Origin
Las Cruces, NM
Evening in Las Cruces on Sunday
Local time
6:51 PM
MDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Las Cruces, NM to Clovis, NM
Drive Time
6h
Distance
292.4 mi
471 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 48m
★
6 AM
6h 1m
8 AM
6h 26m
10 AM
6h 10m
12 PM
6h 7m
3 PM
6h 11m
5 PM
6h 25m
8 PM
5h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Las Cruces, NM
Mario Spencer
Clovis, NM
Pho Tomass
Trip Overview
Spanning 292.4 miles across the Desert Southwest, this journey from Las Cruces to Clovis takes approximately 6 hours of drive time. Because the route is categorized as a turn-heavy local drive, it is best approached as a single-day trip rather than a multi-day excursion. You should budget about $45 for fuel to cover the distance between these two New Mexico hubs. While the drive is manageable in one go, the winding nature of the local roads means you will want to stay alert behind the wheel. Given the total duration, you have the flexibility to complete the transit in one afternoon or morning, provided you plan for at least one necessary stop along the way.
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
146.2 miles from Las Cruces, NM
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 2m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a departure from standard interstate monotony as this route relies heavily on Central Avenue, Clovis Highway, and US Highway 70 West. With a highway share of only 24%, much of your time will be spent navigating turn-heavy local roads that demand more active steering than a typical freeway. You will encounter a significant 98.6-mile stretch on Central Avenue, which serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of the trip. The character of the drive shifts as you move between these distinct road types, requiring you to transition frequently between varying speed zones and road conditions. It is a practical, functional drive that keeps you engaged with the local landscape rather than isolating you on a high-speed corridor.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 22 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 0.1 miles in.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 292.4 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 0.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (North Church Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (NM 478 / North Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
At end of road, turn right
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North Church Street
Turn left onto North Church Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
NM 478 / North Main Street
Enter roundabout onto NM 478 / North Main Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
65.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 17m 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...
5
81.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 40m in
|
US 70 / Central Avenue
Turn right onto US 70 / Central Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Las Cruces, NM to Clovis, NM, road signs begin pointing toward Tularosa along the way.
Tularosa
65.4 mi in
|
~1h 17m
|
via US 70
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Central Avenue | 98.6 mi | 2h 5m |
| Clovis Highway | 85.9 mi | 1h 39m |
| US Highway 70 West | 42.3 mi | 46m |
| Bataan Memorial Highway | 20.1 mi | 24m |
| US 70 | 18 mi | 23m |
| US 54,70 | 8.7 mi | 10m |
| Relief Route | 6.2 mi | 8m |
| Charlie Lee Memorial Relief Route | 5 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
Central Avenue
— 98.6 mi, about 2h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Las Cruces, NM and Clovis, NM.
1
Start on this road
284 ft
·
22 sec
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn right
65 ft
·
10 sec
3
Turn left onto North Church Street
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
North Church Street
4
Enter roundabout onto NM 478
48 ft
·
1 sec
·
North Main Street
5
Continue on NM 478
2.7 mi
·
5 min
·
North Main Street
6
Continue on US 70
20 mi
·
24 min
·
Bataan Memorial Highway
Use the none / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on US 70
42 mi
·
46 min
·
US Highway 70 West
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 70
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
South White Sands Boulevard
9
Take the exit onto US 70
0.1 mi
·
34 sec
·
US 70
Toward US 54 North, US 70 East: Relief Route, Tularosa
10
Merge onto US 54; US 70
5.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Charlie Lee Memorial Relief Route
11
Turn left onto US 54; US 70
8.7 mi
·
10 min
·
US 54,70
Use the left lane.
12
Turn right onto South Bookout Road
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
South Bookout Road
13
Keep slight left at fork onto South Bookout Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Bookout Road
14
Turn right onto Old Mescalero Road
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Old Mescalero Road
15
Turn right onto US 70
99 mi
·
2 hr 5 min
·
Central Avenue
Use the none lane.
16
Turn left onto US 70 Truck; US 285 Truck
6.2 mi
·
8 min
·
Relief Route
17
Continue on US 70 Truck; US 285 Truck
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway Relief Route
18
Continue on US 70 Truck
86 mi
·
1 hr 39 min
·
Clovis Highway
Use the none lane.
19
Turn slight left onto US 70
18 mi
·
22 min
·
US 70
Use the none lane.
20
Turn left onto US 60; US 84
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
·
East 1st Street
Use the left lane.
21
Turn right onto North Main Street
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
North Main Street
22
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 6-hour trek, aim to depart early in the day to account for the technical nature of the local roads. Since you only have one planned stop for the entire 292.4-mile trip, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before hitting the longer stretches to avoid unnecessary delays. Keep a close eye on your navigation during the Central Avenue segment, as that 98.6-mile section is the primary artery of your journey. Because the route is turn-heavy, prioritize comfort and frequent hydration to maintain focus during the winding segments. Taking advantage of that single scheduled stop will be essential for keeping your energy levels steady until you reach Clovis.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 146.2 miles from Las Cruces, NM, or about 3h 2m 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 80 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 146.2 miles or 3h 2m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 56m
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 Las Cruces, 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 Las Cruces, NM
This is one driving day of about 292.4 miles and 6h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Las Cruces, 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 Central Avenue for about 98.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 146.2 mi from Las Cruces, NM · 3h 2m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
146 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 146.2 miles from Las Cruces, 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
$44.70 one way
$89.40 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
102 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $49.03 | $98.06 |
| premium | $4.61 | $53.07 | $106.14 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $64.96 | $129.92 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 87.7 | 1 | $30.70 | $14.04 |
| Efficient EV | 73.1 | 0 | $25.58 | $11.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 117 | 1 | $40.94 | $18.71 |
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (67% 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
Evening in Clovis on Sunday
Local time
6:51 PM
MDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
46°F
Artesia, NM
146 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
29 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
6h 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 Las Cruces, NM to Clovis, NM covers 292.4 miles and takes about 6h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Central Avenue, Clovis Highway, US Highway 70 West. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 146.2 miles from Las Cruces, NM. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $44.70 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 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 292.4 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 0.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (North Church Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (NM 478 / North Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
On the drive from Las Cruces, NM to Clovis, NM, road signs begin pointing toward Tularosa along the way.
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