How far is Santa Rosa, NM from Rio Rancho, NM?
The driving distance from Santa Rosa, NM to Rio Rancho, NM is about 129.8 miles (208.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 03m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 113.9 miles (183.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 07m 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 02h 03m.
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.
City in Torrance County, New Mexico, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Santa Rosa and Rio Rancho.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Santa Rosa and Rio Rancho.
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1
Start on La Pradira Avenue
723 ft · 34 sec · La Pradira Avenue
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2
Turn right onto South 3rd Street
1784 ft · 41 sec · South 3rd Street
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3
At the end of the road, turn left onto Historic Route 66
1.2 mi · 2 min · Historic Route 66
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4
Take the ramp straight toward I 40 West: Albuquerque
111.1 mi · 1 hr 55 min
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5
Take the exit slight right toward San Mateo Boulevard
1512 ft · 38 sec
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6
Turn right onto San Mateo Boulevard Northeast
3.3 mi · 7 min · San Mateo Boulevard Northeast
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7
Turn right onto Pan American Freeway Northeast
108 m · 7 sec · Pan American Freeway Northeast
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8
Take the ramp slight left toward I 25 North: Santa Fe
1682 ft · 41 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Pan American Freeway
1 km · 44 sec · Pan American Freeway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward NM 423: Paseo del Norte
1097 ft · 27 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on NM 423 West: Paseo del Norte
3093 ft · 1 min
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12
Merge slight right onto Paseo del Norte Boulevard Northeast
4.3 mi · 5 min · Paseo del Norte Boulevard Northeast
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13
Take the exit slight right toward NM 45: Coors Road
857 ft · 21 sec
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14
Keep slight right to continue on NM 45 North
928 ft · 23 sec
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15
Turn straight onto Coors Boulevard Northwest
2.4 mi · 4 min · Coors Boulevard Northwest
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16
Continue on Pat D'Arco Highway
1.4 mi · 3 min · Pat D'Arco Highway
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17
Turn left onto Sara Road Southeast
2089 ft · 1 min · Sara Road Southeast
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18
Turn left onto 35th Circle Southeast
44 m · 6 sec · 35th Circle Southeast
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 35th Circle Southeast
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Santa Rosa and Rio Rancho.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 40 West
Take the ramp straight toward I 40 West: Albuquerque
111 mi · 01h 55m
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 Rosa 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 Santa Rosa to Rio Rancho?
The road trip is about 129.8 miles (208.9 km) and usually takes 02h 03m 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?
Moriarty is a useful midpoint, sitting about 63.3 miles from Santa Rosa and 66.5 miles from Rio Rancho.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 113.9 miles (183.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.9 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 2:22 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.34 one way or $34.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Santa Rosa and Sunny near Rio Rancho.
Stop Ideas Near Moriarty
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 Moriarty.
Alvarado Transportation Center
Lamy station
Santa Fe (Lamy Shuttle), New Mexico
Las Vegas station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Santa Rosa and Rio Rancho. Straight-line distance: 113.89 mi (183.29 km).
#1 Santa Rosa
City in Guadalupe County, New Mexico, United States
| Population | 2,625 |
| Coordinates | 34.9386700, -104.6824900 |
| Altitude | 1407 |
| 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: 209 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 09m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 51m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 37m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $17.34 | $34.69 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $19.51 | $39.01 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $21.18 | $42.37 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $24.80 | $49.60 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.