Chisum Travel Center
0 mi from route
Trip from Hobbs, NM to Gallup, NM
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
8h 45m
Distance
453.8 mi
730 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$70
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
8h 38m
★
6 AM
8h 45m
8 AM
9h 1m
10 AM
8h 51m
12 PM
8h 49m
3 PM
8h 52m
5 PM
9h 0m
8 PM
8h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hobbs, NM
Wikimedia Commons
Gallup, NM
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Hobbs, NM to Gallup, NM is 453.8 miles and takes about 8h 45m via I 40 and NM Highway 529, with a fuel budget near $71 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip crosses the Desert Southwest twice, moving from one part of New Mexico to another. With a recommended two days for travel, it offers a relaxed pace through varied terrain. You'll want to plan for overnight accommodations to break up the drive. This route is best for those who appreciate open landscapes and a straightforward drive.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
226.9 miles from Hobbs, NM
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 46m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 194.7 mi | 3h 20m |
| South Main Street | 113.3 mi | 2h 13m |
| NM Highway 529 | 31.2 mi | 46m |
| Southeast Main Street | 30 mi | 35m |
| Lovington Highway | 29.1 mi | 43m |
| Shenrick Street | 27.5 mi | 31m |
| West Carlsbad Highway | 12 mi | 13m |
| Roswell Highway | 7.2 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 194.7 mi, about 3h 20m
Traffic on I-40
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 47 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,871 veh/hr typical · worst 2,267
Quietest
3 AM
~255 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Hobbs, NM and Gallup, NM.
1
Start on North Turner Street
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
North Turner Street
2
Turn right onto US 62; US 180
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
West Marland Boulevard
3
Continue on US 62; US 180
12 mi
·
13 min
·
West Carlsbad Highway
4
Turn right onto NM 529
31 mi
·
46 min
·
NM Highway 529
5
At end of road, turn left onto US 82
29 mi
·
43 min
·
Lovington Highway
6
Continue on US 82
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
East Main Street
7
Turn right onto US 285
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North 1st Street
8
Continue on US 285
7.2 mi
·
8 min
·
Roswell Highway
9
Continue on US 285
30 mi
·
35 min
·
Southeast Main Street
10
Continue on US 285
113 mi
·
2 hr 13 min
·
South Main Street
11
Continue on US 60; US 285
28 mi
·
31 min
·
Shenrick Street
12
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Use the left lane.
13
Merge onto I 40
195 mi
·
3 hr 20 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward Miyamura Drive, Montoya Boulevard
15
Turn left onto NM 609
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
Ford Drive
16
Continue on NM 609
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Miyamura Overpass
17
Turn right onto East Aztec Avenue
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Aztec Avenue
18
Turn right onto NM 610
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
South 2nd Street
19
Turn right onto I 40 BUS; NM 118; US 66 Hist
68 ft
·
2 sec
·
East Historic Highway 66
20
Arrive at destination
I 40 BUS; NM 118; US 66 Hist
Trip Plan
Given the 8-hour 45-minute drive time, splitting this trip over two days is a good idea. Aim to leave Hobbs, NM in the morning to maximize daylight. Plan for two stops along the way to stretch your legs and refuel. The longest stretch without services is 194.7 miles on I 40, so be sure to fill up your tank before embarking on that segment. Consider an overnight stay around the halfway point of your drive to make the trip more manageable.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 226.9 miles from Hobbs, NM, or about 4h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 194.7 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 100 miles or 2h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 226.9 miles or 4h 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 226.9 miles or 4h 46m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gallup, NM than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hobbs, 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.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Hobbs, NM
Aim for roughly 227 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Gallup, NM
Aim for roughly 227 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 100 miles from Hobbs, NM.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 194.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
227 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in McIntosh, NMOvernight Options
Night 1
227 mi · about 4.4h in
A practical overnight split lands near McIntosh, NM after about 227 miles or 4.4 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 100 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 226.9 miles from Hobbs, NM, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 194.7 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 227 miles or 4.4 hours on the road.
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.
