How far is Capitan, NM from Roswell, NM?

The driving distance from Capitan, NM to Roswell, NM is about 69.4 miles (111.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 15m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 61.3 miles (98.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 30m 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
69.43 mi
01h 15m
Flight
61.25 mi
98.58 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
61.25 mi
Kilometers
98.58 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
69.43 mi
Kilometers
111.74 km
Drive Time
01h 15m

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 15m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Roswell
Thu, Apr 23, 2:44 AM MDT
Return by in Capitan
Thu, Apr 23, 3:59 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Capitan
2026-04-23T01:28
Arrive Roswell
Thu, Apr 23, 2:44 AM MDT
Route Timing
01h 15m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:15 AM to 11:15 AM MDT

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

Leave by
4:00 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
Ruidoso Downs
NM

City in Lincoln County, New Mexico, United States of America

From Capitan
34.7 mi
00h 37m
To Roswell
34.7 mi
00h 37m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
70°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
20 to 25 mph W
Destination
86°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
5 to 20 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    23 m · 7 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right

    22.4 mi · 33 min

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn left

    47.1 mi · 1 hr

  4. 4

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West 2nd Street

Car Route Details

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

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
4 steps
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
5.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

At the end of the road, turn left

47.1 mi · 01h 00m

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 15m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 30m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.1 mi
61.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Ruidoso Downs
00h 37m from Capitan
Leave By
4:00 PM MDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Capitan and Mostly Sunny near Roswell.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 69.4 miles (111.7 km) and usually takes 01h 15m 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?

Ruidoso Downs is a useful midpoint, sitting about 34.7 miles from Capitan and 34.7 miles from Roswell.

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

The direct path is about 61.3 miles (98.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.1 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 4:00 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.28 one way or $18.56 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 21.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Capitan and Mostly Sunny near Roswell.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Capitan and Roswell. Straight-line distance: 61.25 mi (98.58 km).

Capitan

#1 Capitan

Village in New Mexico, USA

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

#2 Roswell

A city in Chaves County, New Mexico.

Population47,596
Coordinates33.3943700, -104.5249100
Altitude1090
CountryUnited States
Start: (-105.572385, 33.545359)
End: US 70 (-104.524909, 33.39425)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 112 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 18m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 44m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 23m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 09m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 59m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 51m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.45 gal
9.27 L · about $9.28
Round trip
$18.56
4.9 gal · 18.54 L
Estimated CO2
21.8 kg one way
Round trip: 43.5 kg / 96 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $9.28 $18.56
Mid-grade $4.26 $10.43 $20.87
Premium $4.63 $11.33 $22.66
Diesel $5.42 $13.27 $26.53

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 Roswell. The current time is 01:28:36.

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.