Portales and Clovis are two of the biggest, bustling towns in Eastern New Mexico. They’re most well known for Eastern New Mexico University and Cannon Air Force Base, respectively, but also share many hidden gems hidden just beneath the surface.
Despite the fact that Clovis and Portales are in different counties, they’re actually quite close together. Here’s how far Portales NM to Clovis NM is — and how you can travel between them.
How far is it to drive from portales nm to clovis nm?
If you want to drive from Portales to Clovis (or vice versa), the fastest route is along US-70 E. The trip is almost exactly 19 miles, and it will take you about 23 minutes to drive between the two towns at the speed limit.
You can also take NM-467N from Portales to Clovis. This route is slightly longer, at 26 minutes average driving time across 22 miles, but it’s a good option if you’re heading to or leaving from Cannon AFB. Both roads meet at the same point in north Portales, so there’s no real difference to consider in that respect.
Can I Take A Bus From Portales to Clovis?
You can take a bus from Portales to Clovis (or from Clovis to Portales). The easiest way to accomplish that is with Greyhound.
The Greyhound bus from Portales to Clovis departs from the Portales McDonalds at 8:10 PM and arrives at Cortex Gas outside of Clovis at 8:30 PM. It costs around $12, but it departs too late for you to accomplish any errands unless you plan to stay overnight.
The Greyhound bus from Clovis to Portales departs from Cortex Gas at 11:45 am and arrives at 12:10 PM, and costs around the same price. It’s usually a bit busier than the Portales to Clovis route because it’s freshly out of Amarillo.
On a personal note: I’ve had negative experiences with Greyhound in the southeast, but I’ve never felt endangered or inconvenienced when riding through Eastern New Mexico. (And it’s how ENMU got its mascot!) If you’re wary about Greyhound, this route might still be worth a shot.
If you’d prefer to avoid riding Greyhound, there are alternatives through the Clovis Airport Shuttle and the ENMU Shuttle. The former is more expensive and travel-specific while the latter is exclusive to students, but both are fantastic options if applicable.
No matter how you decide to travel, you’ll find that there are many wonderful things to be enjoyed in Clovis and Portales that are just one road trip away.