How far is Los Alamos, NM from Artesia, NM?
Fastest route
The distance from Los Alamos, New Mexico 87544, to Artesia, New Mexico 88210, is approximately 267 miles (429 kilometers). The estimated travel time is around 4 hours and 13 minutes. To reach Artesia from Los Alamos, you will need to take NM-502 and US Hwy 285 S.
Directions
- 🚗 Head southeast on Trinity Dr toward 20th St.
- 🚗 At the traffic circle, take the 1st exit and stay on Trinity Dr.
- 🚗 Continue onto NM-502/E Rd and follow NM-502.
- 🚗 Use the right lane to take the US-84 S/US-285 S ramp to Santa Fe.
- 🚗 Continue on US-285 S/US Hwy 285 S.
- 🚗 Take exit 290 for US-285 S toward Clines Corners.
- 🚗 Merge onto US-285 S/US Hwy 285 S and turn slightly left onto Shenrick St.
- 🚗 Continue onto Oak St/US Hwy 285 and follow US Hwy 285.
- 🚗 Turn right onto W Main St, and you will reach Artesia, New Mexico 88210.
Tips & Suggestions
- 🚗 Check the weather forecast before starting your journey to prepare for any road conditions.
- 📱 Ensure your mobile phone is fully charged and carry a car charger in case you need to use navigation apps.
- ⛽ Before leaving, fill up your gas tank to avoid running out of fuel on the way.
- 🍴 Pack some snacks and drinks for the trip to stay energized and hydrated.
- 🚧 Be aware of speed limits and traffic rules to drive safely and avoid any potential fines.
- 💤 Take breaks during the journey to avoid fatigue and stay focused on the road.
- 🛣️ Keep a physical map or GPS device as a backup in case of electronic navigation failure.
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 33m.
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.
Human settlement in Guadalupe 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 Los Alamos and Artesia.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Los Alamos and Artesia.
-
1
Start on Orange Street
1.1 km · 2 min · Orange Street
-
2
Turn left onto Diamond Drive
1524 ft · 45 sec · Diamond Drive
-
3
Turn left onto Canyon Road
1 km · 1 min · Canyon Road
-
4
Continue on Central Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · Central Avenue
-
5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East Road
47 m · 2 sec · East Road
-
6
Exit the roundabout onto East Road
4.8 mi · 8 min · East Road
-
7
Continue straight
2.8 mi · 4 min
-
8
Continue straight
8.7 mi · 12 min
-
9
Take the exit slight right
1668 ft · 41 sec
-
10
Merge slight left onto Santa Fe Highway
1.4 km · 2 min · Santa Fe Highway
-
11
Continue on Taos Highway
4.7 mi · 6 min · Taos Highway
-
12
Continue on US 84/285
7.5 mi · 9 min · US 84/285
-
13
Continue on North Saint Francis Drive
1.5 mi · 2 min · North Saint Francis Drive
-
14
Take the exit slight left toward Guadalupe Street
1568 ft · 37 sec
-
15
Continue on North Guadalupe Street
1.4 km · 2 min · North Guadalupe Street
-
16
Turn left onto West Alameda Street
2176 ft · 1 min · West Alameda Street
-
17
Turn right onto Old Santa Fe Trail
3036 ft · 1 min · Old Santa Fe Trail
-
18
Continue on Old Pecos Trail
3 mi · 5 min · Old Pecos Trail
-
19
Take the ramp straight toward I 25 North: Las Vegas, Clines Corners
2133 ft · 52 sec
-
20
Merge slight left
6.2 mi · 6 min
-
21
Take the exit slight right
1028 ft · 25 sec
-
22
Keep slight right
175 mi · 3 hr 20 min
-
23
Continue on North Main Street
6.9 mi · 14 min · North Main Street
-
24
Turn slight left onto Southeast Main Street
29.9 mi · 36 min · Southeast Main Street
-
25
Continue on Roswell Highway
7.1 mi · 8 min · Roswell Highway
-
26
Continue on North 1st Street
2 mi · 2 min · North 1st Street
-
27
Turn right onto West Main Street
1735 ft · 33 sec · West Main Street
-
28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Los Alamos and Artesia.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 25 North
Keep slight right
175 mi · 03h 20m
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 Los Alamos and Sunny near Artesia.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Los Alamos to Artesia?
The road trip is about 275.1 miles (442.8 km) and usually takes 04h 33m 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?
Vaughn is a useful midpoint, sitting about 133.7 miles from Los Alamos and 141.5 miles from Artesia.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 236.8 miles (381.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.3 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 7:52 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.77 one way or $73.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 86.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Los Alamos and Sunny near Artesia.
Stop Ideas Near Vaughn
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 Vaughn.
Las Vegas station
Lamy station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Los Alamos and Artesia. Straight-line distance: 236.79 mi (381.07 km).
#1 Los Alamos
Townsite in New Mexico
| Population | 12,019 |
| Coordinates | 35.8880800, -106.3069700 |
| Altitude | 2198 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Artesia
City in New Mexico, USA
| Population | 12,214 |
| Coordinates | 32.8423300, -104.4033000 |
| Altitude | 1030 |
| Country | United States |
End: West Main Street (-104.4033, 32.842244)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 443 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 52m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 30m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 35m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 55m |
| 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 | $36.77 | $73.54 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $41.35 | $82.71 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $44.91 | $89.82 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $52.58 | $105.16 |
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 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.