Trip from Santa Clara, NM to Clovis, NM

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

Distance

395 mi

636 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$60

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min

4 AM

7h 52m ★

6 AM

8h 0m

8 AM

8h 18m

10 AM

8h 6m

12 PM

8h 5m

3 PM

8h 7m

5 PM

8h 17m

8 PM

7h 55m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Santa Clara, NM

Gaby Lopez

city in and county seat of Curry County, New Mexico, United States

Clovis, NM

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Santa Clara, NM to Clovis, NM covers 395 miles and takes about 8h behind the wheel. It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.

The route leans on Central Avenue, Clovis Highway, Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 98.6 miles on Central Avenue. At current regular gas prices, budget about $59.65 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

197.5 miles from Santa Clara, NM

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 57m into the drive .

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Drive Character

Expect a 8h drive with frequent turns across 395 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 27 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.

Elevation Profile

High-altitude sections with notable climbs

6,306 ft 3,692 ft

Total Climb

3,493 ft

Total Descent

5,208 ft

Highest Point

6,306 ft

~197.5 mi in

Elevation Range

2,614 ft

Notable High Points

4,552 ft at ~112.9 miles +164 ft prominence

6,306 ft at ~197.5 miles +367 ft prominence

4,386 ft at ~338.6 miles +198 ft prominence

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 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Maple Street.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 395 miles you will encounter 15 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: near the start (Maple Street): Navigation decision point; at 43.9 miles (US 180 / East Cedar Street): Navigation decision point; at 95.7 miles (US 70): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Maple Street

Turn right onto Maple Street

Navigation decision point

43.9 mi into trip | ~56m in | US 180 / East Cedar Street

Turn left onto US 180 / East Cedar Street

Navigation decision point

95.7 mi into trip | ~1h 49m in | US 70

Take the exit onto US 70 toward US 70 East: Picacho Avenue

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane. Toward US 70 East: Picacho Avenue

168 mi into trip | ~3h 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...

173.2 mi into trip | ~3h 25m in | US 54; US 70 / US 54,70

Turn left onto US 54; US 70 / US 54,70

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Santa Clara, NM to Clovis, NM, road signs begin pointing toward Tularosa along the way.

Tularosa

168 mi in | ~3h 17m | via US 70

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Central Avenue	98.6 mi	2h 5m
Clovis Highway	85.9 mi	1h 39m
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway	51.1 mi	51m
US Highway 70 West	42.3 mi	46m
Tom Foy Boulevard	37.9 mi	45m
US 70	25.2 mi	34m
Bataan Memorial Highway	20.1 mi	24m
US 54,70	8.7 mi	10m

Longest stretch: Central Avenue — 98.6 mi, about 2h 5m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Santa Clara, NM and Clovis, NM.

Start on Mineral Street

44 ft · 4 sec · Mineral Street

Turn right onto Maple Street

480 ft · 13 sec · Maple Street

Turn right onto US 180

1.8 mi · 3 min · Silver Heights Boulevard

Continue on US 180

38 mi · 45 min · Tom Foy Boulevard

Continue on US 180

4.1 mi · 6 min · North Gold Avenue

Turn left onto US 180

0.4 mi · 27 sec · East Cedar Street

Take the exit onto US 180

0.4 mi · 45 sec · US 180

Merge onto I 10

51 mi · 51 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway

Take the exit onto US 70

7.2 mi · 11 min · US 70

Toward US 70 East: Picacho Avenue Use the straight lane.

Turn left onto US 70

2.5 mi · 5 min · North Main Street

Continue on US 70

20 mi · 24 min · Bataan Memorial Highway

Use the slight right lane.

Continue on US 70

42 mi · 46 min · US Highway 70 West

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 70

0.1 mi · 18 sec · South White Sands Boulevard

Take the exit onto US 70

0.1 mi · 34 sec · US 70

Toward US 54 North, US 70 East: Relief Route, Tularosa

Merge onto US 54; US 70

5.0 mi · 7 min · Charlie Lee Memorial Relief Route

Turn left onto US 54; US 70

8.7 mi · 10 min · US 54,70

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto South Bookout Road

0.3 mi · 26 sec · South Bookout Road

Keep slight left at fork onto South Bookout Road

0.8 mi · 1 min · South Bookout Road

Turn right onto Old Mescalero Road

1.4 mi · 2 min · Old Mescalero Road

Turn right onto US 70

99 mi · 2 hr 5 min · Central Avenue

Turn left onto US 70 Truck; US 285 Truck

6.2 mi · 8 min · Relief Route

Continue on US 70 Truck; US 285 Truck

1.3 mi · 1 min · Highway Relief Route

Continue on US 70 Truck

86 mi · 1 hr 39 min · Clovis Highway

Turn slight left onto US 70

18 mi · 22 min · US 70

Turn left onto US 60; US 84

0.5 mi · 48 sec · East 1st Street

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto North Main Street

0.4 mi · 53 sec · North Main Street

Arrive at destination

North Main Street

Trip Plan

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 197.5 miles from Santa Clara, NM, or about 3h 57m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.6 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 87 miles or 1h 40m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 197.5 miles or 3h 57m 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 197.5 miles or 3h 57m

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 6h 48m

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 Santa Clara, 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 Santa Clara, NM

Aim for roughly 198 miles and 4 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Clovis, NM

Aim for roughly 198 miles and 4 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 87 miles from Santa Clara, 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 Central Avenue for about 98.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 197.5 mi from Santa Clara, NM · 3h 57m into the drive

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Ruidoso, NM

198 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Ruidoso, NM

Popular next leg

Ruidoso, NM to Clovis, NM

182.2 mi · 3h 44m

Overnight Options

Night 1

Ruidoso, NM

198 mi · about 4h in

A practical overnight split lands near Ruidoso, NM after about 198 miles or 4 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Doña Ana, NM

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 87 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ruidoso, NM

Meal break

The midpoint is around 197.5 miles from Santa Clara, NM, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Central Avenue if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 98.6 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 198 miles or 4 hours on the road.

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.

On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Clovis, NM with some flexibility left in the schedule.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$59.65 one way

$119.31 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 138 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.21	$65.49	$130.97
premium	$4.56	$70.90	$141.80
diesel	$5.61	$87.21	$174.42

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$60

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$190–$300

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 138.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $41 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	118.5	1	$41.47	$18.96
Efficient EV	98.8	1	$34.56	$15.80
EV Truck/SUV	158	1	$55.30	$25.28

Gas CO2

138 kg

EV CO2

46 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.

Forecast data refreshed 1 day ago

Origin

Santa Clara, NM

Morning in Santa Clara on Wednesday

Local time

6:15 AM

MDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Clovis, NM

Morning in Clovis on Wednesday

Local time

6:15 AM

MDT

Current temp

83°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.

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

9 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

8h 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 Santa Clara, NM to Clovis, NM covers 395 miles and takes about 8h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Central Avenue, Clovis Highway, Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway. 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 198 miles on day one.

The midpoint is about 197.5 miles from Santa Clara, NM. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $59.65 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.

On the drive from Santa Clara, NM to Clovis, NM, road signs begin pointing toward Tularosa along the way.

High-altitude sections with notable climbs. The route ranges from 3,692 ft to 6,306 ft elevation with about 3,493 ft of total climbing. There are 3 notable high points along the way.

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