Back
Montezuma Grade (S22), Anza-Borrego Desert, California
Photo: RuggyBearLA · CC BY 2.0 · cropped

Drives California San Diego

Montezuma Grade (S22)

S22 · Ranchita → Borrego Springs

Twisty14.9 mi20 min600 ft climbHigh point ≈ 4,200 ftOne way
Scan to drive it in CarvePoint a phone's camera here. It opens ready to drive.
Drive it in Carve, free

Opens this route in the app, or where to get it.

Drive this road
in the appOpen

The drive

Montezuma Valley Road, County Road S22, is the dramatic way into Borrego Springs from the west. From Ranchita it crosses the high, open country of Montezuma Valley, then winds through rugged terrain around Culp Valley before the Montezuma Grade drops off the mountain in a long string of sharp curves and grade changes.

Near the bottom of the grade, around milepost 12.5, an overlook with interpretive signs looks east over Borrego Springs and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and tells the story of the park's peninsular bighorn sheep. Then the road levels out as Palm Canyon Drive and runs into Borrego Springs, ending just short of Christmas Circle in the middle of town.

It's driven downhill, so the desert opens up in front of you all the way down.

Along the way

  1. Ranchita
  2. Borrego Springs (Christmas Circle)
Elevation
600 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 4,200 ft
RanchitaBorrego Springs
Curves
Mostly moderate, with three twisty stretches
RanchitaBorrego Springs
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • There are no services on S22 west of Borrego Springs; gas and food are on Palm Canyon Drive in town.
  • Summer temperatures above 110 degrees are common at the bottom; carry water.
  • Cell coverage in the desert is limited or nonexistent.
  • There's a passing lane at the top of the grade for traffic heading uphill.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check San Diego County: scheduled road closures.

Questions about this drive

How long does Montezuma Grade from Ranchita to Borrego Springs take?

Montezuma Grade, S22, from Ranchita to Christmas Circle in Borrego Springs is 15 miles and takes about 20 minutes without stops.

Is there a viewpoint on Montezuma Grade?

Yes. The Montezuma Valley Road overlook near milepost 12.5 on S22 looks east over Borrego Springs, with signs about the town, the park and its bighorn sheep.

How twisty is Montezuma Grade?

Montezuma Grade on S22 has several grade changes and sharp curves, with three twisty stretches as it drops toward Borrego Springs.

When is the best time to drive Montezuma Grade?

Fall through spring. Summer temperatures in Borrego Springs often top 110 degrees.

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.
Drive it with no signalAPEXDownload the map and every turn before you go.
Live Group TrackingAPEXEveryone on the route, on the map, by name.
Road conditionsAPEXWet or dry, ice, fog and wind along the road before you go.
Record your drivesAPEXRecord a drive and turn it into a route to drive again or share.

Free on iPhone and Android. CarPlay and Android Auto come with Apex.

Download on theApp StoreEarly access onGoogle Play

More drives near here

All 126 drives in California ›

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

+ Plan a new route
Map of Montezuma Grade (S22), from Ranchita to Borrego Springs