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Currently marked routes |
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Routes eliminated or renumbered 1960-present |
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Routes eliminated or renumbered 1950-1960 |
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Routes eliminated or renumbered 1930-1950 |
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Routes for which there is conflicting information about their present or past existence. |
| 71 | Routes for which no record has been found so far of this number being assigned. (Post-1927 only). |
401
Photo taken WB
U.S. 87, April 2009
North terminus: U.S. 87 at Clayton
Length: 62.852 miles
County: Quay, Union
History: Originally part of NM-18. Renumbered in 1988.
Improvements: Two-lane paved
Comments: The other pieces of former NM-18 are NM-206 and 209 south of Tucumcari, and 406 north of Clayton.
North terminus: Junction of county roads near Rio Arriba-San Juan County line (?)
Length: ~25 miles
County: Sandoval, Rio Arriba
History: Dates of existence not clear. Probably established pre-1988 because of number outside the current 5xx pattern for this area, but post-1980 because it doesn't show on any maps of that area. Likely removed from state system, possibly by mid-1990s since it does not show on 1996 state map.
Improvements: Gravel and dirt
Comments: This route was called to my attention by reader "GS", who pointed out that it shows on the current Mapquest and USGS maps. I viewed these, and it appears this route runs along the path of 1930s original NM-98 and NM-44 through Caņon Largo. It also is shown on MS Mappoint (but also with its current county designation; my 1999 Benchmark Atlas shows it as Rio Arriba County 379). GS, who drove the road, points out that it mainly serves natural gas field assets.
Previously --- NM-28 S of Chamberino (1980s?-2000s); NM 460 (1960s), NM-478 (1970s)
East terminus: NM-213 W of Chaparral
Previously --- NM-213 (1960s-80s); Chaparral (1980s-?)
Length: 9.700 miles
County: Doņa Ana
History: Established early 1960s between NM-460 and NM-213. Extension east to Chaparral by 1990s, west to NM-28 not shown on older maps but probably by 1980. Has since been cut back to its original length. The former segment of this route between NM-28 and the Rio Grande is now NM-186.
Improvements: Paved, two lane
Comments: I verified the truncation of this route and the identity of the westernmost part of the former route in the field.
North terminus: NM-404
Length: 2 mi.
County: Doņa Ana
History: Year of establishment cannot be determined because the route is too short to show on 1960s and 70s era road maps. Likely established by 1980. From all appearances (no marking, not showing on latest NM map) it has been removed from the state highway system.
Improvements: 2-lane, paved road
Comments: No longer marked, and its southern terminus is removed from the state highway system, so it's a pretty good bet this route is gone (probably at the same time as the western end of 404).
North terminus: NM-456 near Kenton, OK
Length: 35.145 mi.
County: Union
History: Renumbered from NM-18 in 1988.
Improvements: 2-lane, paved road
Comments: The most northerly of the former segments of NM-18.
407
North terminus: Frontage road FR2512 at Chamizal
Length: 6.017 mi.
County: Socorro
History: Not possible to determine this route's date of establishment because it is too short. Probably around 1980.
Improvements: Two-lane, paved
Comments: This route is not old U.S. 85, at least not as it existed in the 1950s. It appears to be a road constructed close to the Rio Grande east of old U.S. 85, and serves Polvadera.
North terminus: U.S. 380 E of Roswell
Length: 13.2 mi.
County: Chaves
History: Established around 1970 between Bottomless Lakes State Park and U.S. 380.
Improvements: Paved, two lane road.
East terminus: Oklahoma State Line (county road)
Length: 1.942 mi.
County: Union
History: Established early 1990s.
Improvements: Two lane, paved
Comments: The state route log shows the eastern terminus as the NM-TX state line, but this is obviously an error.
East terminus: Union County Road A77
Length: 3.965 mi.
County: Union
History: Established early 1990s
Improvements: Two lane, paved
Comments: Apparently does not connect to U.S. 56-64-412 just two miles south of its east terminus.
See
also
North terminus: NM-122 near I-40 (exit 53) at Prewitt
Length: 6.790 mi
County: Cibola
History: Established late 1950s on an alignment that intersected U.S. 66 a few miles west of Prewitt. The road was realigned in the mid-1960s, possibly to avoid the need for a second interchange on I-40.
Improvements: Originally gravel, now paved two-lane
Comment: It's interesting that this route was not renumbered when U.S. 412 was extended into New Mexico in the 1990s. The New Mexico route log does not even mention U.S. 412, not surprising since it is overlaid on U.S. 56 in the state.
