Chaparral, NM to Shiprock, NM is 466.9 miles and takes about 8h 31m via I 25, I 40, US 491, with a fuel budget near $74 and enough daylight to finish in a day.
This route spans the Desert Southwest, beginning in New Mexico and ending in the same state. With an 86% highway share and a recommended two-day pace, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy the drive without feeling rushed. The longest stretch without a major change in road type is over 200 miles, so plan your breaks accordingly. This trip is best suited for those who appreciate straightforward driving through expansive landscapes.
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
233.5 miles from Chaparral, NM
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 25
202.6 mi
3h 24m
I 40
105.4 mi
1h 46m
US 491
92.1 mi
1h 48m
State Road 6
30.7 mi
39m
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
17.6 mi
17m
O'Hara Road
8 mi
11m
East Lisa Drive
4.7 mi
9m
Main Street Northwest
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 25
— 202.6 mi, about 3h 24m
Traffic on I-25
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 22 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~380 veh/hr typical
· worst 496
Quietest
1 AM
~40 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 50 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 Chaparral, NM and Shiprock, NM.
1
Start on Prescott Anthony Drive
1.0 mi·3 min·Prescott Anthony Drive
2
Turn left onto East Lisa Drive
4.7 mi·9 min·East Lisa Drive
3
At end of road, turn left onto NM 213
0.2 mi·22 sec·War Road
4
Enter roundabout onto NM 404
26 ft·0 sec·O'Hara Road
5
Continue on NM 404
8.0 mi·11 min·O'Hara Road
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·32 sec
7
Merge onto I 10
18 mi·17 min·Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
8
Take the exit
1.0 mi·2 min
Toward I 25 North: Las Cruces, Albuquerque
9
Continue on I 25
26 mi·28 min·I 25
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
11
Merge onto I 25
176 mi·2 hr 56 min·I 25
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Toward NM 6: Los Lunas
13
Turn left onto NM 6
0.6 mi·1 min·Main Street Southwest
14
Continue on NM 6
1.4 mi·2 min·Main Street Northwest
15
Continue on NM 6
31 mi·39 min·State Road 6
16
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
17
Merge onto I 40
105 mi·1 hr 46 min·I 40
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward Muñoz Boulevard
19
Turn right onto US 491
7.1 mi·9 min·US 491
Use the right lane.
20
Take the exit onto US 491
85 mi·1 hr 38 min·US 491
21
Turn left onto US 491
0.2 mi·21 sec·US 491
22
Turn left
504 ft·28 sec
23
Turn left
485 ft·25 sec
24
Turn left
126 ft·5 sec
25
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 8h 31m estimated duration, splitting this drive over two days is a smart move to avoid fatigue. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight hours for your first leg. Your longest stretch on I 25 is over 200 miles, so ensure you have sufficient fuel and snacks before entering that segment. Consider stopping for the night around the halfway point, giving you a relaxed second day to reach Shiprock. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services can be spread out, especially on US 491.
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 233.5 miles from Chaparral, NM, or about 4h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 202.6 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 103 miles or 1h 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 233.5 miles or 4h 9m 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 233.5 miles or 4h 9m
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 21m
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 Chaparral, 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 Chaparral, NM
Aim for roughly 233 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Shiprock, NM
Aim for roughly 233 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 103 miles from Chaparral, 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 I 25 for about 202.6 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.6 and 466.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
5.6 mi into trip|~13m in|NM 213 / War Road
At end of road, turn left onto NM 213 / War Road
Navigation decision point
6
5.9 mi into trip|~13m in|NM 404 / O'Hara Road
Enter roundabout onto NM 404 / O'Hara Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
31.7 mi into trip|~43m in
Take the exit toward I 25 North: Las Cruces, Albuquerque
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 25 North: Las Cruces, Albuquerque
6
374.6 mi into trip|~6h 42m in|US 491
Turn right onto US 491
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
466.7 mi into trip|~8h 30m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$64.81 one way
$129.63 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg163 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$72.52
$145.03
premium
$4.29
$78.84
$157.68
diesel
$4.80
$88.16
$176.32
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$65
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$195–$305
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 163.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $49 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
140.1
1
$49.02
$22.41
Efficient EV
116.7
1
$40.85
$18.68
EV Truck/SUV
186.8
2
$65.37
$29.88
Gas CO2
163 kg
EV CO2
55 kg (66% 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 16, 2026
Origin
Chaparral, NM
Evening
in Chaparral on Saturday
Local time
7:06 PM
MDT
Current temp
90°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
E 6 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Dust Advisory
Dust Advisory issued July 16 at 5:32PM MDT until July 16 at 7:15PM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 5:24PM 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
94°F
Mostly Sunny
E 5 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Dust Advisory
Dust Advisory issued July 16 at 5:32PM MDT until July 16 at 7:15PM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 5:24PM 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
4 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
8h 31m 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.
El Malpais National Monument
National Monument
The richly diverse volcanic landscape of El Malpais (el-mal-pie-EES) offers solitude, recreation, and adventure. Explore incredible geologic features such as young lava flows, cinder cones, lava tubes...
19 mi from route
~47 min detour
Free
near mile 305.9
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...
23 mi from route
~58 min detour
Free
near mile 241.5
Imagine the refreshment of finding water after days of dusty travel. A reliable waterhole hidden at the base of a sandstone bluff made El Morro (the headland) a popular campsite for hundreds of years....
26 mi from route
~65 min detour
Free
near mile 322
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 the highway for 86% of this 466.9-mile drive, meaning most of your time will be spent on interstates. The longest continuous stretch on a single highway is 202.6 miles on I 25, so be prepared for extended periods of cruising. Expect a mostly rural feel, with exits spaced further apart as you leave the interstate system and transition to US 491. The terrain is generally flat, offering clear views for miles ahead.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 202.6 mi on I 25.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 25 and I 40. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 5.6 miles in near NM 213 / War Road.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 8h 31m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 17 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 5.6 miles (NM 213 / War Road): Navigation decision point; at 5.9 miles (NM 404 / O'Hara Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 31.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
6,887 ft4,015 ft
Total Climb
3,131 ft
Total Descent
2,311 ft
Highest Point
6,887 ft
~333.5 mi in
Elevation Range
2,873 ft
Notable High Points
5,088 ft at ~133.4 miles+258 ft prominence
6,887 ft at ~333.5 miles+265 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Chaparral, NM to Shiprock, NM, road signs begin pointing toward Albuquerque along the way.
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.
The longest stretch is about 202.6 miles on I 25. 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 233 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 17 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 is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. 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 17 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 5.6 miles (NM 213 / War Road): Navigation decision point; at 5.9 miles (NM 404 / O'Hara Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 31.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — El Malpais National Monument, Petroglyph National Monument and El Morro National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.5 hours each way, a round trip means 17.1 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.
