Albuquerque to Clovis is 222 miles and takes about 4 hours 7 minutes via Coronado Freeway and US Highway 60, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Desert Southwest region, primarily traversing New Mexico. Expect a straightforward drive that's almost entirely on well-maintained highways, making it a practical option for a single-day trip. It’s a good choice if you're looking for a direct and efficient way to get from one point to another without extensive detours.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
111 miles from Albuquerque, NM
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Coronado Freeway
116.9 mi
2h
US Highway 60
56.8 mi
1h 7m
South US Highway 84
41.1 mi
46m
West 7th Street
2.4 mi
4m
East Sumner Avenue
1.3 mi
1m
Central Avenue Southwest
0.7 mi
1m
Pan American Freeway
0.7 mi
<1m
North 4th Street
0.6 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Coronado Freeway
— 116.9 mi, about 2h
Traffic on I-40
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 25 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,927 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,488
Quietest
3 AM
~337 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Albuquerque, NM and Clovis, NM.
1
Start on Central Avenue Northwest
0.2 mi·37 sec·Central Avenue Northwest
2
Continue on Central Avenue Southwest
0.7 mi·1 min·Central Avenue Southwest
Use the left / uturn / straight / right lanes.
3
Turn left onto Oak Street Northeast
0.2 mi·27 sec·Oak Street Northeast
4
Take the ramp
347 ft·8 sec
Toward I 25 North: Santa Fe, Oak Street
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 25 North: Santa FeUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 25
0.7 mi·45 sec·Pan American Freeway
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 226B-AToward I 40: Gallup, Santa RosaUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·44 sec
Exit 226AToward I 40 East: Santa RosaUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 40
117 mi·2 hr·Coronado Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward US 84 South: Fort Summer
11
Turn right onto US 84
264 ft·3 sec·Historic Route 66
12
Continue on US 84
41 mi·46 min·South US Highway 84
13
Continue on US 84
0.6 mi·45 sec·North 4th Street
14
Continue on US 60; US 84
1.3 mi·1 min·East Sumner Avenue
15
Continue on US 60; US 84
57 mi·1 hr 7 min·US Highway 60
Use the left lane.
16
Turn left onto West 7th Street
2.4 mi·4 min·West 7th Street
Use the left lane.
17
Turn left onto North Main Street
41 ft·1 sec·North Main Street
18
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour drive time, departing Albuquerque in the morning makes the most sense, giving you ample daylight to reach Clovis. With only one recommended stop and a high highway percentage, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Keep an eye on fuel, especially as you move onto US Highway 60 and South US Highway 84, as services might become less frequent. Planning your last fuel stop before leaving the more populated areas around Albuquerque is a smart move to ensure a smooth ride.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 111 miles from Albuquerque, NM, or about 1h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 116.9 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 49 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111 miles or 1h 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clovis, NM than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Albuquerque, 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 Albuquerque, NM
This is one driving day of about 222 miles and 4h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Albuquerque, NM.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Coronado Freeway for about 116.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.1 and 2.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.1 mi into trip|~3m in
Take the ramp toward I 25 North: Santa Fe, Oak Street
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 25 North: Santa Fe, Oak Street
8
1.1 mi into trip|~3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 25 North: Santa Fe
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 25 North: Santa Fe
8
2 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the exit toward I 40: Gallup, Santa Rosa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 226B-A
Toward I 40: Gallup, Santa Rosa
8
2.2 mi into trip|~4m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East: Santa Rosa
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 226A
Toward I 40 East: Santa Rosa
5
2.7 mi into trip|~5m in|I 40 / Coronado Freeway
Merge onto I 40 / Coronado Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.82 one way
$61.64 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg78 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$34.48
$68.96
premium
$4.29
$37.49
$74.97
diesel
$4.80
$41.92
$83.84
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.6
0
$23.31
$10.66
Efficient EV
55.5
0
$19.43
$8.88
EV Truck/SUV
88.8
1
$31.08
$14.21
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Albuquerque, NM
Late night
in Albuquerque on Sunday
Local time
4:49 AM
MDT
Current temp
93°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 0 to 5 mph35% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 18 at 11:40AM MDT until July 18 at 6:00PM MDT by NWS Albuquerque NM
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 18 at 11:40AM MDT until July 19 at 6:00PM MDT by NWS Albuquerque NM
Destination
Clovis, NM
Late night
in Clovis on Sunday
Local time
4:49 AM
MDT
Current temp
91°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
S 5 to 10 mph25% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 18 at 11:40AM MDT until July 18 at 6:00PM MDT by NWS Albuquerque NM
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 18 at 11:40AM MDT until July 19 at 6:00PM MDT by NWS Albuquerque NM
90°F
Las Vegas, NM
111 mi in
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
2 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
4h 7m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Petroglyph National Monument
National Monument
Petroglyph National Monument protects one of the largest petroglyph sites in North America, featuring designs and symbols carved onto volcanic rocks by Native Americans and Spanish settlers 400 to 700...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
Caution: Be City Smart: Take precautions to secure your vehicle and valuables.
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on highways for about 97% of this 222-mile drive. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 116.9 miles, experienced on the Coronado Freeway. After this, you'll transition to US Highway 60 and then South US Highway 84. Expect mostly open highway cruising with minimal interruptions, allowing for steady progress.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 116.9 mi on Coronado Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Coronado Freeway and US Highway 60. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 222 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
For the town in Spain, see Alburquerque
Albuquerque, also known as ABQ, is a vibrant, sprawling city near the center of New Mexico. Cradled in the Rio Grande Valley beneath the Sandia Mountains, it is by far the largest city in the state, acting as the media, educational, and economic center of New Mexico, as well as the home of the state's only major airport, making it a common entry point into New Mexico. Despite this, Albuquerque is often overshadowed as a tourist destination by Santa Fe, 60 miles (97 km) to the north.
But any visit to New Mexico would be incomplete without taking in what Albuquerque has to offer, as New Mexico's only major city has pleasant scenery, colorful history, and a wealth of great attractions in its own right.
Top landmarks
•New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science — science museum in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
•Hotel Andaluz — historic hotel in Albuquerque, New Mexico
•Ernie Pyle House/Library — historic house in New Mexico, United States
Clovis is a city in the southeastern region of New Mexico, in Curry County, near the Texas state line. It is famous for the nearby archaeological site where "Clovis man" was discovered. It is a military community supporting nearby Cannon Air Force Base.
Top landmarks
•Hotel Clovis — historic building in Clovis, New Mexico, US
•State Theater — movie theater in Clovis, New Mexico, United States
•Clovis Depot — railway station in Clovis, the United States of America
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 7m. Total distance: 222 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 116.9 miles on Coronado Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 13 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Clovis, NM before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Petroglyph National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Clovis, NM, but most travelers stay overnight.
