How far is Carlsbad, NM from Los Alamos, NM?
The driving distance from Carlsbad, NM to Los Alamos, NM is about 302.2 miles (486.4 km), with a travel time of about 06h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 267.4 miles (430.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 16m 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 06h 08m.
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.
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 Los Alamos.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carlsbad and Los Alamos.
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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
68.8 mi · 1 hr 21 min · Shenrick Street
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12
Turn left
1168 ft · 29 sec
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13
Merge slight left
5.9 mi · 6 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward NM 466: Old Pecos Trail
981 ft · 24 sec
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15
Keep slight right
152 m · 13 sec
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16
Turn straight onto Old Pecos Trail
1.2 mi · 2 min · Old Pecos Trail
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17
Keep slight right to continue on Old Pecos Trail
1.7 mi · 3 min · Old Pecos Trail
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18
Continue on Old Santa Fe Trail
3030 ft · 1 min · Old Santa Fe Trail
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19
Turn left onto East Alameda Street
2130 ft · 1 min · East Alameda Street
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20
Turn right onto North Guadalupe Street
1.4 km · 2 min · North Guadalupe Street
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21
Take the ramp straight
1392 ft · 34 sec
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22
Merge slight left onto North Saint Francis Drive
1.5 mi · 2 min · North Saint Francis Drive
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23
Continue on Taos Highway
12.2 mi · 14 min · Taos Highway
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24
Continue on Santa Fe Highway
1.5 km · 2 min · Santa Fe Highway
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25
Take the exit slight right toward NM 502: Los Alamos Highway
787 ft · 22 sec
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26
Keep slight left to continue on NM 502: Los Alamos Highway
149 m · 15 sec
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27
Merge slight right onto Los Alamos Highway
16.4 mi · 24 min · Los Alamos Highway
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28
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Central Avenue
29 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
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29
Exit the roundabout onto Central Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · Central Avenue
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30
Continue on Canyon Road
3265 ft · 1 min · Canyon Road
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31
Turn right onto Diamond Drive
1519 ft · 40 sec · Diamond Drive
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32
Turn right onto Orange Street
2188 ft · 1 min · Orange Street
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33
Continue on Orange Street
1339 ft · 46 sec · Orange Street
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34
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Orange Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carlsbad and Los Alamos.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
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.
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 Los Alamos.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Carlsbad to Los Alamos?
The road trip is about 302.2 miles (486.4 km) and usually takes 06h 08m 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?
Vaughn is a useful midpoint, sitting about 151.3 miles from Carlsbad and 150.9 miles from Los Alamos.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 267.4 miles (430.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.8 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 $40.37 one way or $80.74 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 94.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Carlsbad and Sunny near Los Alamos.
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 Los Alamos. Straight-line distance: 267.4 mi (430.34 km).
#1 Carlsbad
Town in Eddy County, New Mexico, USA
| Population | 29,664 |
| Coordinates | 32.4206700, -104.2288400 |
| Altitude | 945 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Los Alamos
Townsite in New Mexico
| Population | 12,019 |
| Coordinates | 35.8880800, -106.3069700 |
| Altitude | 2198 |
| Country | United States |
End: Los Alamos (-106.30697, 35.88808)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 486 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 04m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 33m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 02m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 02m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 46m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $40.37 | $80.74 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $45.40 | $90.80 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $49.30 | $98.61 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $57.72 | $115.45 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.