Road Trips from Sunland Park, NM
Planning a road trip from Sunland Park? You've got options for both quick escapes and longer hauls. Several destinations are within a 6.5 to 7-hour drive, featuring mostly highway routes with some high-altitude climbs. Many of these routes offer access to national parks and monuments, making them ideal for nature lovers. If you're looking for a more extended journey, there are also two overnight-recommended trips exceeding 8 hours, also with park access and challenging terrain.
Total Routes
7
Shortest
6.4h
With Parks Nearby
7
Weekend trip
Texico, NM
6h 44m328.5 mi one way
This 328.5-mile drive to Texico, NM, is a solid choice for a day trip, taking about 6.7 hours. It offers a mixed highway and surface road experience with high-altitude sections and climbs. While it doesn't have parks directly adjacent, White Sands National Park is a nearby option for exploration.
Los Alamos, NM
6h 30m357.9 mi one way
Head north 357.9 miles to Los Alamos, NM, for a 6.5-hour drive. This route is primarily highway and features high-altitude terrain with climbs. It stands out for its proximity to multiple parks, including Bandelier National Monument and Petroglyph National Monument, plus the unique Manhattan Project National Historical Park.
Tucumcari, NM
7h 2m332.9 mi one way
Tucumcari, NM, is 332.9 miles away and requires about 7 hours of driving. This trip mostly uses highways and includes high-altitude sections with climbs. Like the drive to Texico, White Sands National Park is a potential detour, making it a good option if you want a longer drive day with a park nearby.
Taos, NM
7h 20m392.5 mi one way
For a 7.3-hour drive covering 392.5 miles, Taos, NM, is a great option. This mostly highway route includes high-altitude terrain with climbs. It's a strong contender if you're interested in visiting Petroglyph National Monument, Bandelier National Monument, or the Manhattan Project National Historical Park.
Chimayo, NM
6h 22m350.4 mi one way
Long-haul ideas
Raton, NM
8h 25m490.7 mi one way
Consider Raton, NM, for an overnight trip. This 490.7-mile drive takes about 8.4 hours and is mostly highway, featuring high-altitude sections and climbs. It’s one of the longer options but offers access to Pecos National Historical Park and Fort Union National Monument.
Shiprock, NM
8h 30m471.2 mi one way
Shiprock, NM, is a longer, overnight-recommended destination at 471.2 miles, requiring 8.5 hours of driving. This route is mostly highway. It provides access to El Malpais National Monument, Petroglyph National Monument, and El Morro National Monument, similar to the Church Rock trip but further west.
Browse by Mood
Texico, NM
6h 44m328.5 mi one way
Los Alamos, NM
6h 30m357.9 mi one way
Raton, NM
8h 25m490.7 mi one way
Tucumcari, NM
7h 2m332.9 mi one way
When to Go
Spring
Spring offers high-altitude drives with climbs, ideal for exploring national monuments like Petroglyph and El Malpais.
Summer
Summer road trips are suited for the mostly highway routes, with opportunities to visit parks like White Sands and Bandelier.
Fall
Fall conditions are good for the high-altitude terrain and climbs, perfect for visiting historical monuments.
Winter
Winter travel on these routes means navigating high-altitude sections, with parks like White Sands accessible.
Starting Somewhere Else?
Other nearby cities with their own escape planners.
Ready to plan?
Pick any destination above for full turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost, rest stops, and weather. Or visit the Sunland Park, NM city hub for all incoming and outgoing routes.