How far is Portales, NM from Los Alamos, NM?
The driving distance from Portales, NM to Los Alamos, NM is about 256.4 miles (412.6 km), with a travel time of about 05h 11m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 205.2 miles (330.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 22m 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 11m.
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Portales and Los Alamos.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Portales and Los Alamos.
-
1
Start on East 3rd Street
56 m · 5 sec · East 3rd Street
-
2
Continue on South Abilene Avenue
604 ft · 17 sec · South Abilene Avenue
-
3
Turn left onto East 1st Street
118 m · 17 sec · East 1st Street
-
4
Turn right onto North Main Avenue
1114 ft · 28 sec · North Main Avenue
-
5
Turn left onto West Fir Street
1.3 km · 1 min · West Fir Street
-
6
Continue on South Roosevelt Road 5
13.8 mi · 20 min · South Roosevelt Road 5
-
7
Turn straight
17.4 mi · 24 min
-
8
Turn left onto Denby Avenue
35.6 mi · 41 min · Denby Avenue
-
9
Continue on East Sumner Avenue
1.3 mi · 1 min · East Sumner Avenue
-
10
Turn right onto North 4th Street
1 km · 43 sec · North 4th Street
-
11
Continue on US Highway 84
41.1 mi · 47 min · US Highway 84
-
12
Continue on Historic Route 66
739 ft · 11 sec · Historic Route 66
-
13
Turn left onto I 40 West
1421 ft · 35 sec
-
14
Merge slight left
58.2 mi · 58 min
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward US 285: Vaughn, Santa Fe
1794 ft · 46 sec
-
16
Turn right onto US Highway 285
41.3 mi · 50 min · US Highway 285
-
17
Turn left
1168 ft · 29 sec
-
18
Merge slight left
5.9 mi · 6 min
-
19
Take the exit slight right toward NM 466: Old Pecos Trail
981 ft · 24 sec
-
20
Keep slight right
152 m · 13 sec
-
21
Turn straight onto Old Pecos Trail
1.2 mi · 2 min · Old Pecos Trail
-
22
Keep slight right to continue on Old Pecos Trail
1.7 mi · 3 min · Old Pecos Trail
-
23
Continue on Old Santa Fe Trail
3030 ft · 1 min · Old Santa Fe Trail
-
24
Turn left onto East Alameda Street
2130 ft · 1 min · East Alameda Street
-
25
Turn right onto North Guadalupe Street
1.4 km · 2 min · North Guadalupe Street
-
26
Take the ramp straight
1392 ft · 34 sec
-
27
Merge slight left onto North Saint Francis Drive
1.5 mi · 2 min · North Saint Francis Drive
-
28
Continue on Taos Highway
12.2 mi · 14 min · Taos Highway
-
29
Continue on Santa Fe Highway
1.5 km · 2 min · Santa Fe Highway
-
30
Take the exit slight right toward NM 502: Los Alamos Highway
787 ft · 22 sec
-
31
Keep slight left to continue on NM 502: Los Alamos Highway
149 m · 15 sec
-
32
Merge slight right onto Los Alamos Highway
16.4 mi · 24 min · Los Alamos Highway
-
33
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Central Avenue
29 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
-
34
Exit the roundabout onto Central Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · Central Avenue
-
35
Continue on Canyon Road
3265 ft · 1 min · Canyon Road
-
36
Turn right onto Diamond Drive
1519 ft · 40 sec · Diamond Drive
-
37
Turn right onto Orange Street
2188 ft · 1 min · Orange Street
-
38
Continue on Orange Street
1339 ft · 46 sec · Orange Street
-
39
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Orange Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Portales and Los Alamos.
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
58.2 mi · 00h 58m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Portales and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Los Alamos.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Portales to Los Alamos?
The road trip is about 256.4 miles (412.6 km) and usually takes 05h 11m 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 128.1 miles from Portales and 128.3 miles from Los Alamos.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 205.2 miles (330.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 51.2 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 6:38 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.27 one way or $68.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 80.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Portales and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Los Alamos.
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 Los Alamos. Straight-line distance: 205.18 mi (330.21 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 Los Alamos
Townsite in New Mexico
| Population | 12,019 |
| Coordinates | 35.8880800, -106.3069700 |
| Altitude | 2198 |
| Country | United States |
End: Los Alamos (-106.30697, 35.88808)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 413 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 24m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 07m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 16m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 11m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $34.27 | $68.54 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $38.54 | $77.09 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $41.86 | $83.71 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $49.01 | $98.01 |
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.