How far is Portales, NM from Sunland Park, NM?

The driving distance from Portales, NM to Sunland Park, NM is about 303.4 miles (488.2 km), with a travel time of about 05h 01m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 250.2 miles (402.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 03m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
303.37 mi
05h 01m
Flight
250.25 mi
402.74 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Portales.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
250.25 mi
Kilometers
402.74 km
Flight Time
00h 30m

Driving Distance

Road route
303.37 mi
Kilometers
488.22 km
Drive Time
05h 01m

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 01m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Sunland Park
Fri, May 1, 3:01 PM MDT
Return by in Portales
Fri, May 1, 8:03 PM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Portales
2026-05-01T09:59
Arrive Sunland Park
Fri, May 1, 3:01 PM MDT
Route Timing
05h 01m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:02 AM to 1:02 PM MDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
6:56 AM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Portales
9:00 PM MDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Ruidoso Downs
NM

City in Lincoln County, New Mexico, United States of America

From Portales
151.3 mi
02h 30m
To Sunland Park
152 mi
02h 30m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
51°F
Friday

Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph NE
Destination
70°F
Friday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
8 to 13 mph NNW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Portales and Sunland Park.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Portales and Sunland Park.

  1. 1

    Start on East 3rd Street

    56 m · 5 sec · East 3rd Street

  2. 2

    Continue on South Abilene Avenue

    604 ft · 17 sec · South Abilene Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn left onto East 1st Street

    1.2 km · 2 min · East 1st Street

  4. 4

    Continue on West 2nd Street

    1.6 km · 1 min · West 2nd Street

  5. 5

    Continue straight

    91.4 mi · 1 hr 46 min

  6. 6

    Turn right onto West 2nd Street

    99.6 mi · 2 hr 6 min · West 2nd Street

  7. 7

    Turn left onto North Bookout Road

    1.5 mi · 3 min · North Bookout Road

  8. 8

    Turn left

    8.7 mi · 11 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right

    4.9 mi · 7 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right

    1673 ft · 1 min

  11. 11

    Turn left onto US Highway 54 South

    34.8 mi · 38 min · US Highway 54 South

  12. 12

    Continue on Main Street

    1.3 km · 2 min · Main Street

  13. 13

    Continue on US Highway 54

    28.9 mi · 30 min · US Highway 54

  14. 14

    Continue on Gateway South Boulevard

    7.6 mi · 9 min · Gateway South Boulevard

  15. 15

    Keep slight left

    11.6 mi · 15 min

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward US 62: Paisano Drive

    1072 ft · 31 sec

  17. 17

    Turn right onto East Paisano Drive

    6.8 mi · 11 min · East Paisano Drive

  18. 18

    Continue on Camino Real de Tierra Adentro

    2323 ft · 30 sec · Camino Real de Tierra Adentro

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward FM 273: McNutt Road

    1876 ft · 46 sec

  20. 20

    Turn straight onto McNutt Road

    2.5 mi · 5 min · McNutt Road

  21. 21

    Turn left onto Loma Vista Drive

    26 m · 4 sec · Loma Vista Drive

  22. 22

    Keep slight left to continue on Loma Vista Drive

    1262 ft · 58 sec · Loma Vista Drive

  23. 23

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Valle Vista Drive

    113 m · 16 sec · Valle Vista Drive

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Valle Vista Drive

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Portales and Sunland Park.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
24 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
0 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
West 2nd Street
192 mi · 63%
US Highway 54 South
34.8 mi · 11%
US Highway 54
28.9 mi · 10%
Gateway South Boulevard
19.3 mi · 6%
East Paisano Drive
6.79 mi · 2%
North Bookout Road
6.68 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

West 2nd Street

Turn right onto West 2nd Street

99.6 mi · 02h 06m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
05h 01m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+53.2 mi
250.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Ruidoso Downs
02h 30m from Portales
Leave By
6:56 AM MDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Rain Showers leaving Portales and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Sunland Park.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Portales to Sunland Park?

The road trip is about 303.4 miles (488.2 km) and usually takes 05h 01m 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?

Ruidoso Downs is a useful midpoint, sitting about 151.3 miles from Portales and 152 miles from Sunland Park.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 250.2 miles (402.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 53.2 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 6:56 AM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.52 one way or $81.04 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 95.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Portales and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Sunland Park.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Portales and Sunland Park. Straight-line distance: 250.25 mi (402.74 km).

Portales

#1 Portales

City in and the county seat of Roosevelt County, New Mexico, United States

Population11,487
Coordinates34.1861900, -103.3344000
Altitude1221
CountryUnited States
Sunland Park

#2 Sunland Park

City in Doña Ana County, New Mexico, United States

Population18,449
Coordinates31.7965000, -106.5799900
Altitude1160
CountryUnited States
Start: East 3rd Street (-103.334401, 34.186082)
End: Valle Vista Drive (-106.57999, 31.796345)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 488 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)10h 06m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 35m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)06h 04m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 03m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 20m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 47m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
10.7 gal
40.52 L · about $40.52
Round trip
$81.04
21.4 gal · 81.04 L
Estimated CO2
95.1 kg one way
Round trip: 190.2 kg / 419 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $40.52 $81.04
Mid-grade $4.26 $45.57 $91.14
Premium $4.63 $49.49 $98.98
Diesel $5.42 $57.94 $115.88

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 · May 01, 2026

There is no time difference between Portales and Sunland Park. The current time is 09:59:54.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.