How far is Sandia Knolls, NM from Rio Rancho, NM?
The driving distance from Sandia Knolls, NM to Rio Rancho, NM is about 38.6 miles (62.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 20.5 miles (33 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 32m 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 00h 46m.
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.
The third most populous city in New Mexico and the center of the Albuquerque metropolitan area.
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 Sandia Knolls and Rio Rancho.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sandia Knolls and Rio Rancho.
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1
Start on Mikes Place
63 m · 14 sec · Mikes Place
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2
Turn left onto Marks Road
580 ft · 30 sec · Marks Road
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3
Turn left onto Camino Alto Road
1717 ft · 1 min · Camino Alto Road
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4
Turn straight onto Parkview Road
67 m · 12 sec · Parkview Road
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5
Turn right onto Camino Alto
1784 ft · 49 sec · Camino Alto
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6
At the end of the road, turn right onto Frost Road East
2 mi · 3 min · Frost Road East
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7
Turn left
5.8 mi · 9 min
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8
Take the ramp right
1279 ft · 31 sec
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9
Merge slight left
12.5 mi · 14 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward San Mateo Boulevard
1512 ft · 38 sec
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11
Turn right onto San Mateo Boulevard Northeast
3.3 mi · 7 min · San Mateo Boulevard Northeast
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12
Turn right onto Pan American Freeway Northeast
108 m · 7 sec · Pan American Freeway Northeast
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13
Take the ramp slight left toward I 25 North: Santa Fe
1682 ft · 41 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Pan American Freeway
1 km · 44 sec · Pan American Freeway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward NM 423: Paseo del Norte
1097 ft · 27 sec
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16
Keep slight left to continue on NM 423 West: Paseo del Norte
3093 ft · 1 min
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17
Merge slight right onto Paseo del Norte Boulevard Northeast
4.3 mi · 5 min · Paseo del Norte Boulevard Northeast
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18
Take the exit slight right toward NM 45: Coors Road
857 ft · 21 sec
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19
Keep slight right to continue on NM 45 North
928 ft · 23 sec
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20
Turn straight onto Coors Boulevard Northwest
2.4 mi · 4 min · Coors Boulevard Northwest
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21
Continue on Pat D'Arco Highway
1.4 mi · 3 min · Pat D'Arco Highway
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22
Turn left onto Sara Road Southeast
2089 ft · 1 min · Sara Road Southeast
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23
Turn left onto 35th Circle Southeast
44 m · 6 sec · 35th Circle Southeast
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 35th Circle Southeast
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sandia Knolls and Rio Rancho.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Frost Road East
Merge slight left
12.5 mi · 00h 14m
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 Sandia Knolls and Sunny near Rio Rancho.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sandia Knolls to Rio Rancho?
The road trip is about 38.6 miles (62.1 km) and usually takes 00h 46m 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?
Albuquerque is a useful midpoint, sitting about 17.8 miles from Sandia Knolls and 20.8 miles from Rio Rancho.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 20.5 miles (33 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.1 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 4:58 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.99 one way or $11.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Sandia Knolls and Sunny near Rio Rancho.
Stop Ideas Near Albuquerque
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 Albuquerque.
Alvarado Transportation Center
Lamy station
Santa Fe (Lamy Shuttle), New Mexico
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sandia Knolls and Rio Rancho. Straight-line distance: 20.51 mi (33 km).
#1 Sandia Knolls
Located in Bernalillo County at an elevation of 6,726 feet, this unincorporated community is situated on the eastern slopes of the Sandia Mountains.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 35.1639300, -106.3114100 |
| Altitude | 2050 |
| Country | United States |
#2 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 |
End: 35th Circle Southeast (-106.66465, 35.233524)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 62 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.41 | $5.99 | $11.99 |
| Mid-grade | $4.83 | $6.57 | $13.15 |
| Premium | $5.16 | $7.02 | $14.04 |
| Diesel | $6.05 | $8.22 | $16.45 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
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