Española, NM Road Trips
Drivers starting from Española, NM have 5 mapped routes to choose from, making it a small but connected base in the Desert Southwest. Routes from here tend to cover serious ground — the average trip runs 289 miles, so plan for multi-day adventures. Most routes from Española, NM head south, giving the route network a clear directional lean.
Photo: Israyosoy S.
Trip Routes
5
Longest Drive
347.7 mi
Sunland Park, NM
Quickest Drive
4h 40m
Clovis, NM
Plan Around Española, NM
Continue From Española, NM
Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.
Trips from Española, NM
Driving from Española, NM
The typical drive from Española, NM covers about 289 miles and takes around 5h 39m. This is long-haul territory. Most routes stretch past the 250-mile mark, so pack snacks and plan fuel stops. The longest mapped route runs 348 miles (6h 35m), while the shortest is just 238 miles.
Popular Destinations
Drivers leaving Española, NM most often head toward Sunland Park, NM (347.7 mi, 6h 14m), Lovington, NM (311.5 mi, 6h 35m), Las Cruces, NM (307.6 mi, 5h 29m), Alamogordo, NM (241.8 mi, 5h 18m), and Clovis, NM (238 mi, 4h 40m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.
Planning & Costs
Regular gas in NM currently averages around $3.79 per gallon. For the typical 289-mile trip from Española, NM, budget about $43 in fuel one way, assuming 25 MPG. Longer hauls and premium fuel will cost proportionally more.
The majority of destinations are to the south. Morning starts help you avoid the midday heat on longer drives. Most trips take a half-day, so a morning start gets you there in time for lunch or an afternoon of exploring.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are 5 mapped routes leaving Española, NM and 0 routes heading into Española, NM, covering 5 total connections. Distances range from 238 to 348 miles.
The longest mapped route from Española, NM covers 348 miles and takes approximately 6h 35m. Shorter options start at just 238 miles.
The average route from Española, NM runs about 289 miles with a drive time of roughly 5h 39m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.
At current gas prices (about $3.79/gallon for regular), the average 289-mile trip from Española, NM costs roughly $43 in fuel one way, based on 25 MPG. Your actual cost depends on your vehicle's efficiency.
The most popular road trip destinations from Española, NM include Sunland Park, NM, Lovington, NM, Las Cruces, NM and Alamogordo, NM. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.
Española, NM by the Numbers
Recent demographic snapshot from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
Population
10,472
Median Income
$47,664
Median Home Value
$205,100
Median Age
37.5
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year (public domain). See our methodology for details.
Española, NM at a Glance
Founded
1880
Elevation
5,594 ft
Area
8 mi²
Notable People from Española, NM
A sampling of people born in Española, NM.
Scott Tipton
1956
American politician (born 1956)
Patricia D. Lopez
1950
American computer scientist
Landmarks & Historic Sites
Attractions and heritage-registered places located in Española, NM.
Chimayo Trading Post and E.D. Trujillo House
equestrian statue of Juan de Oñate
statue by Reynaldo Rivera formerly in Alcalde, New Mexico, U.S.
Frank Bond House
house in Española, New Mexico
City data from Wikidata (Q1018839), available under CC0. Photos from Wikimedia Commons under their respective licenses. See our methodology for details.
Traveler Guide to Española, NM
Española is a small, predominately Hispanic city of 10,000 people (2018). Española has few tourist attractions of its own and isn't much to look at from the main roads — passing through, what you'll see is mostly strip malls and gas stations — but its location midway between Santa Fe and Taos, combined with its proximity to a number of Pueblo Indian communities, makes the town a useful staging point for trips around the region.
The town sits at the heart of North Central New Mexico in a wide valley between the Sangre de Cristo Mountains on the east and the Jemez on the west.
