Calculating the Cost of Driving from Albuquerque, NM to Carlsbad, NM

Ah, road trips. The wind in your hair, the endless miles of pavement, the thrill of the open road… And the expense? Oh. Right. That part.

Well, never fear! We’ve done the dirty work for you and calculated the cost of driving from Albuquerque, New Mexico to Carlsbad, New Mexico.

The Route

There are a few different ways to get from Albuquerque to Carlsbad, depending on your priorities and preferred scenery. We’ll break down a few options and help you decide which one will work best for you.

Route 1: I-25 S and US-285 S

This route takes you through some beautiful New Mexican landscapes. You’ll start out on I-25 S and stay on it for about 54 miles before merging onto US-285 S. From there, it’s about 196 miles to Carlsbad.

Distance: 250 miles

Time: 4 hours and 30 minutes

Gas cost (based on current gas prices): $31.75

Toll cost: None

Route 2: US-285 S and US-62 W

This route is a bit quicker than Route 1 but takes you through a more desert-like landscape. You’ll start out on US-285 S in Santa Fe and follow it for about 219 miles before turning onto US-62 W. From there, it’s about 17 miles to Carlsbad.

Distance: 236 miles

Time: 4 hours

Gas cost (based on current gas prices): $30.15

Toll cost: None

Route 3: NM-20 W

This route is the shortest and most direct, but it takes you through less populated areas with fewer amenities. You’ll start out on NM-20 W in Albuquerque and follow it for about 224 miles all the way to Carlsbad.

Distance: 224 miles

Time: 4 hours and 15 minutes

Gas cost (based on current gas prices): $28.48

Toll cost: None

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are a few options for getting from Albuquerque to Carlsbad. It’s up to you to decide which one works best for you based on time, scenery, and costs.

Don’t forget to factor in any stops you might want to make along the way. New Mexico offers a wealth of beautiful natural and cultural attractions, from the White Sands National Monument to the Carlsbad Caverns. A detour might add to your travel time, but it could also make your trip even more memorable.

Safe travels!