Alamosa to Albuquerque: A Brown Sign, the Rio Grande Gorge, and an unforgettable EV Detour
A Scenic Southbound EV Drive
Discovering the Unexpected Near Taos
Some drives are all about the destination. Most probably shouldn’t be, but it’s easy to slip into “just get there” mode, especially on longer road days.
The drive, running south from Alamosa, Colorado toward Albuquerque, New Mexico, could have been just that. Instead, one brown sign turned it into a standout memory.
After a visit to Great Sand Dunes National Park, we rolled out of Alamosa with Carlsbad Caverns National Park still a couple of days ahead.
The goal was simple: make easy southbound progress and enjoy the miles in between.
What we got was a reminder that the best road trips leave room for curiosity, especially when the detour is free, fast, and unforgettable.
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Exploring the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge on a New Mexico EV Road Trip
A Detour Worth Taking
The drive itself sets the tone. Colorado Highway 159 flows through open high desert before quietly becoming New Mexico Highway 522 at the state line.
It’s a relaxed, confidence‑building leg with steady grades, long views, and the kind of rhythm that makes EV touring feel effortless.
As Taos approached, traffic picked up just enough to signal civilization without spoiling the mood.
At the intersection with U.S. Highway 64, a brown sign pointed west to the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. We hadn’t planned a stop, but we didn’t need convincing either.
Ten miles later, the land gave way. The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge appears almost without warning, carrying US‑64 across a chasm that drops roughly 650 feet to the river below.
Numbers vary depending on who’s measuring, but standing at the railing, precision stops mattering. It’s simply very far down.
We crossed the bridge, parked at the Rio Grande Gorge Rest Area on the south side, and walked back into the breeze flowing across the bridge.
The pedestrian walkways are narrow but solid, with small, cantilevered platforms that extend just far enough to make your stomach notice.
Amp’d Advice: Safety first - be aware of your surroundings, highway traffic needs to be considered when gawking along the bridge pedestrian walkway.
Wind is common across the span, secure hats and camera straps.
Late afternoon light adds texture and depth to the canyon walls.
Plan 30–45 minutes for parking, walking the bridge, and lingering at the overlooks.
Looking straight down, the gorge walls read like a geological cross‑section, dark basalt framing a thin, silver ribbon of the Rio Grande River hosting a line of bright yellow rafts drifting through the canyon.
Across the gorge, bighorn sheep moved along the ledges as if the terrain were perfectly flat.
They’re well‑suited to this place and seeing them from above felt like a bonus prize for saying yes to the sign.
US Highway 64 crossing the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge
Amp’d Advice: We charged the KIA EV6 to 90% at the ChargePoint in Alamosa, Colorado and had plenty of range to the Electrify America chargers in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Our trip occurred in 2023, and the charger network has grown over the last few years, further reducing range concerns.
Inside Rio Grande del Norte National Monument
History, Wildlife, and What to See
The Rio Grande del Norte National Monument protects roughly 242,500 acres of northern New Mexico’s high desert, stretching across the Taos Plateau at elevations averaging 7,000 feet.
Created in 2013 and managed by the Bureau of Land Management, the monument preserves a striking mix of volcanic features, wide sage plains, and the deeply incised Rio Grande Gorge.
South View of the Rio Grande Gorge
Well known areas within the monument include the Wild Rivers Recreation Area and the Orilla Verde Recreation Area, both offering trails, overlooks, and access to the river for rafting and fishing.
The landscape supports a wide range of wildlife, look for bighorn sheep, elk, pronghorn, coyotes, and a steady parade of raptors riding the thermals above the canyon.
Petroglyphs and other cultural sites point to a long human presence in what can feel like an empty place.
The bridge itself, completed in the mid‑1960s, has become one of northern New Mexico’s defining landmarks.
Its sweeping deck‑truss design feels deliberate rather than flashy, an elegant solution to crossing a gap that demands respect.
Every EV trip starts with PlugShare to research destinations and charging options
Our mantra is simple: we design our route - never blindly following a GPS.
Once we pick a destination, I hop onto PlugShare to check which charging providers are available along the way. I read through the reviews for reliability, tips on the best pedestals, nearby amenities, and hard to find charger locations.
Meanwhile, Cheryl adds her own nostalgic twist by marking each station on a paper atlas, giving us a colorful, big‑picture snapshot of the journey.
Blending digital tools with old‑school mapping keeps planning quick, stress‑free, and just a little adventurous. Check out the full article to see how this combo keeps our road trips smooth and fun!
Birds Eye Review: Why This Quick Stop Near Taos Belongs on Every New Mexico EV Road Trip
That’s the spirit of a SightSee EV road day: follow the main route, watch for the brown signs, and leave enough flexibility to say yes to short, low‑effort detours with high payoff.
We set out to connect Alamosa to Albuquerque the simple way by following CO‑159 into NM‑522 and letting the miles roll by.
What we didn’t plan on was standing on steel, staring into geologic time, and pointing out bighorn sheep to strangers like overly enthusiastic volunteer rangers.
From there, the road to Albuquerque settles back into classic New Mexico cruising scenery and relaxed cruising, a perfect wind‑down after a high‑up walk over a very deep gorge.
Make yourself a promise, if you’re passing through Taos on your way south, build in time to stretch a leg the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge.
It’s easy, free, and quietly spectacular.
An avid runner, John’s fascination with electric vehicles began the day he left a 1970s Citicar in the dust.
Since then, he’s worked to educate readers that EVs are simply cars powered by an alternative energy source.
His favorite way to experience it? Road-tripping along the Great American Electric Highway, where the miles turn into opportunities to visit family, reconnect with friends, and soak in the country’s scenic beauty.
When John isn’t writing about EV adventures, running in new places, or exploring new destinations, you’ll probably find him catching a well-earned nap before the next journey begins.
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My electric car surprised me. I thought it would be a compromise, but instead it became the car I look forward to driving every day—more responsive, calmer, and more enjoyable than my old gas vehicles.