How far is Roswell, NM from Ruidoso, NM?

The driving distance from Roswell, NM to Ruidoso, NM is about 73.5 miles (118.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 35m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 66.4 miles (106.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 11m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
73.5 mi
01h 35m
Flight
66.39 mi
106.85 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Roswell.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
66.39 mi
Kilometers
106.85 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
73.5 mi
Kilometers
118.29 km
Drive Time
01h 35m

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 35m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ruidoso
Wed, May 13, 3:13 AM MDT
Return by in Roswell
Wed, May 13, 4:49 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Roswell
2026-05-13T01:38
Arrive Ruidoso
Wed, May 13, 3:13 AM MDT
Route Timing
01h 35m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:36 AM to 11:36 AM MDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:18 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Roswell
9:30 PM MDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Ruidoso Downs
NM

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

From Roswell
36.7 mi
00h 47m
To Ruidoso
36.8 mi
00h 47m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
97°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, May 13 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph E
Destination
82°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, May 13 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
6 to 18 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Roswell and Ruidoso.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Roswell and Ruidoso.

  1. 1

    Start on West 2nd Street

    70.6 mi · 1 hr 31 min · West 2nd Street

  2. 2

    Turn straight onto Sudderth Drive

    2.9 mi · 4 min · Sudderth Drive

  3. 3

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Sudderth Drive

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Roswell and Ruidoso.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
3 steps
1 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
4.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
West 2nd Street
70.6 mi · 96%
Sudderth Drive
2.86 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

West 2nd Street

Start on West 2nd Street

70.6 mi · 01h 31m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 35m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7.1 mi
66.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Ruidoso Downs
00h 47m from Roswell
Leave By
3:18 PM MDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Roswell and Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers near Ruidoso.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Roswell to Ruidoso?

The road trip is about 73.5 miles (118.3 km) and usually takes 01h 35m 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?

Ruidoso Downs is a useful midpoint, sitting about 36.7 miles from Roswell and 36.8 miles from Ruidoso.

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

The direct path is about 66.4 miles (106.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:18 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.81 one way or $19.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 23 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Roswell and Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers near Ruidoso.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Roswell and Ruidoso. Straight-line distance: 66.39 mi (106.85 km).

Roswell

#1 Roswell

A city in Chaves County, New Mexico.

Population47,596
Coordinates33.3943700, -104.5249100
Altitude1090
CountryUnited States
Ruidoso

#2 Ruidoso

Village in Lincoln County, New Mexico, United States

Population8,061
Coordinates33.3317500, -105.6730400
Altitude2051
CountryUnited States
Start: Roswell (-104.52491, 33.39437)
End: Ruidoso (-105.67304, 33.33175)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 118 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 26m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 50m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 28m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 13m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 03m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 55m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.59 gal
9.82 L · about $9.81
Round trip
$19.62
5.18 gal · 19.64 L
Estimated CO2
23 kg one way
Round trip: 46 kg / 101 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $9.81 $19.62
Mid-grade $4.26 $11.03 $22.06
Premium $4.63 $11.98 $23.96
Diesel $5.42 $14.02 $28.05

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 · May 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Roswell and Ruidoso. The current time is 01:38:10.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

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