How far is Rio Rancho, NM from Black Rock, NM?
The driving distance from Rio Rancho, NM to Black Rock, NM is about 154.1 miles (248 km), with a travel time of about 03h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 120.5 miles (194 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 30m 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 03h 15m.
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.
City in New Mexico, United States
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 Rio Rancho and Black Rock.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rio Rancho and Black Rock.
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1
Start on 35th Circle Southeast
44 m · 8 sec · 35th Circle Southeast
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2
Turn right onto Sara Road Southeast
2008 ft · 1 min · Sara Road Southeast
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3
Turn right onto Pat D'Arco Highway
1.2 mi · 2 min · Pat D'Arco Highway
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4
Keep slight left to continue on Coors Boulevard Bypass Northwest
8.2 mi · 14 min · Coors Boulevard Bypass Northwest
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 40: Santa Rosa, Gallup
917 ft · 22 sec
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6
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 West: Gallup
2096 ft · 48 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Coronado Freeway
72.6 mi · 1 hr 13 min · Coronado Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 40, NM 53, NM122: Grants, San Rafael
954 ft · 23 sec
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9
Keep slight left
648 ft · 24 sec
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10
Turn left onto San Rafael Road
8.8 mi · 12 min · San Rafael Road
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11
Continue on Ice Caves Road
17.3 mi · 22 min · Ice Caves Road
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12
Continue on Ice Caves Rd. - NM53
25 mi · 34 min · Ice Caves Rd. - NM53
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13
Continue on Bond Street - NM53
1.3 mi · 2 min · Bond Street - NM53
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14
Continue on Highway 53 - NM53
11.6 mi · 16 min · Highway 53 - NM53
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15
Continue on San Rafael Road
2472 ft · 42 sec · San Rafael Road
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16
Continue on NM 53
5.4 mi · 14 min · NM 53
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17
Turn right onto Route 301 East
1 km · 2 min · Route 301 East
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18
Turn right onto B Avenue
947 ft · 49 sec · B Avenue
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19
Turn left onto 6th Street
127 m · 18 sec · 6th Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 6th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rio Rancho and Black Rock.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Coronado Freeway
Merge slight left onto Coronado Freeway
72.6 mi · 01h 13m
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 leaving Rio Rancho and Sunny near Black Rock.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rio Rancho to Black Rock?
The road trip is about 154.1 miles (248 km) and usually takes 03h 15m 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?
Grants is a useful midpoint, sitting about 77 miles from Rio Rancho and 77.1 miles from Black Rock.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 120.5 miles (194 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.6 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 8:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:30 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.60 one way or $41.20 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Rio Rancho and Sunny near Black Rock.
Stop Ideas Near Grants
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 Grants.
Gallup station
Alvarado Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rio Rancho and Black Rock. Straight-line distance: 120.55 mi (194 km).
#1 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 |
#2 Black Rock
Census-designated place in McKinley County, New Mexico, US
| Population | 1,323 |
| Coordinates | 35.0883700, -108.7911900 |
| Altitude | 1967 |
| Country | United States |
End: Black Rock (-108.79119, 35.08837)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 248 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 08m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 51m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 04m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 55m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $20.60 | $41.20 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $23.17 | $46.34 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $25.16 | $50.32 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $29.46 | $58.92 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.