How far is Amarillo, TX from Ruidoso, NM?

The driving distance from Amarillo, TX to Ruidoso, NM is about 286.1 miles (460.5 km), with a travel time of about 05h 39m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 255.3 miles (410.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 18m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
286.15 mi
05h 39m
Flight
255.25 mi
410.78 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Amarillo.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
255.25 mi
Kilometers
410.78 km
Flight Time
00h 30m

Driving Distance

Road route
286.15 mi
Kilometers
460.52 km
Drive Time
05h 39m

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 05h 39m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ruidoso
Thu, Oct 15, 5:28 PM MDT
Return by in Amarillo
Fri, Oct 16, 12:07 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Amarillo
2026-10-15T12:48
Arrive Ruidoso
Thu, Oct 15, 6:28 PM CDT
Route Timing
05h 39m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:39 AM to 12:39 PM MDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
5:42 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Amarillo
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Elida
NM

Town in New Mexico, United States

From Amarillo
143 mi
02h 49m
To Ruidoso
143.2 mi
02h 49m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
58°F
Overnight

Areas Of Fog

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 2:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph WSW
Destination
63°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
3 to 17 mph N

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Amarillo and Ruidoso.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Amarillo and Ruidoso.

  1. 1

    Start on East Amarillo Boulevard

    87 m · 9 sec · East Amarillo Boulevard

  2. 2

    Turn right onto North Pierce Street

    2278 ft · 58 sec · North Pierce Street

  3. 3

    Continue on North Pierce Street

    1.5 km · 3 min · North Pierce Street

  4. 4

    Continue on Canyon Expressway

    14 mi · 16 min · Canyon Expressway

  5. 5

    Keep slight right to continue on Canyon Expressway

    2.4 mi · 3 min · Canyon Expressway

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on US 60 West: Hereford

    51.7 mi · 55 min

  7. 7

    Continue straight

    26.7 mi · 30 min

  8. 8

    Continue on Wheeler Avenue

    4.8 mi · 6 min · Wheeler Avenue

  9. 9

    Continue on Mabry Drive

    3.7 mi · 4 min · Mabry Drive

  10. 10

    Continue on East 1st Street

    1196 ft · 18 sec · East 1st Street

  11. 11

    Turn left onto South Prince Street

    17.4 mi · 22 min · South Prince Street

  12. 12

    Continue on North Chicago Avenue

    1782 ft · 51 sec · North Chicago Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn right onto East 1st Street

    1.1 mi · 3 min · East 1st Street

  14. 14

    Continue on West 2nd Street

    1.6 km · 1 min · West 2nd Street

  15. 15

    Continue straight

    91.4 mi · 1 hr 46 min

  16. 16

    Turn right onto West 2nd Street

    67.2 mi · 1 hr 24 min · West 2nd Street

  17. 17

    Turn straight onto Sudderth Drive

    2.9 mi · 4 min · Sudderth Drive

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Sudderth Drive

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Amarillo and Ruidoso.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
18 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
6.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
West 2nd Street
160 mi · 56%
US 60 West
78.4 mi · 27%
South Prince Street
17.4 mi · 6%
Canyon Expressway
16.4 mi · 6%
Wheeler Avenue
4.83 mi · 2%
Mabry Drive
3.69 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

West 2nd Street

Continue straight

91.4 mi · 01h 46m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
05h 39m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
11h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+30.8 mi
255.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Elida
02h 49m from Amarillo
Leave By
5:42 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Areas Of Fog leaving Amarillo and Sunny near Ruidoso.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Amarillo to Ruidoso?

The road trip is about 286.1 miles (460.5 km) and usually takes 05h 39m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Elida is a useful midpoint, sitting about 143 miles from Amarillo and 143.2 miles from Ruidoso.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 255.3 miles (410.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.8 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:42 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.77 one way or $77.55 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 89.8 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Amarillo and Ruidoso, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Areas Of Fog around Amarillo and Sunny near Ruidoso.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Amarillo and Ruidoso. Straight-line distance: 255.25 mi (410.78 km).

Amarillo

#1 Amarillo

The second most populous city in Texas Panhandle.

Population199,654
Coordinates35.2220000, -101.8313000
Altitude1118
CountryUnited States
Ruidoso

#2 Ruidoso

Village in Lincoln County, New Mexico, United States

Population8,061
Coordinates33.3317500, -105.6730400
Altitude2051
CountryUnited States
Start: Amarillo (-101.8313, 35.222)
End: Ruidoso (-105.67304, 33.33175)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 461 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 32m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 09m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 43m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 46m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 05m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 34m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
10.1 gal
38.22 L · about $38.77
Round trip
$77.55
20.2 gal · 76.44 L
Estimated CO2
89.8 kg one way
Round trip: 179.5 kg / 396 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.84 $38.77 $77.55
Mid-grade $4.35 $43.90 $87.81
Premium $4.72 $47.70 $95.40
Diesel $5.78 $58.34 $116.68

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 Texas · Oct 15, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Amarillo, TX and Ruidoso, NM. The current time in Amarillo is 12:48:54, although it is 11:48:54 in Ruidoso.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.