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Trip from Clayton, NM to Sunland Park, NM

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

Drive Time

9h 28m

Distance

532.6 mi

857 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$80

one way

EV Charging

Fair

2 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min
4 AM
9h 20m ★
6 AM
9h 29m
8 AM
9h 46m
10 AM
9h 35m
12 PM
9h 33m
3 PM
9h 36m
5 PM
9h 45m
8 PM
9h 24m

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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town in New Mexico

Clayton, NM

Wikimedia Commons

city in Doña Ana County, New Mexico, United States

Sunland Park, NM

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 447.5-mile journey from Clayton, NM, to Sunland Park, NM, is estimated to take around 7 hours and 36 minutes, making it a feasible, albeit long, day trip. You'll navigate primarily on local roads, with main thoroughfares including Monroe Street, Springer Highway, and Maxwell Avenue, and no interstate driving. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is $68. Given the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, plan for a more engaging, less direct experience. This route stays within the Desert Southwest region, offering a consistent landscape throughout your travels.

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

266.3 miles from Clayton, NM

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 52m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 25 Business 413.8 mi 7h
Springer Highway 81.5 mi 1h 43m
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway 18.9 mi 18m
Camino Real de Tierra Adentro 13.1 mi 15m
Sunland Park Drive 1.8 mi 3m
Monroe Street 0.9 mi 1m
McNutt Road 0.9 mi 1m
Maxwell Avenue 0.9 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 25 Business — 413.8 mi, about 7h

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Clayton, NM and Sunland Park, NM.

1

Start on US 56; US 64; US 412

405 ft · 13 sec · Main Street
2

Continue on US 56; US 412

0.9 mi · 1 min · Monroe Street
3

Continue on US 56; US 412

81 mi · 1 hr 43 min · Springer Highway
4

Turn left onto I 25 Bus

0.9 mi · 1 min · Maxwell Avenue
5

Turn straight onto I 25 Bus

0.2 mi · 27 sec · I 25 Bus
6

Take the ramp onto I 25 Business

414 mi · 7 hr · I 25 Business
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Merge onto I 10

19 mi · 18 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
8

Continue on I 10; US 85; US 180

12 mi · 14 min · Camino Real de Tierra Adentro
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit onto Camino Real de Tierra Adentro

1.1 mi · 1 min · Camino Real de Tierra Adentro
Exit 13 Toward 375 Toll East, US 85 South: Paisano Drive, Sunland Park Drive Use the slight right lane.
10

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Exit 13 Toward Sunland Park Drive Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight right at fork

334 ft · 8 sec
12

Turn straight onto Sunland Park Drive

1.8 mi · 3 min · Sunland Park Drive
13

Turn right onto NM 273

0.9 mi · 1 min · McNutt Road
14

Turn left onto Loma Vista Drive

86 ft · 3 sec · Loma Vista Drive
15

Keep slight left at fork onto Loma Vista Drive

0.2 mi · 57 sec · Loma Vista Drive
16

At end of road, turn right onto Valle Vista Drive

370 ft · 16 sec · Valle Vista Drive
17

Arrive at destination

Valle Vista Drive

Trip Plan

For this 7-hour and 36-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Clayton to maximize daylight, especially since it's a full day's commitment. With two planned stops, you can break up the 447.5 miles into manageable segments. Keep an eye on your fuel, as local road driving can sometimes be less predictable for gas station availability compared to major highways. The $68 fuel cost is a good estimate, but it's always wise to have a little extra buffer. Pay close attention to signage as you transition between Monroe Street, Springer Highway, and Maxwell Avenue to ensure you stay on track.

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 266.3 miles from Clayton, NM, or about 4h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 413.8 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 117 miles or 2h 21m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 266.3 miles or 4h 52m 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 266.3 miles or 4h 52m

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 8h 22m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sunland Park, NM than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Clayton, 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 Clayton, NM

Aim for roughly 266 miles and 4.7 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Sunland Park, NM

Aim for roughly 266 miles and 4.7 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 117 miles from Clayton, 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 Business for about 413.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in and county seat of San Miguel County, New Mexico, United States

First major stop

Coffee and fuel

Las Vegas, NM

176 mi into the route

Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch

This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.

Popular next leg

Las Vegas, NM to Sunland Park, NM

383.7 mi · 6h 37m

Downtown Socorro, NM, NM

Second major stop

Overnight candidate

Socorro, NM

352 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Socorro, NM

Overnight Options

Night 1

Corrales, NM

266 mi · about 4.7h in

A practical overnight split lands near Corrales, NM after about 266 miles or 4.7 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Las Vegas, NM

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 117 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Corrales, NM

Meal break

The midpoint is around 266.3 miles from Clayton, NM, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 25 Business if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 413.8 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 266 miles or 4.7 hours on the road.

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.

