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Trip from Clovis, NM to Valencia, NM

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

Drive Time

4h 34m

Distance

241.9 mi

389 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$37

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 21m ★
6 AM
4h 34m
8 AM
5h 1m
10 AM
4h 44m
12 PM
4h 41m
3 PM
4h 45m
5 PM
5h 0m
8 PM
4h 26m

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

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

Clovis, NM

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Valencia, NM, NM

Valencia, NM

Emilio Sánchez Hernández

Trip Overview

This 241.9-mile drive from Clovis, NM to Valencia, NM is a straightforward journey perfect for a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 34 minutes. You'll be spending about 95% of your time on highways, primarily I-40, US-60, and US Highway 84. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $37, making it an economical option. The route is characterized as a highway-focused drive, traversing the Desert Southwest region. With its manageable distance and duration, it's an ideal candidate for a day trip without the need for an overnight stop.

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

120.9 miles from Clovis, NM

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 20m 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 9.7 mi 10m
Bosque Farms Boulevard 4.7 mi 8m
Broadway Boulevard Southeast 3.5 mi 5m
NM 47 2.5 mi 3m
West 7th Street 2.3 mi 4m
Longest stretch: I 40 — 116.5 mi, about 1h 59m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Clovis, NM and Valencia, 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-C Toward I 25 North, I 25 South: Las Cruces, Santa Fe Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min
Exit 159B Toward I 25 South: Las Cruces Use the straight lane.
11

Merge onto I 25

9.7 mi · 10 min · Pan American Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec
Exit 215 Toward NM 47 South: Broadway Boulevard
13

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 54 sec
Toward NM 47 South: Pueblo Of Isleta Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Turn straight onto NM 47

3.5 mi · 5 min · Broadway Boulevard Southeast
15

Continue on NM 47

2.5 mi · 3 min · NM 47
16

Continue on NM 47

4.7 mi · 8 min · Bosque Farms Boulevard
17

Turn left onto NM 47

0.5 mi · 57 sec · Highway 47
18

Turn left onto Rael Road

198 ft · 8 sec · Rael Road
19

Arrive at destination

Rael Road

Trip Plan

Given the 4-hour and 34-minute duration, starting your trip in Clovis, NM in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight. With only one major stop likely needed, you'll have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest stretch of 116.5 miles on I-40, as services can be spread out in some sections of the Desert Southwest. This is a direct, highway-focused drive, so consider downloading offline maps for navigation assistance.

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 120.9 miles from Clovis, NM, or about 2h 20m 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 53 miles or 1h 4m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 120.9 miles or 2h 20m 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 40m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Valencia, 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 241.9 miles and 4h 34m.

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 116.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

town in Santa Fe, Bernalillo, and Sandoval counties in New Mexico, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Edgewood, NM

121 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

Santa Rosa, NM

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 53 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Santa Rosa, NM

Meal break

The midpoint is around 120.9 miles from Clovis, NM, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 116.5 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 102.3 and 230.2 — 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
230.2 mi into trip | ~4h 14m in

Keep slight left at fork toward NM 47 South: Pueblo Of Isleta

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward NM 47 South: Pueblo Of Isleta

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$36.53 one way

$73.07 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 85 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $40.10 $80.21
premium $4.56 $43.42 $86.84
diesel $5.61 $53.41 $106.82

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$37

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$62–$87

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 84.6 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 72.6 0 $25.40 $11.61
Efficient EV 60.5 0 $21.17 $9.68
EV Truck/SUV 96.8 1 $33.87 $15.48

Gas CO2

85 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

Evening in Clovis on Saturday

Local time

8:45 PM

MDT

Current temp

83°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Valencia, NM

Evening in Valencia on Saturday

Local time

8:45 PM

MDT

Current temp

82°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

44°F

Edgewood, NM

121 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

1 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 34m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a largely highway-centric experience on this route, with a 95% highway share. Much of your travel will be on I-40, where you'll encounter an uninterrupted stretch of 116.5 miles, offering a consistent pace. The journey primarily utilizes major arteries like I-40, US-60, and US Highway 84, suggesting a well-maintained and direct path. This highway-focused profile means you'll likely experience a steady, efficient drive as you move through the landscape.

95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 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?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 60. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 102.3 miles in.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 241.9 miles you will encounter 11 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.

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 Valencia, NM, road signs begin pointing toward Santa Fe along the way.

Santa Fe

219.1 mi in | ~4h 1m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 34m. Total distance: 241.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (95%). 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.

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 Valencia, 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 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.

Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Valencia, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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