How far is Las Cruces, NM from Capitan, NM?
The driving distance from Las Cruces, NM to Capitan, NM is about 133.8 miles (215.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 110.2 miles (177.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 45m 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 02h 52m.
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.
City in Otero County, New Mexico, United States
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 Las Cruces and Capitan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Las Cruces and Capitan.
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1
Start on the route
87 m · 23 sec
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2
At the end of the road, turn right
20 m · 10 sec
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3
Turn left onto North Church Street
641 ft · 18 sec · North Church Street
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4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward North Main Street
15 m · 1 sec · North Main Street
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5
Exit the roundabout onto North Main Street
2.7 mi · 6 min · North Main Street
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6
Continue on Bataan Memorial Highway
20.1 mi · 24 min · Bataan Memorial Highway
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7
Continue on US Highway 70 West
42.3 mi · 46 min · US Highway 70 West
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8
Continue on South White Sands Boulevard
691 ft · 19 sec · South White Sands Boulevard
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 54 North, US 70 East: Relief Route, Tularosa
760 ft · 35 sec
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10
Merge left onto Charlie Lee Memorial Relief Route
5 mi · 8 min · Charlie Lee Memorial Relief Route
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11
Turn left onto US 54,70
8.7 mi · 11 min · US 54,70
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12
Turn right onto South Bookout Road
1325 ft · 27 sec · South Bookout Road
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13
Keep slight left to continue on South Bookout Road
1.3 km · 1 min · South Bookout Road
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14
Turn right onto Old Mescalero Road
1.4 mi · 2 min · Old Mescalero Road
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15
Turn right onto Central Avenue
30.9 mi · 39 min · Central Avenue
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16
Turn left onto Mescalero Trail
2030 ft · 43 sec · Mescalero Trail
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17
Turn left onto Sudderth Drive
3156 ft · 55 sec · Sudderth Drive
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18
Turn slight right onto Paradise Canyon Drive
1.9 mi · 3 min · Paradise Canyon Drive
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19
Turn straight onto Country Club Drive
1.1 km · 1 min · Country Club Drive
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20
At the end of the road, turn left onto Cree Meadows Drive
85 m · 9 sec · Cree Meadows Drive
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21
Turn right onto Mechem Drive
17.5 mi · 26 min · Mechem Drive
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22
At the end of the road, turn right
50 m · 5 sec
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23
Turn right
23 m · 5 sec
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Las Cruces and Capitan.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
US Highway 70 West
Continue on US Highway 70 West
42.3 mi · 00h 46m
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 Las Cruces and Sunny near Capitan.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Las Cruces to Capitan?
The road trip is about 133.8 miles (215.3 km) and usually takes 02h 52m 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?
Alamogordo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 66.9 miles from Las Cruces and 66.9 miles from Capitan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 110.2 miles (177.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.6 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 12:44 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.87 one way or $35.75 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 41.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Las Cruces and Sunny near Capitan.
Stop Ideas Near Alamogordo
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 Alamogordo.
Las Cruces, New Mexico
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Las Cruces and Capitan. Straight-line distance: 110.23 mi (177.4 km).
#1 Las Cruces
The second most populous city in New Mexico.
| Population | 105,096 |
| Coordinates | 32.3123200, -106.7783400 |
| Altitude | 1191 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Capitan
Village in New Mexico, USA
| Population | 1,457 |
| Coordinates | 33.5453600, -105.5722000 |
| Altitude | 1935 |
| Country | United States |
End: Capitan (-105.5722, 33.54536)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 215 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 27m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 40m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 13m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 54m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $17.87 | $35.75 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $20.10 | $40.20 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $21.83 | $43.66 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $25.56 | $51.12 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.