Origin
Zuni Pueblo, NM
Evening in Zuni Pueblo on Sunday
Local time
6:30 PM
MDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Zuni Pueblo, NM to Artesia, NM
Drive Time
7h 45m
Distance
390.2 mi
628 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$60
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 37m
★
6 AM
7h 46m
8 AM
8h 5m
10 AM
7h 52m
12 PM
7h 51m
3 PM
7h 53m
5 PM
8h 4m
8 PM
7h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Zuni Pueblo, NM
Order Luck
Artesia, NM
Israel Torres
Trip Overview
Spanning 390.2 miles across the Desert Southwest, this journey from Zuni Pueblo to Artesia takes approximately 7 hours and 45 minutes of driving time. Because the route is categorized as a mixed drive, you can complete it in a single long day, though it requires stamina to stay behind the wheel. Budgeting around $60 for fuel is a smart way to prepare for the trip. You will navigate a combination of I-40 and local streets like 8th Street and Southeast Main Street to reach your destination. While the trip is manageable for experienced drivers, be ready for a full day of travel that transitions you across the diverse landscapes of New Mexico.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
195.1 miles from Zuni Pueblo, NM
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 58m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a varied experience on this 390.2-mile trek, where roughly 53% of your time will be spent on highways. The route features a significant 135.4-mile stretch on I-40, which serves as the primary artery for the first portion of your drive. As you transition off the interstate onto local roads, the pace shifts from high-speed travel to more localized driving patterns. This mix keeps the drive engaging, moving between wide-open highway segments and more moderate speeds as you approach your final destination. You will find that the road’s personality changes as you leave the interstate, requiring you to remain alert to shifting road conditions.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 40 is the longest continuous segment at about 135.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Chavez Circle.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
The route itself is not hard, but at 7h 45m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 7 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Chavez Circle): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (NM 53 / New Mexico 53): Navigation decision point; at 74.4 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Chavez Circle
Turn left onto Chavez Circle
Navigation decision point
4
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
NM 53 / New Mexico 53
At end of road, turn left onto NM 53 / New Mexico 53
Navigation decision point
5
74.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 53m in
|
I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
209.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 13m in
Take the exit toward US 285: Vaughn, Santa Fe
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 285: Vaughn, Santa Fe
5
210 mi into trip
|
~4h 13m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Zuni Pueblo, NM to Artesia, NM, road signs begin pointing toward Santa Fe along the way.
Santa Fe
209.8 mi in
|
~4h 13m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 135.4 mi | 2h 20m |
| 8th Street | 91.9 mi | 1h 41m |
| Southeast Main Street | 29.9 mi | 35m |
| US Highway 285 | 27.4 mi | 31m |
| Ice Caves Rd. - NM53 | 25 mi | 34m |
| Ice Caves Road (cdt hiking trail) | 17.3 mi | 22m |
| Oak Street | 14.5 mi | 17m |
| Highway 53 - NM53 | 11.6 mi | 15m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 135.4 mi, about 2h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Zuni Pueblo, NM and Artesia, NM.
1
Start on Twin Buttes Drive
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
Twin Buttes Drive
2
Turn left onto Chavez Circle
0.2 mi
·
48 sec
·
Chavez Circle
3
At end of road, turn left onto NM 53
1.7 mi
·
4 min
·
New Mexico 53
4
Continue on NM 53
7.7 mi
·
19 min
·
NM 53
5
Continue on NM 53
0.5 mi
·
41 sec
·
San Rafael Road
6
Continue on NM 53
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Highway 53 - NM53
7
Continue on NM 53
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Bond Street - NM53
8
Continue on NM 53
25 mi
·
34 min
·
Ice Caves Rd. - NM53
9
Continue on NM 53
17 mi
·
22 min
·
Ice Caves Road (cdt hiking trail)
10
Continue on NM 53
8.6 mi
·
11 min
·
San Rafael Road
11
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
12
Merge onto I 40
135 mi
·
2 hr 20 min
·
I 40
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Toward US 285: Vaughn, Santa Fe
14
Keep slight left at fork
470 ft
·
15 sec
15
Turn right onto US 285
27 mi
·
31 min
·
US Highway 285
16
Continue on US 60; US 285
14 mi
·
17 min
·
Oak Street
17
Continue on US 54; US 60; US 285
92 mi
·
1 hr 41 min
·
8th Street
18
Continue on US 285
6.9 mi
·
14 min
·
North Main Street
19
Turn slight left onto US 285
30 mi
·
35 min
·
Southeast Main Street
20
Continue on US 285
7.1 mi
·
8 min
·
Roswell Highway
21
Continue on US 285
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North 1st Street
22
Turn right onto US 82
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
West Main Street
23
Arrive at destination
US 82
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 7-hour and 45-minute journey, plan for at least two designated stops to break up the monotony. Leaving early in the morning is highly recommended, as it allows you to handle the longest 135.4-mile stretch of I-40 before the afternoon heat or peak traffic sets in. Since you are covering a significant distance in one day, keep your $60 fuel budget in mind and top off your tank during your scheduled breaks. Pay close attention to the transition from the interstate to local roads, as navigation becomes more frequent once you exit the main highway. Using your two stops wisely will ensure you arrive in Artesia feeling refreshed rather than exhausted.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 195.1 miles from Zuni Pueblo, NM, or about 3h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 135.4 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 86 miles or 2h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 195.1 miles or 3h 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Artesia, NM than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Zuni Pueblo, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Zuni Pueblo, NM
This is one driving day of about 390.2 miles and 7h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 86 miles from Zuni Pueblo, NM.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 135.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 195.1 mi from Zuni Pueblo, NM · 3h 58m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
195 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 86 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 195.1 miles from Zuni Pueblo, NM, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 135.4 miles.
Arriving in Artesia, NM
The final approach into Artesia, 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 Artesia, NM.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
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
$119.30 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
137 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $65.43 | $130.86 |
| premium | $4.61 | $70.82 | $141.64 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $86.69 | $173.38 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$60
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 136.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 117.1 | 1 | $40.97 | $18.73 |
| Efficient EV | 97.6 | 1 | $34.14 | $15.61 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 156.1 | 1 | $54.63 | $24.97 |
Gas CO2
137 kg
EV CO2
46 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.
Destination
Artesia, NM
Evening in Artesia on Sunday
Local time
6:30 PM
MDT
Current temp
46°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
7 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
7h 45m 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 Zuni Pueblo, NM to Artesia, NM covers 390.2 miles and takes about 7h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, 8th Street, Southeast Main Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 195.1 miles from Zuni Pueblo, 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.
The route itself is not hard, but at 7h 45m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 7 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Chavez Circle): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (NM 53 / New Mexico 53): Navigation decision point; at 74.4 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Zuni Pueblo, NM to Artesia, NM, road signs begin pointing toward Santa Fe along the way.
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