Chisum Travel Center
0 mi from route
Trip from Carlsbad, NM to Moriarty, NM
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 39m
Distance
238.9 mi
384 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 26m
★
6 AM
4h 40m
8 AM
5h 7m
10 AM
4h 49m
12 PM
4h 46m
3 PM
4h 51m
5 PM
5h 5m
8 PM
4h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Carlsbad, NM
Malcolm Garret
Moriarty, NM
Israyosoy S.
Trip Overview
Carlsbad, NM to Moriarty, NM is 238.9 miles and takes about 4h 39m via South Main Street, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Desert Southwest, offering a consistent regional experience throughout. Given its 4.5-hour duration and single recommended day, it's a manageable trip for most travelers. The route is characterized by its turn-heavy nature and a low highway percentage, suggesting a more local and potentially slower-paced journey. Consider this trip if you prefer a direct, single-day drive without extensive highway miles.
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
119.5 miles from Carlsbad, NM
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 21m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Main Street | 113.3 mi | 2h 13m |
| Southeast Main Street | 30 mi | 35m |
| Shenrick Street | 27.5 mi | 31m |
| Seven Rivers Highway | 25.6 mi | 29m |
| I 40 | 21.2 mi | 21m |
| Roswell Highway | 7.2 mi | 8m |
| South 1st Street | 5.8 mi | 6m |
| West Pierce Street | 3.4 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
South Main Street
— 113.3 mi, about 2h 13m
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
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Carlsbad, NM and Moriarty, NM.
1
Start on US 285
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
North Canal Street
2
Continue on US 285
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
West Pierce Street
3
Continue on US 285
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Artesia Highway
4
Continue on US 285
25 mi
·
28 min
·
Seven Rivers Highway
5
Continue on US 285
0.6 mi
·
40 sec
·
South 1st Street
6
Continue on US 285
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
Seven Rivers Highway
7
Continue on US 285
5.2 mi
·
5 min
·
South 1st Street
8
Continue on US 285
7.2 mi
·
8 min
·
Roswell Highway
9
Continue on US 285
30 mi
·
35 min
·
Southeast Main Street
10
Continue on US 285
113 mi
·
2 hr 13 min
·
South Main Street
11
Continue on US 60; US 285
28 mi
·
31 min
·
Shenrick Street
12
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Use the left lane.
13
Merge onto I 40
21 mi
·
21 min
·
I 40
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward NM 41
15
Turn left onto NM 41
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
Howard Cavazos Boulevard North
16
Continue on NM 41
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Howard Cavazos Boulevard South
17
Turn left onto Center Avenue
292 ft
·
13 sec
·
Center Avenue
18
Turn left onto 4th Street
141 ft
·
6 sec
·
4th Street
19
Arrive at destination
4th Street
Trip Plan
With a drive time under 5 hours, you have the flexibility to depart later in the morning, aiming to arrive in Moriarty with ample daylight. The recommended 1 stop suggests a single break point to refuel and stretch your legs. Given the $36 estimated fuel cost, it's wise to ensure your tank is at least half-full before departing Carlsbad. Pay close attention to speed limits as you navigate the numerous turns, especially on the 113.3-mile stretch of South Main Street, as these are likely to be in more populated or residential areas.
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 119.5 miles from Carlsbad, NM, or about 2h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.3 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 53 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.5 miles or 2h 21m 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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Moriarty, NM than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Carlsbad, 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 Carlsbad, NM
This is one driving day of about 238.9 miles and 4h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Carlsbad, 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 South Main Street for about 113.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
119 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 53 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 119.5 miles from Carlsbad, NM, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before South Main Street if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 113.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
US-285 Vaughn Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Mesa Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Cline's Corners
0.1 mi from route
Lisa's Truck Center
0.3 mi from route
TA
1.1 mi from route
Dr. John Clarke Rest Area
1.4 mi from route
Rest Area
2 mi from route
Rest Area
2.3 mi from route
Carlsbad Museum
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
0.2 mi from route
Carlsbad, New Mexico
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+15758870276
Visit websiteLiving Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Carlsbad, New Mexico
Hours: 9 am–3:30 pm
+15758875516
Visit websiteRoswell Welcome Sign
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Early in the drive, ~9 min detour
Early stretch
3.5 mi from route
~9 min detour
Roswell, New Mexico
Hours: Open 24 hours
+15756233442
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 65 decision points cluster between mile 215.7 and 238.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
215.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 13m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
3
216 mi into trip
|
~4h 14m in
|
I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining
4
237.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 35m in
Take the exit toward NM 41
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward NM 41
4
238.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 39m in
|
Center Avenue
Turn left onto Center Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
238.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 39m in
|
4th Street
Turn left onto 4th Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.16 one way
$66.33 round trip
$3.53/gal
25.4 MPG avg
84 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.95 | $37.10 | $74.21 |
| premium | $4.29 | $40.34 | $80.68 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $45.11 | $90.22 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 71.7 | 0 | $25.08 | $11.47 |
| Efficient EV | 59.7 | 0 | $20.90 | $9.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 95.6 | 1 | $33.45 | $15.29 |
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 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.
