Origin
Chaparral, NM
Afternoon in Chaparral on Wednesday
Local time
3:10 PM
MDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
6h 42m
Distance
374 mi
602 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$56
one way
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chaparral, NM
Wikimedia Commons
Gallup, NM
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from Chaparral, NM to Gallup, NM covers 374 miles and takes about 6h 42m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 25, I 40, State Road 6 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 202.6 miles on I 25. At current regular gas prices, budget about $56.48 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
187 miles from Chaparral, NM
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 22m into the drive .
This is a 6h 42m highway drive covering 374 miles, with most of the trip on I 25 and I 40. The longest continuous stretch is about 202.6 miles on I 25.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 25 and I 40. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 5.6 miles in near NM 213 / War Road.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 42m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 15 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 5.6 miles (NM 213 / War Road): Navigation decision point; at 5.9 miles (NM 404 / O'Hara Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 31.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
At end of road, turn left onto NM 213 / War Road
Navigation decision point
Enter roundabout onto NM 404 / O'Hara Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Take the exit toward I 25 North: Las Cruces, Albuquerque
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward Miyamura Drive, Montoya Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn right onto I 40 BUS; NM 118; US 66 Hist / East Historic Highway 66
Navigation decision point
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Chaparral, NM to Gallup, NM, road signs begin pointing toward Albuquerque along the way.
Albuquerque
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 25 | 202.6 mi | 3h 24m |
| I 40 | 103.4 mi | 1h 44m |
| State Road 6 | 30.7 mi | 39m |
| Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway | 17.6 mi | 17m |
| O'Hara Road | 8 mi | 11m |
| East Lisa Drive | 4.7 mi | 9m |
| Main Street Northwest | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Prescott Anthony Drive | 1 mi | 3m |
Step-by-step road directions between Chaparral, NM and Gallup, NM.
Start on Prescott Anthony Drive
Turn left onto East Lisa Drive
At end of road, turn left onto NM 213
Enter roundabout onto NM 404
Continue on NM 404
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 10
Take the exit
Continue on I 25
Take the exit
Merge onto I 25
Take the exit
Turn left onto NM 6
Continue on NM 6
Continue on NM 6
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 40
Take the exit
Turn left onto NM 609
Continue on NM 609
Turn right onto East Aztec Avenue
Turn right onto NM 610
Turn right onto I 40 BUS; NM 118; US 66 Hist
Arrive at destination
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.
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 82 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 187 miles or 3h 22m 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gallup, NM than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Chaparral, 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 Chaparral, NM
This is one driving day of about 374 miles and 6h 42m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 187 mi from Chaparral, NM · 3h 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
187 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.
A short stop after about 82 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 187 miles from Chaparral, NM, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 25 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 202.6 miles.
The final approach into Gallup, 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 Gallup, NM.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$56.48 one way
$112.97 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $62.00 | $124.01 |
| premium | $4.56 | $67.13 | $134.26 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $82.57 | $165.15 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$56
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 130.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 112.2 | 1 | $39.27 | $17.95 |
| Efficient EV | 93.5 | 1 | $32.73 | $14.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 149.6 | 1 | $52.36 | $23.94 |
Gas CO2
131 kg
EV CO2
44 kg (66% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Chaparral on Wednesday
Local time
3:10 PM
MDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Gallup on Wednesday
Local time
3:10 PM
MDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
83°F
Socorro, NM
187 mi in
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Chaparral, NM or browse trips ending in Gallup, NM.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NM road trips.
Explore maps for Chaparral, NM or Gallup, NM on MapSof.net.