How far is Lovington, NM from Rio Rancho, NM?
The driving distance from Lovington, NM to Rio Rancho, NM is about 308.2 miles (496 km), with a travel time of about 04h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 247 miles (397.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 56m 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 04h 58m.
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.
Human settlement in Guadalupe County, New Mexico, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lovington and Rio Rancho.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lovington and Rio Rancho.
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1
Start on East Avenue D
7 m · 4 sec · East Avenue D
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2
Turn right onto South Main Avenue
1509 ft · 22 sec · South Main Avenue
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3
Continue on North Main Street
1 mi · 1 min · North Main Street
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4
Continue on Tatum Highway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Tatum Highway
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5
Continue on Plains Highway
2815 ft · 36 sec · Plains Highway
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6
Take the exit slight right
1 km · 2 min
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7
Continue on Tatum Highway
19 mi · 22 min · Tatum Highway
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8
Turn left onto West Broadway Street
71.3 mi · 1 hr 44 min · West Broadway Street
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9
Turn right onto North Atkinson Avenue
2 mi · 5 min · North Atkinson Avenue
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10
Turn left onto East Country Club Road
1.6 km · 2 min · East Country Club Road
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11
Turn right onto North Main Street
95.8 mi · 1 hr 48 min · North Main Street
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12
Continue straight
42 mi · 49 min
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13
Turn left
1155 ft · 28 sec
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14
Merge slight left
55.8 mi · 59 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward San Mateo Boulevard
1512 ft · 38 sec
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16
Turn right onto San Mateo Boulevard Northeast
3.3 mi · 7 min · San Mateo Boulevard Northeast
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17
Turn right onto Pan American Freeway Northeast
108 m · 7 sec · Pan American Freeway Northeast
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18
Take the ramp slight left toward I 25 North: Santa Fe
1682 ft · 41 sec
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19
Merge slight left onto Pan American Freeway
1 km · 44 sec · Pan American Freeway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward NM 423: Paseo del Norte
1097 ft · 27 sec
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21
Keep slight left to continue on NM 423 West: Paseo del Norte
3093 ft · 1 min
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22
Merge slight right onto Paseo del Norte Boulevard Northeast
4.3 mi · 5 min · Paseo del Norte Boulevard Northeast
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23
Take the exit slight right toward NM 45: Coors Road
857 ft · 21 sec
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24
Keep slight right to continue on NM 45 North
928 ft · 23 sec
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25
Turn straight onto Coors Boulevard Northwest
2.4 mi · 4 min · Coors Boulevard Northwest
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26
Continue on Pat D'Arco Highway
1.4 mi · 3 min · Pat D'Arco Highway
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27
Turn left onto Sara Road Southeast
2089 ft · 1 min · Sara Road Southeast
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28
Turn left onto 35th Circle Southeast
44 m · 6 sec · 35th Circle Southeast
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 35th Circle Southeast
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lovington and Rio Rancho.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
North Main Street
Turn right onto North Main Street
95.8 mi · 01h 48m
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.
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Lovington and Sunny near Rio Rancho.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lovington to Rio Rancho?
The road trip is about 308.2 miles (496 km) and usually takes 04h 58m 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?
Vaughn is a useful midpoint, sitting about 152.4 miles from Lovington and 155.8 miles from Rio Rancho.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 247 miles (397.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 61.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:04 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $41.20 one way or $82.41 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 96.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Lovington and Sunny near Rio Rancho.
Stop Ideas Near Vaughn
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 Vaughn.
Las Vegas station
Lamy station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lovington and Rio Rancho. Straight-line distance: 246.99 mi (397.5 km).
#1 Lovington
City in Lea County, New Mexico, United States
| Population | 11,474 |
| Coordinates | 32.9440100, -103.3485500 |
| Altitude | 1192 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Rio Rancho
The second most populous city in Sandoval County, New Mexico.
| Population | 99,885 |
| Coordinates | 35.2333800, -106.6644700 |
| Altitude | 1610 |
| Country | United States |
End: 35th Circle Southeast (-106.66465, 35.233524)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 496 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 42m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 09m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 08m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 50m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $41.20 | $82.41 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $46.34 | $92.68 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $50.32 | $100.64 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $58.92 | $117.83 |
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 24, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.