Origin
Black Rock, NM
Afternoon in Black Rock on Saturday
Local time
1:15 PM
MDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Black Rock, NM to Albuquerque, NM
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 6m
Distance
148.7 mi
239 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 54m
★
6 AM
3h 6m
8 AM
3h 29m
10 AM
3h 14m
12 PM
3h 12m
3 PM
3h 15m
5 PM
3h 28m
8 PM
2h 59m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Black Rock, NM
Dexter Fernandes
Albuquerque, NM
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Black Rock, NM to Albuquerque, NM covers 148.7 miles and takes about 3h 6m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 40, Ice Caves Rd. - NM53, Ice Caves Road (cdt hiking trail) for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 75.7 miles on I 40. At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.46 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
74.4 miles from Black Rock, NM
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 48m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 75.7 mi | 1h 16m |
| Ice Caves Rd. - NM53 | 25 mi | 34m |
| Ice Caves Road (cdt hiking trail) | 17.3 mi | 22m |
| Highway 53 - NM53 | 11.6 mi | 15m |
| San Rafael Road | 9 mi | 12m |
| NM 53 | 5.4 mi | 13m |
| 3rd Street Northwest | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| Bond Street - NM53 | 1.3 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 75.7 mi, about 1h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Black Rock, NM and Albuquerque, NM.
1
Start on 6th Street
417 ft
·
23 sec
·
6th Street
2
Turn right onto B Avenue
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
·
B Avenue
3
Turn left onto Route 301 East
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Route 301 East
4
Turn left onto NM 53
5.4 mi
·
13 min
·
NM 53
5
Continue on NM 53
0.5 mi
·
41 sec
·
San Rafael Road
6
Continue on NM 53
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Highway 53 - NM53
7
Continue on NM 53
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Bond Street - NM53
8
Continue on NM 53
25 mi
·
34 min
·
Ice Caves Rd. - NM53
9
Continue on NM 53
17 mi
·
22 min
·
Ice Caves Road (cdt hiking trail)
10
Continue on NM 53
8.6 mi
·
11 min
·
San Rafael Road
11
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
12
Merge onto I 40
76 mi
·
1 hr 16 min
·
I 40
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 159A
Toward 4th Street - 2nd Street University Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on Indian School Road Northwest
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Indian School Road Northwest
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
15
Turn right onto 2nd Street Northwest
431 ft
·
8 sec
·
2nd Street Northwest
16
Continue on 3rd Street Northwest
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
3rd Street Northwest
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn right onto Central Avenue Northwest
216 ft
·
7 sec
·
Central Avenue Northwest
18
Arrive at destination
Central Avenue Northwest
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 74.4 miles from Black Rock, NM, or about 1h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 75.7 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 33 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 74.4 miles or 1h 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Albuquerque, NM than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Black Rock, 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 Black Rock, NM
This is one driving day of about 148.7 miles and 3h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Black Rock, 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 I 40 for about 75.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
74 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 74.4 miles from Black Rock, NM, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 75.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 85 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 147.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
B Avenue
Turn right onto B Avenue
Navigation decision point
3
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Route 301 East
Turn left onto Route 301 East
Navigation decision point
5
71.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 44m in
|
I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
146.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 1m in
Take the exit toward 4th Street - 2nd Street University Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 159A
Toward 4th Street - 2nd Street University Boule...
5
147.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 2m in
|
2nd Street Northwest
Turn right onto 2nd Street Northwest
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.46 one way
$44.91 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
52 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $24.65 | $49.31 |
| premium | $4.56 | $26.69 | $53.38 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $32.83 | $65.66 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 44.6 | 0 | $15.61 | $7.14 |
| Efficient EV | 37.2 | 0 | $13.01 | $5.95 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 59.5 | 0 | $20.82 | $9.52 |
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Destination
Albuquerque, NM
Afternoon in Albuquerque on Saturday
Local time
1:15 PM
MDT
Current temp
82°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
39 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
3h 6m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
El Morro National Monument
National Monument
Imagine the refreshment of finding water after days of dusty travel. A reliable waterhole hidden at the base of a sandstone bluff made El Morro (the headland) a popular campsite for hundreds of years....
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 30.8
Park Closure: Trail closures possible with winter weather
Park Closure: Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Petroglyph National Monument
National Monument
Petroglyph National Monument protects one of the largest petroglyph sites in North America, featuring designs and symbols carved onto volcanic rocks by Native Americans and Spanish settlers 400 to 700...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 143.6
View on nps.gov
El Malpais National Monument
National Monument
The richly diverse volcanic landscape of El Malpais (el-mal-pie-EES) offers solitude, recreation, and adventure. Explore incredible geologic features such as young lava flows, cinder cones, lava tubes...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 51.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
148.7 mi in 3h 6m, mostly highway — 75.7 mi of that is on I 40.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 75.7 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Ice Caves Rd. - NM53. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near B Avenue.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 6m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (B Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (Route 301 East): Navigation decision point; at 71.1 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 6m. Total distance: 148.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 75.7 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
Mostly yes along the main roads, but rural stretches through NM can have sparse or no coverage. Before you leave, download offline Google Maps or Apple Maps for the route, and consider downloading music or podcasts instead of streaming. If you depend on data for navigation, keep a paper backup of the turn-by-turn directions.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (B Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (Route 301 East): Navigation decision point; at 71.1 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — El Morro National Monument, Petroglyph National Monument and El Malpais National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Albuquerque, NM, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Albuquerque, NM
More from Black Rock, NM
More trips to Albuquerque, NM
Explore more options from Black Rock, NM or browse trips ending in Albuquerque, NM.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NM road trips.