How far is Thoreau, NM from Carlsbad, NM?
The driving distance from Thoreau, NM to Carlsbad, NM is about 381 miles (613.1 km), with a travel time of about 07h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 308 miles (495.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 14h 11m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 07h 05m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Human settlement in Torrance County, New Mexico, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Thoreau and Carlsbad.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thoreau and Carlsbad.
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1
Start on Lenore Avenue
64 m · 11 sec · Lenore Avenue
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2
Turn right onto Hawk Drive
50 m · 6 sec · Hawk Drive
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3
Turn right onto State Highway 371
2569 ft · 59 sec · State Highway 371
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4
Take the ramp left toward I 40: Grants, Albuquerque
2732 ft · 47 sec
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5
Merge slight left
163.9 mi · 2 hr 49 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 285: Vaughn, Santa Fe
1315 ft · 32 sec
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7
Keep slight left
143 m · 13 sec
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8
Turn right onto US Highway 285
27.4 mi · 32 min · US Highway 285
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9
Continue on Oak Street
14.5 mi · 18 min · Oak Street
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10
Continue on 8th Street
91.9 mi · 1 hr 41 min · 8th Street
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11
Continue on North Main Street
6.9 mi · 14 min · North Main Street
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12
Turn slight left onto Southeast Main Street
29.9 mi · 36 min · Southeast Main Street
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13
Continue on Roswell Highway
7.1 mi · 8 min · Roswell Highway
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14
Continue on North 1st Street
2 mi · 2 min · North 1st Street
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15
Continue on South 1st Street
3 mi · 3 min · South 1st Street
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16
Continue on Seven Rivers Highway
26.3 mi · 30 min · Seven Rivers Highway
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17
Continue on Artesia Highway
2.1 mi · 2 min · Artesia Highway
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18
Continue on Pierce Street
3.4 mi · 5 min · Pierce Street
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19
Continue on North Canal Street
1.1 mi · 1 min · North Canal Street
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20
Continue on North Canal Street
47 m · 10 sec · North Canal Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Canal Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Thoreau and Carlsbad.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 40
Merge slight left
164 mi · 02h 49m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Sunny leaving Thoreau and Sunny near Carlsbad.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Thoreau to Carlsbad?
The road trip is about 381 miles (613.1 km) and usually takes 07h 05m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Encino is a useful midpoint, sitting about 190.5 miles from Thoreau and 190.5 miles from Carlsbad.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 308 miles (495.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 73 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 7:30 AM MDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $50.90 one way or $101.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 119.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Thoreau and Sunny near Carlsbad.
Stop Ideas Near Encino
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 Encino.
Lamy station
Las Vegas station
Alvarado Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Thoreau and Carlsbad. Straight-line distance: 308.02 mi (495.71 km).
#1 Thoreau
Census-designated place in McKinley County, New Mexico, United States
| Population | 1,865 |
| Coordinates | 35.4025300, -108.2234000 |
| Altitude | 2177 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Carlsbad
Town in Eddy County, New Mexico, USA
| Population | 29,664 |
| Coordinates | 32.4206700, -104.2288400 |
| Altitude | 945 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carlsbad (-104.22884, 32.42067)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 613 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 12h 41m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 09h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 26m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 45m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $50.90 | $101.79 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $57.24 | $114.48 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $62.16 | $124.32 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $72.78 | $145.56 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.