How far is Rio Rancho, NM from Lee Acres, NM?

The driving distance from Rio Rancho, NM to Lee Acres, NM is about 9.1 miles (14.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 18m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 6 miles (9.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 36m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
9.09 mi
00h 18m
Flight
5.93 mi
9.55 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Rio Rancho.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
5.93 mi
Kilometers
9.55 km
Flight Time

Driving Distance

Road route
9.09 mi
Kilometers
14.63 km
Drive Time
00h 18m

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 00h 18m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lee Acres
Thu, Oct 15, 11:17 AM MDT
Return by in Rio Rancho
Thu, Oct 15, 11:36 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Rio Rancho
2026-10-15T10:59
Arrive Lee Acres
Thu, Oct 15, 11:17 AM MDT
Route Timing
00h 18m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:18 AM to 7:18 PM MDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:54 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Rio Rancho
10:00 PM MDT
Flexible departure

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
North Valley
NM

City in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, United States of America

From Rio Rancho
4.5 mi
00h 09m
To Lee Acres
4.5 mi
00h 09m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
43°F
Overnight

Mostly Clear

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 3:00 AM MDT
Wind
10 mph N
Destination
71°F
Today

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 10:00 AM MDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph NE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Rio Rancho and Lee Acres.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Rio Rancho and Lee Acres.

  1. 1

    Start on 35th Circle Southeast

    44 m · 8 sec · 35th Circle Southeast

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Sara Road Southeast

    2008 ft · 1 min · Sara Road Southeast

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Pat D'Arco Highway

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Pat D'Arco Highway

  4. 4

    Keep slight right to continue on New Mexico State Road 528

    1.3 mi · 2 min · New Mexico State Road 528

  5. 5

    Continue on Alameda Boulevard Northwest

    2.3 mi · 5 min · Alameda Boulevard Northwest

  6. 6

    Turn right onto 2nd Street Northwest

    3 mi · 5 min · 2nd Street Northwest

  7. 7

    Turn right onto Vineyard Road Northwest

    1978 ft · 1 min · Vineyard Road Northwest

  8. 8

    Turn left onto 4th Street Northwest

    70 m · 10 sec · 4th Street Northwest

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Solar Road Northwest

    1031 ft · 37 sec · Solar Road Northwest

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Fairway Road Northwest

    1378 ft · 1 min · Fairway Road Northwest

  11. 11

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Fairway Road Northwest

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Rio Rancho and Lee Acres.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
11 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
120.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
2nd Street Northwest
3.04 mi · 33%
Alameda Boulevard Northwest
2.25 mi · 25%
New Mexico State Road 528
1.33 mi · 15%
Pat D'Arco Highway
1.18 mi · 13%
Sara Road Southeast
0.38 mi · 4%
Vineyard Road Northwest
0.37 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

2nd Street Northwest

Turn right onto 2nd Street Northwest

3.04 mi · 00h 05m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 18m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
00h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+3.1 mi
6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
North Valley
00h 09m from Rio Rancho
Leave By
7:54 PM MDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Mostly Clear leaving Rio Rancho and Sunny near Lee Acres.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Rio Rancho to Lee Acres?

The road trip is about 9.1 miles (14.6 km) and usually takes 00h 18m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

North Valley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 4.5 miles from Rio Rancho and 4.5 miles from Lee Acres.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 6 miles (9.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.1 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:54 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $1.41 one way or $2.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 2.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Rio Rancho and Sunny near Lee Acres.

Stop Ideas Near North Valley

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 North Valley and the surrounding midpoint area.
Rio Rancho Parks & Recreation
Scenic stop 9 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 9 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 9 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 North Valley.

RAIL

Alvarado Transportation Center

10 mi away
320 First Street SW
RAIL

Lamy station

75 mi away
Santa Fe County Road 33
BUS

Santa Fe (Lamy Shuttle), New Mexico

85 mi away
No specific stop location

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Rio Rancho and Lee Acres. Straight-line distance: 5.93 mi (9.55 km).

Rio Rancho

#1 Rio Rancho

The second most populous city in Sandoval County, New Mexico.

Population99,885
Coordinates35.2333800, -106.6644700
Altitude1610
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Lee Acres

Situated within Bernalillo County at an approximate elevation of 4,980 feet, this census-designated place serves as a residential community in central New Mexico.

Population0
Coordinates35.1486600, -106.6469700
Altitude1518
CountryUnited States
Start: Rio Rancho (-106.66447, 35.23338)
End: Lee Acres (-106.64697, 35.14866)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 15 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 18m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 13m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 10m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 09m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 07m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 06m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.32 gal
1.21 L · about $1.41
Round trip
$2.82
0.64 gal · 2.42 L
Estimated CO2
2.8 kg one way
Round trip: 5.7 kg / 13 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.41 $1.41 $2.82
Mid-grade $4.83 $1.55 $3.09
Premium $5.16 $1.65 $3.30
Diesel $6.05 $1.93 $3.87

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 · Oct 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Rio Rancho and Lee Acres. The current time is 10:59:16.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.