US-285 Vaughn Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Mesa Rest Area
0 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Acomita Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Cline's Corners
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Lisa's Truck Center
0.3 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
Dr. John Clarke Rest Area
1.4 mi from route
Rest Area
2 mi from route
Rest Area
2.3 mi from route
El Malpais National Monument Visitor Center
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
Grants, New Mexico
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+15058762783
Visit websiteWildlife West Nature Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Final third
2.6 mi from route
~6 min detour
Edgewood, New Mexico
Hours: 10 am–6 pm
+15052817655
Visit websitePetroglyph National Monument
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm
+15058990205
Visit websiteABQ BioPark Aquarium
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, ~12 min detour
Final third
4.9 mi from route
~12 min detour
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+15057646200
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 453.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.4 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 62; US 180 / West Marland Boulevard
Turn right onto US 62; US 180 / West Marland Boulevard
Navigation decision point
6
257.2 mi into trip
|
~5h 21m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
257.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 21m in
|
I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
452.1 mi into trip
|
~8h 42m in
Take the exit toward Miyamura Drive, Montoya Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Miyamura Drive, Montoya Boulevard
5
453.8 mi into trip
|
~8h 45m in
|
I 40 BUS; NM 118; US 66 Hist / East Historic Highway 66
Turn right onto I 40 BUS; NM 118; US 66 Hist / East Historic Highway 66
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$69.75 one way
$139.50 round trip
$3.90/gal
25.4 MPG avg
159 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.32 | $77.15 | $154.29 |
| premium | $4.65 | $83.02 | $166.05 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $95.58 | $191.17 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$70
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$200–$310
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 158.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $48 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 136.1 | 1 | $47.65 | $21.78 |
| Efficient EV | 113.5 | 1 | $39.71 | $18.15 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 181.5 | 2 | $63.53 | $29.04 |
Gas CO2
159 kg
EV CO2
53 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.
Origin
Hobbs, NM
Afternoon in Hobbs on Wednesday
Local time
1:02 PM
MDT
Current temp
64°F
Clear
SE 5 to 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Gallup, NM
Afternoon in Gallup on Wednesday
Local time
1:02 PM
MDT
Current temp
40°F
Clear
S 0 to 5 mph
0% chance
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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
24 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
8h 45m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 328.6
Caution: Be City Smart: Take precautions to secure your vehicle and valuables.
El Malpais National Monument
National Monument
The richly diverse volcanic landscape of El Malpais (el-mal-pie-EES) offers solitude, recreation, and adventure. Explore incredible geologic features such as young lava flows, cinder cones, lava tubes...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 391.2
View on nps.gov
El Morro National Monument
National Monument
Imagine the refreshment of finding water after days of dusty travel. A reliable waterhole hidden at the base of a sandstone bluff made El Morro (the headland) a popular campsite for hundreds of years....
26 mi from route
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 422.5
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is split between highway and surface roads, with 50% of the mileage on highways. You'll experience a longest stretch of 194.7 miles on I 40, offering extended periods of consistent cruising. The transition from highway to surface roads will occur around the halfway point of your trip. Expect a mix of rural cruising and areas with more frequent intersections as you navigate.
50% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 194.7 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near US 62; US 180 / West Marland Boulevard.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 8h 45m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 11 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (US 62; US 180 / West Marland Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 257.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 257.4 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
7,110 ft
3,566 ft
Total Climb
5,536 ft
Total Descent
2,650 ft
Highest Point
7,110 ft
~419.9 mi in
Elevation Range
3,545 ft
Notable High Points
4,022 ft at ~32.3 miles
+320 ft prominence
7,048 ft at ~258.4 miles
+312 ft prominence
7,110 ft at ~419.9 miles
+601 ft prominence
About the Cities
Starting in Hobbs, NM
Full guide →Founded 1907
Hobbs is a city of 39,000 people (2019) in Southeast New Mexico.
Arriving in Gallup, NM
Full guide →Founded 1881
Gallup is an important gateway to the Navajo Nation and other nearby attractions in the state of New Mexico. Gallup has numerous trading posts and Indian-themed gift shops, and an abundance of natural scenery surrounding town. In 2020, it was home to 22,000 people.
Top landmarks
- • El Rancho Hotel & Motel — hotel building in Gallup in United States of America
- • United States Post Office — post office building in Gallup, United States of America
- • Gallup Commercial Historic District — historic district in New Mexico, United States
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
8h 45m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (50%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 194.7 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 227 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 20 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 is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Gallup, 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 20 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 0.4 miles (US 62; US 180 / West Marland Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 257.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 257.4 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Petroglyph National Monument, El Malpais National Monument and El Morro National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.8 hours each way, a round trip means 17.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Gallup, NM before the return drive.
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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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