Trip from Albuquerque, NM to Hobbs, NM

Drive Time

6h 29m

Distance

316.6 mi

510 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$48

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min

4 AM

6h 17m ★

6 AM

6h 29m

8 AM

6h 54m

10 AM

6h 38m

12 PM

6h 35m

3 PM

6h 39m

5 PM

6h 53m

8 PM

6h 22m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Albuquerque, NM

Samir Smier

Hobbs, NM

Yaroslav Shuraev

Trip Overview

Traversing 316.6 miles from Albuquerque to Hobbs takes you across the heart of the Desert Southwest in about 6 hours and 29 minutes. This journey is manageable as a one-day trip, though you should prepare for a long stint behind the wheel. You will spend roughly $48 on fuel, making it a relatively affordable cross-state transit. Since the route relies heavily on local roads like 8th Street, East 2nd Street, and the Coronado Freeway, it feels less like a sterile interstate dash and more like an immersive local drive. Whether you are traveling for business or a personal excursion, this trip offers a direct path through the unique landscapes of New Mexico.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

158.3 miles from Albuquerque, NM

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 58m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy experience that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous cruise. With only 27% of the route on major highways, you will spend most of your time navigating local thoroughfares and secondary roads. The longest uninterrupted section is a 91.9-mile stretch on 8th Street, which provides the most consistent pace of the entire journey. Because the character of the road shifts frequently between these local segments, you will find the drive requires a more active, hands-on style of navigation. Prepare for a varied rhythm as you transition from city streets to the open expanses typical of the region.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

8th Street is the longest continuous segment at about 91.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 316.6 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 1.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

1.1 mi into trip | ~3m in

Take the ramp toward I 25 North: Santa Fe, Oak Street

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 25 North: Santa Fe, Oak Street

1.1 mi into trip | ~3m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 25 North: Santa Fe

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 25 North: Santa Fe

2 mi into trip | ~4m in

Take the exit toward I 40: Gallup, Santa Rosa

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 226B-A Toward I 40: Gallup, Santa Rosa

2.2 mi into trip | ~4m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East: Santa Rosa

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 226A Toward I 40 East: Santa Rosa

2.7 mi into trip | ~5m in | I 40 / Coronado Freeway

Merge onto I 40 / Coronado Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Albuquerque, NM to Hobbs, NM, road signs begin pointing toward Santa Fe along the way.

Santa Fe

60.8 mi in | ~1h 7m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
8th Street	91.9 mi	1h 41m
East 2nd Street	71.3 mi	1h 44m
Coronado Freeway	58.1 mi	1h 1m
US Highway 285	27.4 mi	31m
South Main Street	19 mi	21m
North Lovington Highway	17 mi	20m
Oak Street	14.5 mi	17m
North Main Street	4.9 mi	8m

Longest stretch: 8th Street — 91.9 mi, about 1h 41m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Albuquerque, NM and Hobbs, NM.

Start on Central Avenue Northwest

0.2 mi · 37 sec · Central Avenue Northwest

Continue on Central Avenue Southwest

0.7 mi · 1 min · Central Avenue Southwest

Use the left / uturn / straight / right lanes.

Turn left onto Oak Street Northeast

0.2 mi · 27 sec · Oak Street Northeast

Take the ramp

347 ft · 8 sec

Toward I 25 North: Santa Fe, Oak Street

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 23 sec

Toward I 25 North: Santa Fe Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 25

0.7 mi · 45 sec · Pan American Freeway

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec

Exit 226B-A Toward I 40: Gallup, Santa Rosa Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 44 sec

Exit 226A Toward I 40 East: Santa Rosa Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 40

58 mi · 1 hr 1 min · Coronado Freeway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 32 sec

Toward US 285: Vaughn, Santa Fe

Keep slight left at fork

470 ft · 15 sec

Turn right onto US 285

27 mi · 31 min · US Highway 285

Continue on US 60; US 285

14 mi · 17 min · Oak Street

Continue on US 54; US 60; US 285

92 mi · 1 hr 41 min · 8th Street

Continue on US 285

3.9 mi · 6 min · North Main Street

Turn left onto East Country Club Road

1.0 mi · 2 min · East Country Club Road

Turn right onto CR 93

2.0 mi · 4 min · North Atkinson Avenue

Turn left onto US 380

71 mi · 1 hr 44 min · East 2nd Street

Turn right onto NM 206

19 mi · 21 min · South Main Street

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 41 sec

Continue on US 82

0.8 mi · 52 sec · Plains Highway

Continue on US 82

1.2 mi · 1 min · Tatum Highway

Continue on US 82

1.0 mi · 1 min · North Main Street

Continue on US 82

2.6 mi · 4 min · South Main Avenue

Continue on NM 18

17 mi · 20 min · North Lovington Highway

Continue on North Turner Street

1.8 mi · 3 min · North Turner Street

Arrive at destination

North Turner Street

Trip Plan

To keep your energy high, plan for at least one substantial stop during your 6-hour and 29-minute trek to break up the local road segments. Since the trip involves a significant amount of non-highway driving, try to depart early in the morning to avoid fatigue while navigating the more technical, turn-heavy portions of the route. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially before hitting the longer 91.9-mile stretch, as services may be spaced differently than on a standard interstate. Taking advantage of the route's inherent flexibility allows you to pace yourself comfortably throughout the day. Always double-check your navigation before hitting the local roads, as the frequent turns can be easy to miss without a clear plan.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 158.3 miles from Albuquerque, NM, or about 2h 58m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.9 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 80 miles or 1h 29m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 158.3 miles or 2h 58m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 16m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hobbs, NM than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Albuquerque, NM so your first major turns are already loaded.

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Albuquerque, NM

This is one driving day of about 316.6 miles and 6h 29m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Albuquerque, NM.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on 8th Street for about 91.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 158.3 mi from Albuquerque, NM · 2h 58m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Farwell, TX

158 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Edgewood, NM

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Farwell, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 158.3 miles from Albuquerque, NM, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before 8th Street if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 91.9 miles.

Arriving in Hobbs, NM

The final approach into Hobbs, NM usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Hobbs, NM.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$48.40 one way

$96.80 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 111 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.26	$53.09	$106.17
premium	$4.61	$57.46	$114.92
diesel	$5.64	$70.34	$140.68

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$48

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$73–$98

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 110.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	95	1	$33.24	$15.20
Efficient EV	79.2	0	$27.70	$12.66
EV Truck/SUV	126.6	1	$44.32	$20.26

Gas CO2

111 kg

EV CO2

37 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Albuquerque, NM

Afternoon in Albuquerque on Sunday

Local time

3:57 PM

MDT

Current temp

41°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Hobbs, NM

Afternoon in Hobbs on Sunday

Local time

3:57 PM

MDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

8 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

6h 29m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Albuquerque, NM to Hobbs, NM covers 316.6 miles and takes about 6h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are 8th Street, East 2nd Street, Coronado Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 158.3 miles from Albuquerque, NM. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $48.40 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

On the drive from Albuquerque, NM to Hobbs, NM, road signs begin pointing toward Santa Fe along the way.

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Trip from Albuquerque, NM to Hobbs, NM

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Hobbs, NM

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Albuquerque, NM

Hobbs, NM

Same local time

8 degrees warmer at arrival

6h 29m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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