Day 6: Amarillo TX to Tucumcari NM
Postcard from Tucumcari New Mexico
The shortest and nicest leg so far. 126 easy miles, crossing the midpoint from Chicago to LA, with mostly blue sky and not a drop of rain.
With the desert getting closer, the landscape became more dramatic and the roads a tad more broken.
I probably should stop taking pictures of gas stations, diners and motels signs but they make me smile every single time, I won’t stop.
The motel I am staying has a 60s theme
that makes you feel like putting on your best shiny dancing shoes and hit the city. But Tucumcari is hardly a city and I only have my worn out Converse All Star with me. I guess a New Mexico beer or two while reading on the balcony will be a valid alternative.
Also: “It’s science bitch!”
Driving from Amarillo to Tucumcari Cheat Sheet
Accommodation in Tucumcari, NM
- Roadrunner Lodge, 1023 East Route 66 Boulevard, Tucumcari, NM, 88401. Tons of beautiful motels in Tucumcari. This is one of those.
Where to eat and what to see between Amarillo TX and Tucumcari, NM
- Cadillac Ranch, 13651 I-40 Frontage Rd, Amarillo, TX 79124, a must see on the Route 66
- Hickory Inn Cafe, 1004 Vega Blvd, Vega, TX 79092, another iconic diner worth a stop.
- Route 66 MidPoint, 301 I-40, Adrian, TX 79001. You made it half way. Take a picture!
- Route 66 MidPoint Cafe, 305 Historic Rte 66, Adrian, TX 79001
Driving from Amarillo to Tucumcari FAQ
There are 126 miles from Amarillo to Tucumcari
It takes as little as 2 hours to drive from Amarillo to Tucumcari. I spent some time both at the Route 66 MidPoint cafe and at the Cadillac Ranch
Driving from Amarillo to Tucumcari is a easy, pleasant and relatively short drive with a few Route 66 iconic places on the way.
There are two major attractions between Amarillo and Tucumcari: the Route 66 MidPoint and the iconic Cadillac Ranch.
You can easily drive from Amarillo to Tucumcari with any car. The road are well maintained and paved.
Route 66 pictures: photos taken from Amarillo to Tucumcari
My itinerary on the Route 66
- Route 66 the ultimate American road trip
- Day 1: Chicago to Springfield
- Day 2: Springfield to Cuba
- Day 3: Cuba to Carthage
- Day 4: Carthage to Oklahoma City
- Day 5: Oklahoma City to Amarillo
- Day 6: Amarillo to Tucumcari
- Day 7: Tucumcari to Santa Fe
- Day 8: Santa Fe to Gallup
- Day 9: Gallup to Bluff
- Day 10: Bluff to Chambers
- Day 11: Chambers to Sedona
- Day 12: Sedona to Kingman
- Day 13: Kingman to Barstow
- Day 14: Barstow to Santa Monica
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