How far is Carlsbad, NM from Clayton, NM?
The driving distance from Carlsbad, NM to Clayton, NM is about 375.7 miles (604.7 km), with a travel time of about 07h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 284.8 miles (458.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 14h 10m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 07h 05m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
City in Curry 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 Clayton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carlsbad and Clayton.
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1
Start on North Canal Street
94 m · 12 sec · North Canal Street
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2
Continue on North Canal Street
1304 ft · 29 sec · North Canal Street
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3
Turn left onto West Greene Street
6.5 mi · 8 min · West Greene Street
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4
Continue on Hobbs Highway
20.4 mi · 22 min · Hobbs Highway
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5
Continue on West Carlsbad Highway
29.6 mi · 34 min · West Carlsbad Highway
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6
Turn left onto South NM Highway 483
13.7 mi · 24 min · South NM Highway 483
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7
Continue on South 2nd Street
2.3 mi · 4 min · South 2nd Street
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8
Turn right onto West Avenue R
1040 ft · 28 sec · West Avenue R
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9
Turn sharp left onto South Main Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · South Main Avenue
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10
Continue on North Main Street
1 mi · 1 min · North Main Street
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11
Continue on Tatum Highway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Tatum Highway
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12
Continue on Plains Highway
32.1 mi · 40 min · Plains Highway
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13
Continue on Highway 82
2242 ft · 35 sec · Highway 82
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14
Turn right onto Roswell Highway
71 m · 4 sec · Roswell Highway
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15
Continue on Cowboy Way
1.5 km · 1 min · Cowboy Way
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16
Turn sharp left onto Highway 214
73.7 mi · 1 hr 17 min · Highway 214
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17
Turn left
28.6 mi · 31 min
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18
At the end of the road, turn right onto West 11th Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · West 11th Street
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19
Continue straight
8 mi · 8 min
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20
Continue straight
12.7 mi · 13 min
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21
Turn left onto South 25 Mile Avenue
29.7 mi · 31 min · South 25 Mile Avenue
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22
Continue on South Main Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
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23
Continue on US Highway 385
49.4 mi · 51 min · US Highway 385
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24
Take the ramp straight
4.7 mi · 5 min
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25
Continue straight
56.3 mi · 1 hr 4 min
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26
Turn right onto Main Street
14 m · 1 sec · Main Street
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carlsbad and Clayton.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Highway 214
Turn sharp left onto Highway 214
73.7 mi · 01h 17m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Sunny leaving Carlsbad and Sunny near Clayton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Carlsbad to Clayton?
The road trip is about 375.7 miles (604.7 km) and usually takes 07h 05m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Texico is a useful midpoint, sitting about 188 miles from Carlsbad and 187.7 miles from Clayton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 284.8 miles (458.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 90.9 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 7:30 AM MDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $50.22 one way or $100.43 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 117.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Carlsbad and Sunny near Clayton.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carlsbad and Clayton. Straight-line distance: 284.8 mi (458.34 km).
#1 Carlsbad
Town in Eddy County, New Mexico, USA
| Population | 29,664 |
| Coordinates | 32.4206700, -104.2288400 |
| Altitude | 945 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Clayton
Town in New Mexico
| Population | 2,660 |
| Coordinates | 36.4516900, -103.1841000 |
| Altitude | 1541 |
| Country | United States |
End: Clayton (-103.1841, 36.45169)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 605 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 12h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 09h 23m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 30m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 41m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $50.22 | $100.43 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $56.47 | $112.95 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $61.33 | $122.66 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $71.80 | $143.61 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.