Spanning 238.8 miles across the Desert Southwest, this journey from Clovis to Santa Clara takes approximately 4 hours and 43 minutes. You will primarily navigate via I-40, US 60, and US Highway 285, making this a straightforward drive that is well-suited for a single day on the road. Budget about $37 for fuel to complete the trip comfortably. Since both the origin and destination are located within New Mexico, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout the transit. It is a practical trek that avoids the need for an overnight stay, allowing you to reach your destination efficiently without excessive fatigue.
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
119.4 miles from Clovis, NM
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
58.2 mi
58m
US 60
58.1 mi
1h 8m
US Highway 285
41.3 mi
49m
US Highway 84
41.1 mi
46m
Taos Highway
12.2 mi
14m
Santa Fe Highway
8.7 mi
13m
I 25
5.9 mi
5m
Old Pecos Trail
2.9 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 58.2 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clovis, NM and Santa Clara, 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
58 mi·58 min·I 40
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward US 285: Vaughn, Santa Fe
10
Turn right onto US 285
41 mi·49 min·US Highway 285
Use the right lane.
11
Turn left onto US 285
0.2 mi·28 sec·US 285
12
Merge onto I 25
5.9 mi·5 min·I 25
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward NM 466: Old Pecos Trail
14
Keep slight right at fork
499 ft·13 sec
15
Turn straight onto NM 466
1.2 mi·2 min·Old Pecos Trail
16
Keep slight right at fork onto Old Pecos Trail
1.7 mi·3 min·Old Pecos Trail
17
Continue on Old Santa Fe Trail
0.6 mi·1 min·Old Santa Fe Trail
18
Turn left onto East Alameda Street
0.4 mi·1 min·East Alameda Street
19
Turn right onto North Guadalupe Street
0.8 mi·1 min·North Guadalupe Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
20
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·34 sec
21
Merge onto US 84; US 285
1.5 mi·1 min·North Saint Francis Drive
22
Continue on US 84; US 285
12 mi·14 min·Taos Highway
23
Continue on US 84; US 285
8.7 mi·13 min·Santa Fe Highway
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
24
Continue on US 84; US 285
0.5 mi·1 min·Riverside Drive
25
Turn left onto Lower San Pedro Drive
0.2 mi·25 sec·Lower San Pedro Drive
26
Merge onto US 84; US 285
0.7 mi·1 min·US 84; US 285
27
Turn left onto NM 30
1.0 mi·1 min·Los Alamos Highway
28
Turn left onto Kee Street
0.3 mi·1 min·Kee Street
29
Turn left
249 ft·18 sec
30
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 238.8-mile drive, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Since the trip takes nearly five hours, departing early in the morning helps you avoid mid-day fatigue and ensures you arrive in Santa Clara with plenty of daylight remaining. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the 58.2-mile interstate segment, as service intervals can vary across these stretches. Because this route is designed for a single day, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace based on traffic or personal preference. Prioritize checking your tire pressure before leaving Clovis to ensure a smooth ride across the diverse pavement types you will encounter.
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 119.4 miles from Clovis, NM, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.2 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 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.4 miles or 2h 18m 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 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Santa Clara, 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 238.8 miles and 4h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 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 58.2 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 102.3 and 212.6 — 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
5
160.7 mi into trip|~2h 59m in
Take the exit toward US 285: Vaughn, Santa Fe
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 285: Vaughn, Santa Fe
6
161 mi into trip|~3h in|US 285 / US Highway 285
Turn right onto US 285 / US Highway 285
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
208.7 mi into trip|~3h 56m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
212.6 mi into trip|~4h 4m in|North Guadalupe Street
Turn right onto North Guadalupe Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.06 one way
$72.13 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$39.59
$79.18
premium
$4.56
$42.86
$85.72
diesel
$5.61
$52.72
$105.45
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
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, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.6
0
$25.07
$11.46
Efficient EV
59.7
0
$20.90
$9.55
EV Truck/SUV
95.5
1
$33.43
$15.28
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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Clovis, NM
Night
in Clovis on Saturday
Local time
10:48 PM
MDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Santa Clara, NM
Night
in Santa Clara on Saturday
Local time
10:48 PM
MDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
42 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 43m 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.
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 197.6
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...
14 mi from route
~34 min detour
Free
near mile 238.8
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...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
$25
near mile 238.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 86% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You should prepare for a steady pace, as the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 58.2 miles along I-40. The transition between these key roads creates a varied experience, moving from high-speed interstate segments to the secondary highway connections of US 60 and US 285. While the path remains functional and direct, the road personality is defined by these long, open stretches typical of the New Mexico landscape. Expect a consistent driving experience that prioritizes forward momentum over technical maneuvers.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 58.2 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 19 significant decision points across 238.8 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 160.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 161 miles (US 285 / US Highway 285): Lane positioning matters here.
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 Clovis, NM to Santa Clara, NM, road signs begin pointing toward Santa Fe along the way.
Santa Fe
160.7 mi in|~2h 59m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 43m. Total distance: 238.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 58.2 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 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 Santa Clara, 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. 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 102.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 160.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 161 miles (US 285 / US Highway 285): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Pecos National Historical Park, Manhattan Project National Historical Park and Bandelier National Monument. 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 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Santa Clara, NM, but most travelers stay overnight.
