How far is Meadow Lake, NM from Rio Rancho, NM?
The driving distance from Meadow Lake, NM to Rio Rancho, NM is about 46.7 miles (75.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 30.6 miles (49.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 00m 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 00m.
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.
Census designated place
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 Meadow Lake and Rio Rancho.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Meadow Lake and Rio Rancho.
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1
Start on Sportsman Court
153 m · 28 sec · Sportsman Court
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2
Turn left onto Sportsman Drive
1007 ft · 50 sec · Sportsman Drive
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3
Turn left onto Meadow Lake Road
7.9 mi · 15 min · Meadow Lake Road
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4
Continue on North el Cerro Loop
1.5 mi · 3 min · North el Cerro Loop
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5
Continue on Vigil Road
1704 ft · 43 sec · Vigil Road
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6
Continue on El Cerro Road
1998 ft · 51 sec · El Cerro Road
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7
Turn left onto Main Street
3.1 mi · 5 min · Main Street
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8
Take the ramp slight right
1682 ft · 41 sec
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9
Merge slight left
27.8 mi · 30 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward NM 423: Paseo del Norte
1097 ft · 27 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on NM 423 West: Paseo del Norte
3093 ft · 1 min
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12
Merge slight right onto Paseo del Norte Boulevard Northeast
4.3 mi · 5 min · Paseo del Norte Boulevard Northeast
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13
Take the exit slight right toward NM 45: Coors Road
857 ft · 21 sec
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14
Keep slight right to continue on NM 45 North
928 ft · 23 sec
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15
Turn straight onto Coors Boulevard Northwest
2.4 mi · 4 min · Coors Boulevard Northwest
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16
Continue on Pat D'Arco Highway
1.4 mi · 3 min · Pat D'Arco Highway
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17
Turn left onto Sara Road Southeast
2089 ft · 1 min · Sara Road Southeast
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18
Turn left onto 35th Circle Southeast
44 m · 6 sec · 35th Circle Southeast
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 35th Circle Southeast
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Meadow Lake and Rio Rancho.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Main Street
Merge slight left
27.8 mi · 00h 30m
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 Meadow Lake 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 Meadow Lake to Rio Rancho?
The road trip is about 46.7 miles (75.1 km) and usually takes 01h 00m 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?
South Valley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 25.6 miles from Meadow Lake and 21.1 miles from Rio Rancho.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 30.6 miles (49.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.1 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 MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:30 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.25 one way or $12.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Meadow Lake and Sunny near Rio Rancho.
Stop Ideas Near South Valley
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 South Valley.
Alvarado Transportation Center
Lamy station
Santa Fe (Lamy Shuttle), New Mexico
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Meadow Lake and Rio Rancho. Straight-line distance: 30.61 mi (49.27 km).
#1 Meadow Lake
Human settlement in Valencia County, New Mexico, United States of America
| Population | 4,708 |
| Coordinates | 34.8014400, -106.5436300 |
| Altitude | 1661 |
| 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: 75 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 33m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 10m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 34m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $6.25 | $12.50 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $7.03 | $14.05 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $7.63 | $15.26 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $8.93 | $17.87 |
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 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.