How far is Ruidoso Downs, NM from Sunland Park, NM?

The driving distance from Ruidoso Downs, NM to Sunland Park, NM is about 144.3 miles (232.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 28m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 120.2 miles (193.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 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
144.31 mi
02h 28m
Flight
120.16 mi
193.38 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Ruidoso Downs.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
120.16 mi
Kilometers
193.38 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
144.31 mi
Kilometers
232.24 km
Drive Time
02h 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 02h 28m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Sunland Park
Wed, May 13, 3:31 AM MDT
Return by in Ruidoso Downs
Wed, May 13, 5:59 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Ruidoso Downs
2026-05-13T01:02
Arrive Sunland Park
Wed, May 13, 3:31 AM MDT
Route Timing
02h 28m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:29 AM to 12:29 PM MDT

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

Leave by
1:32 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Ruidoso Downs
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
Boles Acres
NM

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

From Ruidoso Downs
71.8 mi
01h 14m
To Sunland Park
72.5 mi
01h 14m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
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
Destination
95°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, May 13 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
3 to 7 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Ruidoso Downs and Sunland Park.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ruidoso Downs and Sunland Park.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    23 m · 5 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right

    33.8 mi · 44 min

  3. 3

    Turn left onto North Bookout Road

    1.5 mi · 3 min · North Bookout Road

  4. 4

    Turn left

    8.7 mi · 11 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right

    4.9 mi · 7 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right

    1673 ft · 1 min

  7. 7

    Turn left onto US Highway 54 South

    34.8 mi · 38 min · US Highway 54 South

  8. 8

    Continue on Main Street

    1.3 km · 2 min · Main Street

  9. 9

    Continue on US Highway 54

    28.9 mi · 30 min · US Highway 54

  10. 10

    Continue on Gateway South Boulevard

    7.6 mi · 9 min · Gateway South Boulevard

  11. 11

    Keep slight left

    11.6 mi · 15 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward US 62: Paisano Drive

    1072 ft · 31 sec

  13. 13

    Turn right onto East Paisano Drive

    6.8 mi · 11 min · East Paisano Drive

  14. 14

    Continue on Camino Real de Tierra Adentro

    2323 ft · 30 sec · Camino Real de Tierra Adentro

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward FM 273: McNutt Road

    1876 ft · 46 sec

  16. 16

    Turn straight onto McNutt Road

    2.5 mi · 5 min · McNutt Road

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Loma Vista Drive

    26 m · 4 sec · Loma Vista Drive

  18. 18

    Keep slight left to continue on Loma Vista Drive

    1262 ft · 58 sec · Loma Vista Drive

  19. 19

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Valle Vista Drive

    113 m · 16 sec · Valle Vista Drive

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Valle Vista Drive

Car Route Details

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

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
20 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
0 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US Highway 54 South
34.8 mi · 24%
US Highway 54
28.9 mi · 20%
Gateway South Boulevard
19.3 mi · 13%
East Paisano Drive
6.79 mi · 5%
North Bookout Road
6.68 mi · 5%
McNutt Road
2.5 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

US Highway 54 South

Turn left onto US Highway 54 South

34.8 mi · 00h 38m

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
02h 28m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+24.1 mi
120.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Boles Acres
01h 14m from Ruidoso Downs
Leave By
1:32 PM MDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Ruidoso Downs to Sunland Park?

The road trip is about 144.3 miles (232.2 km) and usually takes 02h 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?

Boles Acres is a useful midpoint, sitting about 71.8 miles from Ruidoso Downs and 72.5 miles from Sunland Park.

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

The direct path is about 120.2 miles (193.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.1 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 1:32 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.28 one way or $38.55 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Boles Acres

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Boles Acres, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Boles Acres.

BUS

Las Cruces, New Mexico

93 mi away
304 Wyatt Drive

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Ruidoso Downs and Sunland Park. Straight-line distance: 120.16 mi (193.38 km).

Ruidoso Downs

#1 Ruidoso Downs

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

Population2,631
Coordinates33.3289700, -105.6044300
Altitude1956
CountryUnited States
Sunland Park

#2 Sunland Park

City in Doña Ana County, New Mexico, United States

Population18,449
Coordinates31.7965000, -106.5799900
Altitude1160
CountryUnited States
Start: (-105.604615, 33.328866)
End: Valle Vista Drive (-106.57999, 31.796345)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 232 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 48m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 36m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 53m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 24m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 03m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 48m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.09 gal
19.28 L · about $19.28
Round trip
$38.55
10.18 gal · 38.56 L
Estimated CO2
45.2 kg one way
Round trip: 90.5 kg / 200 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $19.28 $38.55
Mid-grade $4.26 $21.68 $43.36
Premium $4.63 $23.54 $47.08
Diesel $5.42 $27.56 $55.12

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 Ruidoso Downs and Sunland Park. The current time is 01:02:33.

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.