How far is Portales, NM from Albuquerque, NM?
The driving distance from Portales, NM to Albuquerque, NM is about 231.5 miles (372.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 198.5 miles (319.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 32m 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 03h 46m.
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 Guadalupe County, New Mexico, United States
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 Portales and Albuquerque.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Portales and Albuquerque.
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1
Start on East 3rd Street
56 m · 5 sec · East 3rd Street
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2
Continue on South Abilene Avenue
604 ft · 17 sec · South Abilene Avenue
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3
Turn left onto East 1st Street
118 m · 17 sec · East 1st Street
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4
Turn right onto North Main Avenue
1114 ft · 28 sec · North Main Avenue
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5
Turn left onto West Fir Street
1.3 km · 1 min · West Fir Street
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6
Continue on South Roosevelt Road 5
13.8 mi · 20 min · South Roosevelt Road 5
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7
Turn straight
17.4 mi · 24 min
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8
Turn left onto Denby Avenue
35.6 mi · 41 min · Denby Avenue
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9
Continue on East Sumner Avenue
1.3 mi · 1 min · East Sumner Avenue
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10
Turn right onto North 4th Street
1 km · 43 sec · North 4th Street
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11
Continue on US Highway 84
41.1 mi · 47 min · US Highway 84
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12
Continue on Historic Route 66
739 ft · 11 sec · Historic Route 66
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13
Turn left onto I 40 West
1421 ft · 35 sec
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14
Merge slight left
116.5 mi · 2 hr
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 25 North, I 25 South: Las Cruces, Santa Fe
1343 ft · 18 sec
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16
Keep slight left to continue on I 25 South: Las Cruces
1.3 km · 2 min
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17
Merge slight left onto Pan American Freeway
3239 ft · 43 sec · Pan American Freeway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward Martin Luther King Junior Avenue, Central Avenue
1093 ft · 27 sec
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19
Turn straight onto Locust Street Northeast
1788 ft · 51 sec · Locust Street Northeast
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20
Turn right onto Central Avenue Northeast
1.3 km · 2 min · Central Avenue Northeast
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue Northwest
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Portales and Albuquerque.
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 40 West
Merge slight left
117 mi · 02h 00m
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 Portales and Sunny near Albuquerque.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Portales to Albuquerque?
The road trip is about 231.5 miles (372.5 km) and usually takes 03h 46m 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?
Santa Rosa is a useful midpoint, sitting about 115.4 miles from Portales and 116.1 miles from Albuquerque.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 198.5 miles (319.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 33 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 9:28 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.94 one way or $61.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 72.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Portales and Sunny near Albuquerque.
Stop Ideas Near Santa Rosa
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 Santa Rosa.
Las Vegas station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Portales and Albuquerque. Straight-line distance: 198.49 mi (319.44 km).
#1 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 |
#2 Albuquerque
The third most populous city in New Mexico and the center of the Albuquerque metropolitan area.
| Population | 562,540 |
| Coordinates | 35.0844900, -106.6511400 |
| Altitude | 1511 |
| Country | United States |
End: Central Avenue Northwest (-106.651139, 35.084494)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 372 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 47m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 51m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $30.94 | $61.88 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $34.80 | $69.59 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $37.79 | $75.57 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $44.24 | $88.48 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.