NM 6 begins at an intersection with Interstate 40 (I-40) about 30 miles (48 km) west of Albuquerque. The road travels to the southeast and then to the east. It has an interchange with I-25 in Los Lunas. The road passes through the village of Los Lunas as Main Street, crossing the Rio Grande before its eastern terminus at NM 47. Some maps show NM 6 continuing south concurrently with NM 47 through Belen and onward to U.S. Route 60 (US 60). This alignment is not reflected in the state highway log.