Origin
Carlsbad, NM
Late night in Carlsbad on Sunday
Local time
4:31 AM
MDT
Current temp
96°F
Mostly Sunny then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
S 5 to 10 mph
42% chance
Live forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 18 at 3:13AM MDT until July 18 at 6:00PM MDT by NWS Albuquerque NM
Destination
Moriarty, NM
Late night in Moriarty on Sunday
Local time
4:31 AM
MDT
Current temp
87°F
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
N 5 mph
50% chance
Live forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 18 at 3:13AM MDT until July 18 at 6:00PM MDT by NWS Albuquerque NM
103°F
Roswell, NM
119 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
9 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 39m 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.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
National Park
High ancient sea ledges, deep rocky canyons, flowering cactus, and desert wildlife—treasures above the ground in the Chihuahuan Desert. Hidden beneath the surface are more than 119 caves—formed when s...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
$1
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily a turn-heavy local drive, with only 9% of the journey on highways. You'll experience a significant amount of navigating local streets, with South Main Street accounting for the longest uninterrupted stretch at 113.3 miles. Expect a driving experience that requires more attention to turns and speed adjustments than a typical interstate cruise. The road's character will likely involve transitioning between various local thoroughfares, rather than extended periods on high-speed roads.
Only 9% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 113.3 mi on South Main Street.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 215.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 39m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 215.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 216 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 237.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
6,690 ft
3,107 ft
Total Climb
3,583 ft
Total Descent
470 ft
Highest Point
6,690 ft
~221.8 mi in
Elevation Range
3,583 ft
Notable High Points
6,690 ft at ~221.8 miles
+34 ft prominence
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Full Send Energy
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Raging Brew Coffee House
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
The Alibi Coffee House
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.6 mi from route
~2 min detour
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Degenerate Coffee
Cafe
Early in the drive, ~9 min detour
Early stretch
3.5 mi from route
~9 min detour
Roswell, NM
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Tu-Sa 06:00-14:00
Visit websiteStellar Coffee Co
Cafe
Early in the drive, ~9 min detour
Early stretch
3.5 mi from route
~9 min detour
RibCrib
Restaurant
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.1 mi from route
Roswell, NM
Cuisine: barbecue
Visit websiteSonic
Fast_food
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Roswell, NM
Cuisine: burger
Hours: Mo-Th 06:00-24:00; Fr-Sa 06:00-01:00; Su...
Visit websitePJ and B's Rio Cafe
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Carlsbad, NM
Visit websitePJ and B's Rio Cafe
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Carlsbad, NM
Cuisine: latin_american
Antigua Cocina Mexicana
Restaurant
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Cuisine: mexican
El Charro
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
Carlsbad, NM
Cuisine: mexican
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-21:00
Visit websiteJ J Hagerman House Historic Site
Attraction
Near the start, right off the route
0 mi from route
NM
Eddy National Bank Historic Site
Attraction
Near the start, right off the route
0 mi from route
NM
Eddy County Courthouse Historic Site
Attraction
Near the start, right off the route
0 mi from route
NM
Eddy and Bissell Livestock Company Headquarters Historic Site
Attraction
Near the start, right off the route
0 mi from route
NM
Carlsbad Historical Marker
Park
Near the start, right off the route
0 mi from route
R H Goddard's Launch Tower
Attraction
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
2.9 mi from route
~7 min detour
The Reader
Artwork
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Moriarty Historical Society Museum
Museum
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
Moriarty, NM
Visit websiteTime Capsule
Memorial
Near the start, right off the route
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
CARLSBAD PBR #2
Ruins
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.5 mi from route
~6 min detour
Visit website
Eddy County Pits
Mine
Near the start, short detour
2.5 mi from route
~6 min detour
NM
Roswell Historic Marker
Monument
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
2.4 mi from route
~6 min detour
Hampton Inn & Suites Roswell
Hotel
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Roswell, NM
Visit websiteMotel 6 Roswell
Motel
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Caverns Motel of Carlsbad
Motel
Near the start, right off the route
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Stagecoach Inn
Motel
Near the start, short detour
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
Baymont
Hotel
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.8 mi from route
~5 min detour
Roswell, NM
Visit websiteRoyal Manor Motel
Motel
Near the start, short detour
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
About the Cities
Starting in Carlsbad, NM
Full guide →Carlsbad is a small city in New Mexico near the Texas border best known for the nearby Carlsbad Caverns National Park.
Top landmarks
- • First National Bank of Eddy — historic building in Carlsbad, New Mexico, United States
Arriving in Moriarty, NM
Full guide →Moriarty is a town in Central New Mexico.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 39m. Total distance: 238.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (9%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 113.3 miles on South Main Street. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 11 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.
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.
The main spots that need attention: at 215.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 216 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 237.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Yes — Carlsbad Caverns National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Moriarty, NM, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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