Chisum Travel Center
0 mi from route
Trip from Zuni Pueblo, NM to Artesia, NM
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 45m
Distance
390.2 mi
628 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$54
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 37m
★
6 AM
7h 46m
8 AM
8h 5m
10 AM
7h 52m
12 PM
7h 51m
3 PM
7h 53m
5 PM
8h 4m
8 PM
7h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Zuni Pueblo, NM
Wikimedia Commons
Artesia, NM
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 390.2 miles across the Desert Southwest, this journey from Zuni Pueblo to Artesia takes approximately 7 hours and 45 minutes of driving time. Because the route is categorized as a mixed drive, you can complete it in a single long day, though it requires stamina to stay behind the wheel. Budgeting around $60 for fuel is a smart way to prepare for the trip. You will navigate a combination of I-40 and local streets like 8th Street and Southeast Main Street to reach your destination. While the trip is manageable for experienced drivers, be ready for a full day of travel that transitions you across the diverse landscapes of New Mexico.
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
195.1 miles from Zuni Pueblo, NM
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 58m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 135.4 mi | 2h 20m |
| 8th Street | 91.9 mi | 1h 41m |
| Southeast Main Street | 29.9 mi | 35m |
| US Highway 285 | 27.4 mi | 31m |
| Ice Caves Rd. - NM53 | 25 mi | 34m |
| Ice Caves Road (cdt hiking trail) | 17.3 mi | 22m |
| Oak Street | 14.5 mi | 17m |
| Highway 53 - NM53 | 11.6 mi | 15m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 135.4 mi, about 2h 20m
Traffic on I-40
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 43 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,242 veh/hr typical · worst 2,696
Quietest
3 AM
~283 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 51 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 Zuni Pueblo, NM and Artesia, NM.
1
Start on Twin Buttes Drive
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
Twin Buttes Drive
2
Turn left onto Chavez Circle
0.2 mi
·
48 sec
·
Chavez Circle
3
At end of road, turn left onto NM 53
1.7 mi
·
4 min
·
New Mexico 53
4
Continue on NM 53
7.7 mi
·
19 min
·
NM 53
5
Continue on NM 53
0.5 mi
·
41 sec
·
San Rafael Road
6
Continue on NM 53
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Highway 53 - NM53
7
Continue on NM 53
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Bond Street - NM53
8
Continue on NM 53
25 mi
·
34 min
·
Ice Caves Rd. - NM53
9
Continue on NM 53
17 mi
·
22 min
·
Ice Caves Road (cdt hiking trail)
10
Continue on NM 53
8.6 mi
·
11 min
·
San Rafael Road
11
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
12
Merge onto I 40
135 mi
·
2 hr 20 min
·
I 40
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Toward US 285: Vaughn, Santa Fe
14
Keep slight left at fork
470 ft
·
15 sec
15
Turn right onto US 285
27 mi
·
31 min
·
US Highway 285
16
Continue on US 60; US 285
14 mi
·
17 min
·
Oak Street
17
Continue on US 54; US 60; US 285
92 mi
·
1 hr 41 min
·
8th Street
18
Continue on US 285
6.9 mi
·
14 min
·
North Main Street
19
Turn slight left onto US 285
30 mi
·
35 min
·
Southeast Main Street
20
Continue on US 285
7.1 mi
·
8 min
·
Roswell Highway
21
Continue on US 285
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North 1st Street
22
Turn right onto US 82
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
West Main Street
23
Arrive at destination
US 82
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 7-hour and 45-minute journey, plan for at least two designated stops to break up the monotony. Leaving early in the morning is highly recommended, as it allows you to handle the longest 135.4-mile stretch of I-40 before the afternoon heat or peak traffic sets in. Since you are covering a significant distance in one day, keep your $60 fuel budget in mind and top off your tank during your scheduled breaks. Pay close attention to the transition from the interstate to local roads, as navigation becomes more frequent once you exit the main highway. Using your two stops wisely will ensure you arrive in Artesia feeling refreshed rather than exhausted.
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 195.1 miles from Zuni Pueblo, NM, or about 3h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 135.4 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 86 miles or 2h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 195.1 miles or 3h 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Artesia, NM than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Zuni 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 Zuni Pueblo, NM
This is one driving day of about 390.2 miles and 7h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 86 miles from Zuni 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 I 40 for about 135.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
195 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 86 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 195.1 miles from Zuni Pueblo, 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 135.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
US-285 Vaughn Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Mesa Rest Area
0 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Acomita Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Cline's Corners
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Lisa's Truck Center
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
TA
0.4 mi from route
Dr. John Clarke Rest Area
1.1 mi from route
Rest Area
2 mi from route
Rest Area
2.3 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 75 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 210 — 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
|
Chavez Circle
Turn left onto Chavez Circle
Navigation decision point
4
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
NM 53 / New Mexico 53
At end of road, turn left onto NM 53 / New Mexico 53
Navigation decision point
5
74.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 53m in
|
I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
209.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 13m in
Take the exit toward US 285: Vaughn, Santa Fe
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 285: Vaughn, Santa Fe
5
210 mi into trip
|
~4h 13m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.17 one way
$108.33 round trip
$3.53/gal
25.4 MPG avg
137 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.95 | $60.60 | $121.21 |
| premium | $4.29 | $65.89 | $131.78 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $73.68 | $147.35 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 136.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 117.1 | 1 | $40.97 | $18.73 |
| Efficient EV | 97.6 | 1 | $34.14 | $15.61 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 156.1 | 1 | $54.63 | $24.97 |
Gas CO2
137 kg
EV CO2
46 kg (66% 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.
