How far is Las Cruces, NM from Los Alamos, NM?
The driving distance from Las Cruces, NM to Los Alamos, NM is about 318.1 miles (511.9 km), with a travel time of about 05h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 248.5 miles (400 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 31m 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 45m.
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.
City in New Mexico
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Las Cruces and Los Alamos.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Las Cruces and Los Alamos.
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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
255.4 mi · 4 hr 18 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 84, US 285 North
1295 ft · 32 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on US 84, US 285 North: Los Alamos, Espanola, Taos
4.2 mi · 8 min
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12
Continue on North Saint Francis Drive
2.4 mi · 4 min · North Saint Francis Drive
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13
Continue on Taos Highway
12.2 mi · 14 min · Taos Highway
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14
Continue on Santa Fe Highway
1.5 km · 2 min · Santa Fe Highway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward NM 502: Los Alamos Highway
787 ft · 22 sec
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16
Keep slight left to continue on NM 502: Los Alamos Highway
149 m · 15 sec
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17
Merge slight right onto Los Alamos Highway
16.4 mi · 24 min · Los Alamos Highway
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18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Central Avenue
29 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
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19
Exit the roundabout onto Central Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · Central Avenue
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20
Continue on Canyon Road
3265 ft · 1 min · Canyon Road
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21
Turn right onto Diamond Drive
1519 ft · 40 sec · Diamond Drive
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22
Turn right onto Orange Street
2188 ft · 1 min · Orange Street
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23
Continue on Orange Street
1339 ft · 46 sec · Orange Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Orange Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Las Cruces and Los Alamos.
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
255 mi · 04h 18m
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.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Las Cruces and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Los Alamos.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Las Cruces to Los Alamos?
The road trip is about 318.1 miles (511.9 km) and usually takes 05h 45m 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?
Socorro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 159.2 miles from Las Cruces and 158.9 miles from Los Alamos.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 248.5 miles (400 km), while the road route adds roughly 69.6 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:28 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $42.49 one way or $84.98 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 99.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Las Cruces and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Los Alamos.
Stop Ideas Near Socorro
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 Socorro.
Truth or Consequences, New Mexico
Alvarado Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Las Cruces and Los Alamos. Straight-line distance: 248.53 mi (399.97 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 Los Alamos
Townsite in New Mexico
| Population | 12,019 |
| Coordinates | 35.8880800, -106.3069700 |
| Altitude | 2198 |
| Country | United States |
End: Los Alamos (-106.30697, 35.88808)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 512 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $42.49 | $84.98 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $47.79 | $95.57 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $51.89 | $103.79 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $60.76 | $121.51 |
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 · Jun 03, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.