This 250.9-mile journey from Clovis, NM, to Tome, NM, is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that can comfortably be completed in a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 41 minutes. You'll spend about 97% of your time on major roads, primarily I-40, US-60, and US Highway 84, making it an efficient route. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $38. This drive is entirely within the Desert Southwest region, offering a consistent landscape. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 116.5 miles on I-40, it's designed for making good time. Consider this a practical option if you need to cover ground without much 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
125.4 miles from Clovis, NM
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
116.5 mi
1h 59m
US 60
58.1 mi
1h 8m
US Highway 84
41.1 mi
46m
Pan American Freeway
22.2 mi
23m
Highway 47
4.3 mi
7m
West 7th Street
2.3 mi
4m
Main Street Northeast
1.6 mi
2m
Main Street Southwest
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 116.5 mi, about 1h 59m
Traffic on I-40
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 25 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,927 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,488
Quietest
3 AM
~337 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 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 Tome, 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
117 mi·1 hr 59 min·I 40
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·17 sec
Exit 159B-CToward I 25 North, I 25 South: Las Cruces, Santa FeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 159BToward I 25 South: Las CrucesUse the straight lane.
11
Merge onto I 25
22 mi·23 min·Pan American Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 203Toward HR 66: University of New Mexico Valencia CampusUse the slight right lane.
13
Turn left onto NM 6
0.3 mi·32 sec·Main Street Southwest
14
Continue on NM 6
0.8 mi·1 min·Main Street Northwest
15
Continue on NM 6
0.6 mi·59 sec·Main Street Southwest
16
Continue on NM 6
1.6 mi·2 min·Main Street Northeast
17
Turn right onto NM 263
0.4 mi·48 sec·El Cerro Road
18
Continue on NM 263
0.3 mi·46 sec·Vigil Road
19
Turn right onto NM 47
4.3 mi·7 min·Highway 47
20
Turn right onto Church Loop Road
109 ft·4 sec·Church Loop Road
21
Arrive at destination
Church Loop Road
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour, 41-minute duration, this route is best tackled as a day trip, allowing you flexibility with your departure time. To make the most of the drive and its longest 116.5-mile stretch on I-40, plan for your fuel and rest stops strategically. Since there's only one recommended stop, consider departing early to allow ample time for any spontaneous breaks or to reach Tome before dusk. The estimated fuel cost of $38 is a helpful budget point, but always monitor your fuel gauge, especially before longer stretches like the one on I-40.
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 125.4 miles from Clovis, NM, or about 2h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 116.5 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 55 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 125.4 miles or 2h 24m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tome, 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 250.9 miles and 4h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 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 116.5 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 102.3 and 242.3 — 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
8
219.1 mi into trip|~4h 1m in
Take the exit toward I 25 North, I 25 South: Las Cruces, Santa Fe
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 159B-C
Toward I 25 North, I 25 South: Las Cruces, Sant...
8
219.4 mi into trip|~4h 1m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 25 South: Las Cruces
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Exit 159B
Toward I 25 South: Las Cruces
5
220.2 mi into trip|~4h 3m in|I 25 / Pan American Freeway
Merge onto I 25 / Pan American Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
242.3 mi into trip|~4h 26m in
Take the exit toward HR 66: University of New Mexico Valencia Campus
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 203
Toward HR 66: University of New Mexico Valencia...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.56 one way
$77.13 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg88 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$42.65
$85.31
premium
$4.65
$45.90
$91.81
diesel
$5.35
$52.85
$105.69
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75.3
0
$26.34
$12.04
Efficient EV
62.7
0
$21.95
$10.04
EV Truck/SUV
100.4
1
$35.13
$16.06
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
29 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 Jun 3, 2026
Origin
Clovis, NM
Afternoon
in Clovis on Wednesday
Local time
1:50 PM
MDT
Current temp
57°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NE 5 to 15 mph67% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued June 2 at 7:28PM MDT until June 3 at 10:00PM MDT by NWS Albuquerque NM
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued June 2 at 3:29PM MDT until June 3 at 9:00AM MDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
Tome, NM
Afternoon
in Tome on Wednesday
Local time
1:50 PM
MDT
Current temp
54°F
Isolated Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy
NE 5 to 10 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued June 2 at 7:28PM MDT until June 3 at 10:00PM MDT by NWS Albuquerque NM
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued June 2 at 3:29PM MDT until June 3 at 9:00AM MDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
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
3 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 41m 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
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 224.9
Caution: Be City Smart: Take precautions to secure your vehicle and valuables.
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 97% of the drive utilizing major roadways like I-40, US-60, and US Highway 84. The character of the drive is largely defined by these faster routes, including a significant 116.5-mile stretch on I-40 where you'll likely encounter consistent speeds. While primarily a highway experience, the transition between these main roads is designed to be smooth, keeping you moving efficiently across the landscape. This is a route built for covering distance, with minimal deviations from well-established highways.
97% 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: 116.5 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 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 102.3 miles in.
Driving Effort5/10
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 250.9 miles you will encounter 12 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 219.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 219.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
7,062 ft4,118 ft
Total Climb
3,845 ft
Total Descent
3,285 ft
Highest Point
7,062 ft
~161.3 mi in
Elevation Range
2,944 ft
Notable High Points
4,408 ft at ~17.9 miles+92 ft prominence
7,062 ft at ~161.3 miles+858 ft prominence
6,965 ft at ~197.1 miles+761 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 Clovis, NM to Tome, NM, road signs begin pointing toward Santa Fe along the way.
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 41m. Total distance: 250.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 41m 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 116.5 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 14 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 102.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 219.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 219.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Petroglyph 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 Tome, NM, but most travelers stay overnight.
