How far is Los Alamos, NM from Albuquerque, NM?
The driving distance from Los Alamos, NM to Albuquerque, NM is about 99 miles (159.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 58.8 miles (94.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 24m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT.
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 01h 42m.
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 Santa Fe 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 Los Alamos and Albuquerque.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Los Alamos and Albuquerque.
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1
Start on Orange Street
1.1 km · 2 min · Orange Street
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2
Turn left onto Diamond Drive
1524 ft · 45 sec · Diamond Drive
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3
Turn left onto Canyon Road
1 km · 1 min · Canyon Road
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4
Continue on Central Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · Central Avenue
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East Road
47 m · 2 sec · East Road
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6
Exit the roundabout onto East Road
4.8 mi · 8 min · East Road
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7
Continue straight
2.8 mi · 4 min
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8
Continue straight
8.7 mi · 12 min
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9
Take the exit slight right
1668 ft · 41 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Santa Fe Highway
1.4 km · 2 min · Santa Fe Highway
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11
Continue on Taos Highway
4.7 mi · 6 min · Taos Highway
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12
Continue on US 84/285
7.5 mi · 9 min · US 84/285
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13
Continue on North Saint Francis Drive
2.4 mi · 4 min · North Saint Francis Drive
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14
Continue on South Saint Francis Drive
3.5 mi · 7 min · South Saint Francis Drive
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15
Take the exit slight right
3084 ft · 1 min
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16
Merge slight left
57 mi · 58 min
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17
Take the exit slight right toward Martin Luther King Junior Avenue, Central Avenue
1093 ft · 27 sec
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18
Turn straight onto Locust Street Northeast
1788 ft · 51 sec · Locust Street Northeast
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19
Turn right onto Central Avenue Northeast
1.3 km · 2 min · Central Avenue Northeast
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue Northwest
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Los Alamos and Albuquerque.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
South Saint Francis Drive
Merge slight left
57 mi · 00h 59m
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 Los Alamos and Sunny near Albuquerque.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Los Alamos to Albuquerque?
The road trip is about 99 miles (159.4 km) and usually takes 01h 42m 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 48.5 miles from Los Alamos and 50.6 miles from Albuquerque.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 58.8 miles (94.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 40.2 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 3:06 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.22 one way or $26.43 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Los Alamos and Sunny near Albuquerque.
Stop Ideas Near La Cienega
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Torreon Park
City of Santa Fe
Santa Fe Housing Authority
City Hall Park
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to La Cienega.
Santa Fe (Lamy Shuttle), New Mexico
Lamy station
Alvarado Transportation Center
Las Vegas station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Los Alamos and Albuquerque. Straight-line distance: 58.8 mi (94.63 km).
#1 Los Alamos
Townsite in New Mexico
| Population | 12,019 |
| Coordinates | 35.8880800, -106.3069700 |
| Altitude | 2198 |
| 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: 159 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $13.22 | $26.43 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $14.86 | $29.73 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $16.14 | $32.28 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $18.90 | $37.80 |
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.