How far is Las Cruces, NM from Taos, NM?
The driving distance from Las Cruces, NM to Taos, NM is about 352.6 miles (567.5 km), with a travel time of about 06h 35m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 291.2 miles (468.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 11m 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 06h 35m.
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.
City in Valencia County, New Mexico, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Las Cruces and Taos.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Las Cruces and Taos.
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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
8.7 mi · 14 min · Santa Fe Highway
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15
Continue on Riverside Drive
2495 ft · 1 min · Riverside Drive
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16
Continue on Riverside Drive Southeast
1003 ft · 20 sec · Riverside Drive Southeast
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17
Continue on South Riverside Drive
2.8 mi · 6 min · South Riverside Drive
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18
Continue on New Mexico State Highway 68
42.5 mi · 1 hr 1 min · New Mexico State Highway 68
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19
Turn right onto Kit Carson Road
35 m · 4 sec · Kit Carson Road
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20
Turn left onto Barela Lane
10 m · 1 sec · Barela Lane
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Barela Lane
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Las Cruces and Taos.
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.
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.
Sunny leaving Las Cruces and Sunny near Taos.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Las Cruces to Taos?
The road trip is about 352.6 miles (567.5 km) and usually takes 06h 35m 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?
Jarales is a useful midpoint, sitting about 176.5 miles from Las Cruces and 176.2 miles from Taos.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 291.2 miles (468.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 61.4 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 $47.11 one way or $94.22 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 110.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Las Cruces and Sunny near Taos.
Stop Ideas Near Jarales
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 Jarales.
Alvarado Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Las Cruces and Taos. Straight-line distance: 291.16 mi (468.57 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 Taos
Town in Taos County, New Mexico, United States of America
| Population | 5,872 |
| Coordinates | 36.4072500, -105.5730700 |
| Altitude | 2124 |
| Country | United States |
End: Taos (-105.57307, 36.40725)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 568 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 48m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 02m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 23m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $47.11 | $94.22 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $52.98 | $105.96 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $57.54 | $115.07 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $67.36 | $134.73 |
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 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.