How far is Las Cruces, NM from Ruidoso, NM?
The driving distance from Las Cruces, NM to Ruidoso, NM is about 115.4 miles (185.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 95.3 miles (153.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 48m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 24m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Otero 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 Las Cruces and Ruidoso.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Las Cruces and Ruidoso.
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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
2.7 mi · 6 min · North Main Street
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6
Continue on Bataan Memorial Highway
20.1 mi · 24 min · Bataan Memorial Highway
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7
Continue on US Highway 70 West
42.3 mi · 46 min · US Highway 70 West
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8
Continue on South White Sands Boulevard
691 ft · 19 sec · South White Sands Boulevard
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 54 North, US 70 East: Relief Route, Tularosa
760 ft · 35 sec
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10
Merge left onto Charlie Lee Memorial Relief Route
5 mi · 8 min · Charlie Lee Memorial Relief Route
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11
Turn left onto US 54,70
8.7 mi · 11 min · US 54,70
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12
Turn right onto South Bookout Road
1325 ft · 27 sec · South Bookout Road
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13
Keep slight left to continue on South Bookout Road
1.3 km · 1 min · South Bookout Road
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14
Turn right onto Old Mescalero Road
1.4 mi · 2 min · Old Mescalero Road
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15
Turn right onto Central Avenue
30.9 mi · 39 min · Central Avenue
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16
Turn left onto Mescalero Trail
2030 ft · 43 sec · Mescalero Trail
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17
Turn left onto Sudderth Drive
2.4 mi · 4 min · Sudderth Drive
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Sudderth Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Las Cruces 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.
US Highway 70 West
Continue on US Highway 70 West
42.3 mi · 00h 46m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Las Cruces and Sunny near Ruidoso.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Las Cruces to Ruidoso?
The road trip is about 115.4 miles (185.7 km) and usually takes 02h 24m 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?
Boles Acres is a useful midpoint, sitting about 57.7 miles from Las Cruces and 57.7 miles from Ruidoso.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 95.3 miles (153.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.1 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 MST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:42 PM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.73 one way or $31.47 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 36.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Las Cruces and Sunny near Ruidoso.
Stop Ideas Near Boles Acres
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 Boles Acres.
Las Cruces, New Mexico
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Las Cruces and Ruidoso. Straight-line distance: 95.29 mi (153.35 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 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: 186 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 18m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 55m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 38m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.87 | $15.73 | $31.47 |
| Mid-grade | $4.29 | $17.48 | $34.95 |
| Premium | $4.62 | $18.79 | $37.57 |
| Diesel | $5.84 | $23.78 | $47.56 |
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 · Nov 10, 2026