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.
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 04h 35m.
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 Lincoln County, New Mexico, United States of America
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 Portales.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Las Cruces and Portales.
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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
98.6 mi · 2 hr 5 min · Central Avenue
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16
Turn left onto Relief Route
6.2 mi · 9 min · Relief Route
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17
Continue on Highway Relief Route
1.3 mi · 2 min · Highway Relief Route
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18
Continue on Clovis Highway
85.7 mi · 1 hr 39 min · Clovis Highway
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19
Turn right onto South Abilene Avenue
75 m · 6 sec · South Abilene Avenue
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20
Turn left onto East 3rd Street
56 m · 4 sec · East 3rd Street
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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.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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.
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.
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).
#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 Portales
City in and the county seat of Roosevelt County, New Mexico, United States
| Population | 11,487 |
| Coordinates | 34.1861900, -103.3344000 |
| Altitude | 1221 |
| Country | United States |
End: East 3rd Street (-103.334401, 34.186082)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 441 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 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.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round 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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.