How far is Clayton, NM from Las Cruces, NM?
The driving distance from Clayton, NM to Las Cruces, NM is about 417.1 miles (671.2 km), with a travel time of about 07h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 351.8 miles (566.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 14h 13m 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 06m.
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.
Census-designated place (CDP) in Sandoval County, New Mexico
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 Las Cruces.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clayton and Las Cruces.
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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
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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
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6
Take the ramp left
405.9 mi · 6 hr 49 min
-
7
Take the exit slight right
1786 ft · 47 sec
-
8
Turn right onto North Main Street
2.5 mi · 6 min · North Main Street
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9
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward North Church Street
57 m · 5 sec · North Church Street
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10
Exit the roundabout onto North Church Street
615 ft · 19 sec · North Church Street
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11
Turn right
20 m · 10 sec
-
12
Turn left
87 m · 21 sec
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Clayton and Las Cruces.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Maxwell Avenue
Take the ramp left
406 mi · 06h 49m
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 Mostly Sunny near Las Cruces.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Clayton to Las Cruces?
The road trip is about 417.1 miles (671.2 km) and usually takes 07h 06m 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?
San Felipe Pueblo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 246.3 miles from Clayton and 170.7 miles from Las Cruces.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 351.8 miles (566.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 65.3 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 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 $55.74 one way or $111.49 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 130.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Clayton and Mostly Sunny near Las Cruces.
Stop Ideas Near San Felipe Pueblo
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Rio Rancho Parks & Recreation
Rio Rancho Water Utilities
Rio Rancho Finance Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to San Felipe Pueblo.
Alvarado Transportation Center
Lamy station
Santa Fe (Lamy Shuttle), New Mexico
Las Vegas station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Clayton and Las Cruces. Straight-line distance: 351.79 mi (566.15 km).
#1 Clayton
Town in New Mexico
| Population | 2,660 |
| Coordinates | 36.4516900, -103.1841000 |
| Altitude | 1541 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Las Cruces
The second most populous city in New Mexico.
| Population | 105,096 |
| Coordinates | 32.3123200, -106.7783400 |
| Altitude | 1191 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-106.778417, 32.312306)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 671 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 13h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 10h 25m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 08h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 57m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 57m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 05h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $55.74 | $111.49 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $62.69 | $125.38 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $68.08 | $136.16 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $79.71 | $159.42 |
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.