Chisum Travel Center
0 mi from route
Trip from Roswell, NM to Gallup, 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
6h 6m
Distance
336.5 mi
541 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$47
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 54m
★
6 AM
6h 7m
8 AM
6h 33m
10 AM
6h 16m
12 PM
6h 13m
3 PM
6h 17m
5 PM
6h 31m
8 PM
5h 59m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Roswell, NM
Wikimedia Commons
Gallup, NM
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Roswell to Gallup is 336.5 miles and takes about 6h 6m via I 40 and US 54, with a fuel budget near $53 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New Mexico, traversing the Desert Southwest region. You'll find yourself mostly on the interstate, making for straightforward travel. It's a solid option if you need to cover ground efficiently across the state. Plan for a single day of driving, keeping the fuel budget in mind.
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
168.2 miles from Roswell, NM
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 12m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 194.7 mi | 3h 20m |
| North Main Street | 97.8 mi | 1h 52m |
| US 54 | 42 mi | 49m |
| East Aztec Avenue | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Ford Drive | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Miyamura Overpass | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| South 2nd Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| West 2nd Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 194.7 mi, about 3h 20m
Traffic on I-40
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 47 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,871 veh/hr typical · worst 2,267
Quietest
3 AM
~255 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 51 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 Roswell, NM and Gallup, NM.
1
Start on US 70; US 380
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
West 2nd Street
2
Turn left onto US 70; US 285
98 mi
·
1 hr 52 min
·
North Main Street
3
Continue on US 54; US 60; US 285
42 mi
·
49 min
·
US 54; US 60; US 285
4
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Use the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 40
195 mi
·
3 hr 20 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward Miyamura Drive, Montoya Boulevard
7
Turn left onto NM 609
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
Ford Drive
8
Continue on NM 609
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Miyamura Overpass
9
Turn right onto East Aztec Avenue
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Aztec Avenue
10
Turn right onto NM 610
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
South 2nd Street
11
Turn right onto I 40 BUS; NM 118; US 66 Hist
68 ft
·
2 sec
·
East Historic Highway 66
12
Arrive at destination
I 40 BUS; NM 118; US 66 Hist
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour drive time, starting in the morning is your best bet to arrive with daylight to spare. With only one recommended stop on this 336.5-mile route, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 194.7 miles on I 40, as services can be spaced out. The $53 fuel estimate is a good baseline, but check current prices. This drive is well within a single day's capability, so you can decide on your stop timing as you go.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 168.2 miles from Roswell, NM, or about 3h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 194.7 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 74 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 168.2 miles or 3h 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 5h 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gallup, NM than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Roswell, 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 Roswell, NM
This is one driving day of about 336.5 miles and 6h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 miles from Roswell, 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 I 40 for about 194.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
168 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 74 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 168.2 miles from Roswell, NM, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 194.7 miles.
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.
US-285 Vaughn Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Mesa Rest Area
0 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Acomita Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Cline's Corners
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Lisa's Truck Center
0.3 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
Rest Area
2 mi from route
Rest Area
2.3 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 85 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 336.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 70; US 285 / North Main Street
Turn left onto US 70; US 285 / North Main Street
Navigation decision point
6
139.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 42m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
140.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 43m in
|
I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
334.8 mi into trip
|
~6h 3m in
Take the exit toward Miyamura Drive, Montoya Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Miyamura Drive, Montoya Boulevard
5
336.5 mi into trip
|
~6h 6m in
|
I 40 BUS; NM 118; US 66 Hist / East Historic Highway 66
Turn right onto I 40 BUS; NM 118; US 66 Hist / East Historic Highway 66
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.71 one way
$93.43 round trip
$3.53/gal
25.4 MPG avg
118 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.95 | $52.26 | $104.53 |
| premium | $4.29 | $56.82 | $113.64 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $63.54 | $127.08 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 117.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 101 | 1 | $35.33 | $16.15 |
| Efficient EV | 84.1 | 0 | $29.44 | $13.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 134.6 | 1 | $47.11 | $21.54 |
Gas CO2
118 kg
EV CO2
39 kg (67% 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.
