Dr. John Clarke Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Hope, NM to Ross Place, NM
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 39m
Distance
110.1 mi
177 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 29m
★
6 AM
2h 40m
8 AM
3h 1m
10 AM
2h 47m
12 PM
2h 45m
3 PM
2h 48m
5 PM
3h 0m
8 PM
2h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hope, NM
Israel Torres
Ross Place, NM
Alfo Medeiros
Trip Overview
Hope, NM to Ross Place, NM is 110.1 miles and takes about 2h 39m via Seven Rivers Highway, Jal Highway, and Hope Highway, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive is a single-day trip through New Mexico's Desert Southwest region, offering a taste of local driving. Expect a route with frequent turns rather than high-speed highway cruising. It's a straightforward journey perfect for when you want a more direct, less highway-intensive experience between these two points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
55.1 miles from Hope, NM
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 11m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Seven Rivers Highway | 26.3 mi | 29m |
| Jal Highway | 22.8 mi | 33m |
| Hope Highway | 15.4 mi | 22m |
| Orla Road | 10.4 mi | 18m |
| Potash Mines Road | 7.7 mi | 11m |
| Pecos Highway | 7.1 mi | 8m |
| West Main Street | 4.9 mi | 7m |
| Pierce Street | 3.4 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
Seven Rivers Highway
— 26.3 mi, about 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hope, NM and Ross Place, NM.
1
Start on US 82
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
Main Street
2
Continue on US 82
15 mi
·
22 min
·
Hope Highway
3
Continue on US 82
4.9 mi
·
7 min
·
West Main Street
4
Turn right onto US 285
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
South 1st Street
5
Continue on US 285
26 mi
·
29 min
·
Seven Rivers Highway
6
Continue on US 285
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Artesia Highway
7
Continue on US 285
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Pierce Street
8
Continue on US 285
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
North Canal Street
9
Continue on US 285
0.8 mi
·
56 sec
·
South Canal Street
10
Continue on US 285
7.1 mi
·
8 min
·
Pecos Highway
11
Turn left onto NM 31
7.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Potash Mines Road
12
Turn right onto NM 128
23 mi
·
33 min
·
Jal Highway
13
Turn right onto BLM CRL 1
10 mi
·
18 min
·
Orla Road
14
Turn right onto Ross Lane
2.9 mi
·
11 min
·
Ross Lane
15
Arrive at destination
Ross Lane
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 39m duration and 110.1-mile distance, this is easily a same-day trip from Hope, NM to Ross Place, NM. It's best to depart in the morning to allow ample daylight for navigating the many turns. Plan for one stop, as indicated, which should be sufficient for a break on this relatively short drive. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $17, and ensure you have enough for the entire journey, especially since the longest stretch without a turn is 26.3 miles. A good tip is to have your GPS or map app ready from the start to easily manage the frequent directional changes.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 55.1 miles from Hope, NM, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 26.3 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 24 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.1 miles or 1h 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ross Place, NM than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hope, 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 Hope, NM
This is one driving day of about 110.1 miles and 2h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Hope, 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 Seven Rivers Highway for about 26.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
55 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 55.1 miles from Hope, NM, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Pilot Travel Center
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Carlsbad Museum
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Carlsbad, New Mexico
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+15758870276
Visit websiteLiving Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2.7 mi from route
~7 min detour
Carlsbad, New Mexico
Hours: 9 am–3:30 pm
+15758875516
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 55 decision points cluster between mile 20.5 and 107.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
20.5 mi into trip
|
~30m in
|
US 285 / South 1st Street
Turn right onto US 285 / South 1st Street
Navigation decision point
3
66.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 25m in
|
NM 31 / Potash Mines Road
Turn left onto NM 31 / Potash Mines Road
Navigation decision point
3
74.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 36m in
|
NM 128 / Jal Highway
Turn right onto NM 128 / Jal Highway
Navigation decision point
3
96.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 10m in
|
BLM CRL 1 / Orla Road
Turn right onto BLM CRL 1 / Orla Road
Navigation decision point
3
107.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 28m in
|
Ross Lane
Turn right onto Ross Lane
