Skip to main content

Trip from Clovis, NM to Columbus, NM

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

7h 49m

Distance

383.3 mi

617 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$58

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min
4 AM
7h 41m ★
6 AM
7h 50m
8 AM
8h 8m
10 AM
7h 56m
12 PM
7h 54m
3 PM
7h 57m
5 PM
8h 7m
8 PM
7h 44m

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

city in and county seat of Curry County, New Mexico, United States

Clovis, NM

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Columbus, NM, NM

Columbus, NM

Priscila Teixeira

Trip Overview

Embark on a 383.3-mile journey from Clovis, NM, to Columbus, NM, a drive that will take approximately 7 hours and 49 minutes. This route, primarily utilizing US 70 and incorporating stretches of West 2nd Street and the Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, is best tackled in a single day, though you'll want to consider an early start. With an estimated fuel cost of $58, this trip through the Desert Southwest region offers a mixed driving experience. Plan for a couple of stops along the way to break up the journey and make the most of your time on the road.

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

2 planned breaks

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

Midpoint

191.7 miles from Clovis, NM

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 54m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

This 383.3-mile drive presents a mixed profile, with 44% of the travel occurring on highways. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 154.7 miles along US 70, which forms the backbone of this route. While much of the drive involves more direct, faster-paced travel, expect some transitions as you navigate through towns and onto local roads like West 2nd Street. The character of the drive shifts as you move through the New Mexico landscape, offering a blend of open road and necessary urban navigation.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 70 is the longest continuous segment at about 154.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 18.7 miles in near East 1st Street.

Route Complexity 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 383.3 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 18.7 miles (East 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 112.1 miles (US 70; US 380 / West 2nd Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 226.7 miles (US 70): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

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

4
18.7 mi into trip | ~23m in | East 1st Street

Turn right onto East 1st Street

Navigation decision point

5
112.1 mi into trip | ~2h 13m in | US 70; US 380 / West 2nd Street

Turn right onto US 70; US 380 / West 2nd Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
5
226.7 mi into trip | ~4h 40m in | US 70

Take the exit onto US 70

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
5
298.5 mi into trip | ~6h 7m in | US 70

Keep slight right at fork onto US 70 toward Arizona

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward Arizona
5
350.6 mi into trip | ~7h in | US 180

Take the exit onto US 180 toward US 180 West, NM 26 East: Silver City, Hatch

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

Toward US 180 West, NM 26 East: Silver City, Ha...

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Clovis, NM and Columbus, NM, road signs point toward Arizona and Hatch.

Arizona

298.5 mi in | ~6h 7m | via US 70

Hatch

350.6 mi in | ~7h | via US 180

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 70 154.7 mi 2h 57m
West 2nd Street 100.6 mi 2h 7m
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway 51.7 mi 52m
Columbus Road 31 mi 46m
South Prince Street 17.4 mi 21m
US 54 13.6 mi 17m
West Picacho Avenue 6.5 mi 9m
North Main Street 2.8 mi 6m
Longest stretch: US 70 — 154.7 mi, about 2h 57m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Clovis, NM and Columbus, NM.

1

Start on North Main Street

0.4 mi · 55 sec · North Main Street
2

Turn left onto US 60; US 70; US 84

0.5 mi · 46 sec · East 1st Street
3

Turn right onto US 70

17 mi · 21 min · South Prince Street
4

Continue on US 70

0.3 mi · 50 sec · North Chicago Avenue
5

Turn right onto East 1st Street

1.1 mi · 2 min · East 1st Street
6

Continue on US 70

1.0 mi · 1 min · West 2nd Street
7

Continue on US 70

91 mi · 1 hr 45 min · US 70
8

Turn right onto US 70; US 380

100 mi · 2 hr 6 min · West 2nd Street
Use the straight lane.
9

Turn left onto North Bookout Road

1.5 mi · 2 min · North Bookout Road
10

Turn left onto US 54; US 70

8.7 mi · 10 min · US 54; US 70
11

Take the exit onto US 54; US 70

4.9 mi · 7 min · US 54; US 70
12

Take the exit onto US 70

63 mi · 1 hr 11 min · US 70
Use the straight lane.
13

Continue on US 70

2.4 mi · 5 min · North Main Street
Use the straight lane.
14

Turn right onto US 70

2.9 mi · 4 min · West Picacho Avenue
Use the straight lane.
15

Continue on US 70

3.6 mi · 5 min · West Picacho Avenue
Use the straight lane.
16

Keep slight right at fork onto US 70

0.5 mi · 58 sec · US 70
Toward Arizona
17

Merge onto I 10

52 mi · 52 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
18

Take the exit onto US 180

0.3 mi · 32 sec · US 180
Toward US 180 West, NM 26 East: Silver City, Hatch
19

Turn left onto US 180

0.2 mi · 20 sec · North Gold Avenue
20

Continue on NM 11

0.4 mi · 41 sec · South Gold Avenue
21

Turn straight onto NM 11

0.7 mi · 1 min · South Cody Road
22

Continue on NM 11

31 mi · 46 min · Columbus Road
23

Arrive at destination

NM 11

Trip Plan

To maximize your comfort on this 7-hour, 49-minute drive, aim for an early morning departure from Clovis, NM. This will allow you to complete the 383.3-mile trip with ample daylight and potentially avoid the longest stretch of 154.7 miles on US 70 during peak sun. With only two recommended stops, be strategic about where you refuel and rest, keeping the $58 fuel cost in mind. The mixed drive profile means you'll want to stay alert for changes in road conditions and speed limits as you transition between highway and local roads.

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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 191.7 miles from Clovis, NM, or about 3h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 154.7 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 84 miles or 1h 41m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 191.7 miles or 3h 54m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h 33m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Clovis, 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.

+

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Clovis, NM

This is one driving day of about 383.3 miles and 7h 49m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 84 miles from Clovis, NM.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 70 for about 154.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 191.7 mi from Clovis, NM · 3h 54m into the drive

Downtown Ruidoso, NM, NM

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ruidoso, NM

192 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

Farwell, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 84 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ruidoso, NM

Meal break

The midpoint is around 191.7 miles from Clovis, NM, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 70 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 154.7 miles.

Arriving in Columbus, NM

The final approach into Columbus, 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 Columbus, 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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$57.89 one way

$115.77 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 134 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $63.55 $127.09
premium $4.56 $68.80 $137.60
diesel $5.61 $84.63 $169.26

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$58

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$83–$108

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 134.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $40 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 115 1 $40.25 $18.40
Efficient EV 95.8 1 $33.54 $15.33
EV Truck/SUV 153.3 1 $53.66 $24.53

Gas CO2

134 kg

EV CO2

45 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 8 hours ago

Origin

Clovis, NM

Late night in Clovis on Wednesday

Local time

5:40 AM

MDT

Current temp

83°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Columbus, NM

Late night in Columbus on Wednesday

Local time

5:40 AM

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

34 degrees cooler at arrival

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

Road read

7h 49m 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 Clovis, NM to Columbus, NM covers 383.3 miles and takes about 7h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 70, West 2nd Street, Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 191.7 miles from Clovis, NM. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $57.89 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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 383.3 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 18.7 miles (East 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 112.1 miles (US 70; US 380 / West 2nd Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 226.7 miles (US 70): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Clovis, NM and Columbus, NM, road signs point toward Arizona and Hatch.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Columbus, NM to Clovis, NM

Plan the drive back the other way.

383.4 mi 7h 52m

Explore more options from Clovis, NM or browse trips ending in Columbus, NM.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NM road trips.

Explore maps for Clovis, NM or Columbus, NM on MapSof.net.