How far is Las Cruces, NM from Portales, NM?

The driving distance from Las Cruces, NM to Portales, NM is about 274 miles (441 km), with a travel time of about 04h 35m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 237.4 miles (382 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 10m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
274.02 mi
04h 35m
Flight
237.38 mi
382.03 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Las Cruces.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
237.38 mi
Kilometers
382.03 km
Flight Time
00h 28m

Driving Distance

Road route
274.02 mi
Kilometers
441 km
Drive Time
04h 35m

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 04h 35m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Portales
Sun, May 31, 8:32 AM MDT
Return by in Las Cruces
Sun, May 31, 1:07 PM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Las Cruces
2026-05-31T03:57
Arrive Portales
Sun, May 31, 8:32 AM MDT
Route Timing
04h 35m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:35 AM to 12:35 PM MDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
7:50 AM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Las Cruces
9:00 PM MDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Ruidoso Downs
NM

City in Lincoln County, New Mexico, United States of America

From Las Cruces
136.7 mi
02h 17m
To Portales
137.3 mi
02h 17m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
94°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
0 to 3 mph NW
Destination
95°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Las Cruces and Portales.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Las Cruces and Portales.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    87 m · 23 sec

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn right

    20 m · 10 sec

  3. 3

    Turn left onto North Church Street

    641 ft · 18 sec · North Church Street

  4. 4

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward North Main Street

    15 m · 1 sec · North Main Street

  5. 5

    Exit the roundabout onto North Main Street

    2.7 mi · 6 min · North Main Street

  6. 6

    Continue on Bataan Memorial Highway

    20.1 mi · 24 min · Bataan Memorial Highway

  7. 7

    Continue on US Highway 70 West

    42.3 mi · 46 min · US Highway 70 West

  8. 8

    Continue on South White Sands Boulevard

    691 ft · 19 sec · South White Sands Boulevard

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward US 54 North, US 70 East: Relief Route, Tularosa

    760 ft · 35 sec

  10. 10

    Merge left onto Charlie Lee Memorial Relief Route

    5 mi · 8 min · Charlie Lee Memorial Relief Route

  11. 11

    Turn left onto US 54,70

    8.7 mi · 11 min · US 54,70

  12. 12

    Turn right onto South Bookout Road

    1325 ft · 27 sec · South Bookout Road

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on South Bookout Road

    1.3 km · 1 min · South Bookout Road

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Old Mescalero Road

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Old Mescalero Road

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Central Avenue

    98.6 mi · 2 hr 5 min · Central Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Relief Route

    6.2 mi · 9 min · Relief Route

  17. 17

    Continue on Highway Relief Route

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Highway Relief Route

  18. 18

    Continue on Clovis Highway

    85.7 mi · 1 hr 39 min · Clovis Highway

  19. 19

    Turn right onto South Abilene Avenue

    75 m · 6 sec · South Abilene Avenue

  20. 20

    Turn left onto East 3rd Street

    56 m · 4 sec · East 3rd Street

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East 3rd Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Las Cruces and Portales.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
21 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Central Avenue
98.6 mi · 36%
Clovis Highway
85.7 mi · 31%
US Highway 70 West
42.3 mi · 15%
Bataan Memorial Highway
20.1 mi · 7%
Relief Route
6.18 mi · 2%
Charlie Lee Memorial Relief Route
5.01 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Central Avenue

Turn right onto Central Avenue

98.6 mi · 02h 05m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 35m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 10m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+36.6 mi
237.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Ruidoso Downs
02h 17m from Las Cruces
Leave By
7:50 AM MDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Las Cruces and Sunny near Portales.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Las Cruces to Portales?

The road trip is about 274 miles (441 km) and usually takes 04h 35m 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?

Ruidoso Downs is a useful midpoint, sitting about 136.7 miles from Las Cruces and 137.3 miles from Portales.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 237.4 miles (382 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.6 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 7:50 AM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.62 one way or $73.24 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 85.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Las Cruces and Sunny near Portales.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Las Cruces and Portales. Straight-line distance: 237.38 mi (382.03 km).

Las Cruces

#1 Las Cruces

The second most populous city in New Mexico.

Population105,096
Coordinates32.3123200, -106.7783400
Altitude1191
CountryUnited States
Portales

#2 Portales

City in and the county seat of Roosevelt County, New Mexico, United States

Population11,487
Coordinates34.1861900, -103.3344000
Altitude1221
CountryUnited States
Start: (-106.778417, 32.312306)
End: East 3rd Street (-103.334401, 34.186082)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 441 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 07m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 51m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 28m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 34m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 54m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 25m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.67 gal
36.6 L · about $36.62
Round trip
$73.24
19.34 gal · 73.2 L
Estimated CO2
85.9 kg one way
Round trip: 171.9 kg / 379 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $36.62 $73.24
Mid-grade $4.26 $41.18 $82.37
Premium $4.63 $44.72 $89.45
Diesel $5.42 $52.36 $104.73

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 31, 2026

There is no time difference between Las Cruces and Portales. The current time is 03:57:44.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.