Trip from Clovis, NM to Santa Fe, NM

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

Drive Time

4h 4m

Distance

212.4 mi

342 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$29

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

3h 51m ★

6 AM

4h 4m

8 AM

4h 30m

10 AM

4h 14m

12 PM

4h 11m

3 PM

4h 15m

5 PM

4h 29m

8 PM

3h 57m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time

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

Clovis, NM

Wikimedia Commons

capital city of New Mexico, United States

Santa Fe, NM

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 212.4-mile drive from Clovis, NM to Santa Fe, NM takes about 4 hours and 4 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. You'll spend 96% of your time on highways, primarily I-40, US-60, and US Highway 285, so expect a focused, highway-centric experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $32, this route is budget-friendly for a single day's adventure. Both your origin and destination are within the Desert Southwest region, so you'll be traversing familiar, arid landscapes throughout your journey. This straightforward trip is designed for efficiency, getting you from point A to point B with minimal fuss.

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

106.2 miles from Clovis, NM

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 5m 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
I 25	5.9 mi	5m
Old Pecos Trail	2.9 mi	5m
West 7th Street	2.3 mi	4m
Old Santa Fe Trail	0.7 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 40 — 58.2 mi, about 58m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Clovis, NM and Santa Fe, NM.

Start on North Main Street

41 ft · 5 sec · North Main Street

Turn right onto West 7th Street

2.3 mi · 4 min · West 7th Street

Turn right onto US 60; US 84

58 mi · 1 hr 8 min · US 60; US 84

Turn right onto US 84

0.6 mi · 42 sec · North 4th Street

Continue on US 84

41 mi · 46 min · US Highway 84

Continue on US 84

0.1 mi · 11 sec · Historic Route 66

Turn left

0.3 mi · 34 sec

Toward I 40 West

Merge onto I 40

58 mi · 58 min · I 40

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 45 sec

Toward US 285: Vaughn, Santa Fe

Turn right onto US 285

41 mi · 49 min · US Highway 285

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto US 285

0.2 mi · 28 sec · US 285

Merge onto I 25

5.9 mi · 5 min · I 25

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec

Toward NM 466: Old Pecos Trail

Keep slight right at fork

499 ft · 13 sec

Turn straight onto NM 466

1.2 mi · 2 min · Old Pecos Trail

Keep slight right at fork onto Old Pecos Trail

1.7 mi · 3 min · Old Pecos Trail

Continue on Old Santa Fe Trail

0.7 mi · 1 min · Old Santa Fe Trail

At end of road, turn left onto East Water Street

117 ft · 9 sec · East Water Street

Turn right onto Old Santa Fe Trail

336 ft · 19 sec · Old Santa Fe Trail

Turn right onto East San Francisco Street

95 ft · 2 sec · East San Francisco Street

Arrive at destination

East San Francisco Street

Trip Plan

Given the manageable 4-hour duration, this drive is ideal for a single-day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Aim to leave in the morning to maximize daylight and ensure you have ample time for any unscheduled stops. With only one recommended stop, plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the 58.2-mile stretch on I-40. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading into longer stretches, and remember the estimated fuel cost is around $32. This route is straightforward, so focus on enjoying the drive and arriving in Santa Fe refreshed.

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 106.2 miles from Clovis, NM, or about 2h 5m 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 47 miles or 57m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 106.2 miles or 2h 5m 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 16m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Santa Fe, 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 212.4 miles and 4h 4m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 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.

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Las Vegas, NM

106 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

House, NM

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

House, NM

Meal break

The midpoint is around 106.2 miles from Clovis, NM, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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.

Best meal stop · home stretch

Santacafé

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $50 to $10

Hours: 11:30 am–2:30 pm

+15059841788

Visit website

Clafoutis

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Santa Fe, New Mexico

1.2 mi

Best coffee break · home stretch

Palacio Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 7:30 am–8 pm

+15059893505

Coyote Cafe & Rooftop Cantina

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Santa Fe, New Mexico

0.2 mi

Deccan cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Santa Fe, New Mexico

0.4 mi

Santacafé

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $50 to $10

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Hours: 11:30 am–2:30 pm

+15059841788

Visit website

Clafoutis

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+15059881809

Visit website

Palacio Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Hours: 7:30 am–8 pm

+15059893505

Coyote Cafe & Rooftop Cantina

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.2 mi from route Moderately

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Hours: 11:30 am–9:30 pm

+15059831615

Visit website

Deccan cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+15058207996

Tune-Up Café

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+15059837060

Visit website

Pyramid Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+15059891378

Visit website

Cafecito

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+15053100089

Visit website

Museum Hill Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+15059848900

Visit website

Lago Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+15053058447

Visit website

Francis Energy Charging Station

3.1 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Fort Sumner, New Mexico

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18004891588

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Clovis, New Mexico

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Halfway reset 3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour

Santa Rosa, New Mexico

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Clovis, New Mexico

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour

Clovis, New Mexico

+18668167584

Visit website

EvGateway Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Clovis, New Mexico

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19499452000

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

Halfway reset 4 mi from route ~10 min detour

Santa Rosa, New Mexico

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Clovis, New Mexico

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+15059552100

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 102.3 and 212.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

102.3 mi into trip | ~2h in

Turn left toward I 40 West

Navigation decision point

Toward I 40 West

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

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.

