Origin
Radium Springs, NM
Late night in Radium Springs on Wednesday
Local time
1:25 AM
MDT
Current temp
97°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Radium Springs, NM to Carlsbad, NM
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 2, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 15m
Distance
225.3 mi
363 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 3m
★
6 AM
4h 16m
8 AM
4h 42m
10 AM
4h 25m
12 PM
4h 22m
3 PM
4h 26m
5 PM
4h 41m
8 PM
4h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Radium Springs, NM
Mohamed B.
Carlsbad, NM
Malcolm Garret
Trip Overview
Radium Springs to Carlsbad is 225.3 miles and takes about 4h 15m via US Highway 62, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within New Mexico's Desert Southwest region, offering a straightforward drive. With over 60% of the trip on highways, it's a practical option for getting between these two points efficiently. Plan for a single-day trip, as the duration is manageable.
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
112.7 miles from Radium Springs, NM
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 15m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 62 | 102.3 mi | 1h 46m |
| National Parks Highway | 33.6 mi | 37m |
| I 25 | 20.3 mi | 23m |
| Montana Avenue | 18.9 mi | 24m |
| Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway | 18.9 mi | 18m |
| Camino Real de Tierra Adentro | 12 mi | 14m |
| I 10 | 11.2 mi | 14m |
| Arturo Benavides Memorial Freeway | 2.5 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
US Highway 62
— 102.3 mi, about 1h 46m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,451 veh/hr typical · worst 4,068
Quietest
2 AM
~321 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 104 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 Radium Springs, NM and Carlsbad, NM.
1
Start on this road
518 ft
·
22 sec
·
this road
2
Continue on County Road D006
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
County Road D006
3
Turn right onto De Beers
0.6 mi
·
2 min
·
De Beers
4
Turn right onto Frodo Place
0.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Frodo Place
5
At end of road, turn right onto Desert Edge Road
0.1 mi
·
34 sec
·
Desert Edge Road
6
Turn uturn onto NM 157
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
Fort Selden Road
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
8
Merge onto I 25
20 mi
·
23 min
·
I 25
9
Merge onto I 10
19 mi
·
18 min
·
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
10
Continue on I 10; US 85; US 180
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Camino Real de Tierra Adentro
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 10; US 180
11 mi
·
14 min
·
I 10; US 180
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit onto US 180
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
US 180
Exit 23B
Toward US 62, US 180: Paisano Drive, Chelsea Street
Use the slight right lane.
13
Turn left onto US 62; US 180
0.5 mi
·
43 sec
·
East Paisano Drive
14
Continue on US 62; US 180
5.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Montana Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Continue on US 62; US 180
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Arturo Benavides Memorial Freeway
16
Continue on US 62; US 180
14 mi
·
17 min
·
Montana Avenue
17
Continue on US 62; US 180
102 mi
·
1 hr 46 min
·
US Highway 62
18
Continue on US 62; US 180
34 mi
·
37 min
·
National Parks Highway
19
Merge onto US 62; US 180; US 285
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
South Canal Street
20
Arrive at destination
US 285
Trip Plan
For this 4h 15m drive, leaving in the morning from Radium Springs is ideal, allowing ample daylight to reach Carlsbad. Since it's a single-day trip and the longest stretch on US Highway 62 is over 100 miles, consider a brief stop about halfway through to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $33 estimated cost suggests a moderate expense, and services might be spaced out between towns. This route is flexible enough that you can easily adjust your departure time based on your schedule.
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 112.7 miles from Radium Springs, NM, or about 2h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.3 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 50 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112.7 miles or 2h 15m 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 Carlsbad, NM than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Radium Springs, 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 Radium Springs, NM
This is one driving day of about 225.3 miles and 4h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Radium Springs, 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 Highway 62 for about 102.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
113 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 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 112.7 miles from Radium Springs, NM, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US Highway 62 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 102.3 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 95 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 64.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
3
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
De Beers
Turn right onto De Beers
Navigation decision point
5
1.7 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
Desert Edge Road
At end of road, turn right onto Desert Edge Road
Navigation decision point
7
1.8 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
NM 157 / Fort Selden Road
Turn uturn onto NM 157 / Fort Selden Road
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
4
2.1 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
8
64.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 19m in
|
US 180
Take the exit onto US 180 toward US 62, US 180: Paisano Drive, Chelsea Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 23B
Toward US 62, US 180: Paisano Drive, Chelsea St...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.01 one way
$66.01 round trip
$3.72/gal
25.4 MPG avg
79 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.13 | $36.64 | $73.28 |
| premium | $4.49 | $39.79 | $79.58 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $49.66 | $99.33 |
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: 78.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 67.6 | 0 | $23.66 | $10.81 |
| Efficient EV | 56.3 | 0 | $19.71 | $9.01 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 90.1 | 1 | $31.54 | $14.42 |
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
26 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
Carlsbad, NM
Late night in Carlsbad on Wednesday
Local time
1:25 AM
MDT
Current temp
96°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
1 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
4h 15m 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.
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...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
$1
near mile 194.2
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect about 61% of this 225.3-mile drive to be on highways, with a significant 102.3-mile stretch on US Highway 62. You'll experience mostly highway cruising, with the transition to surface roads happening as you approach your destination. The long continuous highway segment means you'll have extended periods of consistent speed.
61% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 102.3 mi on US Highway 62.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 62 and National Parks Highway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near De Beers.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 15m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (De Beers): Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles (Desert Edge Road): Navigation decision point; at 1.8 miles (NM 157 / Fort Selden Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
5,115 ft
3,107 ft
Total Climb
2,566 ft
Total Descent
3,436 ft
Highest Point
5,115 ft
~96.6 mi in
Elevation Range
2,008 ft
Notable High Points
4,072 ft at ~16.1 miles
+96 ft prominence
5,115 ft at ~96.6 miles
+370 ft prominence
4,828 ft at ~177 miles
+717 ft prominence
About the Cities
Starting in Radium Springs, NM
Full guide →Arriving in Carlsbad, NM
Full guide →Carlsbad is a small city in New Mexico near the Texas border best known for the nearby Carlsbad Caverns National Park.
Top landmarks
- • First National Bank of Eddy — historic building in Carlsbad, New Mexico, United States
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 4h 15m. Total distance: 225.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (61%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 102.3 miles on US Highway 62. 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 0.3 miles (De Beers): Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles (Desert Edge Road): Navigation decision point; at 1.8 miles (NM 157 / Fort Selden Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.
Yes — Carlsbad Caverns National Park. 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 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Carlsbad, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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