NM 26 is an important connecting road between I-10 and I-25 west of Las Cruces.

For the first 3.25 miles the road travels mostly east-northeast until it closes in with the ATSF railroad trunk.

The road travels through the Chihuahuan Desert with southern slopes of Cooke's Range mountains skirting from the north.

The highway continues following the railroad tracks and passes by Hatch Municipal Airport at 44.575 miles (71.737 km).

NM 26 contains sections of the original Routes 26 and 27 created in 1905 by the Territorial Legislative Assembly.