Take a scenic ride through the sunbaked heart of the Southwest as we follow Interstate 25 north from Bernalillo to San Felipe, New Mexico. This 11-mile segment of the CanAm Highway may be short, but it carries us through lands rich with Pueblo heritage, stark beauty, and centuries of history etched into the desert horizon. Nestled between the Sandia Mountains to the east and the Jemez range to the west, this stretch of road offers more than just a drive — it’s a cultural corridor linking ancient traditions with the pulse of modern New Mexico.
We begin our journey at Exit 242 in Bernalillo, a town that balances its colonial and Indigenous heritage with the rhythms of a small but growing commuter hub. As we merge onto I-25 northbound, the suburban sprawl of the Albuquerque metro quickly gives way to a more open landscape. To our left, the Rio Grande flows in the distance, a lifeline to the Pueblo peoples and early Spanish settlers alike. On our right, the rugged shoulders of the Sandias begin to fall away, and we find ourselves entering a wider valley, framed by cottonwoods and low brush, typical of the high desert terrain.
This stretch of interstate, designated as part of the Pan-American Highway system, is smooth and swift, a four-lane thoroughfare built for progress. But its surroundings whisper stories far older. Around mile marker 248, we pass near the boundary of the Pueblo of Santo Domingo (Kewa Pueblo) — a community with roots stretching back over a thousand years. Though not visible from the road, the pueblo lies just west of the interstate, and during feast days or ceremonial dances, travelers might notice increased activity or even catch glimpses of traditional dress and celebration. The land here is both quiet and sacred, with centuries of life unfolding just beyond the exit ramps.
As we approach the northern end of the route near San Felipe Pueblo at mile marker 253, the land opens even more dramatically. The low mesas stretch outward like open palms, and the sparse vegetation paints the desert in muted greens and dusty golds. San Felipe itself, one of the more traditional Keresan-speaking pueblos, maintains a deep connection to the land and river. While the modern highway provides access, the culture here remains intentionally guarded — closed to photography, tourism, and casual visits — preserving ways of life that predate the arrival of Europeans by centuries.
Though we travel at 75 miles per hour on a modern interstate, this corridor is layered with meaning: from ancient trade paths to Spanish colonial routes to the highways of today. It’s a reminder that roads are not just lines on a map but vessels of culture, continuity, and memory. As the signs for Santa Fe begin to appear further north, we leave this brief but meaningful segment with a deeper appreciation for the people and places that continue to shape New Mexico’s living history.
🗺️ Route Map
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