For many years, Tucumcari has been a popular stop for cross-country travelers on Interstate 40. It is the largest city on the highway between Amarillo, Texas and Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Old U.S. Route 66 runs through the heart of Tucumcari via Route 66 Boulevard. Numerous businesses, including gasoline service stations, restaurants, and motels, were constructed to accommodate tourists as they traveled through on the Mother Road. A large number of the vintage motels and restaurants built in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s are still in business despite intense competition from newer chain motels and restaurants in the vicinity of Interstate 40.
Our drive from Tucumcari to Albuquerque started after a lunch at a local restaurant of this sleepy town. Tucumcari was featured in the Disney movie “Cars” and served as inspiration for the town of Radiator Springs.
The drive from Tucumcari to Albuquerque takes little over 2.5 hours on Interstate I-40W covering a distance of about 176 miles.
The Tucumcari mountain, which the town is named after, lies close to I-40/ After passing the mountain range, a panoramic view opens up of the great plains of the New Mexico at an elevation between 5000 and 6000 ft. Thunderstorms and rain are frequent in this area.
Watch the drive video below for a front seat virtual tour of our trip from Tucumcari to Albuquerque that includes a memorable drive over the New Mexico desert.
All Around The World 