A Cheesy Mother Road
The iconic Route 66, often called the 'Mother Road,' has a fresh, delectable addition for travelers: a dedicated cheese trail. This initiative, spearheaded
by the New Mexico Cheese Guild in collaboration with the esteemed American Cheese Society, aims to revive the spirit of local encounters and artisanal foodways that characterized early road trips. The trail is designed as a self-guided tour, inviting visitors to traverse over 2,400 miles and sample a diverse array of cheeses crafted by producers across eight different states. Organizers emphasize a return to 'real food made by real people,' providing a delicious counterpoint to the ubiquitous processed snacks and convenience foods often found along major highways today. The goal is to connect travelers with the heritage of regional ingredients and traditional culinary techniques, offering a more meaningful and flavorful road trip experience that echoes the authentic stops of the past.
Curated Culinary Stops
This unique cheese trail presents a thoughtfully curated selection of destinations, acting as an insider's guide to finding exceptional, locally produced cheeses and agricultural experiences. Travelers can anticipate visiting places like the DeSmet Raw Milk Dairy in Bosque Farms, New Mexico, where they can witness grass-fed, free-grazing cows that contribute to the dairy's quality. Another highlight is the Mouse Hole Cheese Shop in Albuquerque, home to Hanna Lee, a celebrated cheesemonger who earned the 2025 American Cheese Society Best Cheesemonger award. The Route 66 Visitors Center is also involved, working to weave agricultural history into the broader narrative of the traveler's experience. These stops are deliberately chosen to offer a 'real food' alternative, steering clear of the typical mega-gas station fare and processed options, and instead focusing on cultural landmarks and artisanal producers that contribute to the rich tapestry of Route 66's food landscape.
Route 66 Centennial Celebration
The introduction of the Route 66 Cheese Trail coincides with a significant milestone: the 100th anniversary of this legendary highway. The road, stretching from Santa Monica, California, to Chicago, Illinois, passes through Arizona, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas, each state contributing its unique charm and flavors to the journey. Beyond the cheese trail, Route 66 is renowned for its nostalgic roadside attractions, including the imposing 30-foot-tall Gemini Giant in Wilmington, Illinois, and the whimsical Blue Whale of Catoosa in Oklahoma. Visitors can also marvel at the vibrant, 66-foot-tall neon bottle sign at Pops 66 in Arcadia, Oklahoma, or explore the historical remnants of the Calico ghost town in Yermo, California. This rich history and diverse array of attractions make Route 66 a continuously captivating destination, now enhanced by the addition of this new, delicious cheese-themed exploration.
