How far is Gallup, NM from Los Alamos, NM?
The driving distance from Gallup, NM to Los Alamos, NM is about 232.6 miles (374.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 138.9 miles (223.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 35m 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 17m.
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.
Census designated place
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 Gallup and Los Alamos.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gallup and Los Alamos.
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1
Start on East Historic Highway 66
1.5 km · 2 min · East Historic Highway 66
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2
Turn left onto Miyamura Overpass
124 m · 7 sec · Miyamura Overpass
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3
Continue on Ford Drive
131 m · 7 sec · Ford Drive
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4
Take the ramp slight right
1585 ft · 39 sec
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5
Merge slight left
135.6 mi · 2 hr 18 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 25 North, I 25 South: Santa Fe, Las Cruces
1838 ft · 41 sec
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 25 North: Santa Fe
1.3 km · 2 min
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8
Merge slight left onto Pan American Freeway
55.4 mi · 57 min · Pan American Freeway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 84, US 285 North
1295 ft · 32 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on US 84, US 285 North: Los Alamos, Espanola, Taos
4.2 mi · 8 min
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11
Continue on North Saint Francis Drive
2.4 mi · 4 min · North Saint Francis Drive
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12
Continue on Taos Highway
12.2 mi · 14 min · Taos Highway
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13
Continue on Santa Fe Highway
1.5 km · 2 min · Santa Fe Highway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward NM 502: Los Alamos Highway
787 ft · 22 sec
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15
Keep slight left to continue on NM 502: Los Alamos Highway
149 m · 15 sec
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16
Merge slight right onto Los Alamos Highway
16.4 mi · 24 min · Los Alamos Highway
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17
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Central Avenue
29 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
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18
Exit the roundabout onto Central Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · Central Avenue
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19
Continue on Canyon Road
3265 ft · 1 min · Canyon Road
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20
Turn right onto Diamond Drive
1519 ft · 40 sec · Diamond Drive
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21
Turn right onto Orange Street
2188 ft · 1 min · Orange Street
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22
Continue on Orange Street
1339 ft · 46 sec · Orange Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Orange Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Gallup and Los Alamos.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Ford Drive
Merge slight left
136 mi · 02h 18m
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 Gallup and Sunny near Los Alamos.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Gallup to Los Alamos?
The road trip is about 232.6 miles (374.4 km) and usually takes 04h 17m 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?
South Valley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 116.2 miles from Gallup and 116.4 miles from Los Alamos.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 138.9 miles (223.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 93.7 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 8:24 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.09 one way or $62.18 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 73 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Gallup and Sunny near Los Alamos.
Stop Ideas Near South Valley
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 South Valley.
Alvarado Transportation Center
Lamy station
Santa Fe (Lamy Shuttle), New Mexico
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Gallup and Los Alamos. Straight-line distance: 138.89 mi (223.52 km).
#1 Gallup
City in McKinley County, New Mexico, United States
| Population | 21,253 |
| Coordinates | 35.5280800, -108.7425800 |
| Altitude | 1985 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Los Alamos
Townsite in New Mexico
| Population | 12,019 |
| Coordinates | 35.8880800, -106.3069700 |
| Altitude | 2198 |
| Country | United States |
End: Los Alamos (-106.30697, 35.88808)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 374 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 48m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 54m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $31.09 | $62.18 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $34.97 | $69.93 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $37.97 | $75.94 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $44.46 | $88.91 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.