Gallup, NM Road Trips
With 18 routes heading out and 10 heading in, Gallup, NM works well as a modest departure point in the Desert Southwest. Routes from here tend to cover serious ground — the average trip runs 315 miles, so plan for multi-day adventures. Most routes from Gallup, NM head east, giving the route network a clear directional lean.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Trip Routes
28
Longest Drive
453.8 mi
Hobbs, NM
Quickest Drive
3h 54m
Nambe, NM
Plan Around Gallup, NM
Popular Incoming Routes
Useful if Gallup, NM is the arrival point and you want the strongest routes into the city first.
Continue From Gallup, NM
Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.
Trips from Gallup, NM
Gallup, NM to Carlsbad, NM
Gallup, NM to Atoka, NM
Gallup, NM to Santa Teresa, NM
Gallup, NM to Berino, NM
Gallup, NM to Clovis, NM
Gallup, NM to San Miguel, NM
Gallup, NM to Mesquite, NM
Gallup, NM to Boles Acres, NM
Gallup, NM to Radium Springs, NM
Gallup, NM to La Luz, NM
Gallup, NM to Mescalero, NM
Gallup, NM to Capitan, NM
Gallup, NM to Arroyo Seco, NM
Gallup, NM to Arenas Valley, NM
Gallup, NM to Las Vegas, NM
Gallup, NM to Los Alamos, NM
Gallup, NM to White Rock, NM
Gallup, NM to Santa Clara, NM
Driving from Gallup, NM
Expect an average of 315 miles and about 5h 48m behind the wheel when leaving Gallup, NM. 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 412 miles (7h 38m), while the shortest is just 224 miles.
Popular Destinations
Drivers leaving Gallup, NM most often head toward Carlsbad, NM (412 mi, 7h 38m), Atoka, NM (381.6 mi, 7h 2m), Santa Teresa, NM (376.1 mi, 6h 39m), Berino, NM (358.7 mi, 6h 20m), and Clovis, NM (357.3 mi, 6h 23m). 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 315-mile trip from Gallup, NM, budget about $47 in fuel one way, assuming 25 MPG. Longer hauls and premium fuel will cost proportionally more.
Most trips take a half-day, so a morning start gets you there in time for lunch or an afternoon of exploring. Routes tend to go east, so afternoon departures put the sun at your back on the return leg.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are 18 mapped routes leaving Gallup, NM and 10 routes heading into Gallup, NM, covering 28 total connections. Distances range from 224 to 412 miles.
The longest mapped route from Gallup, NM covers 412 miles and takes approximately 7h 38m. Shorter options start at just 224 miles.
The average route from Gallup, NM runs about 315 miles with a drive time of roughly 5h 48m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.
At current gas prices (about $3.79/gallon for regular), the average 315-mile trip from Gallup, NM costs roughly $47 in fuel one way, based on 25 MPG. Your actual cost depends on your vehicle's efficiency.
The most popular road trip destinations from Gallup, NM include Carlsbad, NM, Atoka, NM, Santa Teresa, NM and Berino, NM. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.
Gallup, NM by the Numbers
Recent demographic snapshot from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
Population
21,333
Median Income
$57,466
Median Home Value
$134,600
Median Age
34.0
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year (public domain). See our methodology for details.
Gallup, NM at a Glance
Founded
1881
Elevation
6,467 ft
Area
19 mi²
Notable People from Gallup, NM
A sampling of people born in Gallup, NM.
Carolyn S. Shoemaker
1929–2021
American astronomer, researcher and university teacher
Tony Genaro
1941–2014
American actor
Hiroshi Miyamura
1925–2022
United States Army Medal of Honor recipient (1925–2022)
Sydney Freeland
1980
American film director
Mark Charles
Native American activist
Evon Z. Vogt
1918–2004
American anthropologist
Landmarks & Historic Sites
Attractions and heritage-registered places located in Gallup, NM.
El Rancho Hotel & Motel
hotel building in Gallup in United States of America
United States Post Office
post office building in Gallup, United States of America
Gallup Commercial Historic District
historic district in New Mexico, United States
Palace Hotel
hotel building in Gallup, United States of America
White Cafe
historic building in Gallup, New Mexico, United States
City data from Wikidata (Q577981), available under CC0. Photos from Wikimedia Commons under their respective licenses. See our methodology for details.
