Origin
Moriarty, NM
Evening in Moriarty on Saturday
Local time
8:52 PM
MDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Moriarty, NM to Alamogordo, NM
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 46m
Distance
168.3 mi
271 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 34m
★
6 AM
3h 46m
8 AM
4h 12m
10 AM
3h 55m
12 PM
3h 53m
3 PM
3h 56m
5 PM
4h 10m
8 PM
3h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Moriarty, NM
Israyosoy S.
Alamogordo, NM
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Moriarty to Alamogordo is 168.3 miles and takes about 3h 46m via Main Street and NM 42, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New Mexico, traversing the Desert Southwest from start to finish. Expect a drive with frequent turns, suggesting you'll be navigating local roads and smaller highways more than interstates. With only one recommended stop and a drive time under four hours, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.
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
84.1 miles from Moriarty, NM
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 57m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Main Street | 47.3 mi | 1h 6m |
| Central Avenue | 43.8 mi | 51m |
| NM 42 | 35.5 mi | 48m |
| State Road 41 | 26.5 mi | 37m |
| Saint Francis Drive | 9.8 mi | 12m |
| North White Sands Boulevard | 3.1 mi | 5m |
| US 60 | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Howard Cavazos Boulevard South | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Main Street
— 47.3 mi, about 1h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Moriarty, NM and Alamogordo, NM.
1
Start on 4th Street
141 ft
·
8 sec
·
4th Street
2
Turn right onto Center Avenue
292 ft
·
13 sec
·
Center Avenue
3
Turn left onto NM 41
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
Howard Cavazos Boulevard South
4
Continue on NM 41
27 mi
·
37 min
·
State Road 41
5
At end of road, turn left onto US 60
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
US 60
6
Turn right onto NM 42
36 mi
·
48 min
·
NM 42
7
At end of road, turn right onto US 54
47 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
Main Street
8
Continue on US 54
44 mi
·
51 min
·
Central Avenue
9
Take the ramp onto US 54
9.8 mi
·
12 min
·
Saint Francis Drive
10
Turn straight onto North White Sands Boulevard
3.1 mi
·
5 min
·
North White Sands Boulevard
Use the left lane.
11
Arrive at destination
North White Sands Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 46m duration, leaving Moriarty in the morning will give you ample time to reach Alamogordo before evening. Plan for one stop to break up the drive, perhaps around the halfway point or where a good rest area is available. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $25 budget suggests this isn't a high-consumption route, but it's always wise to top off before heading into longer stretches. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart later if needed, but be aware of the longest stretch of 47.3 miles on Main Street – ensure you're comfortable with that segment before you begin.
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 84.1 miles from Moriarty, NM, or about 1h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 47.3 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 37 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.1 miles or 1h 57m 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 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alamogordo, NM than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Moriarty, 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 Moriarty, NM
This is one driving day of about 168.3 miles and 3h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Moriarty, 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 Main Street for about 47.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
84 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 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 84.1 miles from Moriarty, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 65 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 64.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Center Avenue
Turn right onto Center Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
NM 41 / Howard Cavazos Boulevard South
Turn left onto NM 41 / Howard Cavazos Boulevard South
Navigation decision point
5
26.9 mi into trip
|
~38m in
|
US 60
At end of road, turn left onto US 60
Navigation decision point
3
28.8 mi into trip
|
~41m in
|
NM 42
Turn right onto NM 42
Navigation decision point
4
64.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 29m in
|
US 54 / Main Street
At end of road, turn right onto US 54 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.42 one way
$50.83 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
59 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $27.90 | $55.80 |
| premium | $4.56 | $30.21 | $60.42 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.16 | $74.32 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50.5 | 0 | $17.67 | $8.08 |
| Efficient EV | 42.1 | 0 | $14.73 | $6.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 67.3 | 0 | $23.56 | $10.77 |
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Alamogordo, NM
Evening in Alamogordo on Saturday
Local time
8:52 PM
MDT
Current temp
52°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
13 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
3h 46m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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.
Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument
National Monument
Tucked away in the middle of New Mexico you’ll find Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument. Its three distinct sites offer a glimpse into a unique time in history—a time entrenched with cultural bo...
18 mi from route
~44 min detour
Free
near mile 34.8
Park Closure: Quarai Unit Closure
White Sands National Park
National Park
Rising from the heart of the Tularosa Basin is one of the world's great natural wonders - the glistening white sands of New Mexico. Great wave-like dunes of gypsum sand have engulfed 275 square miles...
23 mi from route
~58 min detour
$25
near mile 168.3
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 has a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, meaning you'll likely encounter more intersections and changes in direction than you would on a straight interstate. With only 22% of the route on highways, most of your time will be spent on local roads. The longest stretch without a turn is 47.3 miles on Main Street, which offers a solid period of consistent travel before you need to navigate again. Be prepared for a varied driving experience as you transition between different road types.
Only 22% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
11 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 47.3 mi on Main Street.
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 early in the drive near Center Avenue.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Moriarty, NM to Alamogordo, NM is easy. At 3h 46m with 22% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Center Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (NM 41 / Howard Cavazos Boulevard South): Navigation decision point; at 26.9 miles (US 60): Navigation decision point.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 46m. Total distance: 168.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (22%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 47.3 miles on Main Street. 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: near the start (Center Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (NM 41 / Howard Cavazos Boulevard South): Navigation decision point; at 26.9 miles (US 60): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument and White Sands National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Alamogordo, 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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Alamogordo, NM
More from Moriarty, NM
More trips to Alamogordo, NM
Explore more options from Moriarty, NM or browse trips ending in Alamogordo, NM.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NM road trips.