Clovis, NM to Upper Fruitland, NM is 403.5 miles and takes about 7h 38m via US 60 and US 550, with a fuel budget near $59 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route traverses the Desert Southwest, offering a predominantly highway experience for most of your travels. It's a straightforward drive connecting two points within New Mexico, suitable for a single day if you're looking to cover ground efficiently. Plan for a day with consistent cruising, keeping in mind the general landscape of the region.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
201.7 miles from Clovis, NM
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 550
151.6 mi
2h 50m
I 40
114.4 mi
1h 57m
US 60
58.1 mi
1h 8m
US Highway 84
41.1 mi
46m
West Broadway Boulevard
11.3 mi
15m
Pan American Freeway
11.1 mi
11m
Navajo Route 36
4 mi
5m
San Mateo Boulevard Northeast
3.3 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
US 550
— 151.6 mi, about 2h 50m
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 Upper Fruitland, 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
150 mi·2 hr 47 min·US 550
18
Turn left onto US 64
11 mi·15 min·West Broadway Boulevard
19
Turn slight right onto US 64 Business
1.2 mi·2 min·East Broadway Avenue
20
Turn left onto East Pinon Street
1.4 mi·2 min·East Pinon Street
21
Continue on NM 371
1.1 mi·1 min·Bisti Highway
22
Turn right onto N36
0.6 mi·50 sec·Upper Fruitland Highway
23
Continue on N36
4.0 mi·5 min·Navajo Route 36
24
Arrive at destination
N36
Trip Plan
With a drive time of under 8 hours, this route is easily manageable in a single day. Aim for an early morning departure from Clovis to maximize daylight and allow ample time for your two planned stops. You'll be spending most of your time on US 60 and US 550, so keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 151.6-mile stretch on US 550. The fuel cost estimate of $59 suggests budgeting a bit extra for potential price fluctuations. Being a single-day drive, you have flexibility to adjust your stops as needed.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 201.7 miles from Clovis, NM, or about 3h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 151.6 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 89 miles or 1h 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 201.7 miles or 3h 43m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Upper Fruitland, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Clovis, NM
This is one driving day of about 403.5 miles and 7h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 89 miles from Clovis, NM.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 550 for about 151.6 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 13
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
$62.81 one way
$125.63 round trip
$3.95/gal25.4 MPG avg141 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$69.25
$138.49
premium
$4.71
$74.84
$149.68
diesel
$6.18
$98.16
$196.32
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$63
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$88–$113
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 141.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
121.1
1
$42.37
$19.37
Efficient EV
100.9
1
$35.31
$16.14
EV Truck/SUV
161.4
2
$56.49
$25.82
Gas CO2
141 kg
EV CO2
47 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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Clovis, NM
Night
in Clovis on Sunday
Local time
11:59 PM
MDT
Current temp
37°F
Mostly Clear
SW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Upper Fruitland, NM
Night
in Upper Fruitland on Sunday
Local time
11:59 PM
MDT
Current temp
43°F
Partly Cloudy
E 10 mph0% chanceLive 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
6 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
7h 38m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
Aztec Ruins National Monument
National Monument
Aztec Ruins has some of the best-preserved Chacoan structures of its kind. Learn more about the ancestral Pueblo people in the park's museum and explore the Aztec West great house to see exceptionally...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 389.6
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
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 222.6
Explore the monumental structures and breathtaking landscape at Chaco, a thriving regional center for the ancestral Pueblo people from 850 to 1250 CE (Common Era), through hiking & biking trails, rang...
20 mi from route
~49 min detour
$25
near mile 347.8
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...
30 mi from route
~75 min detour
$25
near mile 250.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is primarily highway driving, with 94% of the route on major roads. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 151.6 miles on US 550 before transitioning to surface roads. Expect consistent cruising for the majority of your 7h 38m drive, with minimal interruptions from frequent exits. The profile suggests a steady pace across the New Mexico landscape.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 151.6 mi on US 550.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 550 and I 40. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 102.3 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
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 403.5 miles you will encounter 13 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 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
6,873 ft4,071 ft
Total Climb
4,357 ft
Total Descent
3,406 ft
Highest Point
6,873 ft
~317 mi in
Elevation Range
2,802 ft
Notable High Points
4,409 ft at ~28.8 miles+141 ft prominence
6,537 ft at ~201.7 miles+152 ft prominence
6,873 ft at ~317 miles+108 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 Upper Fruitland, 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 7h 38m. Total distance: 403.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 38m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 151.6 miles on US 550. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 15 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 Upper Fruitland, 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. There are 15 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 — Aztec Ruins National Monument, Petroglyph National Monument and Chaco Culture National Historical Park (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.6 hours each way, a round trip means 15.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Upper Fruitland, NM before the return drive.
