Origin
Clovis, NM
Late night in Clovis on Wednesday
Local time
5:40 AM
MDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
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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
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clovis, NM
Wikimedia Commons
Columbus, NM
Priscila Teixeira
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 .
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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.
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.
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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto East 1st Street
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto US 70; US 380 / West 2nd Street
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit onto US 70
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto US 70 toward Arizona
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
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
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
Hatch
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Clovis, NM and Columbus, NM.
Start on North Main Street
Turn left onto US 60; US 70; US 84
Turn right onto US 70
Continue on US 70
Turn right onto East 1st Street
Continue on US 70
Continue on US 70
Turn right onto US 70; US 380
Turn left onto North Bookout Road
Turn left onto US 54; US 70
Take the exit onto US 54; US 70
Take the exit onto US 70
Continue on US 70
Turn right onto US 70
Continue on US 70
Keep slight right at fork onto US 70
Merge onto I 10
Take the exit onto US 180
Turn left onto US 180
Continue on NM 11
Turn straight onto NM 11
Continue on NM 11
Arrive at destination
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.
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.
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.
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
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
A short stop after about 84 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
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 checkTop up before US 70 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 154.7 miles.
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.
Regular Gas
$57.89 one way
$115.77 round trip
| 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Clovis on Wednesday
Local time
5:40 AM
MDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Columbus on Wednesday
Local time
5:40 AM
MDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
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.
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