How far is Rio Rancho, NM from La Union, NM?
The driving distance from Rio Rancho, NM to La Union, NM is about 268.1 miles (431.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 226.8 miles (365 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 35m 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 47m.
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 Sierra County, New Mexico, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Clear
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rio Rancho and La Union.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rio Rancho and La Union.
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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 right to continue on New Mexico State Road 528
1.3 mi · 2 min · New Mexico State Road 528
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5
Continue on Alameda Boulevard Northwest
4.1 mi · 8 min · Alameda Boulevard Northwest
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6
Turn right onto Pan American Freeway Northeast
147 m · 9 sec · Pan American Freeway Northeast
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7
Take the ramp straight toward I 25 South: Las Cruces
698 ft · 17 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Pan American Freeway
234 mi · 4 hr · Pan American Freeway
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9
Merge slight left onto Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
18.9 mi · 19 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
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10
Continue on Camino Real de Tierra Adentro
2.7 mi · 3 min · Camino Real de Tierra Adentro
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11
Take the exit slight right toward Spur 37: Vinton Road, Westway Drive
784 ft · 19 sec
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12
Turn straight onto South Desert Boulevard
1083 ft · 34 sec · South Desert Boulevard
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13
Turn right onto East Vinton Road
1.8 mi · 4 min · East Vinton Road
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14
At the end of the road, turn left onto La Union-Vinton Road
1.2 km · 2 min · La Union-Vinton Road
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15
Continue on Vinton Road
1.3 mi · 3 min · Vinton Road
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16
At the end of the road, turn left
121 m · 11 sec
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17
Turn right onto Mercantil Avenue
1 mi · 3 min · Mercantil Avenue
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Mercantil Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rio Rancho and La Union.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Pan American Freeway
Merge slight left onto Pan American Freeway
234 mi · 04h 00m
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.
Mostly Clear leaving Rio Rancho and Sunny near La Union.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rio Rancho to La Union?
The road trip is about 268.1 miles (431.4 km) and usually takes 04h 47m 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?
Elephant Butte is a useful midpoint, sitting about 134.2 miles from Rio Rancho and 133.9 miles from La Union.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 226.8 miles (365 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.3 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 7:24 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $41.70 one way or $83.40 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 84.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Rio Rancho and Sunny near La Union.
Stop Ideas Near Elephant Butte
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 Elephant Butte.
Truth or Consequences, New Mexico
Las Cruces, New Mexico
Deming station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rio Rancho and La Union. Straight-line distance: 226.81 mi (365.02 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 La Union
Situated in Doña Ana County at an elevation of 3,799 feet, this community lies within the fertile Mesilla Valley along the Rio Grande.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 31.9506600, -106.6616600 |
| Altitude | 1158 |
| Country | United States |
End: La Union (-106.66166, 31.95066)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 431 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 42m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 28m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 49m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.41 | $41.70 | $83.40 |
| Mid-grade | $4.83 | $45.73 | $91.46 |
| Premium | $5.16 | $48.82 | $97.65 |
| Diesel | $6.05 | $57.20 | $114.39 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
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