Top Restaurant

Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 266.3

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15053450829

Visit website

Main Event Albuquerque

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Albuquerque, New Mexico

1.2 mi

Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 266.3

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15053450829

Visit website

Main Event Albuquerque

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately mile 266.3

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+15058844928

Visit website

Chuck E. Cheese

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately mile 494.5

Las Cruces, New Mexico

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+15755218787

Visit website

2000 Vietnam Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 266.3

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+15052320900

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route

Clayton, New Mexico

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 152.2

Las Vegas, New Mexico

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

New Mexico Escape Room

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.1 mi from route mile 266.3

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Hours: 12:30–9:30 pm

+15052891002

Visit website

Cliff's Amusement Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 266.3

Albuquerque, New Mexico

+15058819373

Visit website

Pecos National Historical Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 190.2

Pecos, New Mexico

Hours: 8 am–4:30 pm

+15057577241

Visit website

Geronimo Springs Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 418.4

Truth or Consequences, New Mexico

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+15758946600

Visit website

New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 494.5

Las Cruces, New Mexico

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+15755224100

Visit website

Zuhl Museum: Home of the Zuhl Collection

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 494.5

Las Cruces, New Mexico

Hours: 12–4 pm

+15756464714

Visit website

Pecos National Historical Park Visitor Center

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 190.2

Pecos, New Mexico

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+15057577241

Visit website

Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 266.3

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Hours: 4–8 pm

+15059104389

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 9

5 decision points cluster between mile 83.6 and 532.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
83.6 mi into trip | ~1h 47m in | I 25 Business

Take the ramp onto I 25 Business

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
528.3 mi into trip | ~9h 20m in | Camino Real de Tierra Adentro

Take the exit onto Camino Real de Tierra Adentro toward 375 Toll East, US 85 South: Paisano Drive, Sunland Park Drive

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 13 Toward 375 Toll East, US 85 South: Paisano Driv...
7
529.3 mi into trip | ~9h 22m in

Take the exit toward Sunland Park Drive

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 13 Toward Sunland Park Drive
5
529.5 mi into trip | ~9h 22m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

5
532.2 mi into trip | ~9h 27m in | Loma Vista Drive

Keep slight left at fork onto Loma Vista Drive

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$80.44 one way

$160.87 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 186 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $88.30 $176.60
premium $4.56 $95.60 $191.19
diesel $5.61 $117.59 $235.18

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$80

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$210–$320

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 186.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $56 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 159.8 1 $55.92 $25.56
Efficient EV 133.2 1 $46.60 $21.30
EV Truck/SUV 213 2 $74.56 $34.09

Gas CO2

186 kg

EV CO2

62 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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Clayton, NM

Evening in Clayton on Saturday

Local time

7:14 PM

MDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Sunland Park, NM

Evening in Sunland Park on Saturday

Local time

7:14 PM

MDT

Current temp

83°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

73°F

Las Vegas, NM

176 mi in

83°F

Socorro, NM

352 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.

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

35 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

9h 28m 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.

Fort Union National Monument

Fort Union National Monument

National Monument

Exposed to the wind, within a sweeping valley of short grass prairie, and along the eroded Santa Fe Trail, lie the adobe walled ruins of the largest 19th century military fort in the region. From 1851...

7 mi from route ~17 min detour Free near mile 128.5
View on nps.gov
Pecos National Historical Park

Pecos National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Pecos is a natural and cultural crossroads through which hunters, gatherers, traders, missionaries, immigrants, soldiers, ranchers, and other travelers passed and lived. Follow in their footsteps and...

7 mi from route ~18 min detour Free near mile 183.6
View on nps.gov
Petroglyph National Monument

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...

10 mi from route ~26 min detour Free near mile 275.5
View on nps.gov
Bandelier National Monument

Bandelier National Monument

National Monument

Bandelier National Monument protects over 33,000 acres of ruggedly beautiful canyon and mesa country. Petroglyphs, dwellings carved into the soft rock cliffs, and standing masonry walls pay tribute to...

20 mi from route ~50 min detour $25 near mile 220.4
View on nps.gov
Manhattan Project National Historical Park

Manhattan Project National Historical Park

National Historical Park

The Manhattan Project is one of the most transformative events of the 20th century. It ushered in the nuclear age with the development of the world’s first atomic bombs. Most of this development took...

24 mi from route ~61 min detour Free near mile 220.4
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for the entirety of this 447.5-mile trip, with a 0% highway share. This means you'll be navigating through towns and utilizing local roads for the majority of your travel. Without any long interstate stretches, you'll experience a more varied pace, frequently adjusting speed and direction. The lack of a defined longest uninterrupted stretch suggests a constant engagement with the road as you pass through various communities and transition between different local routes.

78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 413.8 mi on I 25 Business.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 25 Business and Springer Highway. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 83.6 miles in near I 25 Business.

Driving Effort 5/10

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 532.6 miles you will encounter 9 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 83.6 miles (I 25 Business): Lane positioning matters here; at 528.3 miles (Camino Real de Tierra Adentro): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 529.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Who Is This Route For?

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

9h 28m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 413.8 miles on I 25 Business. 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 266 miles on day one.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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 Sunland Park, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

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 83.6 miles (I 25 Business): Lane positioning matters here; at 528.3 miles (Camino Real de Tierra Adentro): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 529.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Fort Union National Monument, Pecos National Historical Park and Petroglyph National Monument (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 9.5 hours each way, a round trip means 19.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Sunland Park, NM before the return drive.

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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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