How far is Roswell, NM from Ruidoso Downs, NM?

The driving distance from Roswell, NM to Ruidoso Downs, NM is about 69.3 miles (111.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 28m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 62.4 miles (100.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 57m 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
69.26 mi
01h 28m
Flight
62.46 mi
100.52 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
62.46 mi
Kilometers
100.52 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
69.26 mi
Kilometers
111.46 km
Drive Time
01h 28m

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 28m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ruidoso Downs
Wed, May 13, 2:28 AM MDT
Return by in Roswell
Wed, May 13, 3:57 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Roswell
2026-05-13T00:59
Arrive Ruidoso Downs
Wed, May 13, 2:28 AM MDT
Route Timing
01h 28m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:29 AM to 11:29 AM MDT

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

Leave by
3:32 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
Capitan
NM

Village in New Mexico, USA

From Roswell
34.6 mi
00h 44m
To Ruidoso Downs
34.7 mi
00h 44m

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
Ruidoso Downs Weather
NM
Live fallback forecast
82°F
Wednesday
Using Ruidoso as the closest live forecast in the Lincoln County weather hub.

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 Downs.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on West 2nd Street

    69.2 mi · 1 hr 29 min · West 2nd Street

  2. 2

    Turn right

    23 m · 3 sec

  3. 3

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
4.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
West 2nd Street
69.2 mi · 100%
Longest Stretch

West 2nd Street

Start on West 2nd Street

69.2 mi · 01h 29m

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 28m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+6.9 mi
62.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Capitan
00h 44m from Roswell
Leave By
3:32 PM MDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 69.3 miles (111.5 km) and usually takes 01h 28m 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?

Capitan is a useful midpoint, sitting about 34.6 miles from Roswell and 34.7 miles from Ruidoso Downs.

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

The direct path is about 62.4 miles (100.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.9 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 3:32 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.24 one way or $18.48 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 21.7 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 Downs.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Roswell and Ruidoso Downs. Straight-line distance: 62.46 mi (100.52 km).

Roswell

#1 Roswell

A city in Chaves County, New Mexico.

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

#2 Ruidoso Downs

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

Population2,631
Coordinates33.3289700, -105.6044300
Altitude1956
CountryUnited States
Start: Roswell (-104.52491, 33.39437)
End: Ruidoso Downs (-105.60443, 33.32897)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 111 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 18m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 43m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 23m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 09m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 59m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 51m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.44 gal
9.25 L · about $9.24
Round trip
$18.48
4.88 gal · 18.5 L
Estimated CO2
21.7 kg one way
Round trip: 43.4 kg / 96 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $9.24 $18.48
Mid-grade $4.26 $10.39 $20.78
Premium $4.63 $11.29 $22.57
Diesel $5.42 $13.21 $26.43

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 Downs. The current time is 00:59:15.

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.