How far is Ruidoso Downs, NM from Gallup, NM?
The driving distance from Ruidoso Downs, NM to Gallup, NM is about 302.5 miles (486.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 234.6 miles (377.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 44m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 04h 52m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Valencia County, New Mexico, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ruidoso Downs and Gallup.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ruidoso Downs and Gallup.
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1
Start on the route
23 m · 5 sec
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2
Turn right
1.4 mi · 2 min
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3
Turn straight onto Sudderth Drive
1.1 mi · 2 min · Sudderth Drive
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4
Turn slight right onto Paradise Canyon Drive
1.9 mi · 3 min · Paradise Canyon Drive
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5
Turn straight onto Country Club Drive
1.1 km · 1 min · Country Club Drive
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6
At the end of the road, turn left onto Cree Meadows Drive
85 m · 9 sec · Cree Meadows Drive
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7
Turn right onto Mechem Drive
8.3 mi · 12 min · Mechem Drive
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8
Turn left
14.2 mi · 21 min
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9
At the end of the road, turn left
73.1 mi · 1 hr 28 min
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10
Keep slight right
1780 ft · 30 sec
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11
Merge slight left
63.6 mi · 1 hr 4 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward NM 6: Los Lunas
1279 ft · 33 sec
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13
Turn left onto Main Street Southwest
3209 ft · 1 min · Main Street Southwest
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14
Continue on Main Street Northwest
1.4 mi · 2 min · Main Street Northwest
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15
Continue on State Road 6
30.7 mi · 39 min · State Road 6
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16
Take the ramp left
1539 ft · 38 sec
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17
Merge slight left
103.4 mi · 1 hr 44 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward Miyamura Drive, Montoya Boulevard
1638 ft · 45 sec
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19
Turn left onto Ford Drive
1054 ft · 18 sec · Ford Drive
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20
Continue on Miyamura Overpass
718 ft · 21 sec · Miyamura Overpass
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21
Turn right onto East Aztec Avenue
1.4 km · 2 min · East Aztec Avenue
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22
Turn right onto South 2nd Street
672 ft · 15 sec · South 2nd Street
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23
Turn right onto East Historic Highway 66
21 m · 2 sec · East Historic Highway 66
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Historic Highway 66
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ruidoso Downs and Gallup.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
State Road 6
Merge slight left
103 mi · 01h 44m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Ruidoso Downs and Sunny near Gallup.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ruidoso Downs to Gallup?
The road trip is about 302.5 miles (486.9 km) and usually takes 04h 52m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Jarales is a useful midpoint, sitting about 151.5 miles from Ruidoso Downs and 151.1 miles from Gallup.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 234.6 miles (377.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 67.9 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:16 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.45 one way or $80.89 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 94.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Ruidoso Downs and Sunny near Gallup.
Stop Ideas Near Jarales
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 Jarales.
Alvarado Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ruidoso Downs and Gallup. Straight-line distance: 234.65 mi (377.63 km).
#1 Ruidoso Downs
City in Lincoln County, New Mexico, United States of America
| Population | 2,631 |
| Coordinates | 33.3289700, -105.6044300 |
| Altitude | 1956 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Gallup
City in McKinley County, New Mexico, United States
| Population | 21,253 |
| Coordinates | 35.5280800, -108.7425800 |
| Altitude | 1985 |
| Country | United States |
End: East Historic Highway 66 (-108.742596, 35.528115)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 487 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 04m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 33m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 02m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 46m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $40.45 | $80.89 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $45.49 | $90.97 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $49.39 | $98.79 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $57.83 | $115.66 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.