Driving Cost from Carlsbad, New Mexico to Weatherford, Texas

A picture depicting a gas pump

The Cost of a Trip Between Carlsbad, NM and Weatherford, TX: Best Routes and Prices

If you're planning a trip from Carlsbad, New Mexico to Weatherford, Texas, you're looking at a distance of about 404 miles. However, figuring out the best route to take, the time it'll take, and how much it'll cost can be a bit tricky. Below, we'll break down some of the different routes you can take, as well as their distances and current gas prices, to help you make the most cost-effective choice.

Possible Routes

1. I-27 S and I-20 E

This is one of the most direct routes from Carlsbad to Weatherford. You'll start by taking US-180 E out of Carlsbad and then connect to I-27 S in Amarillo. From there, you'll take I-20 E until you reach Weatherford. This route covers about 386 miles and is estimated to take around 5 hours and 45 minutes in moderate traffic.

2. US-285 S and I-20 E

If you're looking for a scenic route that lets you take in more of the beauty of New Mexico and Texas, you can take US-285 S down to Pecos, TX, and then hop on I-20 E from there. This route covers about 410 miles and should take roughly 6 hours in moderate traffic.

3. US-285 S and US-277 S

Another scenic route is to take US-285 S down to Ft. Stockton, TX, and then connect to US-277 S from there. You'll eventually merge onto I-20 E near Abilene and continue on until you reach Weatherford. This route covers about 433 miles and is estimated to take about 7 hours in moderate traffic.

Gas Prices

To determine the cost of gas for each of these routes, we used GasBuddy to check the current gas prices in the areas along each route. As of the time of writing this article, the average price per gallon for regular gasoline in New Mexico is $2.72, while in Texas, it's $2.80.

1. I-27 S and I-20 E

If you take this route, you'll need to fill up at least once along the way, depending on your car's gas mileage. The average cost of a gallon of regular gas along the route is $2.70. If we assume a 25 mpg car, you'll need about 15.44 gallons to make the trip. That would bring your total cost for gas to approximately $41.71.

2. US-285 S and I-20 E

The average cost of gas along this route is fairly similar to the first route, with an average of $2.73 per gallon. If we assume the same 25 mpg car, you'll need about 16.4 gallons of gas for the trip, which would bring your total cost to approximately $44.77.

3. US-285 S and US-277 S

This route is a bit longer, so you'll need to fill up twice along the way, assuming the same 25 mpg car. The average cost of gas along the route is $2.65 per gallon, which means you'll need a total of 22.58 gallons to make the trip. That would bring your total cost for gas to approximately $59.95.

Best Route

Based purely on gas prices and distance, the I-27 S and I-20 E route is the most cost-effective option, at approximately $41.71. It's also the shortest and fastest route, which makes it a great choice if you're in a hurry. However, if you have a little more time and want to take in the scenery of both New Mexico and Texas, the US-285 S and I-20 E route is only slightly more expensive at around $44.77 and offers some beautiful views.

Conclusion

In summary, if you're planning a trip from Carlsbad, New Mexico to Weatherford, Texas, it's worth taking some time to consider the different routes available to you. While the I-27 S and I-20 E route is the shortest and most cost-effective, the US-285 S and I-20 E route is only slightly more expensive and offers a more scenic journey. Whether you're in a hurry or have some extra time to enjoy the drive, you can now make an informed choice about the best route to take. Safe travels!