Origin
Clovis, NM
Evening in Clovis on Sunday
Local time
5:08 PM
MDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Clovis, NM to Santa Clara, NM
Drive Time
4h 43m
Distance
238.8 mi
384 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 30m
★
6 AM
4h 43m
8 AM
5h 10m
10 AM
4h 52m
12 PM
4h 50m
3 PM
4h 54m
5 PM
5h 9m
8 PM
4h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clovis, NM
Pho Tomass
Santa Clara, NM
Gaby Lopez
Trip Overview
Spanning 238.8 miles across the Desert Southwest, this journey from Clovis to Santa Clara takes approximately 4 hours and 43 minutes. You will primarily navigate via I-40, US 60, and US Highway 285, making this a straightforward drive that is well-suited for a single day on the road. Budget about $37 for fuel to complete the trip comfortably. Since both the origin and destination are located within New Mexico, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout the transit. It is a practical trek that avoids the need for an overnight stay, allowing you to reach your destination efficiently without excessive fatigue.
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
119.4 miles from Clovis, NM
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 18m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 86% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You should prepare for a steady pace, as the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 58.2 miles along I-40. The transition between these key roads creates a varied experience, moving from high-speed interstate segments to the secondary highway connections of US 60 and US 285. While the path remains functional and direct, the road personality is defined by these long, open stretches typical of the New Mexico landscape. Expect a consistent driving experience that prioritizes forward momentum over technical maneuvers.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 40 is the longest continuous segment at about 58.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 60. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 102.3 miles in.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 238.8 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 102.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 160.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 161 miles (US 285 / US Highway 285): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
102.3 mi into trip
|
~2h in
Turn left toward I 40 West
Navigation decision point
Toward I 40 West
5
160.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 59m in
Take the exit toward US 285: Vaughn, Santa Fe
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 285: Vaughn, Santa Fe
6
161 mi into trip
|
~3h in
|
US 285 / US Highway 285
Turn right onto US 285 / US Highway 285
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
208.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 56m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
209.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 59m in
|
Old Pecos Trail
Keep slight right at fork onto Old Pecos Trail
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Clovis, NM to Santa Clara, NM, road signs begin pointing toward Santa Fe along the way.
Santa Fe
160.7 mi in
|
~2h 59m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 58.2 mi | 58m |
| US 60 | 58.1 mi | 1h 8m |
| US Highway 285 | 41.3 mi | 49m |
| US Highway 84 | 41.1 mi | 46m |
| Taos Highway | 12.2 mi | 14m |
| Santa Fe Highway | 8.7 mi | 13m |
| I 25 | 5.9 mi | 5m |
| Old Pecos Trail | 2.9 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 58.2 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clovis, NM and Santa Clara, NM.
1
Start on North Main Street
41 ft
·
5 sec
·
North Main Street
2
Turn right onto West 7th Street
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
West 7th Street
3
Turn right onto US 60; US 84
58 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
US 60; US 84
Use the none lane.
4
Turn right onto US 84
0.6 mi
·
42 sec
·
North 4th Street
5
Continue on US 84
41 mi
·
46 min
·
US Highway 84
6
Continue on US 84
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Historic Route 66
7
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward I 40 West
8
Merge onto I 40
58 mi
·
58 min
·
I 40
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward US 285: Vaughn, Santa Fe
10
Turn right onto US 285
41 mi
·
49 min
·
US Highway 285
Use the right lane.
11
Turn left onto US 285
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
US 285
12
Merge onto I 25
5.9 mi
·
5 min
·
I 25
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward NM 466: Old Pecos Trail
14
Keep slight right at fork
499 ft
·
13 sec
15
Turn straight onto NM 466
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Old Pecos Trail
Use the none lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto Old Pecos Trail
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Old Pecos Trail
Use the none lane.
17
Continue on Old Santa Fe Trail
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Old Santa Fe Trail
18
Turn left onto East Alameda Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East Alameda Street
19
Turn right onto North Guadalupe Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North Guadalupe Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
20
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
21
Merge onto US 84; US 285
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Saint Francis Drive
22
Continue on US 84; US 285
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Taos Highway
23
Continue on US 84; US 285
8.7 mi
·
13 min
·
Santa Fe Highway
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
24
Continue on US 84; US 285
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Riverside Drive
Use the none lane.
25
Turn left onto Lower San Pedro Drive
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Lower San Pedro Drive
26
Merge onto US 84; US 285
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
US 84; US 285
27
Turn left onto NM 30
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Los Alamos Highway
28
Turn left onto Kee Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Kee Street
29
Turn left
249 ft
·
18 sec
30
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 238.8-mile drive, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Since the trip takes nearly five hours, departing early in the morning helps you avoid mid-day fatigue and ensures you arrive in Santa Clara with plenty of daylight remaining. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the 58.2-mile interstate segment, as service intervals can vary across these stretches. Because this route is designed for a single day, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace based on traffic or personal preference. Prioritize checking your tire pressure before leaving Clovis to ensure a smooth ride across the diverse pavement types you will encounter.
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 119.4 miles from Clovis, NM, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.2 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 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.4 miles or 2h 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Santa Clara, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Clovis, NM
This is one driving day of about 238.8 miles and 4h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Clovis, 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 58.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 119.4 mi from Clovis, NM · 2h 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
119 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 119.4 miles from Clovis, NM, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Santa Clara, NM
The final approach into Santa Clara, 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 Santa Clara, 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
$36.51 one way
$73.01 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
84 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $40.04 | $80.08 |
| premium | $4.61 | $43.34 | $86.68 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $53.05 | $106.11 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 71.6 | 0 | $25.07 | $11.46 |
| Efficient EV | 59.7 | 0 | $20.90 | $9.55 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 95.5 | 1 | $33.43 | $15.28 |
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Santa Clara, NM
Evening in Santa Clara on Sunday
Local time
5:08 PM
MDT
Current temp
33°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
42 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
4h 43m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 Santa Clara, NM covers 238.8 miles and takes about 4h 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, US 60, US Highway 285. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 119.4 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 $36.51 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 238.8 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 102.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 160.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 161 miles (US 285 / US Highway 285): Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Clovis, NM to Santa Clara, NM, road signs begin pointing toward Santa Fe along the way.
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