How to Drive New Mexico State Road 126?

New Mexico State Road 126 (NM-126) is a very scenic drive located in the heart of Sandoval County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It offers breathtaking views, but the graded dirt road section can be intimidating.

New Mexico State Road 126

Is New Mexico State Road 126 paved?

The road has paved and unpaved parts. It starts as a well-paved, excellent, curvy road into the mountains. Then, there is an 8-mile section that transforms into a one to two-lane dirt road with switchbacks, running through hills, and canyons. It has some minor washouts and curves around tight corners. Only travel on this road when it is dry.

How long is New Mexico State Road 126?

The road is 61.63 km (38.3 miles) long, running west-east from NM-4 Road to Cuba, on US-550. The drive offers stunning views of the mountains. Exercise caution when traveling these highways at night, as there is a significant population of deer and elk.

Is New Mexico State Road 126 open?

Situated in the north-central part of New Mexico, in the Jemez Mountains, the road tops out at an elevation of 2,670m (8,759ft) above sea level. The middle section of the drive is typically closed during the winter months and may be impassable for a few days at other times due to muddy conditions after rainstorms.

 

 

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