Getting to Taos, New Mexico
HeyTaos · Planning
Getting to Taos, New Mexico
Taos is not on the way to anywhere else. You plan to go to Taos. The nearest major airport is 130 miles south in Albuquerque. Most visitors drive. Here is what to know before you go.
By Air
| Airport | Distance to Taos | Drive Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) | ~130 miles south | ~2 to 2.5 hours | The primary air gateway for Taos visitors. Major airlines serve ABQ with connections from most U.S. cities. Rental cars widely available. |
| Santa Fe Municipal Airport (SAF) | ~70 miles south | ~75 minutes via Low Road | Limited commercial service. American Eagle flights from Dallas-Fort Worth. Smaller rental car selection. |
| Taos Regional Airport (TSM) | In El Prado, ~4 miles north of Plaza | 10 minutes | No scheduled commercial service. Charter and private aircraft only. |
Driving Routes Overview
| Route | From | Distance | Time | Character |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low Road (Hwy 68) | Santa Fe or Espanola | ~70 miles from Santa Fe | ~75 min from Santa Fe | Fastest route south. Runs through the Rio Grande Canyon. Scenic and direct. |
| High Road (Hwys 503, 76, 518) | Santa Fe | ~105 miles | ~2.5 to 3.5 hours with stops | Scenic byway through Spanish Colonial mountain villages. Slower, more scenic, more stops. |
| I-25 North to Hwy 68 | Albuquerque | ~130 miles | ~2 to 2.5 hours | Standard route from ABQ airport. I-25 north to Espanola, then Hwy 68 north through the canyon. |
| US-285 to Hwy 68 | Albuquerque / Santa Fe | Varies | Slightly longer than I-25 route | Alternative passing through Espanola. Used if heading through Ojo Caliente first. |
From Albuquerque Airport
The standard route from ABQ is I-25 North to US-84/285 at the Pojoaque junction, then NM-68 north through the Rio Grande Canyon to Taos. About 130 miles, typically 2 to 2.5 hours without stops. The Low Road canyon section on NM-68 begins at Embudo and runs about 40 miles through narrowing canyon walls with the river alongside.
Stops worth considering on the ABQ to Taos drive: Pojoaque Pueblo (Poeh Cultural Center), Chimayo via a short detour, the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge once you arrive. Ojo Caliente is about 45 minutes southwest of Taos on US-285 and can be added as a loop detour if arriving with time to spare.
From Santa Fe
Santa Fe to Taos is about 70 miles and 75 minutes via the Low Road (US-285 to NM-68 through the canyon). The Low Road is direct, fast, and scenic. The High Road via NM-503, NM-76, and NM-518 is about 105 miles and takes 2.5 to 3.5 hours with stops through Chimayo, Las Trampas, Truchas, and the mountain villages. Most visitors do one direction each way.
Car Planning
You need a car in Taos. The Plaza area is walkable, but Taos Ski Valley, the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, trailheads, hot springs, Taos Pueblo, and most lodging require driving. There is no meaningful public transit connecting the major visitor destinations.
| Consideration | Detail |
|---|---|
| Winter tires | Strongly recommended for winter travel, especially for the road to Taos Ski Valley on NM-150. Snow tires or all-wheel drive with chains are the standard. |
| High clearance | Not required for main roads, but helpful for gorge hot spring access, some trailheads, and dirt roads around the Taos area. |
| Fuel range | Fill up in Taos before the Enchanted Circle or the High Road. Gas stations are limited on both routes. |
| Altitude effect on vehicles | Turbocharged engines perform better at altitude than naturally aspirated ones. Older carbureted engines may run rough above 10,000 feet. |
| Road conditions | Check nmroads.com before winter driving, especially for the Enchanted Circle at Bobcat Pass and NM-150 to Taos Ski Valley. |
Sources: New Mexico road conditions, Albuquerque International Sunport. Drive times are estimates and vary with traffic and road conditions.