How far is Albuquerque, NM from Los Alamos, NM?
The driving distance from Albuquerque, NM to Los Alamos, NM is about 97.4 miles (156.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 58.8 miles (94.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 01m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 02h 00m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Santa Fe County, New Mexico, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Albuquerque and Los Alamos.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Albuquerque and Los Alamos.
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1
Start on Central Avenue Northwest
933 ft · 38 sec · Central Avenue Northwest
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2
Continue on Central Avenue Southwest
1.1 km · 2 min · Central Avenue Southwest
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3
Turn left onto Oak Street Northeast
1181 ft · 28 sec · Oak Street Northeast
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4
Take the ramp straight toward I 25 North: Santa Fe, Oak Street
106 m · 9 sec
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5
Keep slight left to continue on I 25 North: Santa Fe
973 ft · 24 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Pan American Freeway
56.9 mi · 58 min · Pan American Freeway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward US 84, US 285 North
1295 ft · 32 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on US 84, US 285 North: Los Alamos, Espanola, Taos
4.2 mi · 8 min
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9
Continue on North Saint Francis Drive
2.4 mi · 4 min · North Saint Francis Drive
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10
Continue on Taos Highway
12.2 mi · 14 min · Taos Highway
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11
Continue on Santa Fe Highway
1.5 km · 2 min · Santa Fe Highway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward NM 502: Los Alamos Highway
787 ft · 22 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on NM 502: Los Alamos Highway
149 m · 15 sec
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14
Merge slight right onto Los Alamos Highway
16.4 mi · 24 min · Los Alamos Highway
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15
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Central Avenue
29 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
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16
Exit the roundabout onto Central Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · Central Avenue
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17
Continue on Canyon Road
3265 ft · 1 min · Canyon Road
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18
Turn right onto Diamond Drive
1519 ft · 40 sec · Diamond Drive
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19
Turn right onto Orange Street
2188 ft · 1 min · Orange Street
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20
Continue on Orange Street
1339 ft · 46 sec · Orange Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Orange Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Albuquerque and Los Alamos.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Pan American Freeway
Merge slight left onto Pan American Freeway
56.9 mi · 00h 58m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny leaving Albuquerque and Sunny near Los Alamos.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Albuquerque to Los Alamos?
The road trip is about 97.4 miles (156.7 km) and usually takes 02h 00m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
La Cienega is a useful midpoint, sitting about 48.7 miles from Albuquerque and 48.7 miles from Los Alamos.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 58.8 miles (94.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.6 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:28 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.03 one way or $26.05 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Albuquerque and Sunny near Los Alamos.
Stop Ideas Near La Cienega
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Torreon Park
City of Santa Fe
Santa Fe Housing Authority
City Hall Park
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to La Cienega.
Santa Fe (Lamy Shuttle), New Mexico
Lamy station
Alvarado Transportation Center
Las Vegas station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Albuquerque and Los Alamos. Straight-line distance: 58.8 mi (94.63 km).
#1 Albuquerque
The third most populous city in New Mexico and the center of the Albuquerque metropolitan area.
| Population | 562,540 |
| Coordinates | 35.0844900, -106.6511400 |
| Altitude | 1511 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Los Alamos
Townsite in New Mexico
| Population | 12,019 |
| Coordinates | 35.8880800, -106.3069700 |
| Altitude | 2198 |
| Country | United States |
End: Los Alamos (-106.30697, 35.88808)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 157 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $13.03 | $26.05 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $14.65 | $29.30 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $15.91 | $31.82 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $18.63 | $37.26 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in New Mexico · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.