Origin
Ruidoso, NM
Afternoon in Ruidoso on Sunday
Local time
4:44 PM
MDT
Current temp
37°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ruidoso, NM to Clovis, NM
Drive Time
3h 44m
Distance
182.2 mi
293 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 31m
★
6 AM
3h 44m
8 AM
4h 9m
10 AM
3h 53m
12 PM
3h 50m
3 PM
3h 54m
5 PM
4h 8m
8 PM
3h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clovis, NM
Pho Tomass
Trip Overview
Traveling from Ruidoso to Clovis covers 182.2 miles across the high plains of New Mexico. Expect to spend about 3 hours and 44 minutes behind the wheel, making this a straightforward journey that fits perfectly into a single day of travel. You will primarily navigate via US 70 and the Clovis Highway, with a total estimated fuel cost of $28. Since both locations sit within the Desert Southwest, you can anticipate a consistent regional landscape throughout the entire trip. This route is manageable for most drivers without the need for an overnight stay, offering a reliable path through the state.
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
91.1 miles from Ruidoso, NM
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 55m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip offers a mixed driving profile that keeps the experience varied. Approximately 47% of your time will be spent on highways, balancing faster stretches with more localized roads. You should prepare for a significant 85.9-mile stretch on the Clovis Highway, which serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of your drive. As you transition between these segments, you will navigate a mix of road types that requires you to stay alert through different speed zones. The interplay between highway travel and smaller road passages defines the character of this 182.2-mile trek.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 9 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Clovis Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 85.9 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 2.8 miles in near US 70.
Route Complexity
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Ruidoso, NM to Clovis, NM is easy. At 3h 44m with 47% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.8 miles (US 70): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 163.4 miles (US 70): Lane positioning matters here; at 181.2 miles (US 60; US 84 / East 1st Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
4 of 4 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
3
2.8 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
US 70
Merge onto US 70
Merge point - match speed before joining
3
163.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 19m in
|
US 70
Turn slight left onto US 70
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
4
181.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 42m in
|
US 60; US 84 / East 1st Street
Turn left onto US 60; US 84 / East 1st Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
3
181.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 43m in
|
North Main Street
Turn right onto North Main Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Clovis Highway | 85.9 mi | 1h 39m |
| US 70 | 85 mi | 1h 47m |
| Relief Route | 6.2 mi | 8m |
| Sudderth Drive | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| Highway Relief Route | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| East 1st Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| North Main Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Clovis Highway
— 85.9 mi, about 1h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ruidoso, NM and Clovis, NM.
1
Start on NM 48
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Sudderth Drive
2
Merge onto US 70
67 mi
·
1 hr 25 min
·
US 70
3
Turn left onto US 70 Truck; US 285 Truck
6.2 mi
·
8 min
·
Relief Route
4
Continue on US 70 Truck; US 285 Truck
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway Relief Route
5
Continue on US 70 Truck
86 mi
·
1 hr 39 min
·
Clovis Highway
Use the none lane.
6
Turn slight left onto US 70
18 mi
·
22 min
·
US 70
Use the none lane.
7
Turn left onto US 60; US 84
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
·
East 1st Street
Use the left lane.
8
Turn right onto North Main Street
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
North Main Street
9
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
For a smooth journey, plan for at least one stop to break up the 3-hour and 44-minute drive. Because the fuel cost is modest at roughly $28, you have plenty of flexibility in your budget for snacks or extra supplies. Aim to depart early in the day to take full advantage of the daylight hours, especially since you will be covering a relatively long distance in a single push. Since you have a nearly 86-mile stretch on the Clovis Highway, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before hitting that segment to avoid any unnecessary stress. Use the single recommended stop to stretch your legs and reset before finishing the final leg of the trip.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 91.1 miles from Ruidoso, NM, or about 1h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85.9 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 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 91.1 miles or 1h 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 3m
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 Ruidoso, 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 Ruidoso, NM
This is one driving day of about 182.2 miles and 3h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Ruidoso, 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 Clovis Highway for about 85.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 91.1 mi from Ruidoso, NM · 1h 55m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
91 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 91.1 miles from Ruidoso, NM, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Clovis Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 85.9 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
$27.85 one way
$55.71 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
64 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $30.55 | $61.10 |
| premium | $4.61 | $33.07 | $66.14 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $40.48 | $80.96 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 63.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 54.7 | 0 | $19.13 | $8.75 |
| Efficient EV | 45.6 | 0 | $15.94 | $7.29 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 72.9 | 0 | $25.51 | $11.66 |
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
21 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
Clovis, NM
Afternoon in Clovis on Sunday
Local time
4:44 PM
MDT
Current temp
75°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
38 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
3h 44m 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 Ruidoso, NM to Clovis, NM covers 182.2 miles and takes about 3h 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Clovis Highway, US 70, Relief Route. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 91.1 miles from Ruidoso, NM. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.85 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Ruidoso, NM to Clovis, NM is easy. At 3h 44m with 47% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.8 miles (US 70): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 163.4 miles (US 70): Lane positioning matters here; at 181.2 miles (US 60; US 84 / East 1st Street): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Ruidoso, NM to Clovis, NM does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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