How far is Gallup, NM from Ruidoso Downs, NM?
The driving distance from Gallup, NM to Ruidoso Downs, NM is about 302.6 miles (487 km), with a travel time of about 05h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 234.6 miles (377.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 30m 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 05h 45m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Valencia 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 Gallup and Ruidoso Downs.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gallup and Ruidoso Downs.
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1
Start on East Historic Highway 66
1.5 km · 2 min · East Historic Highway 66
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2
Turn left onto Miyamura Overpass
124 m · 7 sec · Miyamura Overpass
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3
Continue on Ford Drive
131 m · 7 sec · Ford Drive
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4
Take the ramp slight right
1585 ft · 39 sec
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5
Merge slight left
103.4 mi · 1 hr 44 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward NM 6: Los Lunas
1562 ft · 40 sec
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7
Turn right onto State Road 6
30.6 mi · 39 min · State Road 6
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8
Continue on Main Street Northwest
1.4 mi · 2 min · Main Street Northwest
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9
Continue on Main Street Southwest
2601 ft · 52 sec · Main Street Southwest
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10
Take the ramp right
1229 ft · 30 sec
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11
Merge slight left
63.1 mi · 1 hr 3 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward San Antonio
3008 ft · 57 sec
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13
Continue straight
1711 ft · 29 sec
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14
Continue on 2nd Street
73.1 mi · 1 hr 28 min · 2nd Street
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15
Turn right
14.2 mi · 21 min
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16
Turn right
8.3 mi · 12 min
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17
Turn left onto Cree Meadows Drive
85 m · 9 sec · Cree Meadows Drive
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18
Turn right onto Country Club Drive
1.1 km · 1 min · Country Club Drive
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19
Turn slight left onto Paradise Canyon Drive
1.9 mi · 3 min · Paradise Canyon Drive
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20
Turn slight left onto Sudderth Drive
1.1 mi · 2 min · Sudderth Drive
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21
Merge slight right
1.4 mi · 2 min
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22
Turn left
23 m · 3 sec
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Gallup and Ruidoso Downs.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Ford Drive
Merge slight left
103 mi · 01h 44m
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 Gallup and Sunny near Ruidoso Downs.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Gallup to Ruidoso Downs?
The road trip is about 302.6 miles (487 km) and usually takes 05h 45m 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?
Jarales is a useful midpoint, sitting about 151.3 miles from Gallup and 151.4 miles from Ruidoso Downs.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 234.6 miles (377.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 68 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 5:30 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.45 one way or $80.89 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 94.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Gallup and Sunny near Ruidoso Downs.
Stop Ideas Near Jarales
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 Jarales.
Alvarado Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Gallup and Ruidoso Downs. Straight-line distance: 234.65 mi (377.63 km).
#1 Gallup
City in McKinley County, New Mexico, United States
| Population | 21,253 |
| Coordinates | 35.5280800, -108.7425800 |
| Altitude | 1985 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Ruidoso Downs
City in Lincoln County, New Mexico, United States of America
| Population | 2,631 |
| Coordinates | 33.3289700, -105.6044300 |
| Altitude | 1956 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ruidoso Downs (-105.60443, 33.32897)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 487 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 33m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 02m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 46m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $40.45 | $80.89 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $45.49 | $90.97 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $49.39 | $98.79 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $57.83 | $115.66 |
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.