How far is Rio Rancho, NM from Santa Clara, NM?
The driving distance from Rio Rancho, NM to Santa Clara, NM is about 81.6 miles (131.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 60.3 miles (97.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 31m 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 01h 45m.
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.
City in Santa Fe County, New Mexico, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Clear
Clear
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rio Rancho and Santa Clara.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rio Rancho and Santa Clara.
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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
2089 ft · 1 min · Sara Road Southeast
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3
Turn left onto Pat D'Arco Highway
8.5 mi · 13 min · Pat D'Arco Highway
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4
Continue on Rio Rancho Boulevard Northeast
107 m · 6 sec · Rio Rancho Boulevard Northeast
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5
Take the ramp slight right
1353 ft · 37 sec
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6
Merge slight left
1.1 mi · 2 min
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7
Continue straight
574 ft · 13 sec
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8
Continue straight
1.6 km · 2 min
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9
Take the exit slight left
1938 ft · 48 sec
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10
Merge slight left
39.5 mi · 39 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 84, US 285 North
1295 ft · 32 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on US 84, US 285 North: Los Alamos, Espanola, Taos
4.2 mi · 8 min
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13
Continue on North Saint Francis Drive
2.4 mi · 4 min · North Saint Francis Drive
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14
Continue on Taos Highway
12.2 mi · 14 min · Taos Highway
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15
Continue on Santa Fe Highway
8.7 mi · 14 min · Santa Fe Highway
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16
Continue on Riverside Drive
2495 ft · 1 min · Riverside Drive
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17
Turn left onto Lower San Pedro Drive
963 ft · 26 sec · Lower San Pedro Drive
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18
Merge slight left
1.1 km · 1 min
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19
Turn left onto Los Alamos Highway
1 mi · 2 min · Los Alamos Highway
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20
Turn left onto Kee Street
1834 ft · 1 min · Kee Street
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21
Turn left
76 m · 18 sec
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rio Rancho and Santa Clara.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Rio Rancho Boulevard Northeast
Merge slight left
39.5 mi · 00h 39m
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.
Clear leaving Rio Rancho and Clear near Santa Clara.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rio Rancho to Santa Clara?
The road trip is about 81.6 miles (131.3 km) and usually takes 01h 45m 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?
La Cienega is a useful midpoint, sitting about 40.8 miles from Rio Rancho and 40.8 miles from Santa Clara.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 60.3 miles (97.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:58 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.91 one way or $21.81 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Clear around Rio Rancho and Clear near Santa Clara.
Stop Ideas Near La Cienega
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Torreon Park
City of Santa Fe
Santa Fe Housing Authority
City Hall Park
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to La Cienega.
Santa Fe (Lamy Shuttle), New Mexico
Lamy station
Alvarado Transportation Center
Las Vegas station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rio Rancho and Santa Clara. Straight-line distance: 60.34 mi (97.11 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 Santa Clara
Village in Grant County, New Mexico, United States
| Population | 1,761 |
| Coordinates | 35.9697500, -106.0869700 |
| Altitude | 1712 |
| Country | United States |
End: Santa Clara (-106.08697, 35.96975)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 131 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 09m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $10.91 | $21.81 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $12.27 | $24.53 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $13.32 | $26.64 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $15.60 | $31.19 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.