Traveler Guide to Gallup, NM
Gallup is an important gateway to the Navajo Nation and other nearby attractions in the state of New Mexico. Gallup has numerous trading posts and Indian-themed gift shops, and an abundance of natural scenery surrounding town. In 2020, it was home to 22,000 people.
1 Red Rock Park, 825 Outlaw Rd, Church Rock, ☏ +1 505-722-3839, [email protected]. It is just outside town and features colorful scenery. Hiking and camping are possible, and there are several special events during the year, probably the best-known of which is the Gallup Intertribal Indian Ceremonial in early August. The Ceremonial is a major event with dancing, arts and crafts, Native American foods, etc. 2 Rex Museum, 220 W Rte 66, ☏ +1 505-863 1363. At the site of a former brothel, a small museum about the town's history 3 Gallup Cultural Center, 201 E Rte 66 (in Amtrak train station), ☏ +1 505-863-4131. M-F 11AM-3PM. This museum has several galleries about Native American culture, and one about the World War II Navajo Wind Talkers.
1 Gallup Flea Market, 340 N 9th St. 9AM to 3PM. If you want to find great Native American art, jewelry, food and shop with the locals, check out the Gallup Flea Market every Saturday, rain or shine. 2 Fire Rock Casino, 249 U.S. Rte 66, Church Rock (2.3 miles east of Exit 26 on I-40), ☏ +1 505-905 7100, toll-free: +1-866-941-2444, [email protected]. (updated Feb 2025)
Gallupian cuisine is a mix of traditional New Mexican food and Native American food. It is generally very spicy. 1 Earl's Family Restaurant, 1400 E Highway 66, ☏ +1 505-863-4201. Daily 6AM-9PM, Fridays until 9:30PM, Sundays until 4PM. A long-time local favorite serving a mixture of New Mexican and mainstream American food. 2 Jerry's Cafe, 406 W Coal Ave, ☏ +1 505-722 6775. M-Sa 8AM-8PM. Mexican-American food. (updated Dec 2022)
1 Colonial Motel, 1007 W Coal Ave, ☏ +1 505-391-1085. Very quaint. $40. 2 El Rancho Hotel, 1000 E. Rt. 66, ☏ +1 505-863-9311, [email protected]. Self-proclaimed "Home of the movie stars", this kitschy hotel was built in 1937 for the brother of Hollywood director D.W. Griffith and was headquarters for a number of westerns filmed in the area in the 1940s and 50s. Its current owners keep the hotel in vintage condition, and if the atmosphere is a little patchy in places, the prices are reasonable and the environment worth the trouble. $58-86 (1-4 people). 3 Royal Holiday Motel, 1903 W Historic Hwy 66, ☏ +1 505-862-9447. Indoor hot tub and pool and breakfast buffet. $55.
Gallup is on Interstate 40, which at this point follows the route of historic Route 66. It is about two hours from Albuquerque. This stretch of road, however, is seemingly under nearly constant construction, and you may have some unexpected driving delays. Dust storms and wind-driven blizzards can also create delays, particularly between Gallup and Grants. The nearest major airport is in Albuquerque. Amtrak's Southwest Chief, the main Amtrak train line across the Southwest, has a station in Gallup. The westbound train arrives at 7:08PM and the eastbound train arrives at 8:51AM. This stop has no ticket office and no Quik-Trak ticket machine so tickets must be purchased at another station or on-line.
Gallup express ☏ +1 505-906-6006. Bus fare is $1. Buses run every hour between 6AM and 6PM. The main transfer stop for the buses is at East Aztec and South 2nd street, a few blocks southwest of the Amtrak Station. The most useful route is route 1. Route 1 runs between downtown to some hotels next to Rio West Mall.
While Gallup is a small city (pop 21000), there are severe problems with violent crime (nearly five times the national average), widespread alcoholism, poverty (severe among the native population, which represents 44% of the city, although mine closures have hurt the city as a whole) and homelessness. What little money is available goes all too often to feed the blight of numerous liquor stores, usurious payday loans and pawn shops which infest the main street. Expect to be harassed by aggressive panhandlers and intoxicated persons, especially at night.
Travel tips adapted from Gallup 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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