How far is Ruidoso Downs, NM from Clovis, NM?

The driving distance from Ruidoso Downs, NM to Clovis, NM is about 178 miles (286.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 57m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 156.4 miles (251.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 55m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
178.02 mi
02h 57m
Flight
156.42 mi
251.74 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Ruidoso Downs.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
156.42 mi
Kilometers
251.74 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
178.02 mi
Kilometers
286.49 km
Drive Time
02h 57m

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 02h 57m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Clovis
Wed, Apr 22, 9:45 PM MDT
Return by in Ruidoso Downs
Thu, Apr 23, 12:43 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Ruidoso Downs
2026-04-22T18:47
Arrive Clovis
Wed, Apr 22, 9:45 PM MDT
Route Timing
02h 57m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:58 AM to 12:58 PM MDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
12:34 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Ruidoso Downs
9:30 PM MDT
Morning start is best

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
Roswell
NM

A city in Chaves County, New Mexico.

From Ruidoso Downs
88.9 mi
01h 28m
To Clovis
89.1 mi
01h 28m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
Ruidoso Downs Weather
NM
Live fallback forecast
71°F
Wednesday
Using Ruidoso as the closest live forecast in the Lincoln County weather hub.

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
9 to 25 mph SW
Destination
87°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
10 to 25 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Ruidoso Downs and Clovis.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ruidoso Downs and Clovis.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    23 m · 9 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left

    65.7 mi · 1 hr 23 min

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Relief Route

    6.2 mi · 9 min · Relief Route

  4. 4

    Continue on Highway Relief Route

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Highway Relief Route

  5. 5

    Continue on Clovis Highway

    85.9 mi · 1 hr 40 min · Clovis Highway

  6. 6

    Turn slight left

    17.9 mi · 23 min

  7. 7

    Turn left onto East 1st Street

    2723 ft · 48 sec · East 1st Street

  8. 8

    Turn right onto North Main Street

    2231 ft · 53 sec · North Main Street

  9. 9

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Ruidoso Downs and Clovis.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
9 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
5.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Clovis Highway
85.9 mi · 48%
Relief Route
6.18 mi · 3%
Highway Relief Route
1.28 mi · 1%
East 1st Street
0.52 mi
North Main Street
0.42 mi
Longest Stretch

Clovis Highway

Continue on Clovis Highway

85.9 mi · 01h 40m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 57m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+21.6 mi
156.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Roswell
01h 28m from Ruidoso Downs
Leave By
12:34 PM MDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Ruidoso Downs and Sunny near Clovis.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Ruidoso Downs to Clovis?

The road trip is about 178 miles (286.5 km) and usually takes 02h 57m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Roswell is a useful midpoint, sitting about 88.9 miles from Ruidoso Downs and 89.1 miles from Clovis.

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

The direct path is about 156.4 miles (251.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:34 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.78 one way or $47.56 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Ruidoso Downs and Sunny near Clovis.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Ruidoso Downs and Clovis. Straight-line distance: 156.42 mi (251.74 km).

Ruidoso Downs

#1 Ruidoso Downs

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

Population2,631
Coordinates33.3289700, -105.6044300
Altitude1956
CountryUnited States
Clovis

#2 Clovis

City in New Mexico, USA

Population38,091
Coordinates34.4048000, -103.2052300
Altitude1301
CountryUnited States
Start: (-105.604615, 33.328866)
End: North Main Street (-103.205364, 34.4048)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 286 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 55m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 27m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 33m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 58m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 32m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 13m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.28 gal
23.78 L · about $23.78
Round trip
$47.56
12.56 gal · 47.56 L
Estimated CO2
55.8 kg one way
Round trip: 111.6 kg / 246 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $23.78 $47.56
Mid-grade $4.26 $26.75 $53.49
Premium $4.63 $29.05 $58.09
Diesel $5.42 $34.01 $68.01

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 · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Ruidoso Downs and Clovis. The current time is 18:47:58.

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.