How far is Carlsbad, NM from Santa Clara, NM?
The driving distance from Carlsbad, NM to Santa Clara, NM is about 293.5 miles (472.4 km), with a travel time of about 05h 56m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 267.2 miles (430 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 52m 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 05h 56m.
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.
Mostly Sunny then Isolated Rain Showers
Sunny then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Carlsbad and Santa Clara.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carlsbad and Santa Clara.
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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
8.7 mi · 14 min · Santa Fe Highway
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25
Continue on Riverside Drive
2495 ft · 1 min · Riverside Drive
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26
Turn left onto Lower San Pedro Drive
963 ft · 26 sec · Lower San Pedro Drive
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27
Merge slight left
1.1 km · 1 min
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28
Turn left onto Los Alamos Highway
1 mi · 2 min · Los Alamos Highway
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29
Turn left onto Kee Street
1834 ft · 1 min · Kee Street
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30
Turn left
76 m · 18 sec
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carlsbad and Santa Clara.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
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.
Mostly Sunny then Isolated Rain Showers leaving Carlsbad and Sunny then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms near Santa Clara.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Carlsbad to Santa Clara?
The road trip is about 293.5 miles (472.4 km) and usually takes 05h 56m 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 147 miles from Carlsbad and 146.6 miles from Santa Clara.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 267.2 miles (430 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.3 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 5:08 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.23 one way or $78.47 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 92.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Isolated Rain Showers around Carlsbad and Sunny then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms near Santa Clara.
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 Santa Clara. Straight-line distance: 267.21 mi (430.03 km).
#1 Carlsbad
Town in Eddy County, New Mexico, USA
| Population | 29,664 |
| Coordinates | 32.4206700, -104.2288400 |
| Altitude | 945 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Santa Clara
Village in Grant County, New Mexico, United States
| Population | 1,761 |
| Coordinates | 35.9697500, -106.0869700 |
| Altitude | 1712 |
| Country | United States |
End: Santa Clara (-106.08697, 35.96975)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 472 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 52m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 39m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $39.23 | $78.47 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $44.12 | $88.25 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $47.92 | $95.83 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $56.10 | $112.20 |
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 21, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.