North terminus: NM-226 W of Berino
Length: 4 mi
County: Doņa Ana
History: Year of establishment not known, but probably 1970s-80s at the same time as NM-404 being extended west and NM-405 being established in the area. Most likely removed from state highway system as of 2004, along with 405 and the west end of 404.
Improvements: Paved, two lane
Comment: Another in the cluster of low 400-number routes in the lower Rio Grande Valley near the Texas border. This was almost a continuous route with NM-405 with only a short jog on NM-404, but was probably never numbered as the same route. Not shown on the 2003 NM road map and not marked as of 2004.
East terminus: U.S. 285 at Ojo Caliente
Length: 0.350 mi
County: Rio Arriba
History: Year of establishment not known due to its very short length, probably pre-1988.
Improvements: not known.
Comment: Appears to run from the village of Ojo Caliente to the Rio Ojo Caliente.
East terminus: NM-28 at Chamberino
Length: 2 mi
County: Doņa Ana
History: Year of establishment not known, probably around the time the other 400-level routes in this area were established. Probably removed from state system by 2003.
Improvements: Paved, two lane
Comment: A short dead-end road that doesn't connect to any roads leaving the area. Probably serves a small residential or agricultural area.
East terminus: NM-319 (now NM-273)
Length: 2 mi
County: Doņa Ana
History: Again, not possible to precisely date this road. My guess, like the other 400 routes in this area, is mid-1970s to 1980. Removed from state highway system in early 2000s.
Improvements: Paved, two lane
Comment: Cassad Road. Does not show on the 2003 New Mexico highway map (at that level of detail, at most the road, not the shield, would be indicated), and not marked in 2004. Likely removed from the state highway system along with the removed segment of NM-273.
East terminus: Texas State Line
Length: 4.750 mi
County: Union
History: Established 1989 as exchange for NM-426.
Improvements: Gravel
Comment: Does not connect to a marked route in Texas.
East terminus: Spruce Street in Deming
Length: 14.069 mi
County: Luna
History: Old U.S. 80, renumbered in the late 1960s with the opening of the segment of I-10 near Deming. The east end has probably been realigned slightly, since I-10 opened west of Deming before it completely bypassed Deming.
Improvements: Two-lane paved road
Comment:
East terminus: NM-39 near Mosquero
Length: 48.752 mi.
County: San Miguel, Harding
History: Established 1988 when the segment of NM-65 east of NM-104 was renumbered.
Improvements: Two-lane paved road
Comments:
East terminus: NM-402 S of Amistad
Length: 30.473 mi.
County: Harding, Quay
History: The easternmost segment of former NM-65, renumbered in 1988.
Improvements: Gravel and two lane paved
Comments:
East terminus: Texas State Line (TX-102) E of Sedan
Length: 8.101 mi.
County: Union
History: The eastern segment of former NM-102, renumbered in 1988.
Improvements: Paved two lane
Comments: Yet another instance from the 1988 renumbering where the adjoining state route number no longer matches the new New Mexico route number. It would have been just as logical to have kept this segment as 102 and redesignated the other section.
Previously --- NM-361 (Broadway at Menaul Blvd.) in Albuquerque (1950s-early 1960s)
North terminus: U.S. 85 N of Bernalillo
Spur route: U.S. 85 to I-25/NM-422 along Roy Avenue N of Albuquerque
Length: 28 mi.
County: Bernalillo, Sandoval
History: Established mid to late-1950s, probably originally planned pre-interstate system as a bypass route for Albuquerque. However, it became the alignment for I-25, and NM-422 was marked along the completed interstate for a few years. Number removed from state highway system after the segment of I-25 between Bernalillo and Algodones was completed in the 1980s. In addition, a spur route along Roy Avenue extended west to U.S. 85 (though I never saw this route marked as NM-422) in the 1960s and 70s. This later became NM-556 (its current designation) and was extended east along Tramway Blvd. to the tram station.
Improvements: Originally an expressway from U.S. 85 to north of Albuquerque, then two or four lane urban street into the city. From Bernalillo south, the route was upgraded to freeway in the early 1960s and extended south to Rio Bravo Blvd. (NM-500) by the late 1960s. The expressway segment was finally upgraded to interstate freeway standards by the late 1970s.
Comments: This route was marked along I-25 in Albuquerque, probably until the last freeway section of I-25 was completed north to U.S. 85 in the early 1980s when the need for the route was eliminated.
East terminus: NM-556 (Tramway Blvd.) in NE Albuquerque
Length: 17.000 mi.
