How far is La Puebla, NM from Rio Rancho, NM?

The driving distance from La Puebla, NM to Rio Rancho, NM is about 79.9 miles (128.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 26m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 64.3 miles (103.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 52m 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
79.88 mi
01h 26m
Flight
64.31 mi
103.49 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from La Puebla.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
64.31 mi
Kilometers
103.49 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
79.88 mi
Kilometers
128.56 km
Drive Time
01h 26m

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 01h 26m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Rio Rancho
Thu, Oct 15, 12:28 PM MDT
Return by in La Puebla
Thu, Oct 15, 1:55 PM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave La Puebla
2026-10-15T11:02
Arrive Rio Rancho
Thu, Oct 15, 12:28 PM MDT
Route Timing
01h 26m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:26 AM to 11:26 AM MDT

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

Leave by
3:38 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in La Puebla
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
La Cienega
NM

City in Santa Fe County, New Mexico, United States of America

From La Puebla
39.6 mi
00h 43m
To Rio Rancho
40.3 mi
00h 43m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
36°F
Overnight

Mostly Clear

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 3:00 AM MDT
Wind
15 mph NE
Destination
43°F
Overnight

Mostly Clear

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 3:00 AM MDT
Wind
10 mph N

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between La Puebla and Rio Rancho.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between La Puebla and Rio Rancho.

  1. 1

    Start on Placita Road

    1436 ft · 1 min · Placita Road

  2. 2

    Continue on Firehouse Road

    1804 ft · 1 min · Firehouse Road

  3. 3

    Turn left onto La Puebla Road

    2.3 mi · 6 min · La Puebla Road

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Santa Fe Highway

    6.3 mi · 10 min · Santa Fe Highway

  5. 5

    Continue on Taos Highway

    4.7 mi · 6 min · Taos Highway

  6. 6

    Continue on US 84/285

    7.5 mi · 9 min · US 84/285

  7. 7

    Continue on North Saint Francis Drive

    2.4 mi · 4 min · North Saint Francis Drive

  8. 8

    Continue on South Saint Francis Drive

    3.5 mi · 7 min · South Saint Francis Drive

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right

    3084 ft · 1 min

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    39.6 mi · 40 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward NM 165 East, US 550 North: Placitas, Bernalillo

    1379 ft · 34 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight right

    73 m · 6 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    1.7 mi · 3 min

  14. 14

    Continue straight

    2126 ft · 42 sec

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight left

    1281 ft · 35 sec

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Pat D'Arco Highway

    8.7 mi · 14 min · Pat D'Arco Highway

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Sara Road Southeast

    2008 ft · 1 min · Sara Road Southeast

  18. 18

    Turn left onto 35th Circle Southeast

    44 m · 6 sec · 35th Circle Southeast

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 35th Circle Southeast

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between La Puebla and Rio Rancho.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
19 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
23.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
South Saint Francis Drive
43.7 mi · 55%
Pat D'Arco Highway
8.66 mi · 11%
US 84/285
7.52 mi · 9%
Santa Fe Highway
6.27 mi · 8%
Taos Highway
4.67 mi · 6%
NM 165 East
2.61 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

South Saint Francis Drive

Merge slight left

39.6 mi · 00h 40m

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
01h 26m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+15.6 mi
64.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
La Cienega
00h 43m from La Puebla
Leave By
3:38 PM MDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Clear leaving La Puebla and Mostly Clear near Rio Rancho.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from La Puebla to Rio Rancho?

The road trip is about 79.9 miles (128.6 km) and usually takes 01h 26m 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?

La Cienega is a useful midpoint, sitting about 39.6 miles from La Puebla and 40.3 miles from Rio Rancho.

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

The direct path is about 64.3 miles (103.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:38 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.43 one way or $24.86 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around La Puebla and Mostly Clear near Rio Rancho.

Stop Ideas Near La Cienega

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around La Cienega and the surrounding midpoint area.
Torreon Park
Scenic stop 13.7 mi away

Torreon Park

Santa Fe , NM
1515 W Alameda St, Santa Fe, NM 87501
Rating 4.5/5 102 reviews Tourist attraction,Park
Santa Fe City ITT Department
Meeting point 11.7 mi away

Santa Fe City ITT Department

Santa Fe , NM
2651 Siringo Rd F, Santa Fe, NM 87505
City government office
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 13.5 mi away

Santa Fe Housing Authority

Santa Fe , NM
664 Alta Vista St, Santa Fe, NM 87505
Rating 4.0/5 8 reviews Housing authority

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to La Cienega.

BUS

Santa Fe (Lamy Shuttle), New Mexico

23 mi away
No specific stop location
RAIL

Lamy station

24 mi away
Santa Fe County Road 33
RAIL

Alvarado Transportation Center

71 mi away
320 First Street SW
RAIL

Las Vegas station

83 mi away
Railroad & Lincoln Streets

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between La Puebla and Rio Rancho. Straight-line distance: 64.31 mi (103.49 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 La Puebla

Situated in the high-desert region of northern Santa Fe County at an elevation of 5896 feet, this community lies along the Santa Cruz River valley.

Population0
Coordinates35.9891900, -105.9964100
Altitude1797
CountryUnited States
Rio Rancho

#2 Rio Rancho

The second most populous city in Sandoval County, New Mexico.

Population99,885
Coordinates35.2333800, -106.6644700
Altitude1610
CountryUnited States
Start: Placita Road (-105.996381, 35.989191)
End: 35th Circle Southeast (-106.66465, 35.233524)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 129 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 39m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 59m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 35m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 19m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 08m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 59m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.82 gal
10.67 L · about $12.43
Round trip
$24.86
5.64 gal · 21.34 L
Estimated CO2
25.1 kg one way
Round trip: 50.1 kg / 110 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.41 $12.43 $24.86
Mid-grade $4.83 $13.63 $27.26
Premium $5.16 $14.55 $29.11
Diesel $6.05 $17.05 $34.10

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

There is no time difference between La Puebla and Rio Rancho. The current time is 11:02:27.

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.