How far is La Cienega, NM from Carlsbad, NM?
The driving distance from La Cienega, NM to Carlsbad, NM is about 277.2 miles (446.1 km), with a travel time of about 05h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 242.9 miles (390.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 55m 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 05h 27m.
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.
Human settlement in Guadalupe County, New Mexico, United States of America
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 La Cienega and Carlsbad.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between La Cienega and Carlsbad.
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1
Start on Camino Capilla Vieja
1922 ft · 2 min · Camino Capilla Vieja
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2
Turn right onto Entrada la Cienega
1.1 mi · 3 min · Entrada la Cienega
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3
Take the ramp left
1350 ft · 33 sec
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4
Merge slight left
18.3 mi · 18 min
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5
Take the exit slight right
1028 ft · 25 sec
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6
Keep slight right
175 mi · 3 hr 20 min
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7
Continue on North Main Street
6.9 mi · 14 min · North Main Street
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8
Turn slight left onto Southeast Main Street
29.9 mi · 36 min · Southeast Main Street
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9
Continue on Roswell Highway
7.1 mi · 8 min · Roswell Highway
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10
Continue on North 1st Street
2 mi · 2 min · North 1st Street
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11
Continue on South 1st Street
3 mi · 3 min · South 1st Street
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12
Continue on Seven Rivers Highway
26.3 mi · 30 min · Seven Rivers Highway
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13
Continue on Artesia Highway
2.1 mi · 2 min · Artesia Highway
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14
Continue on Pierce Street
3.4 mi · 5 min · Pierce Street
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15
Continue on North Canal Street
1.1 mi · 1 min · North Canal Street
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16
Continue on North Canal Street
47 m · 10 sec · North Canal Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Canal Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between La Cienega and Carlsbad.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Entrada la Cienega
Keep slight right
175 mi · 03h 20m
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 La Cienega and Sunny near Carlsbad.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from La Cienega to Carlsbad?
The road trip is about 277.2 miles (446.1 km) and usually takes 05h 27m 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?
Vaughn is a useful midpoint, sitting about 138.8 miles from La Cienega and 138.4 miles from Carlsbad.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 242.9 miles (390.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.3 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 8:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:04 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.04 one way or $74.07 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 86.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around La Cienega and Sunny near Carlsbad.
Stop Ideas Near Vaughn
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 Vaughn.
Las Vegas station
Lamy station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between La Cienega and Carlsbad. Straight-line distance: 242.89 mi (390.9 km).
#1 La Cienega
City in Santa Fe County, New Mexico, United States of America
| Population | 3,819 |
| Coordinates | 35.5628100, -106.1308600 |
| Altitude | 1808 |
| 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: 446 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 57m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $37.04 | $74.07 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $41.65 | $83.31 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $45.23 | $90.46 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $52.96 | $105.92 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.