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Trip from Hobbs, NM to Spencerville, NM

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

Drive Time

9h 52m

Distance

492.5 mi

793 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$74

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min
4 AM
9h 43m ★
6 AM
9h 52m
8 AM
10h 10m
10 AM
9h 58m
12 PM
9h 57m
3 PM
9h 59m
5 PM
10h 9m
8 PM
9h 47m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Lea County, New Mexico, United States

Hobbs, NM

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Spencerville, NM, NM

Spencerville, NM

Bjorn Pierre

Trip Overview

This 492.5-mile journey from Hobbs, NM to Spencerville, NM spans approximately 9 hours and 52 minutes, making it a solid two-day trip. You'll primarily navigate US 550 and I-40, with a significant portion, 51%, being highway driving. Given the duration, splitting this drive over two days is highly recommended for a more relaxed experience. Budget around $74 for fuel. This route stays within the Desert Southwest region, offering a consistent landscape throughout your travels. It's a straightforward drive, perfect for those looking for a practical transit between these New Mexico locations.

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

246.3 miles from Hobbs, NM

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5h 8m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 550 151.5 mi 2h 50m
South Main Street 113.3 mi 2h 13m
I 40 55.8 mi 58m
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
Longest stretch: US 550 — 151.5 mi, about 2h 50m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hobbs, NM and Spencerville, 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

56 mi · 58 min · I 40
14

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Exit 161 Toward San Mateo Boulevard Use the slight right lane.
15

Turn right onto San Mateo Boulevard Northeast

3.3 mi · 6 min · San Mateo Boulevard Northeast
Use the left lane.
16

Turn right onto Pan American Freeway Northeast

353 ft · 6 sec · Pan American Freeway Northeast
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
17

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Toward I 25 North: Santa Fe Use the straight / left lanes.
18

Merge onto I 25

11 mi · 11 min · Pan American Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Exit 242 Toward US 550 North, NM 165 East: Placitas, Bernalillo, Rio Rancho
20

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 20 sec
Toward US 550: Bernalillo, Rio Rancho, Coronado Historic Site
21

Continue on US 550

1.7 mi · 3 min · US 550
Use the right lane.
22

Continue on US 550

150 mi · 2 hr 47 min · US 550
23

Turn right onto US 64; US 550

0.4 mi · 53 sec · West Broadway Boulevard
24

Turn left onto US 550

8.0 mi · 13 min · North 1st Street
Use the left lane.
25

Turn left onto West Chaco Street

0.1 mi · 22 sec · West Chaco Street
26

Turn right onto North Ash Street

0.2 mi · 26 sec · North Ash Street
27

Turn left onto NM 516

3.4 mi · 4 min · North Aztec Boulevard
28

Turn right onto Road 3257

0.1 mi · 34 sec · Road 3257
29

Turn left onto Road 3260

397 ft · 17 sec · Road 3260
30

Arrive at destination

Road 3260

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 9-hour, 52-minute drive, plan to split it over two days. Aim to depart early each morning to maximize daylight driving and allow ample time for your two planned stops. The longest stretch without a significant break is 151.5 miles on US 550, so keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during this segment. With a $74 estimated fuel cost, ensure your tank is full before heading out each day. This route is designed for efficiency, so focus on reaching your overnight stop comfortably.

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 246.3 miles from Hobbs, NM, or about 5h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 151.5 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 108 miles or 2h 26m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 246.3 miles or 5h 8m 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 246.3 miles or 5h 8m

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 8h 38m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Spencerville, 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 246 miles and 4.9 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Spencerville, NM

Aim for roughly 246 miles and 4.9 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 108 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 US 550 for about 151.5 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

Overnight candidate

Edgewood, NM

246 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 Edgewood, NM

Overnight Options

Night 1

Edgewood, NM

246 mi · about 4.9h in

A practical overnight split lands near Edgewood, NM after about 246 miles or 4.9 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Roswell, NM

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 108 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Edgewood, NM

Meal break

The midpoint is around 246.3 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 550 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 151.5 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 246 miles or 4.9 hours on the road.

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 18

5 decision points cluster between mile 257.2 and 328.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
257.2 mi into trip | ~5h 21m in

Turn left

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
7
313.2 mi into trip | ~6h 20m 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
313.5 mi into trip | ~6h 21m in | San Mateo Boulevard Northeast

Turn right onto San Mateo Boulevard Northeast

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
328.3 mi into trip | ~6h 40m 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

Exit 242 Toward US 550 North, NM 165 East: Placitas, Ber...
7
328.5 mi into trip | ~6h 41m in

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

$74.38 one way

$148.76 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 172 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $81.65 $163.30
premium $4.56 $88.40 $176.80
diesel $5.61 $108.74 $217.48

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$74

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$204–$314

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 172.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $52 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 147.8 1 $51.71 $23.64
Efficient EV 123.1 1 $43.09 $19.70
EV Truck/SUV 197 2 $68.95 $31.52

Gas CO2

172 kg

EV CO2

58 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 Apr 14, 2026

Origin

Hobbs, NM

Evening in Hobbs on Saturday

Local time

7:11 PM

MDT

Current temp

84°F

Mostly Cloudy

SW 25 mph 4% chance Live forecast

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 14 at 12:30PM MDT until April 14 at 8:00PM MDT by NWS Albuquerque NM

Fire Weather Watch

Fire Weather Watch issued April 14 at 12:30PM MDT until April 16 at 8:00PM MDT by NWS Albuquerque NM

Destination

Spencerville, NM

Evening in Spencerville on Saturday

Local time

7:11 PM

MDT

Current temp

56°F

Mostly Sunny

W 15 mph 4% chance Live forecast

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 14 at 12:30PM MDT until April 14 at 8:00PM MDT by NWS Albuquerque NM

Fire Weather Watch

Fire Weather Watch issued April 14 at 12:30PM MDT until April 16 at 8:00PM MDT by NWS Albuquerque NM

44°F

Edgewood, NM

246 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.

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

28 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

9h 52m 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.

Aztec Ruins National Monument

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...

3 mi from route ~9 min detour Free near mile 492.5
View on nps.gov
Petroglyph National Monument

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...

12 mi from route ~30 min detour Free near mile 322.7
View on nps.gov
Chaco Culture National Historical Park

Chaco Culture National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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...

19 mi from route ~48 min detour $25 near mile 441.6
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a mixed driving experience on this route, with 51% of it on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 151.5 miles on US 550, so be prepared for extended periods of driving before reaching a town or exit. While much of the drive is on main roads like US 550 and I-40, the profile suggests a blend that isn't solely high-speed interstate. You'll likely transition between faster highway segments and potentially more varied driving as you approach your destination.

51% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 151.5 mi on US 550.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 257.2 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 492.5 miles you will encounter 18 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 257.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 313.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 313.5 miles (San Mateo Boulevard Northeast): 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.

Between Hobbs, NM and Spencerville, NM, road signs point toward Bernalillo, Rio Rancho and Coronado Historic Site.

Bernalillo

328.3 mi in | ~6h 40m

Rio Rancho

328.3 mi in | ~6h 40m

Coronado Historic Site

328.5 mi in | ~6h 41m

About the Cities

Starting in Hobbs, NM

Full guide →

Hobbs is a city of 39,000 people (2019) in Southeast New Mexico.

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

9h 52m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 151.5 miles on US 550. 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 246 miles on day one.

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 Spencerville, 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. 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 257.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 313.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 313.5 miles (San Mateo Boulevard Northeast): Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Aztec Ruins National Monument, Petroglyph National Monument and Chaco Culture National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 9.9 hours each way, a round trip means 19.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Spencerville, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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