Origin
Meadow Lake, NM
Morning in Meadow Lake on Tuesday
Local time
6:32 AM
MDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Meadow Lake, NM to Farmington, NM
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 18m
Distance
217.7 mi
350 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 5m
★
6 AM
4h 18m
8 AM
4h 45m
10 AM
4h 28m
12 PM
4h 25m
3 PM
4h 29m
5 PM
4h 44m
8 PM
4h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Meadow Lake, NM
Jean-Paul Wettstein
Farmington, NM
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Meadow Lake, NM to Farmington, NM is 217.7 miles and takes about 4 hours 18 minutes via US 550 and I 25, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Desert Southwest, traversing New Mexico's arid landscapes. It's a straightforward, highway-focused journey that's ideal for a single-day drive, especially if you're looking for a direct route between these two points. You'll primarily be on major highways, making it an efficient way to get from point A to point B without much fuss.
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
108.8 miles from Meadow Lake, NM
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 12m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 550 | 151.6 mi | 2h 50m |
| I 25 | 38.3 mi | 40m |
| West Broadway Boulevard | 11.3 mi | 15m |
| Meadow Lake Road | 7.9 mi | 14m |
| Main Street | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| East Broadway Avenue | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| North el Cerro Loop | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| West Broadway Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US 550
— 151.6 mi, about 2h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Meadow Lake, NM and Farmington, NM.
1
Start on Sportsman Court
500 ft
·
28 sec
·
Sportsman Court
2
Turn left onto Sportsman Drive
0.2 mi
·
49 sec
·
Sportsman Drive
3
Turn left onto Meadow Lake Road
7.9 mi
·
14 min
·
Meadow Lake Road
4
Continue on NM 263
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
North el Cerro Loop
5
Continue on NM 263
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
Vigil Road
6
Continue on NM 263
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
El Cerro Road
7
Turn left onto NM 6
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Main Street
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
9
Merge onto I 25
38 mi
·
40 min
·
I 25
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Exit 242
Toward US 550 North, NM 165 East: Placitas, Bernalillo, Rio Rancho
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
Toward US 550: Bernalillo, Rio Rancho, Coronado Historic Site
12
Continue on US 550
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
US 550
Use the right lane.
13
Continue on US 550
150 mi
·
2 hr 47 min
·
US 550
14
Turn left onto US 64
11 mi
·
15 min
·
West Broadway Boulevard
15
Turn slight right onto US 64 Business
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
East Broadway Avenue
16
Continue on US 64 Business
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Broadway Street
17
Arrive at destination
US 64 Business
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 18-minute duration, this trip is comfortably manageable in a single day, so you have flexibility with your departure time. Consider starting in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for an unhurried arrival. With a projected fuel cost of around $33, it's wise to top off your tank before you leave Meadow Lake, as the longest stretch without a major town is over 150 miles. While there's only one official stop indicated in the data, keep an eye on your fuel gauge and plan for potential breaks as needed on US 550, especially if you're driving during warmer months.
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 108.8 miles from Meadow Lake, NM, or about 2h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 151.6 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 48 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.8 miles or 2h 12m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Farmington, NM than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Meadow Lake, 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 Meadow Lake, NM
This is one driving day of about 217.7 miles and 4h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Meadow Lake, 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 550 for about 151.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
109 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 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 108.8 miles from Meadow Lake, NM, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 550 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 151.6 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 55 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 52.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Sportsman Drive
Turn left onto Sportsman Drive
Navigation decision point
4
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Meadow Lake Road
Turn left onto Meadow Lake Road
Navigation decision point
5
13.8 mi into trip
|
~26m in
|
I 25
Merge onto I 25
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
52.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 7m 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
52.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 7m 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
$32.88 one way
$65.76 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
76 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $36.09 | $72.18 |
| premium | $4.56 | $39.07 | $78.15 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $48.07 | $96.13 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 65.3 | 0 | $22.86 | $10.45 |
| Efficient EV | 54.4 | 0 | $19.05 | $8.71 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 87.1 | 1 | $30.48 | $13.93 |
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 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.
Destination
Farmington, NM
Morning in Farmington on Tuesday
Local time
6:32 AM
MDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
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
23 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
4h 18m 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.
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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 37.5
Caution: Be City Smart: Take precautions to secure your vehicle and valuables.
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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 202.7
View on nps.gov
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...
20 mi from route
~49 min detour
$25
near mile 165.1
View on nps.gov
Bandelier National Monument
National Monument
Bandelier National Monument protects over 33,000 acres of ruggedly beautiful canyon and mesa country. Petroglyphs, dwellings carved into the soft rock cliffs, and standing masonry walls pay tribute to...
29 mi from route
~73 min detour
$25
near mile 67.6
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 predominantly a highway-focused drive, with an 87% share on major roads like US 550 and I 25. Expect long stretches of consistent driving, including a significant 151.6-mile segment on US 550. The character of the drive is less about winding backroads and more about covering ground efficiently on well-maintained highways. While it's largely highway, the route does incorporate sections of West Broadway Boulevard, offering a slight shift in pace as you approach your destination. Overall, it’s a drive built for steady progress.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 151.6 mi on US 550.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 550 and I 25. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Sportsman Drive.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 18m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Sportsman Drive): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (Meadow Lake Road): Navigation decision point; at 13.8 miles (I 25): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Meadow Lake, NM and Farmington, NM, road signs point toward Bernalillo, Rio Rancho and Coronado Historic Site.
Bernalillo
52.1 mi in
|
~1h 7m
Rio Rancho
52.1 mi in
|
~1h 7m
Coronado Historic Site
52.3 mi in
|
~1h 7m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 18m. Total distance: 217.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 151.6 miles on US 550. 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.
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 0.1 miles (Sportsman Drive): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (Meadow Lake Road): Navigation decision point; at 13.8 miles (I 25): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Petroglyph National Monument, Aztec Ruins National Monument and Chaco Culture National Historical Park (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Farmington, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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