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.28 one way
$30.57 round trip
$3.53/gal
25.4 MPG avg
39 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.95 | $17.10 | $34.20 |
| premium | $4.29 | $18.59 | $37.18 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $20.79 | $41.58 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 33 | 0 | $11.56 | $5.28 |
| Efficient EV | 27.5 | 0 | $9.63 | $4.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 44 | 0 | $15.41 | $7.05 |
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Hope, NM
Late night in Hope on Sunday
Local time
5:30 AM
MDT
Current temp
66°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 5 to 10 mph
35% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 10:32PM MDT until July 18 at 11:45PM MDT by NWS Albuquerque NM
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:10PM MDT until July 18 at 11:00PM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM
Destination
Ross Place, NM
Late night in Ross Place on Sunday
Local time
5:30 AM
MDT
Current temp
68°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 5 to 10 mph
31% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 10:32PM MDT until July 18 at 11:45PM MDT by NWS Albuquerque NM
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:10PM MDT until July 18 at 11:00PM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM
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
2 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
2h 39m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
National Park
High ancient sea ledges, deep rocky canyons, flowering cactus, and desert wildlife—treasures above the ground in the Chihuahuan Desert. Hidden beneath the surface are more than 119 caves—formed when s...
26 mi from route
~66 min detour
$1
near mile 60.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you'll encounter numerous changes in direction rather than long stretches of uninterrupted highway. With 0% highway share, you're on local roads for the entire 110.1 miles. The longest continuous segment you'll experience is 26.3 miles along Seven Rivers Highway. Be prepared for a driving experience that requires constant attention to navigation, as you'll be managing many turns throughout the approximately 2-hour and 39-minute journey.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 26.3 mi on Seven Rivers Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
1/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 20.5 miles in near US 285 / South 1st Street.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Hope, NM to Ross Place, NM is easy. At 2h 39m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 20.5 miles (US 285 / South 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 66.4 miles (NM 31 / Potash Mines Road): Navigation decision point; at 74.1 miles (NM 128 / Jal Highway): Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
4,087 ft
2,991 ft
Total Climb
585 ft
Total Descent
1,408 ft
Highest Point
4,087 ft
Elevation Range
1,096 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Subway
Fast_food
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2.8 mi from route
~7 min detour
Carlsbad, NM
Cuisine: sandwich
Hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-22:00; Sa 08:00-22:00; Su 09...
Visit websiteSubway
Fast_food
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2.9 mi from route
~7 min detour
Carlsbad, NM
Cuisine: sandwich
Hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-22:00; Sa-Su 08:00-22:00
Visit websiteLa Regia
Restaurant
Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Halfway reset
3.5 mi from route
~9 min detour
Carlsbad, NM
Cuisine: mexican
CARLSBAD PBR #1
Ruins
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Visit website
Home2 Suites by Hilton Carlsbad
Hotel
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2.5 mi from route
~6 min detour
Carlsbad, NM
Visit websiteGreat Western Inn
Motel
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2.5 mi from route
~6 min detour
Corporate Hospitality Housing - Carlsbad Lodge
Hotel
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
3.1 mi from route
~8 min detour
Carlsbad, NM
Hours: 24/7
Visit websiteRoyal Manor Motel
Motel
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
3.2 mi from route
~8 min detour
Stagecoach Inn
Motel
Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Halfway reset
3.4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
About the Cities
Starting in Hope, 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 2h 39m. Total distance: 110.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 26.3 miles on Seven Rivers Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 3 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
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 20.5 miles (US 285 / South 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 66.4 miles (NM 31 / Potash Mines Road): Navigation decision point; at 74.1 miles (NM 128 / Jal Highway): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Carlsbad Caverns National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Ross Place, NM before heading back.
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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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