How far is Las Cruces, NM from Elephant Butte, NM?
The driving distance from Las Cruces, NM to Elephant Butte, NM is about 80.7 miles (129.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 62.4 miles (100.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 16m 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 01h 38m.
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.
Village in Doña Ana County, New Mexico, New Mexico
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 Las Cruces and Elephant Butte.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Las Cruces and Elephant Butte.
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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
48.2 mi · 48 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Truth or Consequences, Williamsburg
1806 ft · 34 sec
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11
Turn right
604 ft · 13 sec
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12
Keep slight left
3.3 mi · 7 min
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13
Turn right onto East 3rd Avenue
4.7 mi · 10 min · East 3rd Avenue
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14
Turn left
1381 ft · 1 min
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15
Turn right
650 ft · 50 sec
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16
At the end of the road, turn left
103 m · 25 sec
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Las Cruces and Elephant Butte.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 25 North
Merge slight left
48.2 mi · 00h 48m
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 Elephant Butte.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Las Cruces to Elephant Butte?
The road trip is about 80.7 miles (129.8 km) and usually takes 01h 38m 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?
Hatch is a useful midpoint, sitting about 40.4 miles from Las Cruces and 40.3 miles from Elephant Butte.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 62.4 miles (100.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:14 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.79 one way or $21.59 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Las Cruces and Sunny near Elephant Butte.
Stop Ideas Near Hatch
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 Hatch.
Truth or Consequences, New Mexico
Las Cruces, New Mexico
Deming station
Union Depot
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Las Cruces and Elephant Butte. Straight-line distance: 62.43 mi (100.47 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 Elephant Butte
City in Sierra County, New Mexico, United States
| Population | 1,320 |
| Coordinates | 33.1486800, -107.1847500 |
| Altitude | 1361 |
| Country | United States |
End: Elephant Butte (-107.18475, 33.14868)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 130 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 41m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 09m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 00m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $10.79 | $21.59 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $12.14 | $24.28 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $13.18 | $26.36 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $15.43 | $30.87 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.