208.7 mi into trip | ~3h 56m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

212.3 mi into trip | ~4h 4m in | Old Santa Fe Trail

Turn right onto Old Santa Fe Trail

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$29.49 one way

$58.97 round trip

$3.53/gal 25.4 MPG avg 74 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.95	$32.99	$65.98
premium	$4.29	$35.87	$71.73
diesel	$4.80	$40.11	$80.21

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$29

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$54–$79

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 74.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	63.7	0	$22.30	$10.20
Efficient EV	53.1	0	$18.59	$8.50
EV Truck/SUV	85	1	$29.74	$13.59

Gas CO2

74 kg

EV CO2

25 kg (66% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

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 18, 2026

Origin

Clovis, NM

Late night in Clovis on Sunday

Local time

5:00 AM

MDT

Current temp

91°F

Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms

S 10 mph 25% chance Live forecast

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 5:20PM MDT until July 18 at 8:15PM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 5:13PM MDT until July 18 at 7:45PM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM

Destination

Santa Fe, NM

Late night in Santa Fe on Sunday

Local time

5:00 AM

MDT

Current temp

83°F

Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms

NE 5 mph 46% chance Live forecast

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 5:20PM MDT until July 18 at 8:15PM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 5:13PM MDT until July 18 at 7:45PM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM

90°F

Las Vegas, NM

106 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 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 4m 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 205.2

View on nps.gov

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...

23 mi from route ~57 min detour $25 near mile 212.5

View on nps.gov

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 212.5

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 predominantly highway-focused drive, with 96% of the journey on major roads like I-40, US-60, and US Highway 285. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 58.2 miles on I-40, offering a good period of consistent driving. While mostly highway, the route transitions between interstates and U.S. highways, providing a varied but still predominantly fast-paced experience. You'll be covering ground efficiently, with the road character remaining consistent for much of the 212.4 miles.

96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

21 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?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 60. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 102.3 miles in.

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 212.4 miles you will encounter 14 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 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.

Elevation Profile

High-altitude sections with notable climbs

7,001 ft 4,043 ft

Total Climb

3,635 ft

Total Descent

906 ft

Highest Point

7,001 ft

~166.9 mi in

Elevation Range

2,958 ft

Notable High Points

4,417 ft at ~30.3 miles +25 ft prominence

4,669 ft at ~91 miles +48 ft prominence

7,001 ft at ~166.9 miles +484 ft prominence

About the Cities

Starting in Clovis, NM

Full guide →

Founded 1906

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

Arriving in Santa Fe, NM

Full guide →

Founded 1610

Santa Fe, founded in 1607, is the capital of the state of New Mexico and its principal tourist destination, renowned for its confluence of scenic beauty, long history (at least by American standards), cultural diversity, and extraordinary concentration of arts, music and fine dining. With an elevation of 7,000 ft (2,100 m), it is not only the United States' oldest state capital but its highest, sitting at the foot of the spectacular Sangre de Cristo Mountains. And with a population of about 85,000 (2019), it's not the most populous capital, but that's part of its charm.

Top landmarks

• San Miguel Mission — historic adobe church
• Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi — cathedral in Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
• Palace of the Governors — building in Santa Fe

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 4m. Total distance: 212.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (96%). 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.

Yes — we found about 8 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.

Yes — Pecos National Historical Park, Bandelier National Monument and Manhattan Project National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Santa Fe, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Trip from Clovis, NM to Santa Fe, NM

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Santacafé

Palacio Restaurant

Santacafé

Clafoutis

Palacio Restaurant

Coyote Cafe & Rooftop Cantina

Deccan cafe

Tune-Up Café

Pyramid Cafe

Cafecito

Museum Hill Cafe

Lago Cafe

Francis Energy Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

EV Connect Charging Station

EvGateway Charging Station

Electrify America Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Rest Area

Rest Area

Pilot Travel Center

Love's Travel Stop

TA

Anton Chico Rest Area West Bound

Cline's Corners

Rest Area

Santa Fe Plaza

Loretto Chapel Museum

New Mexico Museum of Art

La Mama

Palace of the Governors at New Mexico History Museum

Santa Fe Railyard Park

Billy The Kid Museum

Harvey Cornell Rose Park

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Clovis, NM

Santa Fe, NM

Same local time

8 degrees cooler at arrival

4h 4m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Pecos National Historical Park

Bandelier National Monument

Manhattan Project National Historical Park

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

About the Cities

Starting in Clovis, NM

Arriving in Santa Fe, NM

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Will I have cell service along this route?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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