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 158 — 6th Street;12th Street

Milepost 158 · 29 places to eat · 11 gas stations · 15 hotels · 24/7 travel center · ♥ Kimo Theater Historic Site

3. Exit 196 — Howard Cavasos Boulevard

Milepost 196 · 20 places to eat · 10 gas stations · 10 hotels · 24/7 travel center

4. Exit 332 — NM 209;NM 104;1st Street

Milepost 332 · 25 places to eat · 11 gas stations · 17 hotels · 24/7 travel center

5. Exit 155 — Coors Boulevard

Milepost 155 · 29 places to eat · 12 gas stations · 17 hotels · ♥ Petroglyph National Monument, Piedras Marcadas Canyon (Petroglyph Natl Monument)

6. Exit 157B — 12th Street

Milepost 157 · 27 places to eat · 10 gas stations · 12 hotels · ♥ Explora, New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science

7. Exit 159B-C — Las Cruces;Santa Fe

Milepost 159 · 28 places to eat · 15 gas stations · 22 hotels · ♥ Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, University Art Museum

8. Exit 159C-B — Santa Fe;Las Cruces

Milepost 159 · 29 places to eat · 13 gas stations · 21 hotels · open 24 hours · ♥ H. B. & Lucille Horn Preservation Station

9. Exit 277 — Fort Summer

Milepost 277 · 16 places to eat · 11 gas stations · 16 hotels · 24/7 travel center

10. Exit 153 — 98th Street;Arroyo Vista Boulevard

Milepost 153 · 29 places to eat · 7 gas stations · 6 hotels · 24/7 travel center

← Every I-40 exit in New Mexico