How far is Clayton, NM from Albuquerque, NM?
The driving distance from Clayton, NM to Albuquerque, NM is about 272.2 miles (438.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 07m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 216.1 miles (347.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 15m 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 07m.
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.
Town in New Mexico, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Clayton and Albuquerque.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clayton and Albuquerque.
-
1
Start on Main Street
123 m · 14 sec · Main Street
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2
Continue on Monroe Street
1.4 km · 2 min · Monroe Street
-
3
Continue on Springer Highway
81.5 mi · 1 hr 43 min · Springer Highway
-
4
Turn left onto Maxwell Avenue
1.4 km · 2 min · Maxwell Avenue
-
5
Turn straight
1283 ft · 28 sec
-
6
Take the ramp left
187.1 mi · 3 hr 9 min
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward Martin Luther King Junior Avenue, Central Avenue
1093 ft · 27 sec
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8
Turn straight onto Locust Street Northeast
1788 ft · 51 sec · Locust Street Northeast
-
9
Turn right onto Central Avenue Northeast
1.3 km · 2 min · Central Avenue Northeast
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10
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue Northwest
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Clayton 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.
Maxwell Avenue
Take the ramp left
187 mi · 03h 09m
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 Clayton and Mostly Sunny near Albuquerque.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Clayton to Albuquerque?
The road trip is about 272.2 miles (438.1 km) and usually takes 04h 07m 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?
Las Vegas is a useful midpoint, sitting about 135.9 miles from Clayton and 136.3 miles from Albuquerque.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 216.1 miles (347.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 56.1 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 8:44 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.39 one way or $72.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 85.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Clayton and Mostly Sunny near Albuquerque.
Stop Ideas Near Las Vegas
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 Las Vegas.
Las Vegas station
Lamy station
Santa Fe (Lamy Shuttle), New Mexico
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Clayton and Albuquerque. Straight-line distance: 216.09 mi (347.76 km).
#1 Clayton
Town in New Mexico
| Population | 2,660 |
| Coordinates | 36.4516900, -103.1841000 |
| Altitude | 1541 |
| 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: 438 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 04m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 48m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 53m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 23m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $36.39 | $72.79 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $40.93 | $81.86 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $44.45 | $88.89 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $52.04 | $104.08 |
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 · May 14, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.