El Paso to Albuquerque drive: Best stops, distance & time

The distance from El Paso to Albuquerque by car is 266 miles, with a 3h53m driving time. The best road trip stops on the El Paso to Albuquerque drive are Las Cruces NM, Elephant Butte Lake State Park and Socorro NM.

Planning a El Paso to Albuquerque road trip itinerary

The El Paso to Albuquerque drive connects the biggest city in west Texas to the biggest city in New Mexico.

El Paso has plenty of stories behind it, some of which are covered on the Ghosts, Haunted Cowboys and Outlaws tour. You can also explore the surrounding landscape on a UTV adventure tour, or going biking, hiking and rock-climbing in Franklin Mountains State Park.

As for other El Paso attractions, the National Border Patrol Museum looks at the work of those who monitor the US’ borders, with a little bit too much emphasis on weaponry. The El Paso Museum of Archaeology, meanwhile, looks at the prehistory of the South West.

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Fabulous Albuquerque experiences include a sunrise hot air balloon flight, old town ghost walks, nature tours by bike and guided hops between craft breweries . You can also pay a visit to the castle-like Turquoise Museum and old town food tours focusing on New Mexican flavours.

Great Albuquerque accommodation choices include the historic, adobe-style Casas de Suenos and the old town’s art-filled Hotel Chaco.

El Paso to Albuquerque distance and driving time

By car, the distance from El Paso to Albuquerque is 266 miles. You can expect a driving time of around three hours and 53 minutes. The quickest route is up the I-25.

The best stops to add to a El Paso to Albuquerque road trip itinerary are Las Cruces NM, Elephant Butte Lake State Park and Socorro NM.

El Paso to Albuquerque drive: Las Cruces NM

Las Cruces lies on the Rio Grande and the cusp of the Chihuahuan Desert. The Organ Mountains provide a spectacular backdrop, and the most wholesome thing you can do here is go hiking in the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument.

However, there’s also a lively bar and restaurant scene, thanks in part to the New Mexico State University. Attractions-wise, the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum has art to go with the agricultural history.

El Paso to Albuquerque road trip attractions: Elephant Butte Lake State Park

Elephant Butte Lake State Park is New Mexico’s largest state park. It comes with 15 miles of hiking and biking trails plus a campground and playground. The focus, however, is justifiably on the lake. Boats are available for hire at the marina, but passing visitors are likely to be more interested in going for a swim.

Best stops between El Paso and Albuquerque: Socorro NM

The town of Socorro NM began life as a Spanish mission. The historic plaza is the most attractive part of Socorro, but the parks along the Rio Grande are arguably more alluring for a brief stop.

For outdoors types, the Blue Canyon trailhead is just to the south of town. For cultural attractions, the Hammel Museum covers local history in a former ice plant and the New Mexico Bureau of Geology Mineral Museum hosts lots of rare, colourful mineral specimens.

The Comfort Inn and Suites is arguably the best of Socorro’s motels.