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Low Road to Taos, Rio Grande Gorge, New Mexico
Photo: Mike Lewinski · CC BY 2.0 · cropped

Drives New Mexico Santa Fe, Taos and Northern New Mexico

Low Road to Taos

NM 68, Low Road · Velarde → Ranchos de Taos

Leisurely28 mi30 min2,800 ft climbHigh point ≈ 7,100 ftOne way
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The drive

NM 68 is known as the River Road to Taos because it follows the Rio Grande. This drive begins at Velarde and runs north through Embudo and Pilar to Ranchos de Taos, where NM 68 meets the north end of NM 518.

Between Velarde and Taos it is a two-lane highway with very few passing lanes, so passing is rare. The full highway is 45.5 miles, from Española to US 64 in Taos.

Along the way

  1. Velarde
  2. Embudo
  3. Pilar
  4. Ranchos de Taos
Elevation
2,800 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 7,100 ft
VelardeRanchos de Taos
Curves
Mostly gentle curves
VelardeRanchos de Taos
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • There are very few passing lanes between Velarde and Taos, so expect to follow slower traffic.
  • Check NMRoads for closures before you go.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check NMRoads (NMDOT road conditions).

Questions about this drive

How long does the Low Road to Taos take?

The Low Road (NM 68) from Velarde to Ranchos de Taos is 28 miles and takes about 30 min.

Why is NM 68 called the Low Road?

NM 68 is called the River Road to Taos because it follows the Rio Grande, and it is two lanes with very few passing lanes between Velarde and Taos.

Where does Low Road to Taos start and end?

This drive starts at Velarde and ends at Ranchos de Taos, 28.0 miles in all.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
Preview it in 3DFly the whole drive over satellite and terrain before you go.
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More drives near here

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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Low Road to Taos, from Velarde to Ranchos de Taos