An all-weather paved road to Sandia Crest in New Mexico
Usa, north-america
21.4 km
3,255 m
easy
Year-round
Just a hop, skip, and a jump from Albuquerque in northern New Mexico, you'll find Sandia Crest, a must-do drive inside the Cibola National Forest! This peak punches way up there, hitting 10,678 feet above sea level, making it one of the highest roads in the whole state!
The route to the top, NM-536 (aka the Sandia Crest Scenic Byway), is 13.3 miles of pure, paved joy starting from San Antonito. Seriously, any car can handle it! And guess what? The summit's got it all: parking, a restaurant, a gift shop, plus accessible views and restrooms.
Built way back in 1927 and fully paved by 1960, this baby's been loved for decades. The road itself? It's in great shape, all nice and smooth after a recent resurfacing. Expect around 20 switchbacks on this two-lane beauty, but nothing too crazy. Keep an eye out for a little dirt on those tight corners, though! Motorcyclists, take note: this is your winding paradise. Just remember, summer storms can bring some serious temperature drops, so be prepared!
It's a pretty steep climb, hitting a max gradient of 9% in spots. Over those 13.3 miles from San Antonito, you'll gain 3,763 feet, averaging about a 5.35% grade. The whole drive takes about 25 minutes non-stop, but you'll want to pull over.
Trust me, the scenery is epic, transitioning from high desert to thick Sandia Mountain forests. You'll be treated to knockout views of Albuquerque, the Rio Grande, Mount Taylor, and the Jemez and Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The panoramic views of Albuquerque and the surrounding landscape from the summit are seriously next-level. Don't miss it!
Where is it?
An all-weather paved road to Sandia Crest in New Mexico is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 40.3787, -96.8372
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 21.4 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,255 m
- Difficulty
- easy
- Coordinates
- 40.3787, -96.8372
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