Origin
Tucumcari, NM
Late night in Tucumcari on Sunday
Local time
4:18 AM
MDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tucumcari, NM to Hobbs, NM
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 14m
Distance
199.8 mi
322 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 1m
★
6 AM
4h 14m
8 AM
4h 41m
10 AM
4h 24m
12 PM
4h 21m
3 PM
4h 25m
5 PM
4h 39m
8 PM
4h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tucumcari, NM
Wikimedia Commons
Hobbs, NM
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Tucumcari to Hobbs is 199.8 miles and takes about 4h 14m via South Avenue D and NM 268, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New Mexico, traversing the Desert Southwest. Expect a local drive with plenty of turns, so keep your focus sharp. It's a manageable distance for a single day, making it a straightforward option for getting from point A to point B without extensive planning.
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
99.9 miles from Tucumcari, NM
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 16m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Avenue D | 82.5 mi | 1h 34m |
| South 1st Street | 30.9 mi | 38m |
| NM 268 | 27.5 mi | 38m |
| NM 267 | 17.6 mi | 25m |
| North Lovington Highway | 17 mi | 20m |
| 10th Street | 14.1 mi | 19m |
| South Main Avenue | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| North Turner Street | 1.8 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
South Avenue D
— 82.5 mi, about 1h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tucumcari, NM and Hobbs, NM.
1
Start on I 40 Business
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
West Tucumcari Boulevard
2
Turn right onto NM 209
31 mi
·
38 min
·
South 1st Street
3
Turn right onto NM 268
27 mi
·
38 min
·
NM 268
4
Turn left onto US 60; US 84
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Denby Avenue
5
Turn right onto NM 267
14 mi
·
19 min
·
10th Street
6
Keep slight left at fork onto NM 267
18 mi
·
25 min
·
NM 267
7
Turn right onto North Avenue I
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North Avenue I
8
Turn left onto West 18th Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West 18th Street
9
Turn right onto NM 206
82 mi
·
1 hr 34 min
·
South Avenue D
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
11
Continue on US 82
0.8 mi
·
52 sec
·
Plains Highway
12
Continue on US 82
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Tatum Highway
13
Continue on US 82
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
14
Continue on US 82
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
South Main Avenue
15
Continue on NM 18
17 mi
·
20 min
·
North Lovington Highway
16
Continue on North Turner Street
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
North Turner Street
17
Arrive at destination
North Turner Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 14m duration, leaving Tucumcari in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight. Since this is a single-day trip and not overly long, you have flexibility with your timing. The route has one recommended stop, so plan to refuel and take a break around the halfway point or when needed, especially before the longest 82.5-mile stretch on South Avenue D. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as local roads can sometimes have fewer services than major highways.
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 99.9 miles from Tucumcari, NM, or about 2h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.5 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 44 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 99.9 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 29m
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 Tucumcari, 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 Tucumcari, NM
This is one driving day of about 199.8 miles and 4h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Tucumcari, 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 South Avenue D for about 82.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
100 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 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 99.9 miles from Tucumcari, NM, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before South Avenue D if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 82.5 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 95 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 91.2 — 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
|
NM 209 / South 1st Street
Turn right onto NM 209 / South 1st Street
Navigation decision point
4
31 mi into trip
|
~39m in
|
NM 268
Turn right onto NM 268
Navigation decision point
4
58.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 17m in
|
US 60; US 84 / Denby Avenue
Turn left onto US 60; US 84 / Denby Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
73.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 38m in
|
NM 267
Keep slight left at fork onto NM 267
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
91.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 4m in
|
North Avenue I
Turn right onto North Avenue I
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.17 one way
$60.35 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
70 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $33.12 | $66.25 |
| premium | $4.56 | $35.86 | $71.72 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $44.11 | $88.23 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 69.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 59.9 | 0 | $20.98 | $9.59 |
| Efficient EV | 50 | 0 | $17.48 | $7.99 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 79.9 | 0 | $27.97 | $12.79 |
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (67% 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
Hobbs, NM
Late night in Hobbs on Sunday
Local time
4:18 AM
MDT
Current temp
82°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 14m 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?
This route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' with only 23% on highways. You'll navigate local roads like South Avenue D and South 1st Street for significant portions. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 82.5 miles on South Avenue D, so while there are turns, there are also opportunities for steady driving. Be prepared for a less predictable road experience compared to an interstate journey.
Only 23% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 82.5 mi on South Avenue D.
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 NM 209 / South 1st Street.
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 4h 14m drive. You will face about 9 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 (NM 209 / South 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 31 miles (NM 268): Navigation decision point; at 58.5 miles (US 60; US 84 / Denby Avenue): Navigation decision point.
About the Cities
Arriving in Hobbs, NM
Full guide →Hobbs is a city of 39,000 people (2019) in Southeast New Mexico.
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 14m. Total distance: 199.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (23%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 82.5 miles on South Avenue D. 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 (NM 209 / South 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 31 miles (NM 268): Navigation decision point; at 58.5 miles (US 60; US 84 / Denby Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Hobbs, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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