Clovis, NM to Jemez Pueblo, NM is 261.4 miles and takes about 4h 59m via I 40, US 60, and US Highway 84, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route keeps you within the Desert Southwest, traversing New Mexico for its entirety. Expect a predominantly highway experience, making it a straightforward, efficient trip for those looking to get from point A to point B with minimal fuss. Given the relatively short distance and time, it's a manageable one-day drive.
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
130.7 miles from Clovis, NM
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
114.4 mi
1h 57m
US 60
58.1 mi
1h 8m
US Highway 84
41.1 mi
46m
US 550
23.4 mi
28m
Pan American Freeway
11.1 mi
11m
NM 4
5.2 mi
9m
San Mateo Boulevard Northeast
3.3 mi
6m
West 7th Street
2.3 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 114.4 mi, about 1h 57m
Traffic on I-40
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 50 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~3,021 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,556
Quietest
2 AM
~333 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 102 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 Clovis, NM and Jemez Pueblo, NM.
1
Start on North Main Street
41 ft·5 sec·North Main Street
2
Turn right onto West 7th Street
2.3 mi·4 min·West 7th Street
3
Turn right onto US 60; US 84
58 mi·1 hr 8 min·US 60; US 84
4
Turn right onto US 84
0.6 mi·42 sec·North 4th Street
5
Continue on US 84
41 mi·46 min·US Highway 84
6
Continue on US 84
0.1 mi·11 sec·Historic Route 66
7
Turn left
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 40 West
8
Merge onto I 40
114 mi·1 hr 57 min·I 40
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 161Toward San Mateo BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
10
Turn right onto San Mateo Boulevard Northeast
3.3 mi·6 min·San Mateo Boulevard Northeast
Use the left lane.
11
Turn right onto Pan American Freeway Northeast
353 ft·6 sec·Pan American Freeway Northeast
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
12
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 25 North: Santa FeUse the straight / left lanes.
13
Merge onto I 25
11 mi·11 min·Pan American Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Exit 242Toward US 550 North, NM 165 East: Placitas, Bernalillo, Rio Rancho
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·20 sec
Toward US 550: Bernalillo, Rio Rancho, Coronado Historic Site
16
Continue on US 550
1.7 mi·3 min·US 550
Use the right lane.
17
Continue on US 550
22 mi·25 min·US 550
18
Turn right onto NM 4
5.2 mi·9 min·NM 4
19
Turn left onto Village Plaza Way
0.1 mi·28 sec·Village Plaza Way
20
Continue on Village Plaza Way
187 ft·10 sec·Village Plaza Way
21
Turn left onto Walatowa Boulevard
213 ft·9 sec·Walatowa Boulevard
22
Keep slight right at fork onto Church Street
297 ft·13 sec·Church Street
23
Continue on Church Street
122 ft·7 sec·Church Street
24
Turn right onto Half Moon Street
169 ft·7 sec·Half Moon Street
25
Turn slight right onto Eagle Wings
26 ft·1 sec·Eagle Wings
26
Arrive at destination
Eagle Wings
Trip Plan
For this 4h 59m drive, consider an early morning departure from Clovis to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed pace. With only 261.4 miles and a fuel cost estimated at $38, planning for one stop is likely sufficient for fuel and a quick break. The longest stretch without exits is 114.4 miles on I 40, so ensure you have snacks and drinks before embarking on that portion. Since it's a one-day trip, you have flexibility, but staying aware of your fuel gauge as you transition off the main interstates near Jemez Pueblo is a good idea.
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 130.7 miles from Clovis, NM, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 114.4 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 58 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130.7 miles or 2h 30m 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 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jemez Pueblo, NM than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Clovis, 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 Clovis, NM
This is one driving day of about 261.4 miles and 4h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Clovis, 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 I 40 for about 114.4 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 102.3 and 232.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
102.3 mi into trip|~2h in
Turn left toward I 40 West
Navigation decision point
Toward I 40 West
7
217 mi into trip|~3h 58m 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
217.3 mi into trip|~3h 59m in|San Mateo Boulevard Northeast
Turn right onto San Mateo Boulevard Northeast
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
232.1 mi into trip|~4h 18m 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
$40.69 one way
$81.38 round trip
$3.95/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$44.86
$89.72
premium
$4.71
$48.48
$96.96
diesel
$6.18
$63.59
$127.18
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.4
0
$27.45
$12.55
Efficient EV
65.4
0
$22.87
$10.46
EV Truck/SUV
104.6
1
$36.60
$16.73
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% 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 Oct 16, 2026
Origin
Clovis, NM
Late night
in Clovis on Saturday
Local time
3:22 AM
MDT
Current temp
42°F
Partly Cloudy
NE 20 to 25 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 16 at 12:04AM MDT until October 17 at 8:00AM MDT by NWS Albuquerque NM
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 16 at 12:04AM MDT until October 17 at 8:00AM MDT by NWS Albuquerque NM
Destination
Jemez Pueblo, NM
Late night
in Jemez Pueblo on Saturday
Local time
3:22 AM
MDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
48°F
Edgewood, NM
131 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
8 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
4h 59m 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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 216.3
Caution: Be City Smart: Take precautions to secure your vehicle and valuables.
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...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
$25
near mile 261.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is almost entirely on highways, with 97% of the 261.4 miles covered on these main roads. You'll spend a significant stretch on I 40, including a continuous segment of 114.4 miles. The transition to surface roads will occur towards the end of your trip, likely within the last few miles as you approach Jemez Pueblo. The vast majority of your time will be spent in rural cruising on well-maintained highways.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 114.4 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 60. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 102.3 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 15 significant decision points across 261.4 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 102.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 217 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 217.3 miles (San Mateo Boulevard Northeast): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
6,638 ft4,114 ft
Total Climb
3,051 ft
Total Descent
1,740 ft
Highest Point
6,638 ft
~168 mi in
Elevation Range
2,524 ft
Notable High Points
4,422 ft at ~18.7 miles+110 ft prominence
6,638 ft at ~168 miles+192 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Clovis, NM and Jemez Pueblo, NM, road signs point toward Bernalillo, Rio Rancho and Coronado Historic Site.
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 59m. Total distance: 261.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 59m 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 114.4 miles on I 40. 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 Jemez Pueblo, 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 102.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 217 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 217.3 miles (San Mateo Boulevard Northeast): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Petroglyph National Monument and Bandelier National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 10.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Jemez Pueblo, NM, but most travelers stay overnight.
