Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 34m
Distance
244.6 mi
394 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Roswell, NM
Wikimedia Commons
Laguna, NM
Emilio Sánchez Hernández
This 244.6-mile journey from Roswell, NM to Laguna, NM is a manageable one-day drive, estimated to take around 4 hours and 34 minutes. You'll primarily be on I-40, with segments of North Main Street and US 54 contributing to the 60% highway share. With a fuel cost estimated at $37, this route offers a straightforward travel experience through the Desert Southwest region of New Mexico. It's an ideal trip to complete in a single day, allowing for a relaxed pace and arriving at your destination with ample daylight remaining.
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
122.3 miles from Roswell, NM
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 22m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 103 mi | 1h 47m |
| North Main Street | 97.8 mi | 1h 52m |
| US 54 | 42 mi | 49m |
| NM 124 | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| Rio San Jose Road | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| West 2nd Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Roswell, NM and Laguna, NM.
Start on US 70; US 380
Turn left onto US 70; US 285
Continue on US 54; US 60; US 285
Turn left
Merge onto I 40
Take the exit
Continue on NM 124
Enter roundabout onto NM 124
Continue on NM 124
Turn left onto BIA 502
Arrive at destination
For this 4-hour and 34-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Roswell to maximize your daylight and avoid potential afternoon heat. With only one planned stop suggested, you have flexibility in choosing where to refuel or stretch your legs, though it's wise to keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 103-mile stretch on I-40. The estimated fuel cost of $37 is helpful for budgeting your trip. A key tip: ensure your vehicle is checked before you leave, as services can be spread out in this region.
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.
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 54 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.3 miles or 2h 22m 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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Laguna, NM than in the middle of the route.
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 244.6 miles and 4h 34m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
122 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.
A short stop after about 54 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 122.3 miles from Roswell, NM, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 103 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 244 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto US 70; US 285 / North Main Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward NM 124: Laguna
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Enter roundabout onto NM 124
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Regular Gas
$36.94 one way
$73.88 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $40.55 | $81.10 |
| premium | $4.56 | $43.90 | $87.81 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $54.00 | $108.01 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 73.4 | 0 | $25.68 | $11.74 |
| Efficient EV | 61.2 | 0 | $21.40 | $9.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 97.8 | 1 | $34.24 | $15.65 |
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Roswell on Saturday
Local time
8:52 PM
MDT
Current temp
83°F
Mostly Cloudy
Destination
Evening in Laguna on Saturday
Local time
8:52 PM
MDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
44°F
Edgewood, NM
122 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with a significant portion, 60%, being highway travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 103 miles on I-40, offering a consistent pace for a good part of your journey. You'll transition from local roads like North Main Street in Roswell to the expansive I-40, experiencing the characteristic open landscapes of the Desert Southwest. This blend means you'll encounter both faster-paced highway driving and potentially slower sections as you enter and exit towns.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 34m drive. You will face about 6 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 (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.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 34m. Total distance: 244.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (60%). Straightforward navigation.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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