MORIARTY, N.M. — Along the old Route 66 corridor in Moriarty, New Mexico, the Sunset Motel remains a rare survivor: the last original motel on the historic highway still owned and operated by the same family that constructed it. The property's story, reported by NPR on November 13, 2026, is one of both roadside commerce and domestic life, as two brothers who grew up there remember a childhood spent among travelers.
The brothers described their upbringing at the motel in straightforward terms, recalling that it was an adventure. Their account, shared with NPR, captures a bygone era of American travel in which family-run motels served as both businesses and homes, with children raised alongside the steady flow of motorists navigating Route 66.
The Sunset Motel's distinction rests on its continuity. While many original Route 66 motels have changed hands, closed, or been demolished, this property has remained within the founding family, preserving both its physical character and its operational lineage. For local readers, the motel represents a tangible link to the mid-century highway culture that once defined communities along the route.
NPR's report, produced by Jey Born, notes that the network does not offer or accept money for coverage or interviews, and that anyone making such an offer does not represent NPR. The story aired on November 13, 2026, with audio slated for later release.
The brothers' recollections underscore the motel's role as more than a roadside stop. Growing up in a motel meant daily encounters with strangers, the rhythms of check-ins and departures, and a family livelihood intertwined with the fortunes of Route 66 traffic. Their memories offer a personal dimension to the historical record of the highway.
As the last original Route 66 motel under its founding family's ownership, the Sunset Motel holds significance for preservationists and travelers alike. Its continued operation in Moriarty provides a living example of the independent motel model that once proliferated along the nation's first transcontinental highway.
