How far is White Sands, NM from Gallup, NM?
The driving distance from White Sands, NM to Gallup, NM is about 359.3 miles (578.2 km), with a travel time of about 05h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 253.1 miles (407.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 38m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 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 05h 19m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in New Mexico
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between White Sands and Gallup.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between White Sands and Gallup.
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1
Start on Headquarters Avenue
1911 ft · 47 sec · Headquarters Avenue
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2
Continue on Owen Road
3.9 mi · 7 min · Owen Road
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3
Take the ramp straight toward US 70: US 70 West, Las Cruces
1523 ft · 42 sec
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4
Merge slight left
18.9 mi · 23 min
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 25: El Paso, Albuquerque
547 ft · 13 sec
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6
Keep slight right to continue on I 25 North: Albuquerque
1641 ft · 40 sec
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7
Merge slight left
19.8 mi · 21 min
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8
Take the exit slight right
2010 ft · 49 sec
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9
Merge slight left
176.5 mi · 2 hr 57 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward NM 6: Los Lunas
1279 ft · 33 sec
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11
Turn left onto Main Street Southwest
3209 ft · 1 min · Main Street Southwest
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12
Continue on Main Street Northwest
1.4 mi · 2 min · Main Street Northwest
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13
Continue on State Road 6
30.7 mi · 39 min · State Road 6
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14
Take the ramp left
1539 ft · 38 sec
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15
Merge slight left
103.4 mi · 1 hr 44 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Miyamura Drive, Montoya Boulevard
1638 ft · 45 sec
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17
Turn left onto Ford Drive
1054 ft · 18 sec · Ford Drive
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18
Continue on Miyamura Overpass
718 ft · 21 sec · Miyamura Overpass
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19
Turn right onto East Aztec Avenue
1.4 km · 2 min · East Aztec Avenue
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20
Turn right onto South 2nd Street
672 ft · 15 sec · South 2nd Street
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21
Turn right onto East Historic Highway 66
21 m · 2 sec · East Historic Highway 66
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Historic Highway 66
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between White Sands and Gallup.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 25 North
Merge slight left
176 mi · 02h 57m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers leaving White Sands and Mostly Sunny near Gallup.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from White Sands to Gallup?
The road trip is about 359.3 miles (578.2 km) and usually takes 05h 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?
Socorro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 179.5 miles from White Sands and 179.8 miles from Gallup.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 253.1 miles (407.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 106.2 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 6:22 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $48.02 one way or $96.04 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 112.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers around White Sands and Mostly Sunny near Gallup.
Stop Ideas Near Socorro
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 Socorro.
Truth or Consequences, New Mexico
Alvarado Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between White Sands and Gallup. Straight-line distance: 253.17 mi (407.44 km).
#1 White Sands
Census-designated place in New Mexico, United States
| Population | 1,651 |
| Coordinates | 32.3809300, -106.4794400 |
| Altitude | 1292 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Gallup
City in McKinley County, New Mexico, United States
| Population | 21,253 |
| Coordinates | 35.5280800, -108.7425800 |
| Altitude | 1985 |
| Country | United States |
End: East Historic Highway 66 (-108.742596, 35.528115)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 578 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 11m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 59m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 07m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $48.02 | $96.04 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $54.00 | $108.01 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $58.64 | $117.29 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $68.66 | $137.32 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.