Origin
Santa Fe, NM
Evening in Santa Fe on Saturday
Local time
8:51 PM
MDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Santa Fe, NM to Navajo, NM
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 22m
Distance
134.7 mi
217 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 10m
★
6 AM
3h 22m
8 AM
3h 47m
10 AM
3h 31m
12 PM
3h 28m
3 PM
3h 32m
5 PM
3h 45m
8 PM
3h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Santa Fe, NM
Wikimedia Commons
Navajo, NM
Ambient Vista
Trip Overview
Santa Fe to Navajo is 134.7 miles and takes about 3 hours 22 minutes via North Paseo de Oñate and US 64, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Desert Southwest, offering a local feel as you navigate from New Mexico into another part of the state. Given its relatively short duration and the recommended single day, this route is ideal for those seeking a manageable drive without extensive overnight planning. You'll spend a good portion of the drive on local roads, so expect a more hands-on driving experience.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
67.4 miles from Santa Fe, NM
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 38m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Paseo de Oñate | 65.8 mi | 1h 36m |
| US 64 | 39 mi | 58m |
| Taos Highway | 12.2 mi | 14m |
| Santa Fe Highway | 8.7 mi | 13m |
| Narrow Gauge Street | 4.3 mi | 10m |
| North Saint Francis Drive | 1.5 mi | 1m |
| Paseo de Peralta | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| US 84 | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
North Paseo de Oñate
— 65.8 mi, about 1h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Santa Fe, NM and Navajo, NM.
1
Start on East San Francisco Street
294 ft
·
15 sec
·
East San Francisco Street
2
Turn left onto Cathedral Place
238 ft
·
13 sec
·
Cathedral Place
3
Turn left onto East Palace Avenue
327 ft
·
13 sec
·
East Palace Avenue
4
Turn right onto Washington Avenue
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Washington Avenue
5
Turn left onto NM 475
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Paseo de Peralta
6
Turn right onto North Guadalupe Street
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
North Guadalupe Street
Use the slight right lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
8
Merge onto US 84; US 285
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Saint Francis Drive
9
Continue on US 84; US 285
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Taos Highway
10
Continue on US 84; US 285
8.7 mi
·
13 min
·
Santa Fe Highway
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
11
Continue on US 84; US 285
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Riverside Drive
12
Turn left onto Lower San Pedro Drive
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Lower San Pedro Drive
13
Merge onto US 84; US 285
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
US 84; US 285
14
Continue on US 84; US 285
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Los Alamos Highway
15
At end of road, turn left onto North Paseo de Onate
201 ft
·
14 sec
·
North Paseo de Onate
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on US 84; US 285
66 mi
·
1 hr 36 min
·
North Paseo de Oñate
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on US 64; US 84
14 mi
·
20 min
·
US 64; US 84
18
Turn left onto US 64; US 84
12 mi
·
18 min
·
US 64; US 84
19
Turn left onto US 64
13 mi
·
18 min
·
US 64
20
Continue on J-9
4.3 mi
·
10 min
·
Narrow Gauge Street
21
Arrive at destination
J-9
Trip Plan
Starting your drive from Santa Fe in the morning will give you ample daylight to reach Navajo, NM, without feeling rushed. Since this is a single-day trip covering 134.7 miles, you have the flexibility to depart when you're ready. With a fuel cost estimated at $20, it's wise to ensure you have a full tank before leaving Santa Fe, as there's only one recommended stop. Pay attention to the 'turn-heavy' nature of this drive, especially as you navigate through local areas. Keep an eye on your GPS, as the route involves frequent changes in direction.
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 67.4 miles from Santa Fe, NM, or about 1h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65.8 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 30 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 67.4 miles or 1h 38m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Navajo, NM than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Santa Fe, 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 Santa Fe, NM
This is one driving day of about 134.7 miles and 3h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Santa Fe, 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 North Paseo de Oñate for about 65.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
67 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 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 67.4 miles from Santa Fe, NM, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before North Paseo de Oñate if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 65.8 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 115 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 25.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Cathedral Place
Turn left onto Cathedral Place
Navigation decision point
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East Palace Avenue
Turn left onto East Palace Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Washington Avenue
Turn right onto Washington Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
North Guadalupe Street
Turn right onto North Guadalupe Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
6
25.6 mi into trip
|
~36m in
|
North Paseo de Onate
At end of road, turn left onto North Paseo de Onate
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.34 one way
$40.69 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
47 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $22.33 | $44.66 |
| premium | $4.56 | $24.18 | $48.35 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $29.74 | $59.48 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 40.4 | 0 | $14.14 | $6.47 |
| Efficient EV | 33.7 | 0 | $11.79 | $5.39 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 53.9 | 0 | $18.86 | $8.62 |
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 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
Navajo, NM
Evening in Navajo on Saturday
Local time
8:51 PM
MDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
71°F
Los Alamos, NM
67 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
5 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
3h 22m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
Free
near mile 27.9
View on nps.gov
Pecos National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
18 mi from route
~44 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Bandelier National Monument
National Monument
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...
19 mi from route
~49 min detour
$25
near mile 13.9
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you'll be actively steering and navigating more than on a pure interstate trip. With a highway share of only 29%, expect a significant amount of time on two-lane roads and local streets. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 65.8 miles on North Paseo de Oñate, offering a brief period of more consistent travel before transitioning back to more varied road conditions. Prepare for a dynamic driving experience that requires your attention as you make your way through different terrains.
Only 29% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 65.8 mi on North Paseo de Oñate.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Cathedral Place.
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 3h 22m drive. You will face about 11 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 (Cathedral Place): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (East Palace Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Washington Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 22m. Total distance: 134.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (29%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 65.8 miles on North Paseo de Oñate. 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 0.1 miles (Cathedral Place): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (East Palace Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Washington Avenue): Navigation decision point.
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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Navajo, 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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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