How far is Albuquerque, NM from Sandia Heights, NM?
The driving distance from Albuquerque, NM to Sandia Heights, NM is about 13.7 miles (22.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 21m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 11.1 miles (17.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 43m 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 21m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
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
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Albuquerque and Sandia Heights.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Albuquerque and Sandia Heights.
-
1
Start on Central Avenue Northwest
933 ft · 38 sec · Central Avenue Northwest
-
2
Continue on Central Avenue Southwest
1.1 km · 2 min · Central Avenue Southwest
-
3
Turn left onto Oak Street Northeast
1181 ft · 28 sec · Oak Street Northeast
-
4
Take the ramp straight toward I 25 North: Santa Fe, Oak Street
106 m · 9 sec
-
5
Keep slight left to continue on I 25 North: Santa Fe
973 ft · 24 sec
-
6
Merge slight left onto Pan American Freeway
6.4 mi · 7 min · Pan American Freeway
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward NM 423: Paseo del Norte
1097 ft · 27 sec
-
8
Keep slight right to continue on NM 423 East: Paseo del Norte, Jefferson
155 m · 12 sec
-
9
Turn straight onto Pan American Freeway Northeast
1041 ft · 24 sec · Pan American Freeway Northeast
-
10
Turn right onto Paseo del Norte Boulevard Northeast
4.9 mi · 8 min · Paseo del Norte Boulevard Northeast
-
11
Turn left onto Tramway Boulevard Northeast
1044 ft · 22 sec · Tramway Boulevard Northeast
-
12
Turn right onto Live Oak Road Northeast
1778 ft · 1 min · Live Oak Road Northeast
-
13
Turn right onto Live Oak Lane Northeast
158 m · 23 sec · Live Oak Lane Northeast
-
14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Live Oak Lane Northeast
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Albuquerque and Sandia Heights.
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.
Pan American Freeway
Merge slight left onto Pan American Freeway
6.36 mi · 00h 07m
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 Sandia Heights.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Albuquerque to Sandia Heights?
The road trip is about 13.7 miles (22.1 km) and usually takes 00h 21m 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 6.8 miles from Albuquerque and 6.8 miles from Sandia Heights.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 11.1 miles (17.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.6 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:46 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.12 one way or $4.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 4.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Albuquerque and Sunny near Sandia Heights.
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 Sandia Heights. Straight-line distance: 11.06 mi (17.8 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 Sandia Heights
Situated in the high desert foothills of Bernalillo County at an elevation of 6135 feet, this community lies along the western slopes of the Sandia Mountains.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 35.1769900, -106.4914100 |
| Altitude | 1870 |
| Country | United States |
End: Sandia Heights (-106.49141, 35.17699)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 22 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 16m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 13m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.41 | $2.12 | $4.23 |
| Mid-grade | $4.83 | $2.32 | $4.64 |
| Premium | $5.16 | $2.48 | $4.95 |
| Diesel | $6.05 | $2.90 | $5.80 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026