Origin
Roswell, NM
Late night in Roswell on Friday
Local time
3:27 AM
MDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Roswell, NM to La Union, NM
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 4, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 26m
Distance
210.6 mi
339 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 13m
★
6 AM
4h 26m
8 AM
4h 53m
10 AM
4h 36m
12 PM
4h 33m
3 PM
4h 37m
5 PM
4h 52m
8 PM
4h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Roswell, NM
Wikimedia Commons
La Union, NM
Antonio Garcia Prats
Trip Overview
Roswell to La Union is 210.6 miles and takes about 4h 26m via US Highway 54 South, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New Mexico, connecting two points in the Desert Southwest region. The majority of the route uses US Highway 54, offering a straightforward drive. With a recommended single day of travel, this route is ideal for those looking for an efficient way to cover ground between these two locations. You'll find the road conditions are a mix of highway and surface roads, so be prepared for varying speeds and types of driving.
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
105.3 miles from Roswell, NM
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 16m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West 2nd Street | 103.1 mi | 2h 12m |
| US Highway 54 South | 34.8 mi | 37m |
| US Highway 54 | 28.9 mi | 30m |
| US 54 | 15.7 mi | 20m |
| Woodrow Bean Transmountain Drive | 10.4 mi | 15m |
| Gateway South Boulevard | 7.8 mi | 9m |
| Canutillo-la Union Road | 3.1 mi | 5m |
| North Bookout Road | 1.5 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
West 2nd Street
— 103.1 mi, about 2h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Roswell, NM and La Union, NM.
1
Start on US 70; US 380
103 mi
·
2 hr 12 min
·
West 2nd Street
Use the straight lane.
2
Turn left onto North Bookout Road
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
North Bookout Road
3
Turn left onto US 54; US 70
8.7 mi
·
10 min
·
US 54; US 70
4
Take the exit onto US 54; US 70
4.9 mi
·
7 min
·
US 54; US 70
5
Take the exit onto US 70
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
US 70
6
Turn left onto US Highway 54 South
35 mi
·
37 min
·
US Highway 54 South
7
Continue on US 54
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
8
Continue on US 54
29 mi
·
30 min
·
US Highway 54
9
Continue on US 54
7.6 mi
·
9 min
·
Gateway South Boulevard
10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 54
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
US 54
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 29
Toward Loop 375: Woodrow Bean Transmountain Drive
Use the slight right lane.
12
Turn straight onto Gateway South Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
Gateway South Boulevard
13
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
14
Continue on Loop 375
10 mi
·
15 min
·
Woodrow Bean Transmountain Drive
15
Turn right onto Loop 375
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Talbot Avenue
16
At end of road, turn right onto TX 20
0.5 mi
·
51 sec
·
Doniphan Drive
17
Turn left onto FM 259
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Canutillo la Union Avenue
18
Continue on NM 28
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
Canutillo-la Union Road
19
Keep slight right at fork onto NM 28
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Canutillo-la Union Road
20
Turn left onto NM 182
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Mercantil Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
NM 182
Trip Plan
For this 4h 26m drive, leaving Roswell in the morning is a good idea to make the most of daylight. Since it's a single-day trip covering 210.6 miles, you can take your time with one planned stop, perhaps for fuel or a quick break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer stretches of highway driving, as services can be spaced out in this region. The fuel cost is estimated at $31, so factor that into your budget. The mixed highway and surface road profile means you'll need to adapt to changing speed limits and road conditions throughout the 210.6 miles.
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 105.3 miles from Roswell, NM, or about 2h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103.1 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 46 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.3 miles or 2h 16m 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near La Union, 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 210.6 miles and 4h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 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 West 2nd Street for about 103.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
105 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 46 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 105.3 miles from Roswell, NM, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before West 2nd Street if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 103.1 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 125 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 204.8 — 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
|
US 70; US 380 / West 2nd Street
Depart onto US 70; US 380 / West 2nd Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
4
118.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 34m in
|
US Highway 54 South
Turn left onto US Highway 54 South
Navigation decision point
4
190.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 53m in
|
US 54
Keep slight left at fork onto US 54
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
7
192.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 56m in
Take the exit toward Loop 375: Woodrow Bean Transmountain Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 29
Toward Loop 375: Woodrow Bean Transmountain Dri...
4
204.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 15m in
|
TX 20 / Doniphan Drive
At end of road, turn right onto TX 20 / Doniphan Drive
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.85 one way
$61.70 round trip
$3.72/gal
25.4 MPG avg
74 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.13 | $34.25 | $68.50 |
| premium | $4.49 | $37.19 | $74.39 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $46.42 | $92.85 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 63.2 | 0 | $22.11 | $10.11 |
| Efficient EV | 52.7 | 0 | $18.43 | $8.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 84.2 | 1 | $29.48 | $13.48 |
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 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
La Union, NM
Late night in La Union on Friday
Local time
3:27 AM
MDT
Current temp
92°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
22 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 26m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
About 38% of this 210.6-mile trip is on highways, meaning you'll spend a significant portion on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 103.1 miles, likely on West 2nd Street before transitioning to US Highway 54 South. Expect to see a mix of driving environments, from potentially more developed areas near the start to more open, rural cruising as you travel south. Be aware that the transition from highway to surface roads might involve changes in speed limits and traffic patterns.
38% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 103.1 mi on West 2nd Street.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 70; US 380 / West 2nd Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 210.6 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 70; US 380 / West 2nd Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 118.4 miles (US Highway 54 South): Navigation decision point; at 190.5 miles (US 54): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
7,004 ft
3,574 ft
Total Climb
4,450 ft
Total Descent
4,229 ft
Highest Point
7,004 ft
~75.2 mi in
Elevation Range
3,429 ft
Notable High Points
7,004 ft at ~75.2 miles
+900 ft prominence
4,297 ft at ~150.4 miles
+212 ft prominence
4,699 ft at ~195.6 miles
+728 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 La Union, 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 4h 26m. Total distance: 210.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (38%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 103.1 miles on West 2nd 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 (US 70; US 380 / West 2nd Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 118.4 miles (US Highway 54 South): Navigation decision point; at 190.5 miles (US 54): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.9 hours — manageable with a long break at La Union, 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 USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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