How far is Carlsbad, NM from Albuquerque, NM?
The driving distance from Carlsbad, NM to Albuquerque, NM is about 282.8 miles (455.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 230.7 miles (371.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 50m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 04h 25m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Human settlement in Guadalupe County, New Mexico, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Carlsbad and Albuquerque.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carlsbad and Albuquerque.
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1
Start on North Canal Street
1.1 mi · 1 min · North Canal Street
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2
Continue on West Pierce Street
3.4 mi · 5 min · West Pierce Street
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3
Continue on Artesia Highway
2.1 mi · 2 min · Artesia Highway
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4
Continue on Seven Rivers Highway
25.3 mi · 29 min · Seven Rivers Highway
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5
Continue on South 1st Street
3164 ft · 41 sec · South 1st Street
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6
Continue on Seven Rivers Highway
1286 ft · 17 sec · Seven Rivers Highway
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7
Continue on South 1st Street
5.2 mi · 6 min · South 1st Street
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8
Continue on Roswell Highway
7.2 mi · 8 min · Roswell Highway
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9
Continue on Southeast Main Street
30 mi · 36 min · Southeast Main Street
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10
Continue on South Main Street
113.3 mi · 2 hr 13 min · South Main Street
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11
Continue on Shenrick Street
27.5 mi · 32 min · Shenrick Street
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12
Turn left
1155 ft · 28 sec
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13
Merge slight left
57.9 mi · 1 hr 1 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 25 North, I 25 South: Las Cruces, Santa Fe
1343 ft · 18 sec
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I 25 South: Las Cruces
1.3 km · 2 min
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16
Merge slight left onto Pan American Freeway
3239 ft · 43 sec · Pan American Freeway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward Martin Luther King Junior Avenue, Central Avenue
1093 ft · 27 sec
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18
Turn straight onto Locust Street Northeast
1788 ft · 51 sec · Locust Street Northeast
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19
Turn right onto Central Avenue Northeast
1.3 km · 2 min · Central Avenue Northeast
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue Northwest
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carlsbad and Albuquerque.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
South Main Street
Continue on South Main Street
113 mi · 02h 13m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Carlsbad and Sunny near Albuquerque.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Carlsbad to Albuquerque?
The road trip is about 282.8 miles (455.1 km) and usually takes 04h 25m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Vaughn is a useful midpoint, sitting about 138.5 miles from Carlsbad and 144.2 miles from Albuquerque.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 230.7 miles (371.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 52.1 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:10 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.79 one way or $75.59 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 88.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Carlsbad and Sunny near Albuquerque.
Stop Ideas Near Vaughn
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Vaughn.
Las Vegas station
Lamy station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carlsbad and Albuquerque. Straight-line distance: 230.72 mi (371.3 km).
#1 Carlsbad
Town in Eddy County, New Mexico, USA
| Population | 29,664 |
| Coordinates | 32.4206700, -104.2288400 |
| Altitude | 945 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Albuquerque
The third most populous city in New Mexico and the center of the Albuquerque metropolitan area.
| Population | 562,540 |
| Coordinates | 35.0844900, -106.6511400 |
| Altitude | 1511 |
| Country | United States |
End: Central Avenue Northwest (-106.651139, 35.084494)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 455 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 02m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $37.79 | $75.59 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $42.50 | $85.01 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $46.16 | $92.32 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $54.04 | $108.08 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.