NM History: Route 666 - The Devil's Highway

Historic Route 66 has always been a landmark across the state of New Mexico, but did you know there was a sister road called Route 666? It became a highway in 1926, and acquired its controversial number from being the 6th spur connected to Route 66. The highway runs from Gallup, north through Navajo Nation and Shiprock, and across the Colorado Border. In fact, it begins in Monticello, UT and ends in Gallup, NM. Until 1992, the road even serviced all 4 of the states that make up the 4-corners area.

Those who named the road were unaware of the negative connotation the number would give this road. Because of the satanic significance of the road’s name and the number of fatalities this road has seen, led to it’s nickname “The Devil’s Highway” and “Highway to Hell.”

The road is particularly treacherous to navigate in New Mexico. In just a 60 mile stretch of the highway, there are approximately 400 sharp curves. In fact, in 1997 the Route 666 was determined to be one of the most hazardous roads in the nation. The phenomena reported to occur on this stretch of American highway became a common legend shared. So many stories were shared over the years that the highway was even dubbed to be cursed. One unnamed highway patrol officer was quoted in USA Today as stating a drunk-driving suspect told him, “Triple 6 is evil. Everyone dies on that highway.” Skeptics have argued that the Utah and Colorado portions of the highway have never been listed as particularly deadly, but the New Mexico stretch has proven to be dangerous for travelers. They further argue that the high fatality rate in New Mexico can be explained by an inadequate design for the traffic loads at the time.

Stories circulate all over the internet of supposed phenomena that has occurred on the famed road. Some say they’ve seen a black sedan charging at their vehicles then disappearing. Others have claimed to have been chased by a “viscous pack of wild dogs.” And because many have experienced car trouble including overheating and flat tires, the problems have been blamed on the road’s name.

The fatality rate, coupled with persistent sign theft led former New Mexico Governor, Bill Richardson, to rename the road in 2003. His proposal was voted through legislation quickly, and as a result, Route 666 became Highway 491. Reasons given for the name change referenced the negative impact on people living in the area, concerns that the choice of name affected the local economy, and the fears of travelers using the road. Arizona had already found the road’s name to be too much of a liability, and had changed their portion of the highway in 1995, and it is now part of US 191.

Whether the highway is haunted or not, we’ll leave to those who travel it. There is fact to prove that fatality rates have drastically diminished on the lone stretch of New Mexico highway, however. Which leads to speculation that maybe, just maybe, the road’s name was cursing the blacktop traveling from Gallup to Monticello.