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Trip from Hobbs, NM to Jarales, NM

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 50m

Distance

322.7 mi

519 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$50

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
6h 39m ★
6 AM
6h 51m
8 AM
7h 14m
10 AM
6h 59m
12 PM
6h 57m
3 PM
7h 0m
5 PM
7h 13m
8 PM
6h 44m

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

city in Lea County, New Mexico, United States

Hobbs, NM

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Jarales, NM, NM

Jarales, NM

Israel Torres

Trip Overview

Hobbs to Jarales is 322.7 miles and takes about 6 hours 50 minutes via US 380 and I 25, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip spans the Desert Southwest, taking you from the high plains of eastern New Mexico into the Rio Grande Valley. Expect a mixed drive with a significant portion on US 380 before transitioning to the interstate. It's a straightforward journey, best suited for a single day of travel if you're looking to cover ground efficiently.

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

161.4 miles from Hobbs, NM

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 30m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 380 107.3 mi 2h 18m
I 25 46.7 mi 46m
West 2nd Street 43.6 mi 52m
NM Highway 529 31.2 mi 46m
Lovington Highway 29.1 mi 43m
Southeast Main Street 26.4 mi 30m
West Carlsbad Highway 12 mi 13m
Relief Route 7.9 mi 10m
Longest stretch: US 380 — 107.3 mi, about 2h 18m

Traffic on I-25

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

3 PM

~439 veh/hr typical · worst 653

Quietest

1 AM

~47 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

9.3×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 50 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 Jarales, 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

26 mi · 30 min · Southeast Main Street
10

Turn left onto US 285 Truck

7.9 mi · 10 min · Relief Route
11

Turn left onto US 70; US 380

44 mi · 52 min · West 2nd Street
12

Turn right onto US 380

107 mi · 2 hr 18 min · US 380
13

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 30 sec
14

Merge onto I 25

47 mi · 46 min · I 25
15

Turn right

0.3 mi · 2 min
16

Turn left onto NM 116

2.6 mi · 4 min · Highway 116
17

Turn right onto Mill Road

0.7 mi · 2 min · Mill Road
18

Turn left onto Cordova Loop

0.3 mi · 1 min · Cordova Loop
19

Arrive at destination

Cordova Loop

Trip Plan

For this 6-hour, 50-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to make the most of daylight. While it's possible to complete in one day, breaking it up might offer a more relaxed pace, though the single recommended stop is sufficient for a direct trip. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 107.3-mile stretch on US 380 where services may be less frequent. You'll want to ensure you're fueled up before heading into that longer segment.

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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 161.4 miles from Hobbs, NM, or about 3h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 107.3 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 71 miles or 1h 40m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 161.4 miles or 3h 30m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 43m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jarales, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Hobbs, NM

This is one driving day of about 322.7 miles and 6h 50m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 miles from Hobbs, 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 US 380 for about 107.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

village in Lincoln County, New Mexico, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Capitan, NM

161 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

Atoka, NM

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 71 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Capitan, NM

Meal break

The midpoint is around 161.4 miles from Hobbs, NM, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 380 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 107.3 miles.

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 · early in the drive

The Valley Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Roswell, New Mexico

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch · 2h 27m in 1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+15757553287

Visit website

The Valley Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Roswell, New Mexico

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+15757553287

Visit website

Taqueria Mi Jacalito

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

Home stretch 4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20

Socorro, NM

Hours: 11 am–4 pm

+15755175043

Cowboy Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

Early stretch 4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20

Roswell, New Mexico

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+15756226363

Visit website

Buckhorn Tavern

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

Home stretch 5 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20

San Antonio, New Mexico

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+15758354423

Visit website

The Owl Bar & Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

Home stretch 5 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20

San Antonio, New Mexico

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+15758359946

Visit website

Capitol Bar & Brewery

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

Home stretch 4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour Inexpensiv

