How far is Las Cruces, NM from Raton, NM?

The driving distance from Las Cruces, NM to Raton, NM is about 450.8 miles (725.5 km), with a travel time of about 07h 41m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 343.9 miles (553.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 15h 22m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM MDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
450.82 mi
07h 41m
Flight
343.94 mi
553.52 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Las Cruces.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
343.94 mi
Kilometers
553.52 km
Flight Time
00h 41m

Driving Distance

Road route
450.82 mi
Kilometers
725.52 km
Drive Time
07h 41m

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 07h 41m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Raton
Tue, May 5, 10:12 AM MDT
Return by in Las Cruces
Tue, May 5, 5:53 PM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Las Cruces
2026-05-05T02:30
Arrive Raton
Tue, May 5, 10:12 AM MDT
Route Timing
07h 41m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 7:30 AM MDT
Treat this as a longer travel day
Arrive between
1:41 PM to 3:11 PM MDT

Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.

Leave by
8:38 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 08h 00m at the destination.
Back in Las Cruces
8:00 PM MDT
Overnight-style route

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
Los Ranchos de Albuquerque
NM

City in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, United States of America

From Las Cruces
225.6 mi
03h 50m
To Raton
225.2 mi
03h 50m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
76°F
Tuesday

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Tue, May 5 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
5 to 16 mph W
Destination
64°F
Tuesday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Tue, May 5 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
5 to 20 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Las Cruces and Raton.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Las Cruces and Raton.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    87 m · 23 sec

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn right

    20 m · 10 sec

  3. 3

    Turn left onto North Church Street

    641 ft · 18 sec · North Church Street

  4. 4

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward North Main Street

    15 m · 1 sec · North Main Street

  5. 5

    Exit the roundabout onto North Main Street

    2.6 mi · 6 min · North Main Street

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 25 North: Albuquerque

    1158 ft · 28 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    20.1 mi · 21 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right

    2010 ft · 49 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    425.9 mi · 7 hr 9 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward SR 72: Raton, Folsom

    896 ft · 29 sec

  11. 11

    Turn left onto East Cook Avenue

    2060 ft · 41 sec · East Cook Avenue

  12. 12

    Continue on Guadalupe Street

    927 ft · 19 sec · Guadalupe Street

  13. 13

    Continue on Sugarite Avenue

    1902 ft · 42 sec · Sugarite Avenue

  14. 14

    Continue on Sugarite Avenue

    574 ft · 12 sec · Sugarite Avenue

  15. 15

    At the end of the road, turn left onto North 2nd Street

    147 m · 19 sec · North 2nd Street

  16. 16

    Turn slight left

    69 m · 12 sec

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Clark Avenue

    12 m · 2 sec · Clark Avenue

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Clark Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Las Cruces and Raton.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
18 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
2 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 25 North
447 mi · 99%
North Main Street
2.63 mi · 1%
Sugarite Avenue
0.47 mi
East Cook Avenue
0.39 mi
Guadalupe Street
0.18 mi
SR 72
0.17 mi
Longest Stretch

I 25 North

Merge slight left

426 mi · 07h 09m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

Better with a longer stop

This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.

Drive Time
07h 41m
Overnight route
Same-Day Return
15h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+106.9 mi
343.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Los Ranchos de Albuquerque
03h 50m from Las Cruces
Leave By
8:38 PM MDT
Overnight-style route
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Las Cruces and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Raton.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Las Cruces to Raton?

The road trip is about 450.8 miles (725.5 km) and usually takes 07h 41m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Los Ranchos de Albuquerque is a useful midpoint, sitting about 225.6 miles from Las Cruces and 225.2 miles from Raton.

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

The direct path is about 343.9 miles (553.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 106.9 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 7:30 AM MDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $60.25 one way or $120.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 141.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Las Cruces and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Raton.

Stop Ideas Near Los Ranchos de Albuquerque

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 Los Ranchos de Albuquerque and the surrounding midpoint area.
Rio Rancho Parks & Recreation
Scenic stop 13.1 mi away

Rio Rancho Parks & Recreation

Rio Rancho , NM
Rio Rancho City Hall, 3200 Civic Center Cir NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87144
Rating 4.1/5 10 reviews Tourist attraction,Park
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 13.1 mi away

Rio Rancho Water Utilities

Rio Rancho , NM
Rio Rancho City Hall, 3200 Civic Center Cir NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87144
Rating 1.4/5 94 reviews City government office
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 13.1 mi away

Rio Rancho Finance Department

Rio Rancho , NM
Rio Rancho City Hall, 3200 Civic Center Cir NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87144
City tax office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Los Ranchos de Albuquerque.

RAIL

Alvarado Transportation Center

9 mi away
320 First Street SW
RAIL

Lamy station

77 mi away
Santa Fe County Road 33
BUS

Santa Fe (Lamy Shuttle), New Mexico

87 mi away
No specific stop location

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Las Cruces and Raton. Straight-line distance: 343.94 mi (553.52 km).

Las Cruces

#1 Las Cruces

The second most populous city in New Mexico.

Population105,096
Coordinates32.3123200, -106.7783400
Altitude1191
CountryUnited States
Raton

#2 Raton

City in New Mexico

Population5,923
Coordinates36.9033600, -104.4391500
Altitude2036
CountryUnited States
Start: Las Cruces (-106.77834, 32.31232)
End: Raton (-104.43915, 36.90336)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 726 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)15h 01m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)11h 16m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)09h 00m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)07h 30m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)06h 26m
80 mph (129 km/h)05h 37m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
15.91 gal
60.22 L · about $60.25
Round trip
$120.50
31.82 gal · 120.44 L
Estimated CO2
141.4 kg one way
Round trip: 282.8 kg / 623 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $60.25 $120.50
Mid-grade $4.26 $67.76 $135.52
Premium $4.63 $73.58 $147.17
Diesel $5.42 $86.15 $172.31

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 05, 2026

There is no time difference between Las Cruces and Raton. The current time is 02:30:41.

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.