How far is Artesia, NM from Ruidoso, NM?

The driving distance from Artesia, NM to Ruidoso, NM is about 113.9 miles (183.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 21m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 80.9 miles (130.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 42m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
113.92 mi
02h 21m
Flight
80.91 mi
130.21 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Artesia.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
80.91 mi
Kilometers
130.21 km
Flight Time
00h 09m

Driving Distance

Road route
113.92 mi
Kilometers
183.34 km
Drive Time
02h 21m

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 21m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ruidoso
Wed, May 13, 4:48 AM MDT
Return by in Artesia
Wed, May 13, 7:09 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Artesia
2026-05-13T02:26
Arrive Ruidoso
Wed, May 13, 4:48 AM MDT
Route Timing
02h 21m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:21 AM to 12:21 PM MDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:48 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Artesia
9:30 PM MDT
Morning start is best

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
Roswell
NM

A city in Chaves County, New Mexico.

From Artesia
57 mi
01h 10m
To Ruidoso
57 mi
01h 10m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
95°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, May 13 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph E
Destination
82°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, May 13 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
6 to 18 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on West Main Street

    24 m · 7 sec · West Main Street

  2. 2

    Continue on West Main Street

    1848 ft · 44 sec · West Main Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto North 1st Street

    2 mi · 2 min · North 1st Street

  4. 4

    Continue on Roswell Highway

    7.2 mi · 8 min · Roswell Highway

  5. 5

    Continue on Southeast Main Street

    26.4 mi · 30 min · Southeast Main Street

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Relief Route

    7.9 mi · 11 min · Relief Route

  7. 7

    Turn left onto West 2nd Street

    67.2 mi · 1 hr 25 min · West 2nd Street

  8. 8

    Turn straight onto Sudderth Drive

    2.9 mi · 4 min · Sudderth Drive

  9. 9

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Sudderth Drive

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Artesia 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
9 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
West 2nd Street
67.2 mi · 59%
Southeast Main Street
26.4 mi · 23%
Relief Route
7.92 mi · 7%
Roswell Highway
7.15 mi · 6%
Sudderth Drive
2.86 mi · 3%
North 1st Street
2.03 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

West 2nd Street

Turn left onto West 2nd Street

67.2 mi · 01h 25m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 21m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+33 mi
80.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Roswell
01h 10m from Artesia
Leave By
1:48 PM MDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Artesia and Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers near Ruidoso.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 113.9 miles (183.3 km) and usually takes 02h 21m 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?

Roswell is a useful midpoint, sitting about 57 miles from Artesia and 57 miles from Ruidoso.

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

The direct path is about 80.9 miles (130.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 33 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 1:48 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.22 one way or $30.45 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 35.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Artesia and Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers near Ruidoso.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Artesia and Ruidoso. Straight-line distance: 80.91 mi (130.21 km).

Artesia

#1 Artesia

City in New Mexico, USA

Population12,214
Coordinates32.8423300, -104.4033000
Altitude1030
CountryUnited States
Ruidoso

#2 Ruidoso

Village in Lincoln County, New Mexico, United States

Population8,061
Coordinates33.3317500, -105.6730400
Altitude2051
CountryUnited States
Start: Artesia (-104.4033, 32.84233)
End: Ruidoso (-105.67304, 33.33175)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 183 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 47m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 50m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 16m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 53m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 37m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 25m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.02 gal
15.22 L · about $15.22
Round trip
$30.45
8.04 gal · 30.44 L
Estimated CO2
35.7 kg one way
Round trip: 71.5 kg / 158 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $15.22 $30.45
Mid-grade $4.26 $17.12 $34.24
Premium $4.63 $18.59 $37.18
Diesel $5.42 $21.77 $43.54

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 · May 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Artesia and Ruidoso. The current time is 02:26:40.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

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