How far is Clayton, NM from Carlsbad, NM?
The driving distance from Clayton, NM to Carlsbad, NM is about 375.4 miles (604.2 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 Clayton and Carlsbad.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clayton and Carlsbad.
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1
Start on Main Street
14 m · 9 sec · Main Street
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2
Turn left onto South 1st Street
56.3 mi · 1 hr 4 min · South 1st Street
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3
Continue straight
4.7 mi · 5 min
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4
Take the exit slight right toward US 385 South: Channing
80.1 mi · 1 hr 25 min
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5
Turn right onto West 1st Street
20.8 mi · 21 min · West 1st Street
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6
Continue straight
1.3 mi · 2 min
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7
Turn left onto Grand Avenue
3.8 mi · 5 min · Grand Avenue
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8
Continue straight
24.8 mi · 26 min
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9
Keep slight right
99 m · 5 sec
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10
Turn straight onto North 1st Street
73.7 mi · 1 hr 17 min · North 1st Street
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11
Turn slight right
110 m · 13 sec
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12
Turn straight onto Cowboy Way
1.5 km · 1 min · Cowboy Way
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13
Turn left onto Highway 82
2281 ft · 36 sec · Highway 82
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14
Continue on US Highway 82
32 mi · 40 min · US Highway 82
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15
Continue on Tatum Highway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Tatum Highway
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16
Continue on North Main Street
1 mi · 1 min · North Main Street
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17
Continue on South Main Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · South Main Avenue
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18
Turn right onto McAlister Drive
615 ft · 27 sec · McAlister Drive
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19
Turn right onto West Avenue R
118 m · 13 sec · West Avenue R
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20
Turn left onto South 2nd Street
2.3 mi · 4 min · South 2nd Street
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21
Continue on South NM Highway 483
13.7 mi · 24 min · South NM Highway 483
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22
Turn right onto West Carlsbad Highway
29.6 mi · 34 min · West Carlsbad Highway
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23
Continue on Hobbs Highway
20.4 mi · 22 min · Hobbs Highway
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24
Continue on East Greene Street
6.5 mi · 8 min · East Greene Street
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25
Turn right onto South Canal Street
947 ft · 14 sec · South Canal Street
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Canal Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Clayton and Carlsbad.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
US 385 South
Take the exit slight right toward US 385 South: Channing
80.1 mi · 01h 25m
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 Clayton and Sunny near Carlsbad.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Clayton to Carlsbad?
The road trip is about 375.4 miles (604.2 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 187.8 miles from Clayton and 187.6 miles from Carlsbad.
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 90.6 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 $50.18 one way or $100.36 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 117.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Clayton and Sunny near Carlsbad.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Clayton and Carlsbad. Straight-line distance: 284.8 mi (458.34 km).
#1 Clayton
Town in New Mexico
| Population | 2,660 |
| Coordinates | 36.4516900, -103.1841000 |
| Altitude | 1541 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Carlsbad
Town in Eddy County, New Mexico, USA
| Population | 29,664 |
| Coordinates | 32.4206700, -104.2288400 |
| Altitude | 945 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carlsbad (-104.22884, 32.42067)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 604 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 12h 30m |
| 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 21m |
| 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 | $50.18 | $100.36 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $56.43 | $112.86 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $61.28 | $122.56 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $71.75 | $143.50 |
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.