Carlsbad to Mesilla: A Road Trip Adventure

Are you planning a road trip from Carlsbad to Mesilla? You’re in for a treat! The drive through New Mexico offers some of the most stunning landscapes you’ll ever see. But before you hit the road, you’ll need to know your options and plan accordingly. Here are some routes, distances, driving times, and recommendations to help you get started.

The Direct Route

If you’re in a hurry and want to get to Mesilla as soon as possible, take the direct route. It’s the shortest, but not necessarily the most scenic. You’ll take US-62 E and I-25 S, and cover 241 miles in around 3 hours and 45 minutes, depending on traffic. Along the way, you’ll pass through small towns like Artesia and Roswell, and see fields of cotton, pecan trees, and oil rigs. If you need to stretch your legs, stop at the Bottomless Lakes State Park near Roswell to swim or hike.

The Scenic Route

If you have time to spare and want to enjoy the views, take the scenic route through southeastern New Mexico. You’ll still start on US-62 E, but then turn on NM-137 S toward Queen, NM. From there, take NM-2 S, NM-130 S, and finally US-180 W into Mesilla. All in all, you’ll drive around 277 miles and take around 5 hours. But trust us, it’s worth it. You’ll see the Chihuahuan Desert, the Sacramento Mountains, the Gila National Forest, and the Rio Grande Valley. You can stop at the White Sands National Park and walk on the gypsum dunes, or visit the Valley of Fires Recreation Area and see the black lava flows.

The Historic Route

If you’re a history buff or like old Route 66 memorabilia, take the historic route from Carlsbad to Mesilla. You’ll head east on US-62 E to Artesia, then take NM-2 S to Roswell. In Roswell, turn on NM-285 S and follow it to Vaughn, NM. From Vaughn, take US-54 S and US-70 E to Alamogordo, NM. From Alamogordo, take US-54 S and US-82 E to Mesilla. This route is around 341 miles long and takes around 6 hours and 45 minutes. However, you’ll get to see the Roswell UFO Museum, the Billy the Kid Museum in Lincoln, the White Sands Missile Range Museum, and the historic town of Mesilla.

Recommendations

No matter which route you take, there are some places along the way that you shouldn’t miss. In Carlsbad, visit the Carlsbad Caverns National Park and see the underground chambers and formations. In Roswell, try the green chile cheeseburger at Big D’s Downtown Dive or the authentic Mexican food at Martin’s Capitol Cafe. In Alamogordo, visit the New Mexico Museum of Space History and the Oliver Lee Memorial State Park. In Las Cruces or Mesilla, enjoy the authentic Mexican cuisine at La Posta de Mesilla or the micro-brewed beer at High Desert Brewing Company.

Whether you’re traveling alone or with family and friends, the road trip from Carlsbad to Mesilla is a memorable experience. Take your time, enjoy the scenery, and make some stops along the way. Happy travels!