How far is Carlsbad, NM from Meadow Lake, NM?
The driving distance from Carlsbad, NM to Meadow Lake, NM is about 311 miles (500.5 km), with a travel time of about 06h 07m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 211.6 miles (340.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 14m 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 07m.
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 Meadow Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carlsbad and Meadow Lake.
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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
22.2 mi · 23 min · Pan American Freeway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward HR 66: University of New Mexico Valencia Campus
1397 ft · 36 sec
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18
Turn left onto Main Street Southwest
1341 ft · 32 sec · Main Street Southwest
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19
Continue on Main Street Northwest
1.3 km · 1 min · Main Street Northwest
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20
Continue on Main Street Southwest
1 km · 60 sec · Main Street Southwest
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21
Continue on Main Street Northeast
1.6 mi · 3 min · Main Street Northeast
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22
Turn right onto El Cerro Road
1998 ft · 49 sec · El Cerro Road
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23
Continue on Vigil Road
1664 ft · 43 sec · Vigil Road
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24
Continue on North el Cerro Loop
1.5 mi · 3 min · North el Cerro Loop
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25
Continue on Meadow Lake Road
7.9 mi · 15 min · Meadow Lake Road
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26
Turn right onto Sportsman Drive
1007 ft · 48 sec · Sportsman Drive
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27
Turn right onto Sportsman Court
153 m · 22 sec · Sportsman Court
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Sportsman Court
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carlsbad and Meadow Lake.
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 Meadow Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Carlsbad to Meadow Lake?
The road trip is about 311 miles (500.5 km) and usually takes 06h 07m 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 155.6 miles from Carlsbad and 155.4 miles from Meadow Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 211.6 miles (340.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 99.4 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 $41.54 one way or $83.09 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 97.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Carlsbad and Sunny near Meadow Lake.
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 Meadow Lake. Straight-line distance: 211.65 mi (340.61 km).
#1 Carlsbad
Town in Eddy County, New Mexico, USA
| Population | 29,664 |
| Coordinates | 32.4206700, -104.2288400 |
| Altitude | 945 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Meadow Lake
Human settlement in Valencia County, New Mexico, United States of America
| Population | 4,708 |
| Coordinates | 34.8014400, -106.5436300 |
| Altitude | 1661 |
| Country | United States |
End: Meadow Lake (-106.54363, 34.80144)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 501 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 21m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 46m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 26m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 52m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $41.54 | $83.09 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $46.72 | $93.44 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $50.74 | $101.47 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $59.40 | $118.81 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.