Socorro, New Mexico

Hours: 11:30 am–12 pm

+15758351193

Visit website

Rest Area

0 mi from route

Rest Area

0 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.1 mi from route

Dr. John Clarke Rest Area

1.4 mi from route

Smokey Bear Historical Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Capitan, New Mexico

Hours: 9 am–4:30 pm

+15753542748

Visit website

Roswell Welcome Sign

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Roswell, New Mexico

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15756233442

Valley of Fires Recreation

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Carrizozo, New Mexico

Hours: 8 am–4:30 pm

+15756482241

Visit website

Fort Stanton Historic Site

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Fort Stanton, New Mexico

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+15753548032

Visit website

Harvey House Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Belen, New Mexico

Hours: 12–5 pm

+15058610581

Visit website

Roswell UFO Spacewalk

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

Early stretch 4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour

Roswell, New Mexico

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+15759102113

Visit website

International UFO Museum and Research Center and Gift Shop

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

Early stretch 4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour

Roswell, New Mexico

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+15756259495

Visit website

BrickTown: Alien Attack

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

Early stretch 4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour

Roswell, New Mexico

Hours: 9 am–6 pm

+15754954123

Visit website

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 0.4 and 318.8 — 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

4
46.1 mi into trip | ~1h 3m in | US 82 / Lovington Highway

At end of road, turn left onto US 82 / Lovington Highway

Navigation decision point

4
77.3 mi into trip | ~1h 50m in | US 285 / North 1st Street

Turn right onto US 285 / North 1st Street

Navigation decision point

4
271.7 mi into trip | ~5h 52m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

4
318.8 mi into trip | ~6h 40m in

Turn right

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$49.60 one way

$99.20 round trip

$3.90/gal 25.4 MPG avg 113 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.32 $54.86 $109.72
premium $4.65 $59.04 $118.08
diesel $5.35 $67.97 $135.94

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$50

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$75–$100

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 112.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.

Driving Electric?

About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 96.8 1 $33.88 $15.49
Efficient EV 80.7 0 $28.24 $12.91
EV Truck/SUV 129.1 1 $45.18 $20.65

Gas CO2

113 kg

EV CO2

38 kg (66% 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 Jun 1, 2026

Origin

Hobbs, NM

Afternoon in Hobbs on Wednesday

Local time

1:04 PM

MDT

Current temp

64°F

Clear

SE 5 to 10 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

Jarales, NM

Afternoon in Jarales on Wednesday

Local time

1:04 PM

MDT

Current temp

52°F

Clear

S 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.

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

12 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

6h 50m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This route offers a varied driving experience, with 58% of it being highway. You'll start with a substantial stretch of 107.3 miles on US 380, a primarily two-lane highway that cuts across the landscape. As you progress, the drive transitions to I 25, providing a faster pace for the latter half of your journey. The road character shifts from wide-open plains to a more developed corridor as you approach your destination.

58% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 107.3 mi on US 380.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

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 3/10

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 6h 50m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 12 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 46.1 miles (US 82 / Lovington Highway): Navigation decision point; at 77.3 miles (US 285 / North 1st Street): Navigation decision point.

Elevation Profile

High-altitude sections with notable climbs

6,348 ft 3,518 ft

Total Climb

4,301 ft

Total Descent

3,134 ft

Highest Point

6,348 ft

~230.5 mi in

Elevation Range

2,830 ft

Notable High Points

6,241 ft at ~184.4 miles +868 ft prominence
6,348 ft at ~230.5 miles +975 ft prominence
4,897 ft at ~299.7 miles +107 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 Jarales, NM

Full guide →

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 6h 50m. Total distance: 322.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 50m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (58%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 107.3 miles on US 380. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 5 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 Jarales, 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. There are 5 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 46.1 miles (US 82 / Lovington Highway): Navigation decision point; at 77.3 miles (US 285 / North 1st Street): Navigation decision point.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.8 hours each way, a round trip means 13.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Jarales, 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, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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