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Trip from Alamogordo, NM to Artesia, NM

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 9m

Distance

110.4 mi

178 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$17

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min
4 AM
2h 0m ★
6 AM
2h 10m
8 AM
2h 28m
10 AM
2h 16m
12 PM
2h 14m
3 PM
2h 17m
5 PM
2h 27m
8 PM
2h 4m

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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city in Otero County, New Mexico, United States

Alamogordo, NM

Wikimedia Commons

city in Eddy County, New Mexico, United States

Artesia, NM

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 110.4-mile drive from Alamogordo, NM, to Artesia, NM, is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 9 minutes. You'll primarily be on US 82, also known as Highway 82 or the Hope Highway, with no highway driving involved. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $17, making it an economical option. The route, characterized by frequent turns, offers a local driving experience through the Desert Southwest region. This straightforward trip is perfect for a single day of travel.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

55.2 miles from Alamogordo, NM

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 4m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 82 — —
Highway 82 — —
Hope Highway — —
Main Street — —
West Main Street — —

Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.

Longest stretch: US 82 — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Alamogordo, NM and Artesia, NM.

1

Start on North White Sands Boulevard

3.0 mi · 5 min · North White Sands Boulevard
2

Turn right onto US 82

17 mi · 26 min · US 82
3

Continue on US Highway 82

18 mi · 26 min · US Highway 82
4

Continue on US Highway 82

45 mi · 56 min · US Highway 82
5

Continue on Hope Highway

6.2 mi · 9 min · Hope Highway
6

Continue on Main Street

0.8 mi · 1 min · Main Street
7

Continue on Hope Highway

15 mi · 22 min · Hope Highway
8

Continue on West Main Street

4.6 mi · 7 min · West Main Street
9

Continue on West Main Street

331 ft · 12 sec · West Main Street
10

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short 2-hour and 9-minute duration for the 110.4-mile trip, you have plenty of flexibility for when to depart. Leaving in the morning will allow you to arrive in Artesia with ample time for any afternoon activities. With no major stretches of highway, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially since the estimated cost is $17. The 'turn-heavy' nature of this drive means you'll want to be alert and aware of changing road conditions. A practical tip: download offline maps before you leave Alamogordo, as cell service can be inconsistent in some parts of the Desert Southwest.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 55.2 miles from Alamogordo, NM, or about 1h 4m into the drive.

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 24 miles or 28m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 55.2 miles or 1h 4m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 46m

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 Alamogordo, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Alamogordo, NM

This is one driving day of about 110.4 miles and 2h 9m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Alamogordo, NM.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Otero County, NM, NM

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Otero County, NM

55 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

Mescalero, NM

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Otero County, NM

Meal break

The midpoint is around 55.2 miles from Alamogordo, NM, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Ski Cloudcroft

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 23.7

Cloudcroft, NM

+15756822333

Visit website

Alameda Park Zoo

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route

Alamogordo, New Mexico

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+15754394290

Visit website

Tularosa Basin Museum of History

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0 mi from route

Alamogordo, New Mexico

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+15754344438

Visit website

Alamo Jump

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route

Alamogordo, New Mexico

Hours: 10 am–1 pm

+15753080083

Visit website

Alamogordo Historic Downtown

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route

Alamogordo, New Mexico

Washington Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Alamogordo, New Mexico

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15754394100

Visit website

Tunnel Vista Observation Site

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 7.9

Cloudcroft, New Mexico

+15754347200

Visit website

Old Apple Barn

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 15.8

High Rolls, New Mexico

Visit website

Shroud Exhibit and Museum

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Alamogordo, New Mexico

Hours: 1–5 pm

+15754155206

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$16.67 one way

$33.35 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 39 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $18.30 $36.61
premium $4.56 $19.82 $39.63
diesel $5.61 $24.37 $48.75

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$17

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$42–$67

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 38.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 33.1 0 $11.59 $5.30
Efficient EV 27.6 0 $9.66 $4.42
EV Truck/SUV 44.2 0 $15.46 $7.07

Gas CO2

39 kg

EV CO2

13 kg (67% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Alamogordo, NM

Night in Alamogordo on Saturday

Local time

10:45 PM

MDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Artesia, NM

Night in Artesia on Saturday

Local time

10:45 PM

MDT

Current temp

51°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

1 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 9m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' on this route, as indicated by the 0% highway share. The journey along US 82, or Highway 82, means you'll be navigating a more intimate road network rather than a high-speed interstate. While there isn't a longest uninterrupted stretch noted, the profile suggests a consistent need for attention due to numerous turns. This type of driving can feel more engaging, as you'll be more connected to the local landscape and road conditions. It’s a drive that keeps you actively involved behind the wheel.

Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
10 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Main road: US 82.

How Hard Is This Drive?

1/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.

Driving Effort 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Alamogordo, NM to Artesia, NM is easy. At 2h 9m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Alamogordo, NM to Artesia, NM is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 9m. Total distance: 110.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

Mostly yes along the main roads, but rural stretches through NM can have sparse or no coverage. Before you leave, download offline Google Maps or Apple Maps for the route, and consider downloading music or podcasts instead of streaming. If you depend on data for navigation, keep a paper backup of the turn-by-turn directions.

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Alamogordo, NM to Artesia, NM is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Artesia, NM before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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