Origin
Navajo, NM
Evening in Navajo on Sunday
Local time
7:36 PM
MDT
Current temp
31°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Navajo, NM to Gallup, NM
Drive Time
1h 6m
Distance
43.9 mi
71 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 2m
★
6 AM
1h 7m
8 AM
1h 18m
10 AM
1h 11m
12 PM
1h 10m
3 PM
1h 11m
5 PM
1h 17m
8 PM
1h 4m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gallup, NM
B. Kane
Trip Overview
Spanning 43.9 miles through the heart of the Desert Southwest, this trip from Navajo to Gallup is a straightforward journey typically taking about 1 hour and 6 minutes. Since the entire drive stays within New Mexico, it functions perfectly as a simple day trip that requires no overnight stops. You can expect to spend approximately $7 on fuel for the trek, making it an affordable excursion for those exploring the region. Navigation is uncomplicated, relying on a combination of Navajo Route 12, New Mexico State Road 264, and US 491. Whether you are commuting or just exploring, the modest duration offers plenty of flexibility for your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
21.9 miles from Navajo, NM
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 37m into the drive .
Drive Character
This drive offers a mixed-road experience, transitioning between smaller local routes and larger highways. With a highway share of 55%, you will experience a balance of slower, localized driving and more sustained speeds. The longest uninterrupted section occurs early on, covering 16.6 miles along Navajo Route 12. As you transition from Navajo Route 12 onto NM State Road 264 and eventually US 491, the character of the road shifts to accommodate different traffic levels. Expect a steady, practical drive that lacks the intensity of major interstate congestion, allowing you to focus on the road ahead.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Navajo Route 12 is the longest continuous segment at about 16.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Poplar Avenue.
Route Complexity
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Navajo, NM to Gallup, NM is easy. At 1h 6m with 55% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (Poplar Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles (N12 / Cleveland Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 42.7 miles (NM 609 / West Maloney Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Poplar Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto Poplar Avenue
Navigation decision point
3
1 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
N12 / Cleveland Boulevard
Turn right onto N12 / Cleveland Boulevard
Navigation decision point
6
42.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 4m in
|
NM 609 / West Maloney Avenue
Turn left onto NM 609 / West Maloney Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
4
43.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m in
|
NM 610 / South 3rd Street
Turn right onto NM 610 / South 3rd Street
Navigation decision point
5
43.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m in
|
I 40 BUS; NM 118; US 66 Hist / West Historic Highway 66
Turn left onto I 40 BUS; NM 118; US 66 Hist / West Historic Highway 66
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Navajo Route 12 | 16.6 mi | 27m |
| New Mexico State Road 264 | 16.4 mi | 20m |
| US 491 | 6.8 mi | 9m |
| Cleveland Boulevard | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| West Maloney Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Poplar Avenue | 0.8 mi | 3m |
| Arizona State Highway 264 | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| South 3rd Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Navajo Route 12
— 16.6 mi, about 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Navajo, NM and Gallup, NM.
1
Start on this road
0.2 mi
·
54 sec
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto Poplar Avenue
0.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Poplar Avenue
3
Turn right onto N12
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Cleveland Boulevard
4
Continue on N12
12 mi
·
19 min
·
Navajo Route 12
5
At end of road, turn left onto N12
5.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Navajo Route 12
6
Turn left onto AZ 264
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Arizona State Highway 264
7
Continue on NM 264
16 mi
·
20 min
·
New Mexico State Road 264
8
Continue on US 491
6.8 mi
·
9 min
·
US 491
9
Turn left onto NM 609
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Maloney Avenue
Use the left lane.
10
Turn right onto NM 610
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
South 3rd Street
11
Turn left onto I 40 BUS; NM 118; US 66 Hist
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
West Historic Highway 66
12
Arrive at destination
I 40 BUS; NM 118; US 66 Hist
Trip Plan
Because the total drive time is just over an hour, you have the advantage of picking a departure time that best suits your daily itinerary. Since there are no designated stops scheduled, you should ensure your vehicle is fueled and ready before heading out to keep your $7 budget on track. Keep in mind that the transition between Navajo Route 12, NM 264, and US 491 requires paying close attention to signage as you navigate the turns. Use the short duration to your benefit by planning your arrival in Gallup for a meal or errands immediately upon completion. If you are traveling during peak daylight hours, you will have maximum visibility for the entire 43.9-mile distance.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 21.9 miles from Navajo, NM, or about 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 16.6 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 43.9 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 21.9 miles or 37m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gallup, NM than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Navajo, 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 Navajo, NM
This is one driving day of about 43.9 miles and 1h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Navajo, NM.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Navajo Route 12 for about 16.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 21.9 mi from Navajo, NM · 37m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
22 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 43.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 21.9 miles from Navajo, NM, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Gallup, NM
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.71 one way
$13.42 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
15 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $7.36 | $14.72 |
| premium | $4.61 | $7.97 | $15.94 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $9.75 | $19.51 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$32–$57
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 15.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13.2 | 0 | $4.61 | $2.11 |
| Efficient EV | 11 | 0 | $3.84 | $1.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 17.6 | 0 | $6.15 | $2.81 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Gallup, NM
Evening in Gallup on Sunday
Local time
7:36 PM
MDT
Current temp
29°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
38°F
Ganado, AZ
22 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
2 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
1h 6m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Navajo, NM to Gallup, NM covers 43.9 miles and takes about 1h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Navajo Route 12, New Mexico State Road 264, US 491. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 21.9 miles from Navajo, NM. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.71 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Navajo, NM to Gallup, NM is easy. At 1h 6m with 55% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (Poplar Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles (N12 / Cleveland Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 42.7 miles (NM 609 / West Maloney Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Navajo, NM to Gallup, NM does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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