How far is Las Cruces, NM from Clayton, NM?
The driving distance from Las Cruces, NM to Clayton, NM is about 492.6 miles (792.8 km), with a travel time of about 08h 44m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 351.8 miles (566.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 17h 29m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 08h 44m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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 (CDP) in Sandoval County, New Mexico
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Las Cruces and Clayton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Las Cruces and Clayton.
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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
2.6 mi · 6 min · North Main Street
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 25 North: Albuquerque
1158 ft · 28 sec
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7
Merge slight left
20.1 mi · 21 min
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8
Take the exit slight right
2010 ft · 49 sec
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9
Merge slight left
385.4 mi · 6 hr 28 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 56, NM 21, NM 468: Springer
1244 ft · 30 sec
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11
Keep slight right
1.6 km · 2 min
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12
Turn right onto 4th Street
81.5 mi · 1 hr 43 min · 4th Street
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13
Continue on Monroe Street
1.4 km · 2 min · Monroe Street
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14
Continue on Main Street
123 m · 14 sec · Main Street
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Las Cruces and Clayton.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 25 North
Merge slight left
385 mi · 06h 28m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Mostly Sunny leaving Las Cruces and Sunny near Clayton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Las Cruces to Clayton?
The road trip is about 492.6 miles (792.8 km) and usually takes 08h 44m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
San Felipe Pueblo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 246.4 miles from Las Cruces and 246.2 miles from Clayton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 351.8 miles (566.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 140.8 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 7:30 AM MDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $65.86 one way or $131.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 154.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Las Cruces and Sunny near Clayton.
Stop Ideas Near San Felipe Pueblo
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Rio Rancho Parks & Recreation
Rio Rancho Water Utilities
Rio Rancho Finance Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to San Felipe Pueblo.
Alvarado Transportation Center
Lamy station
Santa Fe (Lamy Shuttle), New Mexico
Las Vegas station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Las Cruces and Clayton. Straight-line distance: 351.79 mi (566.15 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 Clayton
Town in New Mexico
| Population | 2,660 |
| Coordinates | 36.4516900, -103.1841000 |
| Altitude | 1541 |
| Country | United States |
End: Clayton (-103.1841, 36.45169)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 793 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 16h 24m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 12h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 09h 51m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 08h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 07h 02m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 06h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $65.86 | $131.71 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $74.06 | $148.13 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $80.43 | $160.86 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $94.17 | $188.33 |
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 · May 14, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.