How far is Jal, NM from Carlsbad, NM?

The driving distance from Jal, NM to Carlsbad, NM is about 70.8 miles (113.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 39m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 64.1 miles (103.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 19m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
70.79 mi
01h 39m
Flight
64.11 mi
103.17 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Jal.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
64.11 mi
Kilometers
103.17 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
70.79 mi
Kilometers
113.93 km
Drive Time
01h 39m

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 39m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Carlsbad
Wed, Apr 22, 9:48 PM MDT
Return by in Jal
Wed, Apr 22, 11:28 PM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Jal
2026-04-22T20:08
Arrive Carlsbad
Wed, Apr 22, 9:48 PM MDT
Route Timing
01h 39m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:40 AM to 11:40 AM MDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:10 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Jal
9:30 PM MDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Loving
NM

Human settlement in Eddy County, New Mexico, United States of America

From Jal
35.4 mi
00h 49m
To Carlsbad
35.4 mi
00h 49m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
91°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph S
Destination
87°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
10 to 25 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Jal and Carlsbad.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Jal and Carlsbad.

  1. 1

    Start on South 3rd Street

    2488 ft · 57 sec · South 3rd Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto West Kansas Avenue

    1.2 km · 2 min · West Kansas Avenue

  3. 3

    Continue on NM HWY 128

    51.8 mi · 1 hr 14 min · NM HWY 128

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Potash Mines Road

    7.2 mi · 11 min · Potash Mines Road

  5. 5

    Keep slight right to continue on Potash Mines Road

    2892 ft · 51 sec · Potash Mines Road

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Pecos Highway

    7.1 mi · 8 min · Pecos Highway

  7. 7

    Continue on South Canal Street

    1.1 km · 46 sec · South Canal Street

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on South Canal Street

    2.3 mi · 3 min · South Canal Street

  9. 9

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Canal Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Jal and Carlsbad.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
9 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
NM HWY 128
51.8 mi · 73%
Potash Mines Road
7.7 mi · 11%
Pecos Highway
7.08 mi · 10%
South Canal Street
2.97 mi · 4%
West Kansas Avenue
0.76 mi · 1%
South 3rd Street
0.47 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

NM HWY 128

Continue on NM HWY 128

51.8 mi · 01h 14m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 39m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+6.7 mi
64.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Loving
00h 49m from Jal
Leave By
3:10 PM MDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Jal and Sunny near Carlsbad.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Jal to Carlsbad?

The road trip is about 70.8 miles (113.9 km) and usually takes 01h 39m 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?

Loving is a useful midpoint, sitting about 35.4 miles from Jal and 35.4 miles from Carlsbad.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 64.1 miles (103.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.7 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:10 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.47 one way or $18.94 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Jal and Sunny near Carlsbad.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Jal and Carlsbad. Straight-line distance: 64.11 mi (103.17 km).

Jal

#1 Jal

Human settlement in Lea County, New Mexico, United States of America

Population2,118
Coordinates32.1131800, -103.1935100
Altitude936
CountryUnited States
Carlsbad

#2 Carlsbad

Town in Eddy County, New Mexico, USA

Population29,664
Coordinates32.4206700, -104.2288400
Altitude945
CountryUnited States
Start: Jal (-103.19351, 32.11318)
End: Carlsbad (-104.22884, 32.42067)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 114 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 21m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 46m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 24m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 10m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 00m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 52m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.5 gal
9.46 L · about $9.47
Round trip
$18.94
5 gal · 18.92 L
Estimated CO2
22.2 kg one way
Round trip: 44.4 kg / 98 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $9.47 $18.94
Mid-grade $4.26 $10.65 $21.30
Premium $4.63 $11.56 $23.13
Diesel $5.42 $13.54 $27.08

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 · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Jal and Carlsbad. The current time is 20:08:52.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.