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

The driving distance from Sunland Park, NM to Portales, NM is about 303.2 miles (488 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
303.22 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 Sunland Park.

Flight Distance

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

Driving Distance

Road route
303.22 mi
Kilometers
487.99 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 Portales
Fri, May 1, 1:20 PM MDT
Return by in Sunland Park
Fri, May 1, 6:22 PM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sunland Park
2026-05-01T08:18
Arrive Portales
Fri, May 1, 1:20 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 Sunland Park
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 Sunland Park
151.1 mi
02h 30m
To Portales
152.1 mi
02h 30m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
70°F
Friday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
8 to 13 mph NNW
Destination
51°F
Friday

Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph NE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Valle Vista Drive

    113 m · 22 sec · Valle Vista Drive

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Loma Vista Drive

    1347 ft · 1 min · Loma Vista Drive

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn right onto McNutt Road

    2.5 mi · 4 min · McNutt Road

  4. 4

    Take the ramp straight

    1663 ft · 41 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Camino Real de Tierra Adentro

    1801 ft · 22 sec · Camino Real de Tierra Adentro

  6. 6

    Turn straight onto West Paisano Drive

    3125 ft · 53 sec · West Paisano Drive

  7. 7

    Turn slight left

    119 m · 18 sec

  8. 8

    Turn left onto Executive Center Boulevard

    2304 ft · 52 sec · Executive Center Boulevard

  9. 9

    Take the ramp slight right

    1323 ft · 32 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    5.3 mi · 7 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward Loop 478: Copia Street

    1044 ft · 25 sec

  12. 12

    Turn straight onto Gateway Boulevard East

    1601 ft · 40 sec · Gateway Boulevard East

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Copia Street

    1.1 km · 1 min · Copia Street

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Pershing Drive

    1.5 km · 2 min · Pershing Drive

  15. 15

    Continue on Pershing Drive

    1431 ft · 37 sec · Pershing Drive

  16. 16

    Take the ramp left toward US 54 East

    1682 ft · 41 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left onto Patriot Freeway

    16.8 mi · 21 min · Patriot Freeway

  18. 18

    Continue on US Highway 54

    28.9 mi · 30 min · US Highway 54

  19. 19

    Continue on Main Street

    1.3 km · 2 min · Main Street

  20. 20

    Continue on US Highway 54 South

    34.6 mi · 38 min · US Highway 54 South

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Charlie Lee Memorial Relief Route

    5.4 mi · 9 min · Charlie Lee Memorial Relief Route

  22. 22

    Turn left onto US 54,70

    8.7 mi · 11 min · US 54,70

  23. 23

    Turn right onto South Bookout Road

    1325 ft · 27 sec · South Bookout Road

  24. 24

    Keep slight left to continue on South Bookout Road

    1.3 km · 1 min · South Bookout Road

  25. 25

    Turn right onto Old Mescalero Road

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Old Mescalero Road

  26. 26

    Turn right onto Central Avenue

    98.6 mi · 2 hr 5 min · Central Avenue

  27. 27

    Turn left onto Relief Route

    6.2 mi · 9 min · Relief Route

  28. 28

    Continue on Highway Relief Route

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Highway Relief Route

  29. 29

    Continue on Clovis Highway

    85.7 mi · 1 hr 39 min · Clovis Highway

  30. 30

    Turn right onto South Abilene Avenue

    75 m · 6 sec · South Abilene Avenue

  31. 31

    Turn left onto East 3rd Street

    56 m · 4 sec · East 3rd Street

  32. 32

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East 3rd Street

Car Route Details

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

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
32 steps
16 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Central Avenue
98.6 mi · 33%
Clovis Highway
85.7 mi · 28%
US Highway 54 South
34.6 mi · 11%
US Highway 54
28.9 mi · 10%
Patriot Freeway
16.8 mi · 6%
Relief Route
6.18 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Central Avenue

Turn right onto Central Avenue

98.6 mi · 02h 05m

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 mi
250.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Ruidoso Downs
02h 30m from Sunland Park
Leave By
6:56 AM MDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 303.2 miles (488 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 151.1 miles from Sunland Park and 152.1 miles from Portales.

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

Flight Path Map

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

Sunland Park

#1 Sunland Park

City in Doña Ana County, New Mexico, United States

Population18,449
Coordinates31.7965000, -106.5799900
Altitude1160
CountryUnited States
Portales

#2 Portales

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

Population11,487
Coordinates34.1861900, -103.3344000
Altitude1221
CountryUnited States
Start: Valle Vista Drive (-106.57999, 31.796345)
End: East 3rd Street (-103.334401, 34.186082)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 488 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)10h 06m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 34m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)06h 03m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 03m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 19m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 46m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
10.7 gal
40.5 L · about $40.52
Round trip
$81.04
21.4 gal · 81 L
Estimated CO2
95.1 kg one way
Round trip: 190.2 kg / 419 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/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 Sunland Park and Portales. The current time is 08:18:54.

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.