How far is Santa Fe, NM from Los Alamos, NM?
The driving distance from Santa Fe, NM to Los Alamos, NM is about 35.5 miles (57.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 24.9 miles (40.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 44m 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 52m.
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.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Santa Fe and Los Alamos.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Santa Fe and Los Alamos.
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1
Start on East San Francisco Street
90 m · 16 sec · East San Francisco Street
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2
Turn left onto Cathedral Place
72 m · 14 sec · Cathedral Place
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3
Turn left onto East Palace Avenue
100 m · 14 sec · East Palace Avenue
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4
Turn right onto Washington Avenue
1337 ft · 42 sec · Washington Avenue
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5
Turn left onto Paseo de Peralta
1 km · 1 min · Paseo de Peralta
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6
Turn right onto North Guadalupe Street
2208 ft · 50 sec · North Guadalupe Street
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7
Take the ramp straight
1392 ft · 34 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto North Saint Francis Drive
1.5 mi · 2 min · North Saint Francis Drive
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9
Continue on Taos Highway
12.2 mi · 14 min · Taos Highway
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10
Continue on Santa Fe Highway
1.5 km · 2 min · Santa Fe Highway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward NM 502: Los Alamos Highway
787 ft · 22 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on NM 502: Los Alamos Highway
149 m · 15 sec
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13
Merge slight right onto Los Alamos Highway
16.4 mi · 24 min · Los Alamos Highway
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Central Avenue
29 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
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15
Exit the roundabout onto Central Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · Central Avenue
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16
Continue on Canyon Road
3265 ft · 1 min · Canyon Road
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17
Turn right onto Diamond Drive
1519 ft · 40 sec · Diamond Drive
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18
Turn right onto Orange Street
2188 ft · 1 min · Orange Street
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19
Continue on Orange Street
1339 ft · 46 sec · Orange Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Orange Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Santa Fe and Los Alamos.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Los Alamos Highway
Merge slight right onto Los Alamos Highway
16.4 mi · 00h 24m
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 Santa Fe and Sunny near Los Alamos.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Santa Fe to Los Alamos?
The road trip is about 35.5 miles (57.2 km) and usually takes 00h 52m 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?
Pojoaque is a useful midpoint, sitting about 17.8 miles from Santa Fe and 17.8 miles from Los Alamos.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 24.9 miles (40.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.6 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 4:46 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.73 one way or $9.47 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Santa Fe and Sunny near Los Alamos.
Stop Ideas Near Pojoaque
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Torreon Park
Espanola Animal Control
City of Santa Fe
City Hall Park
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Pojoaque.
Santa Fe (Lamy Shuttle), New Mexico
Lamy station
Las Vegas station
Alvarado Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Santa Fe and Los Alamos. Straight-line distance: 24.92 mi (40.11 km).
#1 Santa Fe
The capital of New Mexico.
| Population | 84,996 |
| Coordinates | 35.6869800, -105.9378000 |
| Altitude | 2132 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Los Alamos
Townsite in New Mexico
| Population | 12,019 |
| Coordinates | 35.8880800, -106.3069700 |
| Altitude | 2198 |
| Country | United States |
End: Los Alamos (-106.30697, 35.88808)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 57 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 11m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $4.73 | $9.47 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $5.32 | $10.65 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $5.78 | $11.56 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $6.77 | $13.54 |
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 · Jun 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.