Santa Clara Pueblo to Hobbs is 334.1 miles and takes about 7h 5m via US 285, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New Mexico, traversing the Desert Southwest region for its entirety. Expect a mix of highway cruising and surface road travel as you head southeast. Given the duration, it's a feasible one-day drive, but plan for your two stops to manage your time effectively.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
167.1 miles from Santa Clara Pueblo, NM
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 285
175.2 mi
3h 20m
East 2nd Street
71.3 mi
1h 44m
South Main Street
19 mi
21m
North Lovington Highway
17 mi
20m
Santa Fe Highway
8.7 mi
13m
US 84/285
7.5 mi
8m
I 25
6.2 mi
6m
North Main Street
4.9 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
US 285
— 175.2 mi, about 3h 20m
Traffic on I-25
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,079 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,327
Quietest
2 AM
~43 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
25.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 42 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 Santa Clara Pueblo, NM and Hobbs, NM.
1
Start on Southern Fields Road
200 ft·11 sec·Southern Fields Road
2
Turn left onto Drum Road
521 ft·24 sec·Drum Road
3
Continue on Drum Road
198 ft·9 sec·Drum Road
4
Continue on Drum Road
0.2 mi·50 sec·Drum Road
5
At end of road, turn right onto NM 30
1.3 mi·2 min·NM 30
6
Take the ramp
475 ft·12 sec
7
Merge onto US 84; US 285
0.8 mi·1 min·Santa Clara Bridge Road
8
Turn right onto US 84; US 285
0.5 mi·1 min·Riverside Drive
9
Continue on US 84; US 285
8.7 mi·13 min·Santa Fe Highway
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
10
Continue on US 84; US 285
4.7 mi·5 min·Taos Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
11
Continue on US 84; US 285
7.5 mi·8 min·US 84/285
12
Continue on US 84; US 285
1.5 mi·2 min·North Saint Francis Drive
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward Guadalupe Street
14
Continue on North Guadalupe Street
0.8 mi·1 min·North Guadalupe Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
15
Turn left onto West Alameda Street
0.4 mi·1 min·West Alameda Street
16
Turn right onto Old Santa Fe Trail
0.6 mi·1 min·Old Santa Fe Trail
17
Continue on Old Pecos Trail
3.0 mi·5 min·Old Pecos Trail
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward I 25 North: Las Vegas, Clines Corners
19
Merge onto I 25
6.2 mi·6 min·I 25
20
Take the exit onto US 285
0.2 mi·25 sec·US 285
21
Keep slight right at fork onto US 285
175 mi·3 hr 20 min·US 285
22
Continue on US 285
3.9 mi·6 min·North Main Street
23
Turn left onto East Country Club Road
1.0 mi·2 min·East Country Club Road
24
Turn right onto CR 93
2.0 mi·4 min·North Atkinson Avenue
25
Turn left onto US 380
71 mi·1 hr 44 min·East 2nd Street
26
Turn right onto NM 206
19 mi·21 min·South Main Street
27
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
28
Continue on US 82
0.8 mi·52 sec·Plains Highway
29
Continue on US 82
1.2 mi·1 min·Tatum Highway
30
Continue on US 82
1.0 mi·1 min·North Main Street
31
Continue on US 82
2.6 mi·4 min·South Main Avenue
32
Continue on NM 18
17 mi·20 min·North Lovington Highway
33
Continue on North Turner Street
1.8 mi·3 min·North Turner Street
34
Arrive at destination
North Turner Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour drive, consider departing Santa Clara Pueblo shortly after sunrise to maximize daylight. With two planned stops, you can break up the 334.1 miles into manageable segments. The longest stretch on US 285 is over 175 miles, so ensure you're fueled up before embarking on that portion. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach Hobbs, as fuel costs are estimated at $49 for the trip. Planning your stops around available services along US 285 will be key.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 167.1 miles from Santa Clara Pueblo, NM, or about 3h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 175.2 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 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 167.1 miles or 3h 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 5h 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hobbs, NM than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Santa Clara Pueblo, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Santa Clara Pueblo, NM
This is one driving day of about 334.1 miles and 7h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 miles from Santa Clara Pueblo, NM.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 285 for about 175.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 37.3 — 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|Drum Road
Turn left onto Drum Road
Navigation decision point
4
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|NM 30
At end of road, turn right onto NM 30
Navigation decision point
4
25.4 mi into trip|~36m in
Take the exit toward Guadalupe Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward Guadalupe Street
4
30.5 mi into trip|~46m in
Take the ramp toward I 25 North: Las Vegas, Clines Corners
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 25 North: Las Vegas, Clines Corners
4
37.3 mi into trip|~53m in|US 285
Keep slight right at fork onto US 285
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.38 one way
$92.76 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg117 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$51.89
$103.78
premium
$4.29
$56.42
$112.83
diesel
$4.80
$63.08
$126.17
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 116.9 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
100.2
1
$35.08
$16.04
Efficient EV
83.5
0
$29.23
$13.36
EV Truck/SUV
133.6
1
$46.77
$21.38
Gas CO2
117 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.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Santa Clara Pueblo, NM
Late night
in Santa Clara Pueblo on Sunday
Local time
12:39 AM
MDT
Current temp
90°F
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 0 to 5 mph50% chanceLive 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
Hobbs, NM
Late night
in Hobbs on Sunday
Local time
12:39 AM
MDT
Current temp
88°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 10 to 15 mph32% chanceLive 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
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
2 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
7h 5m 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.
Manhattan Project National Historical Park
National Historical Park
The Manhattan Project is one of the most transformative events of the 20th century. It ushered in the nuclear age with the development of the world’s first atomic bombs. Most of this development took...
Pecos is a natural and cultural crossroads through which hunters, gatherers, traders, missionaries, immigrants, soldiers, ranchers, and other travelers passed and lived. Follow in their footsteps and...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 34.6
Bandelier National Monument protects over 33,000 acres of ruggedly beautiful canyon and mesa country. Petroglyphs, dwellings carved into the soft rock cliffs, and standing masonry walls pay tribute to...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 334.1-mile drive includes 57% highway driving, primarily on US 285. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 175.2 miles on US 285 before transitioning to surface roads. Expect a change from faster highway speeds to more moderate speeds on East 2nd Street and South Main Street as you approach your destination. The profile is described as mixed highway & surface, indicating a shift in driving conditions.
57% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 175.2 mi on US 285.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Drum Road.
Driving Effort6/10
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 334.1 miles you will encounter 16 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 (Drum Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (NM 30): Navigation decision point; at 25.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
7,312 ft3,594 ft
Total Climb
3,177 ft
Total Descent
5,155 ft
Highest Point
7,312 ft
~23.9 mi in
Elevation Range
3,718 ft
Notable High Points
7,312 ft at ~23.9 miles+1,045 ft prominence
6,984 ft at ~71.6 miles+582 ft prominence
4,343 ft at ~262.5 miles+296 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Santa Clara Pueblo, NM to Hobbs, NM, road signs begin pointing toward Clines Corners along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 5m. Total distance: 334.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 5m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 175.2 miles on US 285. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 8 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 route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Hobbs, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 8 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: near the start (Drum Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (NM 30): Navigation decision point; at 25.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Yes — Manhattan Project National Historical Park, Pecos National Historical Park and Bandelier National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.1 hours each way, a round trip means 14.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Hobbs, NM before the return drive.