Origin
Roswell, NM
Late night in Roswell on Sunday
Local time
12:18 AM
MDT
Current temp
91°F
Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 5 to 10 mph
27% chance
Live forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 17 at 3:30AM MDT until July 17 at 5:00PM MDT by NWS Albuquerque NM
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 17 at 1:45AM MDT until July 17 at 6:00PM MDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
Gallup, NM
Late night in Gallup on Sunday
Local time
12:18 AM
MDT
Current temp
83°F
Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
SW 0 to 5 mph
70% chance
Live forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 17 at 3:30AM MDT until July 17 at 5:00PM MDT by NWS Albuquerque NM
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 17 at 1:45AM MDT until July 17 at 6:00PM MDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
60°F
Edgewood, NM
168 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.
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
8 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
6h 6m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 208.8
Caution: Be City Smart: Take precautions to secure your vehicle and valuables.
El Malpais National Monument
National Monument
The richly diverse volcanic landscape of El Malpais (el-mal-pie-EES) offers solitude, recreation, and adventure. Explore incredible geologic features such as young lava flows, cinder cones, lava tubes...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 266.9
View on nps.gov
El Morro National Monument
National Monument
Imagine the refreshment of finding water after days of dusty travel. A reliable waterhole hidden at the base of a sandstone bluff made El Morro (the headland) a popular campsite for hundreds of years....
26 mi from route
~65 min detour
Free
near mile 301.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
About 70% of this route is on highways, meaning you'll spend most of your time on I 40. The longest stretch without a significant break is 194.7 miles on I 40. You'll transition from North Main Street and US 54 onto the interstate, where you can expect consistent speeds. The highway profile suggests a generally smooth drive with fewer surface street interruptions for a good portion of the trip.
70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 194.7 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and North Main Street. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 70; US 285 / North Main Street.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 6m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 8 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 70; US 285 / North Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 139.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 140.1 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
7,146 ft
3,574 ft
Total Climb
5,030 ft
Total Descent
2,095 ft
Highest Point
7,146 ft
~312.4 mi in
Elevation Range
3,572 ft
Notable High Points
6,833 ft at ~144.2 miles
+317 ft prominence
7,146 ft at ~312.4 miles
+450 ft prominence
About the Cities
Starting in Roswell, NM
Full guide →Founded 1869
Roswell is a city in the southeastern region of the state of New Mexico, United States of America. It has attained a quirky sort of fame/notoriety as the result of an alleged UFO crash (!) in 1947.
Top landmarks
- • International UFO Museum And Research Center — museum in Roswell, New Mexico, U.S.
- • Chaves County Courthouse — county courthouse of Chaves County, New Mexico
- • Mimms Museum of Technology and Art — Technology and Art museum in Roswell, Georgia, USA with a focus on computing his...
Arriving in Gallup, NM
Full guide →Founded 1881
Gallup is an important gateway to the Navajo Nation and other nearby attractions in the state of New Mexico. Gallup has numerous trading posts and Indian-themed gift shops, and an abundance of natural scenery surrounding town. In 2020, it was home to 22,000 people.
Top landmarks
- • El Rancho Hotel & Motel — hotel building in Gallup in United States of America
- • United States Post Office — post office building in Gallup, United States of America
- • Gallup Commercial Historic District — historic district in 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 6h 6m. Total distance: 336.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 6m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 194.7 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 18 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.
It helps. This is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Gallup, 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 (US 70; US 285 / North Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 139.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 140.1 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Petroglyph National Monument, El Malpais National Monument and El Morro National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Gallup, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. 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 Gallup, NM
More trips to Gallup, NM
Explore more options from Roswell, NM or browse trips ending in Gallup, NM.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NM road trips.