Origin
Columbus, NM
Late night in Columbus on Wednesday
Local time
5:40 AM
MDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Columbus, NM to Clovis, NM
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
7h 52m
Distance
383.4 mi
617 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$58
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 43m
★
6 AM
7h 52m
8 AM
8h 10m
10 AM
7h 59m
12 PM
7h 57m
3 PM
7h 59m
5 PM
8h 9m
8 PM
7h 47m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Columbus, NM
Priscila Teixeira
Clovis, NM
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 383.4-mile journey from Columbus, New Mexico, to Clovis, New Mexico, is estimated to take about 7 hours and 52 minutes of driving time. Primarily utilizing Central Avenue, Clovis Highway, and the Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, this route is best tackled as a single-day trip given its duration. With an estimated fuel cost of $58, you'll want to ensure your tank is full before departing. The drive traverses the Desert Southwest region, offering a consistent regional landscape throughout. Budgeting for two planned stops will help break up the drive and make the most of your day.
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 Columbus, NM
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 56m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for the majority of this 383.4-mile route, with only 28% of the journey on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 98.6 miles on Central Avenue. This indicates a drive that will likely involve more frequent changes in speed and direction as you navigate through various communities and local roads. The character of the drive suggests a more intimate experience with the landscape rather than a high-speed interstate cruise.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Central Avenue is the longest continuous segment at about 98.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 84.1 miles in near US 70.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 383.4 miles you will encounter 13 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 84.1 miles (US 70): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 156.4 miles (US 70): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 161.6 miles (US 54; US 70 / US 54,70): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
84.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 41m in
|
US 70
Take the exit onto US 70 toward US 70 East: Picacho Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward US 70 East: Picacho Avenue
6
156.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 9m in
|
US 70
Take the exit onto US 70 toward US 54 North, US 70 East: Relief Route, Tularosa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 54 North, US 70 East: Relief Route, T...
4
161.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 17m in
|
US 54; US 70 / US 54,70
Turn left onto US 54; US 70 / US 54,70
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
4
170.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 28m in
|
South Bookout Road
Turn right onto South Bookout Road
Navigation decision point
4
170.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 28m in
|
South Bookout Road
Keep slight left at fork onto South Bookout Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Columbus, NM to Clovis, NM, road signs begin pointing toward Tularosa along the way.
Tularosa
156.4 mi in
|
~3h 9m
|
via US 70
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Central Avenue | 98.6 mi | 2h 5m |
| Clovis Highway | 85.9 mi | 1h 39m |
| Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway | 51.1 mi | 51m |
| US Highway 70 West | 42.3 mi | 46m |
| NM 11 | 32.3 mi | 48m |
| US 70 | 25.2 mi | 34m |
| Bataan Memorial Highway | 20.1 mi | 24m |
| US 54,70 | 8.7 mi | 10m |
Longest stretch:
Central Avenue
— 98.6 mi, about 2h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbus, NM and Clovis, NM.
1
Start on NM 11
32 mi
·
48 min
·
NM 11
2
Turn right onto US 180
0.4 mi
·
27 sec
·
East Cedar Street
3
Take the exit onto US 180
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
US 180
4
Merge onto I 10
51 mi
·
51 min
·
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
5
Take the exit onto US 70
7.2 mi
·
11 min
·
US 70
Toward US 70 East: Picacho Avenue
Use the straight lane.
6
Turn left onto US 70
2.5 mi
·
5 min
·
North Main Street
7
Continue on US 70
20 mi
·
24 min
·
Bataan Memorial Highway
Use the slight right lane.
8
Continue on US 70
42 mi
·
46 min
·
US Highway 70 West
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 70
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
South White Sands Boulevard
10
Take the exit onto US 70
0.1 mi
·
34 sec
·
US 70
Toward US 54 North, US 70 East: Relief Route, Tularosa
11
Merge onto US 54; US 70
5.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Charlie Lee Memorial Relief Route
12
Turn left onto US 54; US 70
8.7 mi
·
10 min
·
US 54,70
Use the left lane.
13
Turn right onto South Bookout Road
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
South Bookout Road
14
Keep slight left at fork onto South Bookout Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Bookout Road
15
Turn right onto Old Mescalero Road
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Old Mescalero Road
16
Turn right onto US 70
99 mi
·
2 hr 5 min
·
Central Avenue
17
Turn left onto US 70 Truck; US 285 Truck
6.2 mi
·
8 min
·
Relief Route
18
Continue on US 70 Truck; US 285 Truck
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway Relief Route
19
Continue on US 70 Truck
86 mi
·
1 hr 39 min
·
Clovis Highway
20
Turn slight left onto US 70
18 mi
·
22 min
·
US 70
21
Turn left onto US 60; US 84
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
·
East 1st Street
Use the left lane.
22
Turn right onto North Main Street
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
North Main Street
23
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
For this 7-hour, 52-minute drive, an early morning departure from Columbus, NM, is recommended to maximize daylight and allow ample time for your two planned stops. Given the significant portion of the drive on local roads, be prepared for varying speed limits and potential traffic, especially as you approach Clovis. The longest stretch without a significant break is nearly 100 miles, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services might be less frequent on the non-highway sections of your journey.
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 Columbus, NM, or about 3h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.6 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 56m 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clovis, NM than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Columbus, 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 Columbus, NM
This is one driving day of about 383.4 miles and 7h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 84 miles from Columbus, 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 Central Avenue for about 98.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 191.7 mi from Columbus, NM · 3h 56m 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 84 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 191.7 miles from Columbus, NM, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Central Avenue if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 98.6 miles.
Arriving in Clovis, NM
The final approach into Clovis, 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 Clovis, 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
$57.90 one way
$115.80 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
134 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $63.56 | $127.13 |
| premium | $4.56 | $68.82 | $137.63 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $84.65 | $169.30 |
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 | $40.26 | $18.40 |
| Efficient EV | 95.9 | 1 | $33.55 | $15.34 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 153.4 | 1 | $53.68 | $24.54 |
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.
Destination
Clovis, NM
Late night in Clovis on Wednesday
Local time
5:40 AM
MDT
Current temp
83°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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 52m 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 Columbus, NM to Clovis, NM covers 383.4 miles and takes about 7h 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Central Avenue, Clovis Highway, 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 Columbus, NM. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $57.90 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 383.4 miles you will encounter 13 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 84.1 miles (US 70): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 156.4 miles (US 70): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 161.6 miles (US 54; US 70 / US 54,70): Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Columbus, NM to Clovis, NM, road signs begin pointing toward Tularosa along the way.
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