How far is Las Cruces, NM from Albuquerque, NM?
The driving distance from Las Cruces, NM to Albuquerque, NM is about 223 miles (358.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 191.7 miles (308.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 27m 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 13m.
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 New Mexico
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Las Cruces and Albuquerque.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Las Cruces and Albuquerque.
-
1
Start on the route
87 m · 23 sec
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2
At the end of the road, turn right
20 m · 10 sec
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3
Turn left onto North Church Street
641 ft · 18 sec · North Church Street
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4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward North Main Street
15 m · 1 sec · North Main Street
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5
Exit the roundabout onto North Main Street
2.6 mi · 6 min · North Main Street
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 25 North: Albuquerque
1158 ft · 28 sec
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7
Merge slight left
20.1 mi · 21 min
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8
Take the exit slight right
2010 ft · 49 sec
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9
Merge slight left
197.6 mi · 3 hr 18 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Coal Avenue, Lead Avenue, Central Avenue, Martin Luther King Jr Avenue
804 ft · 20 sec
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11
Continue on Oak Street Southeast
159 m · 20 sec · Oak Street Southeast
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12
Turn left onto Lead Avenue Southeast
1.2 km · 2 min · Lead Avenue Southeast
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13
Turn right onto 2nd Street Southwest
1091 ft · 33 sec · 2nd Street Southwest
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14
Turn left onto Central Avenue Northwest
575 ft · 22 sec · Central Avenue Northwest
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue Northwest
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Las Cruces and Albuquerque.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 25 North
Merge slight left
198 mi · 03h 18m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Las Cruces and Mostly Sunny near Albuquerque.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Las Cruces to Albuquerque?
The road trip is about 223 miles (358.9 km) and usually takes 03h 13m 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?
Socorro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 111.4 miles from Las Cruces and 111.7 miles from Albuquerque.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 191.7 miles (308.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.3 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 10:32 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.80 one way or $59.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 69.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Las Cruces and Mostly Sunny near Albuquerque.
Stop Ideas Near Socorro
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 Socorro.
Truth or Consequences, New Mexico
Alvarado Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Las Cruces and Albuquerque. Straight-line distance: 191.68 mi (308.48 km).
#1 Las Cruces
The second most populous city in New Mexico.
| Population | 105,096 |
| Coordinates | 32.3123200, -106.7783400 |
| Altitude | 1191 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Albuquerque
The third most populous city in New Mexico and the center of the Albuquerque metropolitan area.
| Population | 562,540 |
| Coordinates | 35.0844900, -106.6511400 |
| Altitude | 1511 |
| Country | United States |
End: Central Avenue Northwest (-106.651139, 35.084494)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 359 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 43m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 46m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $29.80 | $59.61 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $33.52 | $67.04 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $36.40 | $72.80 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $42.62 | $85.23 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.