Origin
Edgewood, NM
Evening in Edgewood on Sunday
Local time
7:34 PM
MDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
2h 53m
Distance
165.9 mi
267 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
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.
Edgewood, NM
Drew Burks
Gallup, NM
B. Kane
If you are looking to traverse New Mexico from Edgewood to Gallup, expect a straightforward journey spanning 165.9 miles. This drive typically takes about 2 hours and 53 minutes to complete, making it a manageable day trip that does not require an overnight stay. You will spend roughly 99% of your time on major highways, primarily navigating I-40 before transitioning to local roads like East Aztec Avenue and Ford Drive. With an estimated fuel cost of $25, the route is economically friendly for a quick cross-state excursion. Because both locations sit within the Desert Southwest, you can anticipate consistent high-desert conditions throughout your travel. It is a highly practical connection for those prioritizing efficiency over winding backroads.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
82.9 miles from Edgewood, NM
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 26m into the drive .
This route is a quintessential highway-focused drive, dominated by the long, consistent stretches of I-40. In fact, you will spend 163.7 miles of your trip on this single interstate, providing a predictable and fast-paced experience behind the wheel. Because you are on a major artery for nearly the entire distance, the journey lacks the technical complexity of mountain passes or narrow local roads. Expect a steady, uninterrupted flow as you transition from the open highway directly into town via Ford Drive and East Aztec Avenue. The personality of this drive is functional and direct, ideal for travelers who prefer to make steady progress without frequent detours.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and East Aztec Avenue. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near I 40.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Edgewood, NM to Gallup, NM is easy. At 2h 53m with 99% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 164.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 164.5 miles (NM 609 / Ford Drive): Navigation decision point.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Miyamura Drive, Montoya Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left onto NM 609 / Ford Drive
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto NM 610 / South 2nd Street
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto I 40 BUS; NM 118; US 66 Hist / East Historic Highway 66
Navigation decision point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 163.7 mi | 2h 49m |
| East Aztec Avenue | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Ford Drive | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| NM-344 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Miyamura Overpass | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| South 2nd Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| East Historic Highway 66 | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Edgewood, NM and Gallup, NM.
Start on NM 344
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 40
Take the exit
Turn left onto NM 609
Continue on NM 609
Turn right onto East Aztec Avenue
Turn right onto NM 610
Turn right onto I 40 BUS; NM 118; US 66 Hist
Arrive at destination
To keep your travel efficient, aim to complete the 165.9-mile trip in one go, as the duration of under three hours allows for significant flexibility in your schedule. Since you only have one designated stop planned, try to time your break near the midpoint to manage your energy levels effectively. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, keeping that $25 budget in mind, and consider topping off before hitting the longer interstate stretches. Given that 99% of your travel occurs on high-speed highways, stay alert for changing traffic patterns as you approach the local road segments. Always check your tire pressure before departing, as the consistent high-speed nature of I-40 can be demanding on your vehicle over the 163.7-mile stretch.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
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 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82.9 miles or 1h 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gallup, NM than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Edgewood, 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 Edgewood, NM
This is one driving day of about 165.9 miles and 2h 53m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 82.9 mi from Edgewood, NM · 1h 26m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
83 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 82.9 miles from Edgewood, NM, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 163.7 miles.
The final approach into Gallup, 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 Gallup, 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
$25.36 one way
$50.72 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $27.82 | $55.64 |
| premium | $4.61 | $30.11 | $60.22 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $36.86 | $73.71 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49.8 | 0 | $17.42 | $7.96 |
| Efficient EV | 41.5 | 0 | $14.52 | $6.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66.4 | 0 | $23.23 | $10.62 |
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (67% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Edgewood on Sunday
Local time
7:34 PM
MDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Gallup on Sunday
Local time
7:34 PM
MDT
Current temp
29°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
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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