Origin
Zuni Pueblo, NM
Evening in Zuni Pueblo on Saturday
Local time
7:13 PM
MDT
Current temp
56°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
SW 0 to 5 mph
31% chance
Live forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 16 at 8:32PM MDT until July 17 at 5:00PM MDT by NWS Albuquerque NM
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 16 at 12:08PM MDT until July 17 at 6:00PM MDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
Artesia, NM
Evening in Artesia on Saturday
Local time
7:13 PM
MDT
Current temp
66°F
Partly Cloudy
SE 10 to 15 mph
4% chance
Live forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 16 at 8:32PM MDT until July 17 at 5:00PM MDT by NWS Albuquerque NM
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 16 at 12:08PM MDT until July 17 at 6:00PM MDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
60°F
Edgewood, NM
195 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
10 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
7h 45m 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.
Petroglyph National Monument
National Monument
Petroglyph National Monument protects one of the largest petroglyph sites in North America, featuring designs and symbols carved onto volcanic rocks by Native Americans and Spanish settlers 400 to 700...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 148
View on nps.gov
El Malpais National Monument
National Monument
The richly diverse volcanic landscape of El Malpais (el-mal-pie-EES) offers solitude, recreation, and adventure. Explore incredible geologic features such as young lava flows, cinder cones, lava tubes...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 53.8
View on nps.gov
El Morro National Monument
National Monument
Imagine the refreshment of finding water after days of dusty travel. A reliable waterhole hidden at the base of a sandstone bluff made El Morro (the headland) a popular campsite for hundreds of years....
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 26.9
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a varied experience on this 390.2-mile trek, where roughly 53% of your time will be spent on highways. The route features a significant 135.4-mile stretch on I-40, which serves as the primary artery for the first portion of your drive. As you transition off the interstate onto local roads, the pace shifts from high-speed travel to more localized driving patterns. This mix keeps the drive engaging, moving between wide-open highway segments and more moderate speeds as you approach your final destination. You will find that the road’s personality changes as you leave the interstate, requiring you to remain alert to shifting road conditions.
53% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 135.4 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
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 Chavez Circle.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 7h 45m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 7 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Chavez Circle): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (NM 53 / New Mexico 53): Navigation decision point; at 74.4 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
7,164 ft
3,388 ft
Total Climb
1,880 ft
Total Descent
4,781 ft
Highest Point
7,164 ft
~55.7 mi in
Elevation Range
3,776 ft
Notable High Points
7,164 ft at ~55.7 miles
+30 ft prominence
6,432 ft at ~167.2 miles
+119 ft prominence
6,525 ft at ~223 miles
+212 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Zuni Pueblo, NM to Artesia, NM, road signs begin pointing toward Santa Fe along the way.
Santa Fe
209.8 mi in
|
~4h 13m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Kith+Kin
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
Artesia, NM
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-20:00; Sa 08:00-16:00
Visit websiteDegenerate Coffee
Cafe
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.7 mi from route
~7 min detour
Roswell, NM
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Tu-Sa 06:00-14:00
Visit websiteStellar Coffee Co
Cafe
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.7 mi from route
~7 min detour
Subway
Fast_food
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Roswell, NM
Cuisine: sandwich
Hours: Mo-Sa 08:00-22:00; Su 09:00-22:00
Visit websiteSonic
Fast_food
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Roswell, NM
Cuisine: burger
Hours: Mo-Th 06:00-24:00; Fr-Sa 06:00-01:00; Su...
Visit websiteDomino's
Fast_food
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Artesia, NM
Cuisine: pizza
Hours: Mo-Th 10:00-24:00; Fr-Sa 10:00-01:00; Su...
Visit websiteJimmy John's
Fast_food
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Roswell, NM
Cuisine: sandwich
Visit websiteLa Fonda
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
Cuisine: mexican
Visit websiteMcDonald's
Fast_food
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Cuisine: burger
Visit websiteMoore-Ward Cobblestone House
Attraction
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.2 mi from route
Artesia, NM
Visit websiteWilliam Baskin House Historic Site
Attraction
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0 mi from route
NM
Hodges-Runyan-Brainard House Historic Site
Attraction
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0 mi from route
NM
John Acord House Historic Site
Attraction
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0 mi from route
NM
Baskin Building Historic Site
Attraction
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0 mi from route
NM
Hodges-Sipple House Historic Site
Attraction
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0 mi from route
NM
Artesia Historical Museum and Art Centre
Museum
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.2 mi from route
NM
Freedom's Fire
Artwork
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
Baish Veterans Park
Memorial
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
Happy Firetruck
Artwork
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.2 mi from route
The Vaquero
Artwork
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Museum of Zuni
Museum
Near the start, right off the route
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
NM
Hotel Artesia
Hotel
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Artesia
Visit websiteHampton Inn & Suites Roswell
Hotel
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Roswell, NM
Visit websiteHardwick Hotel
Hotel
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
NM
Heritage Inn
Hotel
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
Motel 6 Roswell
Motel
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Baymont
Hotel
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Roswell, NM
Visit websitePoints of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
About the Cities
Starting in Zuni Pueblo, NM
Full guide →Arriving in Artesia, NM
Full guide →Founded 1905
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 7h 45m. Total distance: 390.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 45m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (53%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 135.4 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 16 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 is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Artesia, 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 16 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: at 0.1 miles (Chavez Circle): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (NM 53 / New Mexico 53): Navigation decision point; at 74.4 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Petroglyph National Monument, El Malpais National Monument and El Morro National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.8 hours each way, a round trip means 15.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Artesia, NM before the return drive.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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