Best stops on I-40 in New Mexico

All 88 exits ranked by what a road-tripper actually needs: real food choice, easy gas, 24-hour service, and the stops worth a detour. Winners below.

1. Exit 157A — Rio Grande Boulevard

Milepost 157 · 29 places to eat · 13 gas stations · 17 hotels · ♥ ABQ BioPark: Zoo, Aquarium, Botanic Garden, Albuquerque Aquarium

2. Exit 155 — Coors Boulevard

Milepost 155 · 29 places to eat · 13 gas stations · 17 hotels · ♥ Petroglyph National Monument, Piedras Marcadas Canyon (Petroglyph Natl Monument)

3. Exit 157B — 12th Street

Milepost 157 · 27 places to eat · 12 gas stations · 12 hotels · ♥ Explora, New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science

4. Exit 159B-C — Las Cruces;Santa Fe

Milepost 159 · 28 places to eat · 15 gas stations · 23 hotels · ♥ Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, University Art Museum

5. Exit 158 — 6th Street;12th Street

Milepost 158 · 29 places to eat · 11 gas stations · 16 hotels · ♥ Kimo Theater Historic Site

6. Exit 159C-B — Santa Fe;Las Cruces

Milepost 159 · 29 places to eat · 13 gas stations · 20 hotels · ♥ H. B. & Lucille Horn Preservation Station

7. Exit 159D — University Boulevard;2nd Street;4th Street

Milepost 159 · 24 places to eat · 10 gas stations · 13 hotels · ♥ Anderson Abruzzo Balloon Museum

8. Exit 161 — San Mateo Boulevard

Milepost 161 · 28 places to eat · 13 gas stations · 11 hotels · ♥ Cliff's Amusement Park

9. Exit 165 — Eubank Boulevard

Milepost 165 · 29 places to eat · 11 gas stations · 17 hotels · ♥ National Museum of Nuclear Science and History

10. Exit 187 — Edgewood

Milepost 187 · 21 places to eat · 7 gas stations · 3 hotels · ♥ Wildlife West Nature Park

← Every I-40 exit in New Mexico