.314 mi.

County: Grant, Catron

History: Originally part of Route 187 (established late 1930s, which included today's route 35, and renumbered 25 in 1940s. Segment from NM-35 to Gila Cliff Dwellings originally designated NM-527 around 1960. Renumbered in 1970 to avoid duplication with I-25 and combined with 527 to form current route.

Improvements: Paved by 1970.

Comments: From Pinos Altos north to the junction with NM-35, this is a very narrow and winding road. For about 20 miles, there is no center stripe. Don't expect to get from Silver City to the Gila Cliff Dwellings in under 1-1/2 hours.

Length: ~17 mi.

County: Lea

History: Established c. 1930. By 1940s U.S. 180 had been established along this route and U.S. 62 was re-routed along new U.S. 180 into Texas.

Taken May 2005 near west terminus of route.

Length 10.500 mi.

County: Sandoval, Santa Fe

History: Part of NM-22 as established around 1960. Renumbered NM-16 when 22 was broken up in the 1988 renumbering.

Improvements: Paved by time of establishment.

Comments: I seem to remember a dispute in the 1970s between the Cochiti Pueblo and the state over a road passing through their Reservation. The tribe blocked the road for a while to enforce what they believed to be their jurisdiction over it. This may have been it, back when it was part of 22.

Length 9.59 mi.

County: Rio Arriba

History: Apparently established when U.S. system introduced, replaced original route 35 from Farmington to Chama. Also ran north from Chama on current NM-29 for a short time (part of this road probably does not now exist). When U.S. 285 was re-routed along current route through Tres Piedras, the road over the pass was redesignated NM-19. By late 1950s, 19 renumbered 17. On the west end, when U.S. 64 was extended west around 1975, it replaced 17 west of Chama. The old segment from Farmington north to Colorado was then renumbered NM-170.

Improvements: Paved, two lane

Comments:

Length 71.117 mi.

County: Lea

History: At its longest, this route was part of original route 18 (Tucumcari-Clayton). In the late 1920s, it extended south to west of Hobbs and then went west through Carlsbad and southwest into Texas along former Route 15. By 1932, it went south from Hobbs into Texas and its former southwest end became NM-16 (now U.S. 62-180). Until 1988, it extended virtually the height of New Mexico from Texas almost to the NE corner. Truncated to its current length in 1988. Remainder of this route renumbered NM-206 (Lovington-Portales); NM-209 (Clovis-Tucumcari); NM-402 (Nara Visa-Clayton); and NM-406 (Clayton-NM-456).

Improvements: Paved by mid-1930s

Comments:

Length: ~60 mi.

County: San Juan

History: Established c. 1927 along the road that had originally been Route 32. This route became U.S. 550 when that route extended into New Mexico c. 1935.

Comment: The number was probably changed from 32 in 1927 because, 1) a more southerly segment of Route 32, separated from this by U.S. 666, became NM-32, and to match the designation in Colorado.

Length: ~10 mi.

County: Rio Arriba

History: Current route of NM-17 (see above). Originally part of NM-2, then U.S. 285. Renamed NM-19 c. 1940 when U.S. 285 rerouted via Tres Piedras. Renamed CO-17 late 1950s.

Comments:

Length: 10.257 mi.

County: Curry

History: Route established as NM-40 in early 1950s. Renumbered NM-19 to prevent conflict with I-40 around 1970.

Improvements: Paved late 1950s

Comments: Counting the original pre-1927 Route 19 (U.S. 60 east of Socorro), there have been four separate routes with the designation "19" in New Mexico.

Photo taken at the junction with U.S. 60 just west of Ft. Sumner.

Length: 45.906 mi.

County: Chaves, de Baca

History: Original 1920s Route 20 ran from east of Las Vegas south to Santa Rosa, then to Fort Sumner and then east of the current route of this road south to U.S. 70. (Probably current NM-272 and county roads.) By c. 1930, it was on this route with the northern terminus at Santa Rosa (the 1932 map does not show the segment near Las Vegas, but later mid-1930s maps do). When U.S. 84 was extended into the state in the mid-1930s, it took the northern part of this route. The segment near Las Vegas was renumbered NM-67 by the 1940s.

Improvements: Northern half paved late 1940s, rest late 1950s.

Comments: This is a good connecting route from U.S. 60 at Fort Sumner to U.S. 285 north of Roswell, but it is a very lonely route. You won't encounter many vehicles along this route. Also, it is posted 55 mph, and after a short distance you realize why. The condition of the roadbed is such that the road is very uneven.

Length: 34.447 mi.

County: Colfax

History: Part of original Route 21 near Cimarron. Extended over roads that apparently no longer exist south to Ocate. State road cut back to county line. Later combined with NM-199 east to Springer, possibly as part of 1988 renumbering.

Improvements: NM-199 part from Springer west to Miami paved by mid-1950s. Rest probably paved by 1980 or so.

Comments:

Taken May 2005 near junction I-25.

Length: 13.941 mi.

County: Sandoval

History: First established along Bishops Lodge Road from Tesuque to the Santa Fe Plaza in c. 1930 (segment e). Next extensions were around 1950, segments b, c, d, and f (though the extension past the Santa Fe Airport was not complete until the mid-1950s). These were the extension northeast of Tesuque to the village of En Medio, and along Agua Fria St., past the Santa Fe Airport south of Santa Fe, across U.S. 85, down to NM-10, along 10 and back to U.S. 85. The current segment to Cochiti Lake and a leg back to U.S. 85 were designated around 1960. I can't tell whether this was a branched route, with a spur extending to Cochiti Lake, or whether that portion of the road was under jurisdiction of the Cochiti Pueblo. This mess was thankfully broken up in 1988. New designations indicated above.

Improvements: Cochiti Lake segment paved by late 1950s.

Comments: This route probably was the cause celebre for the 1988 renumbering, with its circuitous routing and overlays with other routes. When I was living in Albuquerque in the mid-1970s, a tourist from California wrote the Albuquerque Journal to complain that "every highway in the state seems to be marked '22'."

Length: 15 mi.

County: Torrance

History: Established c. 1927. By about 1930, NM-3 had been moved onto this route.

Comment:

Length:

County: Valencia (later Cibola)

History: Established mid-1930s. Removed from highway system by mid-1980s. Now Indian Route 23.

Improvements: Paved by 1980.

Comments:

Length: 50.023 mi.

County: Otero, Chaves

History: Part of original 1920s route 24. Mescalero-Cloudcroft segment added mid-1930s. Combined with NM-33 from Pinon to U.S. 82 on east by the 1940s. In 1988, broken up into NM-244 and NM-130.

Improvements: Paved as far south as the National Forest boundary by the 1960s.

Comments:

See also

Length: ~ 10 mi.

County: Grant

History: Originally part of NM-187 (established late 1930s, which included today's route 35, and renumbered 25 in 1940s. It isn't clear why 187 became 25. Renumbered around 1970 to avoid duplication with I-25.

Improvements: See NM-15 and 35

Comments: