Trip from Clovis, NM to Santa Fe, NM

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 4m

Distance

212.4 mi

342 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$32

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

3h 51m ★

6 AM

4h 4m

8 AM

4h 30m

10 AM

4h 14m

12 PM

4h 11m

3 PM

4h 15m

5 PM

4h 29m

8 PM

3h 57m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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

Clovis, NM

Wikimedia Commons

capital city of New Mexico, United States

Santa Fe, NM

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 212.4-mile drive from Clovis, NM to Santa Fe, NM takes about 4 hours and 4 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. You'll spend 96% of your time on highways, primarily I-40, US-60, and US Highway 285, so expect a focused, highway-centric experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $32, this route is budget-friendly for a single day's adventure. Both your origin and destination are within the Desert Southwest region, so you'll be traversing familiar, arid landscapes throughout your journey. This straightforward trip is designed for efficiency, getting you from point A to point B with minimal fuss.

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

106.2 miles from Clovis, NM

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 5m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 4m. Total distance: 212.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 96% of the journey on major roads like I-40, US-60, and US Highway 285. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 58.2 miles on I-40, offering a good period of consistent driving. While mostly highway, the route transitions between interstates and U.S. highways, providing a varied but still predominantly fast-paced experience. You'll be covering ground efficiently, with the road character remaining consistent for much of the 212.4 miles.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 21 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. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 102.3 miles in.

Driving Effort 5/10

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

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 212.4 miles you will encounter 14 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 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 14 key points

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

102.3 mi into trip | ~2h in

Turn left toward I 40 West

Navigation decision point

Toward I 40 West

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

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.

208.7 mi into trip | ~3h 56m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

212.3 mi into trip | ~4h 4m in | Old Santa Fe Trail

Turn right onto Old Santa Fe Trail

Navigation decision point

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
I 25	5.9 mi	5m
Old Pecos Trail	2.9 mi	5m
West 7th Street	2.3 mi	4m
Old Santa Fe Trail	0.7 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 40 — 58.2 mi, about 58m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on North Main Street

41 ft · 5 sec · North Main Street

Turn right onto West 7th Street

2.3 mi · 4 min · West 7th Street

Turn right onto US 60; US 84

58 mi · 1 hr 8 min · US 60; US 84

Turn right onto US 84

0.6 mi · 42 sec · North 4th Street

Continue on US 84

41 mi · 46 min · US Highway 84

Continue on US 84

0.1 mi · 11 sec · Historic Route 66

Turn left

0.3 mi · 34 sec

Toward I 40 West

Merge onto I 40

58 mi · 58 min · I 40

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 45 sec

Toward US 285: Vaughn, Santa Fe

Turn right onto US 285

41 mi · 49 min · US Highway 285

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto US 285

0.2 mi · 28 sec · US 285

Merge onto I 25

5.9 mi · 5 min · I 25

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec

Toward NM 466: Old Pecos Trail

Keep slight right at fork

499 ft · 13 sec

Turn straight onto NM 466

1.2 mi · 2 min · Old Pecos Trail

Keep slight right at fork onto Old Pecos Trail

1.7 mi · 3 min · Old Pecos Trail

Continue on Old Santa Fe Trail

0.7 mi · 1 min · Old Santa Fe Trail

At end of road, turn left onto East Water Street

117 ft · 9 sec · East Water Street

Turn right onto Old Santa Fe Trail

336 ft · 19 sec · Old Santa Fe Trail

Turn right onto East San Francisco Street

95 ft · 2 sec · East San Francisco Street

Arrive at destination

East San Francisco Street

Trip Plan

Given the manageable 4-hour duration, this drive is ideal for a single-day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Aim to leave in the morning to maximize daylight and ensure you have ample time for any unscheduled stops. With only one recommended stop, plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the 58.2-mile stretch on I-40. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading into longer stretches, and remember the estimated fuel cost is around $32. This route is straightforward, so focus on enjoying the drive and arriving in Santa Fe refreshed.