County: Bernalillo
National Highway System on current and proposed route
History: Probably established late 1970s --- I seem to remember seeing this route number on a map from that time. However, it was probably only marked as the route was constructed.
Improvements: Urban freeway between Coors Blvd (NM-448) and Jefferson Blvd., just west of I-25. remainder of route west of I-25 is urban expressway, four lane urban street east of I-25.
Comments: Entire route is Paseo del Norte. Originally, this road across the then-undeveloped part north of Albuquerque (like it was when I lived there in the 1970s) before it became a state highway was Los Angeles Avenue. Ultimate plan is to connect to NM-345 (Unser Blvd.) on the west. This road provides an important river crossing and access to the fast-growing NW Albuquerque and Rio Rancho area. There is a SPUI (single-point urban interchange) at Coors Blvd. (NM-448).
424
North terminus: NM-296 N of Albuquerque
Length: 3 mi.
County: Bernalillo
History: Established early 1960s along Edith Blvd. from the point where NM-98 turned west onto Osuma Road, north to Alameda Road. Probably removed from state highway system by 1990 as the new network of state-developed roads was constructed in the North Valley.
Improvements: Paved two lane
Comments:
East terminus: U.S. 64-87 at Mt. Dora
Length: 22 mi.
County: Union
History: Established mid-1950s. Removed from state highway system 1989 as exchange for new NM-417.
Improvements: Gravel road
Comments:
Photo taken at Country Club Drive and Florida Avenue in Deming.
East terminus: BL I-10 E of Deming
Length: 3.980 mi.
County: Luna
History: I have never seen this on a map, either print or on-line. I only found it by driving around Deming. It was established in 1953, but was never entered into the state's route data base. It was given this definitive routing in 1999.
Improvements: Two lane paved
Comments: Follows Florida Avenue across the south side of Deming and Country Club Drive north to BL I-10 (old U.S. 80).
North terminus: NM-239 N of Carlsbad
Length: 2 mi.
County: Eddy
History: Dates of this route's existence not known, since it only shows up on on-line maps. It appears to have been associated with NM-239, which ran on Canal Street N from U.S. 285 in Carlsbad. That route was probably removed from the state highway system with the opening of the Relief Route on the north side of Carlsbad, and so I speculate this route was removed at the same time. It probably only existed 1980s-90s.
Improvements: Probably two lane paved
Comments: It is likely this road was built as a recreational access to Avalon Lake.
429
North terminus: U.S. 85 N of Las Cruces
Length: 6 mi.
County: Doņa Ana
History: Appears to have been established in the late 1950s. It was probably removed from the state highway system prior to 1980.
Improvements: Two lane paved
Comments: This ran from U.S. 85 southwest to U.S. 70, and was known locally as Fairacres Road. It is now called Shalem Colony Trail (Doņa Ana County C-52).
Previously --- (west) NM-447 (Country Club Road) NW of Roswell (1970s-80s)
North terminus: Berrendo Road
Length: 1.710 mi.
County: Chaves
History: First appears on a Roswell inset map from the 1970s. The Roswell inset of the current New Mexico highway map shows its current extent. The removal from the highway system of the remainder may have occurred in the 1980s or later.
Improvements: Two lane paved
Comments: Original extent was a loop of sorts around the north side of Roswell. It began at Union Avenue and W. Country Club Road; ran north on Union to Berrendo Road, then east across U.S. 285 to La Jara Road. From there it ran south and southwest along La Jara and Urton Roads to 19th St. (old NM-253, now NM-265). The current extent is La Jara and Urton Roads south of Berrendo.
North terminus: Conchas Lake (west end)
Length: 1.000 mi.
County: San Miguel
History: Likely established 1988.
Improvements: Paved two lane
Comments:
North terminus: Conchas Lake State Park
Length: 2.900 mi.
County: San Miguel
History: Likely established as a state highway in the 1970s, originally an extension of NM-129, renumbered in 1988.
Improvements: Paved two lane
Comments:
North terminus: U.S. 64 at Agua Fria
Length: 36.843 mi.
County: Mora, Colfax
History: From Black Lake to Agua Fria, probably a 1920s state highway (NM-62, renumbered 120 in 1930). NM-38 was extended south from Agua Fria to Mora in the mid-1930s, replacing NM-120 on the northerly part. Renumbered in 1988 to eliminate concurrent section with U.S. 64 and NM-38.
Improvements: Paved two lane
Comments:
North terminus: NM-12 at Reserve
Length: 5.206 mi.
County: Catron
History: Established around 1980
Improvements: Paved two lane
Comments: Runs along the San Francisco River south of Reserve, turns into NFS roads and heads up into the area north of the Gila Wilderness.
