How far is Capitan, NM from Alamogordo, NM?

The driving distance from Capitan, NM to Alamogordo, NM is about 78 miles (125.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 23m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 50 miles (80.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 46m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
78.03 mi
01h 23m
Flight
49.95 mi
80.38 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Capitan.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
49.95 mi
Kilometers
80.38 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
78.03 mi
Kilometers
125.57 km
Drive Time
01h 23m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 01h 23m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Alamogordo
Wed, Apr 22, 8:12 PM MDT
Return by in Capitan
Wed, Apr 22, 9:35 PM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Capitan
2026-04-22T18:49
Arrive Alamogordo
Wed, Apr 22, 8:12 PM MDT
Route Timing
01h 23m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:23 AM to 11:23 AM MDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:44 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Capitan
9:30 PM MDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Mescalero
NM

Unincorporated community in Otero County, New Mexico, United States

From Capitan
33.2 mi
00h 41m
To Alamogordo
44.9 mi
00h 41m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
72°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
10 to 25 mph SW
Destination
84°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
7 to 21 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Capitan and Alamogordo.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Capitan and Alamogordo.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    23 m · 11 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left

    50 m · 8 sec

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Lincoln Avenue

    17.5 mi · 26 min · Lincoln Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Cree Meadows Drive

    85 m · 9 sec · Cree Meadows Drive

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Country Club Drive

    1.1 km · 1 min · Country Club Drive

  6. 6

    Turn slight left onto Paradise Canyon Drive

    1.9 mi · 3 min · Paradise Canyon Drive

  7. 7

    Turn slight left onto Sudderth Drive

    2982 ft · 50 sec · Sudderth Drive

  8. 8

    Turn slight right onto Mescalero Trail

    2175 ft · 44 sec · Mescalero Trail

  9. 9

    Turn right

    32 mi · 41 min

  10. 10

    Turn left onto North Bookout Road

    1.5 mi · 3 min · North Bookout Road

  11. 11

    Turn left

    8.7 mi · 11 min

  12. 12

    Turn straight onto North White Sands Boulevard

    3.1 mi · 5 min · North White Sands Boulevard

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North White Sands Boulevard

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Capitan and Alamogordo.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
13 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Lincoln Avenue
17.5 mi · 22%
North White Sands Boulevard
3.07 mi · 4%
Paradise Canyon Drive
1.91 mi · 2%
North Bookout Road
1.46 mi · 2%
Country Club Drive
0.68 mi · 1%
Sudderth Drive
0.56 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

Turn right

32 mi · 00h 41m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 23m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 46m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+28 mi
50 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Mescalero
00h 41m from Capitan
Leave By
3:44 PM MDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Capitan and Sunny near Alamogordo.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Capitan to Alamogordo?

The road trip is about 78 miles (125.6 km) and usually takes 01h 23m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Mescalero is a useful midpoint, sitting about 33.2 miles from Capitan and 44.9 miles from Alamogordo.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 50 miles (80.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 28 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:44 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.41 one way or $20.83 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 24.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Capitan and Sunny near Alamogordo.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Capitan and Alamogordo. Straight-line distance: 49.95 mi (80.38 km).

Capitan

#1 Capitan

Village in New Mexico, USA

Population1,457
Coordinates33.5453600, -105.5722000
Altitude1935
CountryUnited States
Alamogordo

#2 Alamogordo

City in Otero County, New Mexico, United States

Population32,126
Coordinates32.8995300, -105.9602700
Altitude1323
CountryUnited States
Start: (-105.572385, 33.545359)
End: North White Sands Boulevard (-105.960303, 32.89953)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 126 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 35m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 57m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 33m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 18m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 06m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 58m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.75 gal
10.42 L · about $10.41
Round trip
$20.83
5.5 gal · 20.84 L
Estimated CO2
24.4 kg one way
Round trip: 48.9 kg / 108 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $10.41 $20.83
Mid-grade $4.26 $11.71 $23.42
Premium $4.63 $12.72 $25.44
Diesel $5.42 $14.89 $29.78

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in New Mexico · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Capitan and Alamogordo. The current time is 18:49:20.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.