How far is Elephant Butte, NM from Las Cruces, NM?
The driving distance from Elephant Butte, NM to Las Cruces, NM is about 80.5 miles (129.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 23m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 62.4 miles (100.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 46m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 23m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Village in Doña Ana County, New Mexico, New Mexico
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Elephant Butte and Las Cruces.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elephant Butte and Las Cruces.
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1
Start on the route
103 m · 25 sec
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2
Turn right
650 ft · 54 sec
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3
At the end of the road, turn left
1381 ft · 1 min
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4
Turn right onto East 3rd Avenue
4.7 mi · 10 min · East 3rd Avenue
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5
Turn left onto North Date Street
1293 ft · 47 sec · North Date Street
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6
Continue on Main Street
1.1 km · 2 min · Main Street
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7
Continue on South Broadway Street
2.3 mi · 5 min · South Broadway Street
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8
Take the ramp straight
1334 ft · 30 sec
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9
Turn left
68.8 mi · 1 hr 9 min
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10
Take the exit slight right
1786 ft · 47 sec
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11
Turn right onto North Main Street
2.5 mi · 6 min · North Main Street
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12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward North Church Street
57 m · 5 sec · North Church Street
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13
Exit the roundabout onto North Church Street
615 ft · 19 sec · North Church Street
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14
Turn right
20 m · 10 sec
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15
Turn left
87 m · 21 sec
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elephant Butte and Las Cruces.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Longest stretch
Turn left
68.8 mi · 01h 09m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny leaving Elephant Butte and Sunny near Las Cruces.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elephant Butte to Las Cruces?
The road trip is about 80.5 miles (129.6 km) and usually takes 01h 23m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Hatch is a useful midpoint, sitting about 40.3 miles from Elephant Butte and 40.3 miles from Las Cruces.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 62.4 miles (100.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:44 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.76 one way or $21.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Elephant Butte and Sunny near Las Cruces.
Stop Ideas Near Hatch
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 Hatch.
Truth or Consequences, New Mexico
Las Cruces, New Mexico
Deming station
Union Depot
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Elephant Butte and Las Cruces. Straight-line distance: 62.43 mi (100.47 km).
#1 Elephant Butte
City in Sierra County, New Mexico, United States
| Population | 1,320 |
| Coordinates | 33.1486800, -107.1847500 |
| Altitude | 1361 |
| 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: 130 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 41m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 09m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 00m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $10.76 | $21.51 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $12.10 | $24.19 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $13.14 | $26.27 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $15.38 | $30.76 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.