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 106.2 miles from Clovis, NM, or about 2h 5m 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 47 miles or 57m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 106.2 miles or 2h 5m 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 16m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Santa Fe, 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 212.4 miles and 4h 4m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 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 106.2 mi from Clovis, NM · 2h 5m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Santa Rosa, NM

106 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.

Popular next leg

Santa Rosa, NM to Santa Fe, NM

108.1 mi · 2h 3m

Pacing Suggestions

Portales, NM

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Santa Rosa, NM

Meal break

The midpoint is around 106.2 miles from Clovis, NM, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Santa Fe, NM

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour

Clovis, New Mexico

+18668167584

Visit website

EvGateway Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Clovis, New Mexico

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19499452000

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 106.2

Santa Rosa, New Mexico

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 212.4

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+15054761269

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Pecos National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Pecos is a natural and cultural crossroads through which hunters, gatherers, traders, missionaries, immigrants, soldiers, ranchers, and other travelers passed and lived. Follow in their footsteps and...

13 mi from route ~32 min detour Free near mile 205.2

View on nps.gov

Bandelier National Monument

National Monument

Bandelier National Monument protects over 33,000 acres of ruggedly beautiful canyon and mesa country. Petroglyphs, dwellings carved into the soft rock cliffs, and standing masonry walls pay tribute to...

23 mi from route ~57 min detour $25 near mile 212.5

View on nps.gov

Manhattan Project National Historical Park

National Historical Park

The Manhattan Project is one of the most transformative events of the 20th century. It ushered in the nuclear age with the development of the world’s first atomic bombs. Most of this development took...

24 mi from route ~61 min detour Free near mile 212.5

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$32.08 one way

$64.15 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 74 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.21	$35.21	$70.43
premium	$4.56	$38.12	$76.25
diesel	$5.61	$46.90	$93.79

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$32

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$57–$82

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 74.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	63.7	0	$22.30	$10.20
Efficient EV	53.1	0	$18.59	$8.50
EV Truck/SUV	85	1	$29.74	$13.59

Gas CO2

74 kg

EV CO2

25 kg (66% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Clovis, NM

Late night in Clovis on Friday

Local time

5:02 AM

MDT

Current temp

83°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Santa Fe, NM

Late night in Santa Fe on Friday

Local time

5:02 AM

MDT

Current temp

72°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

43°F

Santa Rosa, NM

106 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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

11 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 4m 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 Fe, NM covers 212.4 miles and takes about 4h 4m 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 106.2 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 $32.08 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.

The route from Clovis, NM to Santa Fe, NM does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Yes. Nearby national parks include Pecos National Historical Park, Bandelier National Monument and Manhattan Project National Historical Park.

How this page is built

Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. National park proximity is from the NPS API. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.

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Return Trip

Santa Fe, NM to Clovis, NM

Plan the drive back the other way.

212.9 mi 4h 5m

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

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NM road trips.

Trip from Clovis, NM to Santa Fe, NM

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Who Is This Route For?

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Santa Fe, NM

Nearby Places

Francis Energy Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

EV Connect Charging Station

EvGateway Charging Station

Electrify America Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Santa Fe Plaza

Loretto Chapel Museum

New Mexico Museum of Art

Palace of the Governors at New Mexico History Museum

Santa Fe Railyard Park

Billy The Kid Museum

Harvey Cornell Rose Park

Museum of Indian Arts & Culture

National Parks Near This Route

Pecos National Historical Park

Bandelier National Monument

Manhattan Project National Historical Park

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Clovis, NM

Santa Fe, NM

Same local time

11 degrees cooler at arrival

4h 4m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the trip from Clovis, NM to Santa Fe, NM?

What are the main roads on this route?

Is this a good same-day trip?

Where should I stop halfway?

How much does gas cost for this trip?

What is the best time to leave?

How many breaks should I plan?

How hard is the drive from Clovis, NM to Santa Fe, NM?

Where does this route get tricky?

What towns show up on signs driving from Clovis, NM to Santa Fe, NM?

Are there national parks near the route from Clovis, NM to Santa Fe, NM?

How this page is built

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