North terminus: NM-187 at Derry
Length: 3.541 mi.
County: Doņa Ana
History: Route is so short that it does not show on most maps and thus date of establishment not known (likely pre-1988)
Improvements: Paved two lane
Comments: Runs along the Rio Grande where NM-187 (old U.S. 85) takes a more easterly route.
437
East terminus: NM-2 S of Lake Arthur
Length: 10.016 mi.
County: Chaves
History: Route is so short that it does not show on most maps and thus date of establishment not known (likely pre-1988)
Improvements: Paved two lane
Comments:
439
North terminus: U.S. 70 at Elida or possibly NM-116/114 just S of Elida
Length: 20 mi.
County: Roosevelt
History: Probably created early 1960s, removed from highway system by early 1980s
Improvements: Paved two lane
Comments: This was an extension of NM-330 (so it's curious it wasn't just called that since NM didn't have a problem with concurrent state routes at that time) that shows on Gousha and other oil company maps from the early 1960s on. It shows only one official state map in my collection (1977).
441
North terminus: NM-120 at Ocate
Length: 21.375 mi.
County: Mora
History: Originally the southernmost segment of NM-21. Number changed in 1988 when NM-21 was rerouted east to Springer.
Improvements: Paved two lane
Comments:
East terminus: Texas State Line
Length: 3 mi.
County: Doņa Ana
History: Probably created 1970s, removed from highway system early 2000s.
Improvements: Paved two lane
Comments: Ran along West Side Road from NM-28 into the area of Texas where the Rio Grande has shifted from the state line. No longer marked and probably removed from highway system.
444
North terminus: U.S. 64 W of Raton Municipal Airport
Length: 12.255 mi.
County: Colfax
History: Originally U.S. 85, renumbered around 1988 when that route was essentially eliminated.
Improvements: Paved two lane
Comments: The exit from I-25 at Maxwell actually indicates NM-505, a route that intersects NM-445 a mile north of the interchange.
North terminus: Valmora
Length: 0.250 mi.
County: Mora
History: First shows on 1988 official highway map and the number is consistent with route numbering effective that year.
Improvements: Not known
Comments: See also NM-450
North terminus: U.S. 70-285 N of downtown Roswell
Length: 4 mi.
County: Chaves
History: Established probably 1970s, removed from state highway system by the 1980s (though I have no evidence to establish a date).
Improvements: Urban streets
Comments: North on Sycamore Avenue to Country Club Road, then east.
Photo taken at junction NM-528 in Rio Rancho, October 2009
Previously --- U.S. 66/BL I-40 (Central Avenue) (1950s-2000); St. Josephs Road (1.5 miles N of I-40 exit 155) in Albuquerque
North terminus: NM-528 at Rio Rancho
Previously --- NM-46 (Corrales Road) (1950s-88)
Length: 13.010 mi.
County: Bernalillo, Sandoval
History: Established late 1950s from U.S. 66 to NM-46, serving the then mostly undeveloped West Mesa area of Albuquerque. In 1988, took over the northern segment of NM-46, and around 2000 was truncated on the south end as part of the road was turned back to the city. NMDOT reassumed jurisdiction over the south end of the route in 2010.
Improvements: Urban four-lane divided road S of Alameda Blvd., two lane road north of there.
Comments: This runs along Coors Blvd. Previously, it was known as Coors Road and, originally, Mesa Road. The name change to Boulevard occurred when Coors Blvd. south of Central Avenue (NM-45) was realigned to run into Coors Road. It appeared this state highway was being truncated northward from I-40 as NM-345 (Unser Blvd.) was extended. But, in October 2010, the Highway Commission approved an exchange between NMDOT and the city of Albuquerque whereby the city took jurisdiction over Unser Blvd. (NM-345) and NMDOT took control over Coors Blvd. between Old Coors and St. Josephs. The Comission minutes did not indicate what changes in route markings, if any, would occur. It's possible that 448 would extend south to Central and then become 45 with an end-to-end junction, but it is also possible (and would make sense) that the two routes will be consolidated under one number. This listing will be updated once more information is available.
North terminus: U.S. 82 at Hope
Length: 5 mi.
County: Eddy
History: May have only existed late 1970s for a short time
Improvements: Paved two-lane road
Comments: Only reference to this road is the 1977 official map (appears to be pencilled in on the original). It is currently Armstrong Road.
North terminus: N of Valmora
Length: 0.349 mi.
County: Mora
History: Not known. Number is consistent with a post-1988 creation.
Improvements: Not known
Comments: See also NM-446.