How far is Las Cruces, NM from Thoreau, NM?
The driving distance from Las Cruces, NM to Thoreau, NM is about 307 miles (494.1 km), with a travel time of about 05h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 229 miles (368.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 48m 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 24m.
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.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Las Cruces and Thoreau.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Las Cruces and Thoreau.
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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
176.5 mi · 2 hr 57 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward NM 6: Los Lunas
1279 ft · 33 sec
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11
Turn left onto Main Street Southwest
3209 ft · 1 min · Main Street Southwest
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12
Continue on Main Street Northwest
1.4 mi · 2 min · Main Street Northwest
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13
Continue on State Road 6
30.7 mi · 39 min · State Road 6
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14
Take the ramp left
1539 ft · 38 sec
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15
Merge slight left
72.7 mi · 1 hr 13 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward NM 612, NM 371: Thoreau
2460 ft · 43 sec
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17
Turn right onto State Highway 371
2347 ft · 53 sec · State Highway 371
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18
Turn left onto Hawk Drive
50 m · 10 sec · Hawk Drive
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19
Turn left onto Lenore Avenue
64 m · 9 sec · Lenore Avenue
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Lenore Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Las Cruces and Thoreau.
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
176 mi · 02h 57m
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 Thoreau.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Las Cruces to Thoreau?
The road trip is about 307 miles (494.1 km) and usually takes 05h 24m 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 153.6 miles from Las Cruces and 153.4 miles from Thoreau.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 229 miles (368.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 78 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 6:12 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $41.01 one way or $82.03 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 96.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Las Cruces and Sunny near Thoreau.
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 Thoreau. Straight-line distance: 229.04 mi (368.6 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 Thoreau
Census-designated place in McKinley County, New Mexico, United States
| Population | 1,865 |
| Coordinates | 35.4025300, -108.2234000 |
| Altitude | 2177 |
| Country | United States |
End: Thoreau (-108.2234, 35.40253)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 494 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 13m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 08m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 07m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 49m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $41.01 | $82.03 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $46.12 | $92.25 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $50.09 | $100.18 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $58.64 | $117.29 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.