How far is Santa Rosa, NM from Carlsbad, NM?

The driving distance from Santa Rosa, NM to Carlsbad, NM is about 209.6 miles (337.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 19m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 175.9 miles (283.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 39m 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
209.57 mi
04h 19m
Flight
175.92 mi
283.12 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Santa Rosa.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
175.92 mi
Kilometers
283.12 km
Flight Time
00h 21m

Driving Distance

Road route
209.57 mi
Kilometers
337.27 km
Drive Time
04h 19m

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 19m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Carlsbad
Sat, Apr 18, 10:51 PM MDT
Return by in Santa Rosa
Sun, Apr 19, 3:11 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Santa Rosa
2026-04-18T18:31
Arrive Carlsbad
Sat, Apr 18, 10:51 PM MDT
Route Timing
04h 19m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:20 AM to 12:20 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
8:20 AM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Santa Rosa
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
Roswell
NM

A city in Chaves County, New Mexico.

From Santa Rosa
104.9 mi
02h 09m
To Carlsbad
104.6 mi
02h 09m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
66°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SE
Destination
70°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph NE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Santa Rosa and Carlsbad.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Santa Rosa and Carlsbad.

  1. 1

    Start on La Pradira Avenue

    723 ft · 34 sec · La Pradira Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South 3rd Street

    1784 ft · 41 sec · South 3rd Street

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Historic Route 66

    1948 ft · 47 sec · Historic Route 66

  4. 4

    Turn left onto US Highway 54

    37.8 mi · 56 min · US Highway 54

  5. 5

    Turn left

    89 mi · 1 hr 38 min

  6. 6

    Continue on North Main Street

    6.9 mi · 14 min · North Main Street

  7. 7

    Turn slight left onto Southeast Main Street

    29.9 mi · 36 min · Southeast Main Street

  8. 8

    Continue on Roswell Highway

    7.1 mi · 8 min · Roswell Highway

  9. 9

    Continue on North 1st Street

    2 mi · 2 min · North 1st Street

  10. 10

    Continue on South 1st Street

    3 mi · 3 min · South 1st Street

  11. 11

    Continue on Seven Rivers Highway

    26.3 mi · 30 min · Seven Rivers Highway

  12. 12

    Continue on Artesia Highway

    2.1 mi · 2 min · Artesia Highway

  13. 13

    Continue on Pierce Street

    3.4 mi · 5 min · Pierce Street

  14. 14

    Continue on North Canal Street

    1.1 mi · 1 min · North Canal Street

  15. 15

    Continue on North Canal Street

    47 m · 10 sec · North Canal Street

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Canal Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Santa Rosa and Carlsbad.

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
16 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US Highway 54
37.8 mi · 18%
Southeast Main Street
30 mi · 14%
Seven Rivers Highway
26.3 mi · 13%
Roswell Highway
7.15 mi · 3%
North Main Street
6.91 mi · 3%
Pierce Street
3.38 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

Turn left

89 mi · 01h 38m

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
04h 19m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+33.7 mi
175.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Roswell
02h 09m from Santa Rosa
Leave By
8:20 AM MDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Santa Rosa and Sunny near Carlsbad.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Santa Rosa to Carlsbad?

The road trip is about 209.6 miles (337.3 km) and usually takes 04h 19m 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?

Roswell is a useful midpoint, sitting about 104.9 miles from Santa Rosa and 104.6 miles from Carlsbad.

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

The direct path is about 175.9 miles (283.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.7 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 8:20 AM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.99 one way or $55.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 65.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Santa Rosa and Sunny near Carlsbad.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Santa Rosa and Carlsbad. Straight-line distance: 175.92 mi (283.12 km).

Santa Rosa

#1 Santa Rosa

City in Guadalupe County, New Mexico, United States

Population2,625
Coordinates34.9386700, -104.6824900
Altitude1407
CountryUnited States
Carlsbad

#2 Carlsbad

Town in Eddy County, New Mexico, USA

Population29,664
Coordinates32.4206700, -104.2288400
Altitude945
CountryUnited States
Start: Santa Rosa (-104.68249, 34.93867)
End: Carlsbad (-104.22884, 32.42067)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 337 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 58m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 14m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 11m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 29m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 59m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 36m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.39 gal
27.99 L · about $27.99
Round trip
$55.97
14.78 gal · 55.98 L
Estimated CO2
65.7 kg one way
Round trip: 131.3 kg / 289 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $27.99 $55.97
Mid-grade $4.26 $31.47 $62.95
Premium $4.63 $34.18 $68.36
Diesel $5.42 $40.02 $80.03

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Santa Rosa and Carlsbad. The current time is 18:31:45.

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.