How far is Deming, NM from Ruidoso, NM?
The driving distance from Deming, NM to Ruidoso, NM is about 174.2 miles (280.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 141.7 miles (228 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 56m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 28m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Census-designated place in New Mexico, United States
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 Deming and Ruidoso.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Deming and Ruidoso.
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1
Start on East Pine Street
13 m · 3 sec · East Pine Street
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2
Turn right onto North Gold Avenue
134 m · 10 sec · North Gold Avenue
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3
Turn right onto East Cedar Street
1951 ft · 27 sec · East Cedar Street
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4
Take the exit straight
1881 ft · 46 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
51.1 mi · 52 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 70 East: Picacho Avenue
7.2 mi · 11 min
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7
Turn left onto North Main Street
2.5 mi · 6 min · North Main Street
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8
Continue on Bataan Memorial Highway
20.1 mi · 24 min · Bataan Memorial Highway
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9
Continue on US Highway 70 West
42.3 mi · 46 min · US Highway 70 West
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10
Continue on South White Sands Boulevard
691 ft · 19 sec · South White Sands Boulevard
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 54 North, US 70 East: Relief Route, Tularosa
760 ft · 35 sec
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12
Merge left onto Charlie Lee Memorial Relief Route
5 mi · 8 min · Charlie Lee Memorial Relief Route
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13
Turn left onto US 54,70
8.7 mi · 11 min · US 54,70
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14
Turn right onto South Bookout Road
1325 ft · 27 sec · South Bookout Road
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15
Keep slight left to continue on South Bookout Road
1.3 km · 1 min · South Bookout Road
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16
Turn right onto Old Mescalero Road
1.4 mi · 2 min · Old Mescalero Road
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17
Turn right onto Central Avenue
30.9 mi · 39 min · Central Avenue
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18
Turn left onto Mescalero Trail
2030 ft · 43 sec · Mescalero Trail
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19
Turn left onto Sudderth Drive
2.4 mi · 4 min · Sudderth Drive
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Sudderth Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Deming and Ruidoso.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Merge slight left onto Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
51.1 mi · 00h 52m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Deming and Sunny near Ruidoso.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Deming to Ruidoso?
The road trip is about 174.2 miles (280.3 km) and usually takes 03h 28m 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?
White Sands is a useful midpoint, sitting about 87.1 miles from Deming and 87.1 miles from Ruidoso.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 141.7 miles (228 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.5 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 MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:04 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.29 one way or $46.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Deming and Sunny near Ruidoso.
Stop Ideas Near White Sands
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to White Sands.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Deming and Ruidoso. Straight-line distance: 141.65 mi (227.97 km).
#1 Deming
City in Luna County, New Mexico, United States
| Population | 13,983 |
| Coordinates | 32.2687000, -107.7586400 |
| Altitude | 1323 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Ruidoso
Village in Lincoln County, New Mexico, United States
| Population | 8,061 |
| Coordinates | 33.3317500, -105.6730400 |
| Altitude | 2051 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ruidoso (-105.67304, 33.33175)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 280 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $23.29 | $46.58 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $26.19 | $52.39 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $28.44 | $56.89 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $33.30 | $66.60 |
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.