How far is Albuquerque, NM from Rio Rancho, NM?
The driving distance from Albuquerque, NM to Rio Rancho, NM is about 17.3 miles (27.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 10.3 miles (16.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 48m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 24m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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 Bernalillo 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 Rio Rancho.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Albuquerque and Rio Rancho.
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1
Start on Central Avenue Northwest
66 m · 15 sec · Central Avenue Northwest
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2
Turn left onto 3rd Street Northwest
2418 ft · 1 min · 3rd Street Northwest
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3
Turn right onto Lomas Boulevard Northwest
109 m · 18 sec · Lomas Boulevard Northwest
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4
Turn left onto 2nd Street Northwest
7.1 mi · 14 min · 2nd Street Northwest
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5
Turn left onto Alameda Boulevard Northwest
2.3 mi · 5 min · Alameda Boulevard Northwest
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6
Continue on New Mexico State Road 528 Northwest
2464 ft · 50 sec · New Mexico State Road 528 Northwest
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7
Continue on Alameda Boulevard Northwest
1729 ft · 33 sec · Alameda Boulevard Northwest
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8
Continue on New Mexico State Road 528
1752 ft · 30 sec · New Mexico State Road 528
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9
Continue on Pat D'Arco Highway
1.4 mi · 3 min · Pat D'Arco Highway
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10
Turn left onto Sara Road Southeast
2089 ft · 1 min · Sara Road Southeast
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11
Turn left onto 35th Circle Southeast
44 m · 6 sec · 35th Circle Southeast
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12
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 35th Circle Southeast
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Albuquerque and Rio Rancho.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
2nd Street Northwest
Turn left onto 2nd Street Northwest
7.08 mi · 00h 14m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Sunny leaving Albuquerque and Sunny near Rio Rancho.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Albuquerque to Rio Rancho?
The road trip is about 17.3 miles (27.8 km) and usually takes 00h 24m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
North Valley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 6.4 miles from Albuquerque and 10.9 miles from Rio Rancho.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 10.3 miles (16.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 7 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:42 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.31 one way or $4.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Albuquerque and Sunny near Rio Rancho.
Stop Ideas Near North Valley
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Rio Rancho Parks & Recreation
Rio Rancho Water Utilities
Rio Rancho Finance Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to North Valley.
Alvarado Transportation Center
Lamy station
Santa Fe (Lamy Shuttle), New Mexico
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Albuquerque and Rio Rancho. Straight-line distance: 10.31 mi (16.6 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 Rio Rancho
The second most populous city in Sandoval County, New Mexico.
| Population | 99,885 |
| Coordinates | 35.2333800, -106.6644700 |
| Altitude | 1610 |
| Country | United States |
End: 35th Circle Southeast (-106.66465, 35.233524)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 28 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $2.31 | $4.62 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $2.60 | $5.20 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $2.82 | $5.64 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $3.30 | $6.61 |
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.