Take a high desert ride across central New Mexico as we cruise 31 wide-open miles of Interstate 40 from Edgewood to Clines Corners. This sunbaked stretch of highway follows the historic route of old U.S. 66 and offers a glimpse into the quiet resilience of the Southwest—where towns are few, skies stretch endlessly, and every mirage on the horizon feels like it might lead to another forgotten roadside treasure.
We begin our journey merging onto I-40 eastbound from Exit 187 in Edgewood, a small but growing town nestled against the southern edge of the Sandia Mountains. As we leave the last major development of the East Mountain communities behind, the terrain quickly opens up. Here, the juniper-dotted hills give way to an expansive high desert mesa, and the freeway stretches out with few curves and even fewer buildings. The scenery is sparse, but beautiful in its own way—muted browns, soft greens, and the occasional glint of an old windmill breaking the monotony of the flatlands.
As we continue, we pass the small town of Moriarty, a long-time stop on both the Santa Fe Trail and Route 66. I-40 gently curves east just before reaching NM-41, which leads north to the charming town of Estancia. Moriarty itself is known for its ties to aviation and auto racing; its municipal airport is unusually busy for a rural town, and the Moriarty Speedway has hosted dirt track events for decades. It’s a good place to fuel up—both the car and the body—before committing to the long, empty stretch to Clines Corners. Just east of town, the freeway settles into a hypnotic rhythm: mile after mile of uninterrupted road flanked by open plains and distant ridgelines.
The next 22 miles are classic New Mexico desert driving—straight, steady, and subtly beautiful. To the north and south, distant mesas shimmer in the heat as the wind sculpts the grasslands into waves. We pass one of New Mexico’s rare but welcome rest areas, a testament to just how remote this part of I-40 can feel. With no towns in sight, it’s a good reminder to pull off, stretch your legs, and take in the raw openness of the region. Wildlife sightings aren’t uncommon here—pronghorns, hawks, and even the occasional roadrunner add motion to the otherwise tranquil landscape. The railroad tracks, running roughly parallel to the interstate, serve as a ghostly reminder of how this corridor has always been a critical east-west route across the American Southwest.
Finally, the buildings of Clines Corners come into view—a tiny dot on the map that has welcomed travelers since 1934. Its massive travel center, Clines Corners Travel Center, is a famous stop on I-40 and a modern heir to the roadside trading posts of yesteryear. Here, we take Exit 218, where Interstate 40 intersects with U.S. 285, and our journey along this segment comes to an end. Though the video stops just before merging onto US-285, Clines Corners itself stands as a monument to the cross-country traveler: a place to pause, refresh, and reflect before continuing into the endless miles beyond.
This drive from Edgewood to Clines Corners is more than just a connector between towns—it’s a reminder of the scale and silence of the West. On this high desert plain, where the horizon rarely breaks and the road seems to vanish into the sky, we find a sense of timeless movement. It’s a segment where the journey is the destination.
🗺️ Route Map
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