Planning a trip from Hobbs, NM to Lee Acres, NM? This 483.6-mile journey will take approximately 9 hours and 36 minutes, making it a solid two-day drive. You'll primarily be on US 550 and I-40, with about 52% of the drive being on highways. The estimated fuel cost is around $73 for this mixed drive through the Desert Southwest. With two recommended stops, you'll have opportunities to break up the travel. This route offers a practical way to cover a significant distance within New Mexico.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
241.8 miles from Hobbs, NM
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 3m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
9h 36m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This route presents a mixed driving experience, balancing interstate cruising with other road types. You'll spend about 52% of your time on highways, offering stretches of efficient travel. The longest uninterrupted section is a considerable 151.6 miles along US 550, so be prepared for extended periods behind the wheel. As you progress, expect the road character to shift, offering a varied feel rather than a monotonous interstate grind. This variety can make the drive more engaging.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 550 is the longest continuous segment at about 151.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 257.2 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
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 483.6 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 257.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 313.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 313.5 miles (San Mateo Boulevard Northeast): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
257.2 mi into trip|~5h 21m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
313.2 mi into trip|~6h 20m in
Take the exit toward San Mateo Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 161
Toward San Mateo Boulevard
6
313.5 mi into trip|~6h 21m in|San Mateo Boulevard Northeast
Turn right onto San Mateo Boulevard Northeast
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
328.3 mi into trip|~6h 40m in
Take the exit toward US 550 North, NM 165 East: Placitas, Bernalillo, Rio Rancho
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward US 550: Bernalillo, Rio Rancho, Coronado Historic Site
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 550: Bernalillo, Rio Rancho, Coronado...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hobbs, NM and Lee Acres, NM, road signs point toward Bernalillo, Rio Rancho and Coronado Historic Site.
Bernalillo
328.3 mi in|~6h 40m
Rio Rancho
328.3 mi in|~6h 40m
Coronado Historic Site
328.5 mi in|~6h 41m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 550
151.6 mi
2h 50m
South Main Street
113.3 mi
2h 13m
I 40
55.8 mi
58m
NM Highway 529
31.2 mi
46m
Southeast Main Street
30 mi
35m
Lovington Highway
29.1 mi
43m
Shenrick Street
27.5 mi
31m
West Carlsbad Highway
12 mi
13m
Longest stretch:
US 550
— 151.6 mi, about 2h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hobbs, NM and Lee Acres, NM.
1
Start on North Turner Street
0.4 mi·47 sec·North Turner Street
2
Turn right onto US 62; US 180
2.5 mi·2 min·West Marland Boulevard
3
Continue on US 62; US 180
12 mi·13 min·West Carlsbad Highway
4
Turn right onto NM 529
31 mi·46 min·NM Highway 529
5
At end of road, turn left onto US 82
29 mi·43 min·Lovington Highway
6
Continue on US 82
2.1 mi·3 min·East Main Street
7
Turn right onto US 285
2.0 mi·2 min·North 1st Street
8
Continue on US 285
7.2 mi·8 min·Roswell Highway
9
Continue on US 285
30 mi·35 min·Southeast Main Street
10
Continue on US 285
113 mi·2 hr 13 min·South Main Street
11
Continue on US 60; US 285
28 mi·31 min·Shenrick Street
12
Turn left
0.2 mi·28 sec
Use the left lane.
13
Merge onto I 40
56 mi·58 min·I 40
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 161Toward San Mateo BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
15
Turn right onto San Mateo Boulevard Northeast
3.3 mi·6 min·San Mateo Boulevard Northeast
Use the left lane.
16
Turn right onto Pan American Freeway Northeast
353 ft·6 sec·Pan American Freeway Northeast
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
17
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 25 North: Santa FeUse the straight / left lanes.
18
Merge onto I 25
11 mi·11 min·Pan American Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Exit 242Toward US 550 North, NM 165 East: Placitas, Bernalillo, Rio Rancho
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·20 sec
Toward US 550: Bernalillo, Rio Rancho, Coronado Historic Site
21
Continue on US 550
1.7 mi·3 min·US 550
Use the right lane.
22
Continue on US 550
150 mi·2 hr 47 min·US 550
23
Turn left onto US 64
3.2 mi·3 min·West Broadway Boulevard
24
Continue on US 64
0.1 mi·16 sec·US 64
25
Arrive at destination
US 64
Trip Plan
Given the 9.5-hour duration, splitting this 483.6-mile trip over two days is highly recommended for a more relaxed experience. Plan your first day to cover roughly half the distance, perhaps aiming for a stop around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest stretch of 151.6 miles on US 550, as services might be more spread out. The $73 fuel cost is an estimate, so adjust based on current prices and your vehicle's mileage. Factor in your two planned stops to rest and refuel.
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 drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 241.8 miles from Hobbs, NM, or about 5h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 151.6 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 106 miles or 2h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 241.8 miles or 5h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 241.8 miles or 5h 3m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 8h 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lee Acres, NM than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hobbs, 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.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Hobbs, NM
Aim for roughly 242 miles and 4.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Lee Acres, NM
Aim for roughly 242 miles and 4.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 106 miles from Hobbs, NM.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 550 for about 151.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 241.8 mi from Hobbs, NM
· 5h 3m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Petroglyph National Monument
National Monument
Petroglyph National Monument protects one of the largest petroglyph sites in North America, featuring designs and symbols carved onto volcanic rocks by Native Americans and Spanish settlers 400 to 700...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 316.8
Caution: Be City Smart: Take precautions to secure your vehicle and valuables.
Aztec Ruins has some of the best-preserved Chacoan structures of its kind. Learn more about the ancestral Pueblo people in the park's museum and explore the Aztec West great house to see exceptionally...
10 mi from route
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 483.6
Explore the monumental structures and breathtaking landscape at Chaco, a thriving regional center for the ancestral Pueblo people from 850 to 1250 CE (Common Era), through hiking & biking trails, rang...
23 mi from route
~57 min detour
$25
near mile 450.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$73.04 one way
$146.07 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg169 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$80.17
$160.35
premium
$4.56
$86.80
$173.60
diesel
$5.61
$106.77
$213.55
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$73
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$203–$313
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 169.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $51 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
145.1
1
$50.78
$23.21
Efficient EV
120.9
1
$42.32
$19.34
EV Truck/SUV
193.4
2
$67.70
$30.95
Gas CO2
169 kg
EV CO2
57 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Hobbs, NM
Evening
in Hobbs on Friday
Local time
7:14 PM
MDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lee Acres, NM
Evening
in Lee Acres on Friday
Local time
7:14 PM
MDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
44°F
Edgewood, NM
242 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
15 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
9h 36m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Hobbs, NM to Lee Acres, NM covers 483.6 miles and takes about 9h 36m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 550, South Main Street, I 40. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 242 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 241.8 miles from Hobbs, NM. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $73.04 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 483.6 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 257.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 313.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 313.5 miles (San Mateo Boulevard Northeast): Lane positioning matters here.
Between Hobbs, NM and Lee Acres, NM, road signs point toward Bernalillo, Rio Rancho and Coronado Historic Site.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Petroglyph National Monument, Aztec Ruins National Monument and Chaco Culture National Historical Park.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
