How far is Los Alamos, NM from Las Cruces, NM?
The driving distance from Los Alamos, NM to Las Cruces, NM is about 320.1 miles (515.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 248.5 miles (400 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 36m 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 48m.
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.
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Los Alamos and Las Cruces.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Los Alamos and Las Cruces.
-
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
2.4 mi · 4 min · North Saint Francis Drive
-
14
Continue on South Saint Francis Drive
3.5 mi · 7 min · South Saint Francis Drive
-
15
Take the exit slight right
3084 ft · 1 min
-
16
Merge slight left
275.8 mi · 4 hr 39 min
-
17
Take the exit slight right
1786 ft · 47 sec
-
18
Turn right onto North Main Street
2.5 mi · 6 min · North Main Street
-
19
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward North Church Street
57 m · 5 sec · North Church Street
-
20
Exit the roundabout onto North Church Street
615 ft · 19 sec · North Church Street
-
21
Turn right
20 m · 10 sec
-
22
Turn left
87 m · 21 sec
-
23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Los Alamos and Las Cruces.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
South Saint Francis Drive
Merge slight left
276 mi · 04h 39m
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.
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Los Alamos and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Las Cruces.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Los Alamos to Las Cruces?
The road trip is about 320.1 miles (515.2 km) and usually takes 04h 48m 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 158.9 miles from Los Alamos and 161.2 miles from Las Cruces.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 248.5 miles (400 km), while the road route adds roughly 71.6 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 7:24 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $42.79 one way or $85.59 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 100.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Los Alamos and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Las Cruces.
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 Los Alamos and Las Cruces. Straight-line distance: 248.53 mi (399.97 km).
#1 Los Alamos
Townsite in New Mexico
| Population | 12,019 |
| Coordinates | 35.8880800, -106.3069700 |
| Altitude | 2198 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Las Cruces
The second most populous city in New Mexico.
| Population | 105,096 |
| Coordinates | 32.3123200, -106.7783400 |
| Altitude | 1191 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-106.778417, 32.312306)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 515 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 59m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $42.79 | $85.59 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $48.13 | $96.25 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $52.26 | $104.53 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $61.19 | $122.38 |
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 03, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.