Artesia to Shiprock is 444.7 miles and takes about 8h 41m via US 550 and I 40, with a fuel budget near $70 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route traverses the Desert Southwest, staying within New Mexico for its entirety. Given the duration, it's best enjoyed as an overnight trip, allowing you to break up the drive comfortably. You'll experience a mix of interstate cruising and surface road travel as you head west. Plan for two stops to make the most of your time and ensure a relaxed pace.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
222.4 miles from Artesia, NM
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 550
151.6 mi
2h 50m
South Main Street
113.3 mi
2h 13m
I 40
55.8 mi
58m
Southeast Main Street
30 mi
35m
Shenrick Street
27.5 mi
31m
West Main Street
27.4 mi
37m
West Broadway Boulevard
11.3 mi
15m
Pan American Freeway
11.1 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
US 550
— 151.6 mi, about 2h 50m
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 Artesia, NM and Shiprock, NM.
1
Start on US 82
79 ft·6 sec·West Main Street
2
Continue on US 82
0.3 mi·43 sec·West Main Street
3
Turn left onto US 285
2.0 mi·2 min·North 1st Street
4
Continue on US 285
7.2 mi·8 min·Roswell Highway
5
Continue on US 285
30 mi·35 min·Southeast Main Street
6
Continue on US 285
113 mi·2 hr 13 min·South Main Street
7
Continue on US 60; US 285
28 mi·31 min·Shenrick Street
8
Turn left
0.2 mi·28 sec
Use the left lane.
9
Merge onto I 40
56 mi·58 min·I 40
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 161Toward San Mateo BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
11
Turn right onto San Mateo Boulevard Northeast
3.3 mi·6 min·San Mateo Boulevard Northeast
Use the left lane.
12
Turn right onto Pan American Freeway Northeast
353 ft·6 sec·Pan American Freeway Northeast
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
13
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 25 North: Santa FeUse the straight / left lanes.
14
Merge onto I 25
11 mi·11 min·Pan American Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Exit 242Toward US 550 North, NM 165 East: Placitas, Bernalillo, Rio Rancho
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·20 sec
Toward US 550: Bernalillo, Rio Rancho, Coronado Historic Site
17
Continue on US 550
1.7 mi·3 min·US 550
Use the right lane.
18
Continue on US 550
150 mi·2 hr 47 min·US 550
19
Turn left onto US 64
11 mi·15 min·West Broadway Boulevard
20
Turn slight right onto US 64 Business
1.7 mi·2 min·East Broadway Avenue
21
Continue on US 64 Business
1.1 mi·1 min·West Broadway Street
22
Continue on US 64 Business
27 mi·37 min·West Main Street
23
Turn right onto US 491
0.2 mi·26 sec·US 491
24
Turn left
504 ft·28 sec
25
Turn left
485 ft·25 sec
26
Turn left
126 ft·5 sec
27
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 8 hour 41 minute estimated duration, this trip is best tackled over two days. Aim to depart Artesia in the morning to allow ample time for the first leg of your drive. Splitting the 444.7 miles into two roughly equal segments will make the trip more manageable and enjoyable. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 151.6-mile stretch on US 550, as fuel stops might be less frequent in certain areas. The $70 fuel cost estimate is a good baseline for your budget.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 222.4 miles from Artesia, NM, or about 4h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 151.6 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 98 miles or 1h 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 222.4 miles or 4h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 222.4 miles or 4h 16m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Shiprock, NM than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Artesia, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Artesia, NM
Aim for roughly 222 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Shiprock, NM
Aim for roughly 222 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 98 miles from Artesia, NM.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 550 for about 151.6 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 180.3 and 251.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
180.3 mi into trip|~3h 32m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
236.3 mi into trip|~4h 31m in
Take the exit toward San Mateo Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 161
Toward San Mateo Boulevard
6
236.6 mi into trip|~4h 32m in|San Mateo Boulevard Northeast
Turn right onto San Mateo Boulevard Northeast
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
251.4 mi into trip|~4h 51m in
Take the exit toward US 550 North, NM 165 East: Placitas, Bernalillo, Rio Rancho
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward US 550: Bernalillo, Rio Rancho, Coronado Historic Site
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 550: Bernalillo, Rio Rancho, Coronado...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$61.73 one way
$123.47 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg156 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$69.07
$138.14
premium
$4.29
$75.09
$150.18
diesel
$4.80
$83.97
$167.94
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$62
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$192–$302
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 155.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $47 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
133.4
1
$46.69
$21.35
Efficient EV
111.2
1
$38.91
$17.79
EV Truck/SUV
177.9
2
$62.26
$28.46
Gas CO2
156 kg
EV CO2
52 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 17, 2026
Origin
Artesia, NM
Evening
in Artesia on Saturday
Local time
7:06 PM
MDT
Current temp
66°F
Partly Cloudy
SE 10 to 15 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 6:33PM MDT until July 16 at 8:30PM MDT by NWS Albuquerque NM
Dust Advisory
Dust Advisory issued July 16 at 5:42PM MDT until July 16 at 7:45PM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM
Destination
Shiprock, NM
Evening
in Shiprock on Saturday
Local time
7:06 PM
MDT
Current temp
59°F
Mostly Cloudy
E 5 to 10 mph14% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 6:33PM MDT until July 16 at 8:30PM MDT by NWS Albuquerque NM
Dust Advisory
Dust Advisory issued July 16 at 5:42PM MDT until July 16 at 7:45PM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM
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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
7 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
8h 41m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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.
Aztec Ruins National Monument
National Monument
Aztec Ruins has some of the best-preserved Chacoan structures of its kind. Learn more about the ancestral Pueblo people in the park's museum and explore the Aztec West great house to see exceptionally...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 414
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...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
Free
near mile 245.4
Explore the monumental structures and breathtaking landscape at Chaco, a thriving regional center for the ancestral Pueblo people from 850 to 1250 CE (Common Era), through hiking & biking trails, rang...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is split almost evenly between highways and surface roads, with 49% of the total mileage on high-speed routes. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch of driving on US 550, covering 151.6 miles. Expect to transition from I 40 onto surface streets like South Main Street before merging onto US 550. The profile indicates a mixed highway and surface road experience, suggesting periods of faster travel followed by slower, more local road navigation.
49% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 151.6 mi on US 550.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 180.3 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 444.7 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 180.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 236.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 236.6 miles (San Mateo Boulevard Northeast): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
7,048 ft3,388 ft
Total Climb
5,084 ft
Total Descent
3,578 ft
Highest Point
7,048 ft
~317.7 mi in
Elevation Range
3,660 ft
Notable High Points
6,588 ft at ~190.6 miles+119 ft prominence
7,048 ft at ~317.7 miles+2 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Artesia, NM and Shiprock, NM, road signs point toward Bernalillo, Rio Rancho and Coronado Historic Site.
Farmington is a town in the northwest region of the state of New Mexico. It is notable as a gateway to Navajo Nation and the Four Corners area, and as a center for folk art, particularly Navajo weavings. Attractions associated with the nearby towns of Aztec, Bloomfield, Kirtland and Shiprock, about the nearest things that highly rural northwestern New Mexico has to "suburbs," are also covered in this article.
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
8h 41m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 151.6 miles on US 550. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 222 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 14 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 Shiprock, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 14 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 180.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 236.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 236.6 miles (San Mateo Boulevard Northeast): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Aztec Ruins National Monument, Petroglyph National Monument and Chaco Culture National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.7 hours each way, a round trip means 17.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Shiprock, NM before the return drive.
