How far is Rio Rancho, NM from Sandia Knolls, NM?
The driving distance from Rio Rancho, NM to Sandia Knolls, NM is about 34.7 miles (55.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 55m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 20.5 miles (33 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 51m 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 00h 55m.
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.
Human settlement in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, United States of America
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 Sandia Knolls.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rio Rancho and Sandia Knolls.
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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
2 mi · 2 min · Pan American Freeway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward San Mateo Boulevard
1244 ft · 43 sec
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10
Turn straight onto Osuna Road Northeast
140 m · 11 sec · Osuna Road Northeast
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11
Continue on San Mateo Boulevard Northeast
3.4 mi · 7 min · San Mateo Boulevard Northeast
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12
Turn left
1280 ft · 33 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Coronado Freeway
11.7 mi · 13 min · Coronado Freeway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward NM 14, NM 333, NM 337: Cedar Crest, Tijeras
1306 ft · 17 sec
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15
Keep slight left to continue on NM 14 North: Cedar Crest, East Tijeras
2816 ft · 53 sec
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16
Continue on Old US Highway 66
1322 ft · 32 sec · Old US Highway 66
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17
Continue on SH 14
1499 ft · 34 sec · SH 14
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18
Continue on NM 14
5.3 mi · 8 min · NM 14
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19
Continue on SH 14
1325 ft · 24 sec · SH 14
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20
Turn right onto Frost Road East
2 mi · 3 min · Frost Road East
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21
Turn left onto Camino Alto
1784 ft · 55 sec · Camino Alto
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22
Turn left onto Parkview Road
67 m · 10 sec · Parkview Road
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23
Keep slight right to continue on Camino Alto Road
1717 ft · 1 min · Camino Alto Road
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24
Turn right onto Marks Road
580 ft · 28 sec · Marks Road
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25
Turn right onto Mikes Place
63 m · 9 sec · Mikes Place
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Mikes Place
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rio Rancho and Sandia Knolls.
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.
Coronado Freeway
Merge slight left onto Coronado Freeway
11.7 mi · 00h 13m
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.
Mostly Clear leaving Rio Rancho and Sunny near Sandia Knolls.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rio Rancho to Sandia Knolls?
The road trip is about 34.7 miles (55.9 km) and usually takes 00h 55m 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?
Tijeras is a useful midpoint, sitting about 17.3 miles from Rio Rancho and 17.4 miles from Sandia Knolls.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 20.5 miles (33 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.2 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 4:38 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.42 one way or $10.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Rio Rancho and Sunny near Sandia Knolls.
Stop Ideas Near Tijeras
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 Tijeras.
Alvarado Transportation Center
Lamy station
Santa Fe (Lamy Shuttle), New Mexico
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rio Rancho and Sandia Knolls. Straight-line distance: 20.51 mi (33 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 Sandia Knolls
Located in Bernalillo County at an elevation of 6,726 feet, this unincorporated community is situated on the eastern slopes of the Sandia Mountains.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 35.1639300, -106.3114100 |
| Altitude | 2050 |
| Country | United States |
End: Sandia Knolls (-106.31141, 35.16393)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 56 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 09m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.41 | $5.42 | $10.84 |
| Mid-grade | $4.83 | $5.95 | $11.89 |
| Premium | $5.16 | $6.35 | $12.70 |
| Diesel | $6.05 | $7.44 | $14.87 |
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