How far is Rio Rancho, NM from Santa Rosa, NM?
The driving distance from Rio Rancho, NM to Santa Rosa, NM is about 125.9 miles (202.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 22m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 113.9 miles (183.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 45m 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 02h 22m.
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 Torrance County, 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 Santa Rosa.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rio Rancho and Santa Rosa.
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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
110.7 mi · 1 hr 54 min · Coronado Freeway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 40 East: Santa Rosa
1.5 mi · 3 min
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15
Turn right onto South 3rd Street
1784 ft · 41 sec · South 3rd Street
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16
Turn left onto La Pradira Avenue
723 ft · 32 sec · La Pradira Avenue
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · La Pradira Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rio Rancho and Santa Rosa.
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
111 mi · 01h 54m
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.
Sunny leaving Rio Rancho and Sunny near Santa Rosa.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rio Rancho to Santa Rosa?
The road trip is about 125.9 miles (202.6 km) and usually takes 02h 22m 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?
Moriarty is a useful midpoint, sitting about 62.9 miles from Rio Rancho and 63.1 miles from Santa Rosa.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 113.9 miles (183.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 12 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 1:44 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.81 one way or $33.63 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Rio Rancho and Sunny near Santa Rosa.
Stop Ideas Near Moriarty
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 Moriarty.
Alvarado Transportation Center
Lamy station
Santa Fe (Lamy Shuttle), New Mexico
Las Vegas station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rio Rancho and Santa Rosa. Straight-line distance: 113.89 mi (183.29 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 Rosa
City in Guadalupe County, New Mexico, United States
| Population | 2,625 |
| Coordinates | 34.9386700, -104.6824900 |
| Altitude | 1407 |
| Country | United States |
End: Santa Rosa (-104.68249, 34.93867)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 203 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 11m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 47m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 34m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $16.81 | $33.63 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $18.91 | $37.82 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $20.54 | $41.07 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $24.04 | $48.09 |
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.