Most of the most interesting things to see are not on the main drag. You'll need to venture onto the side roads. Ansel Adams' famous "Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico, 1941," considered by some the finest photographic black-and-white print ever made, was taken just north of Española. Bring your camera and see what you see. Española has a quirky sort of fame as the self-proclaimed "Lowrider Capital of the World," allegedly with more lowriders per capita than any other place on Earth. While no one has exactly proved that, no one has disproved it either; indeed, you're likely to see a lowrider or two cruising the main drag if you keep your eyes peeled. 1 Plaza de Española, 706 Bond Street (off the intersection of US 84/285 and NM 30), ☏ +1 505 747-8535. Bond House: M-F noon-4PM; Convento Gallery: M-Sa 10AM-4PM. A small arts and culture complex centered by the Convento, a replica church based on a historic mission built in the area. Attached to the Convento is a gallery and gift shop, the Northern New Mexico Regional Art Center, that displays and sells work created by local artists. Behind the Convento is the Bond House Museum, a historic turn-of-the-century home with historical artifacts and photographs relating to the history of the town. Free. (updated Dec 2015) 2 Santa Cruz de la Cañada, 100 Church St, Santa Cruz (go east on NM 76, turn left on S. McCurdy Road; it's on the west side of the plaza). Right on the Santa Cruz plaza, Santa Cruz de la Cañada is one of the oldest Catholic parishes in New Mexico.
The two pueblos bordering Española operate casinos. Santa Clara operates the 1 Santa Claran Casino at 460 N Riverside Dr, in the middle of town, while Ohkay Owingeh operates the 2 Ohkay Casino on NM 68 on the northern edge of town.
1 Dandy Burger, 424 South Riverside Dr, ☏ +1 505-753-4234. Daily 9AM-10PM. Great burgers, fries, and other fast food. Cheap and quick service. $5-$10. 2 El Paragua, 603 Santa Cruz Rd, ☏ +1 505-753-3211. The best place in town for New Mexican cuisine (stuffed sopaipillas with red or green chile, etc.). The discerning visitor can discover several drawings by cartoonist Bill Mauldin on the walls inside. Near one of several starting points for the "High Road to Taos". Lunch and dinner. 3 La Cocina, 415 S Santa Clara Rd, ☏ +1 505 753-3016. New Mexican & American.
1 Saints and Sinners, 503 South Riverside Dr, ☏ +1 505 753-2757. A good local liquor store with a great neon sign.
1 Days Inn, 807 South Riverside Dr, ☏ +1 505-747-1242. 2 Inn At The Delta, 243 N Paseo de Onate Española, ☏ +1 505-753-9466, toll-free: +1-800-995-8599. Family-owned and -operated hotel. 3 Motel 6, 811 South Riverside Dr, ☏ +1 505-753-5374. 4 Ohkay Casino Resort (Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo, just north of town), ☏ +1 505 747-1668. 5 Rodeway Inn, 604-B S. Riverside Dr, ☏ +1 505-753-2419. 6 Santa Claran Hotel & Casino, 460 N. Riverside Dr, toll-free: +1-866-244-7625. The tallest building in town. It has a bowling alley, and valet parking.
Española is about 20 miles (30 km) north of Santa Fe on US Highway 84/285. US 84/285 are co-routed on the same road through town, and split apart at a junction about 10 miles northwest of Española. Other roads out of Española are NM 68, which heads northeast to Taos; NM 76, the "High Road to Taos" which heads east through some mountain villages; and NM 30, which heads southwest towards Los Alamos. Though there is a small airport north of town, there is no commercial air service. New Mexico Park and Ride offers regular weekday bus service to Santa Fe and Los Alamos. Additionally, Española also serves as a hub for NCRTD bus service to many of the communities of North Central New Mexico; service is limited and restricted to the weekdays, with the exception of the Taos Express weekend service to Taos and Santa Fe.
Española is not particularly pedestrian friendly. Nearly everything in town requires a car to be reached.
Travel tips adapted from Española (New Mexico) on Wikivoyage, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Content summarized; visit the source for the full article. See our methodology for how we use it.
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