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

The driving distance from Raton, NM to Las Cruces, NM is about 397.5 miles (639.7 km), with a travel time of about 06h 19m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 343.9 miles (553.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 38m 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
397.49 mi
06h 19m
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 Raton.

Flight Distance

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

Driving Distance

Road route
397.49 mi
Kilometers
639.7 km
Drive Time
06h 19m

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 06h 19m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Las Cruces
Tue, May 5, 7:33 AM MDT
Return by in Raton
Tue, May 5, 1:52 PM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Raton
2026-05-05T01:14
Arrive Las Cruces
Tue, May 5, 7:33 AM MDT
Route Timing
06h 19m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 7:30 AM MDT
Treat this as a longer travel day
Arrive between
12:19 PM to 1:49 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
11:22 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 08h 00m at the destination.
Back in Raton
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 Raton
225.4 mi
03h 09m
To Las Cruces
172.1 mi
03h 09m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
64°F
Tuesday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Tue, May 5 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
5 to 20 mph SW
Destination
76°F
Tuesday

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Tue, May 5 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
5 to 16 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Clark Avenue

    12 m · 6 sec · Clark Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto North 2nd Street

    118 m · 11 sec · North 2nd Street

  3. 3

    Turn slight right onto Sugarite Avenue

    642 ft · 18 sec · Sugarite Avenue

  4. 4

    Continue on Sugarite Avenue

    1987 ft · 47 sec · Sugarite Avenue

  5. 5

    Continue on Guadalupe Street

    923 ft · 19 sec · Guadalupe Street

  6. 6

    Continue on East Cook Avenue

    1679 ft · 35 sec · East Cook Avenue

  7. 7

    Take the ramp right

    1064 ft · 26 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    446 mi · 7 hr 30 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right

    1786 ft · 47 sec

  10. 10

    Turn right onto North Main Street

    2.5 mi · 6 min · North Main Street

  11. 11

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward North Church Street

    57 m · 5 sec · North Church Street

  12. 12

    Exit the roundabout onto North Church Street

    615 ft · 19 sec · North Church Street

  13. 13

    Turn right

    20 m · 10 sec

  14. 14

    Turn left

    87 m · 21 sec

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
15 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
3.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
East Cook Avenue
447 mi · 112%
North Main Street
2.49 mi · 1%
Sugarite Avenue
0.5 mi
Guadalupe Street
0.17 mi
North Church Street
0.15 mi
North 2nd Street
0.07 mi
Longest Stretch

East Cook Avenue

Merge slight left

446 mi · 07h 30m

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
06h 19m
Overnight route
Same-Day Return
12h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+53.6 mi
343.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Los Ranchos de Albuquerque
03h 09m from Raton
Leave By
11:22 PM MDT
Overnight-style route
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 397.5 miles (639.7 km) and usually takes 06h 19m 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 225.4 miles from Raton and 172.1 miles from Las Cruces.

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 53.6 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 $53.13 one way or $106.26 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 124.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

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 Raton and Las Cruces. Straight-line distance: 343.94 mi (553.52 km).

Raton

#1 Raton

City in New Mexico

Population5,923
Coordinates36.9033600, -104.4391500
Altitude2036
CountryUnited States
Las Cruces

#2 Las Cruces

The second most populous city in New Mexico.

Population105,096
Coordinates32.3123200, -106.7783400
Altitude1191
CountryUnited States
Start: Clark Avenue (-104.439157, 36.903323)
End: (-106.778417, 32.312306)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 640 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)13h 14m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)09h 56m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)07h 56m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)06h 37m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)05h 40m
80 mph (129 km/h)04h 57m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
14.03 gal
53.1 L · about $53.13
Round trip
$106.26
28.06 gal · 106.2 L
Estimated CO2
124.7 kg one way
Round trip: 249.4 kg / 550 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $53.13 $106.26
Mid-grade $4.26 $59.75 $119.51
Premium $4.63 $64.89 $129.78
Diesel $5.42 $75.97 $151.94

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 Raton and Las Cruces. The current time is 01:14:25.

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.