How far is Sunland Park, NM from Ruidoso Downs, NM?
The driving distance from Sunland Park, NM to Ruidoso Downs, NM is about 143.2 miles (230.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 59m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 120.2 miles (193.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 58m 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 59m.
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 Otero County, New Mexico, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sunland Park and Ruidoso Downs.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sunland Park and Ruidoso Downs.
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1
Start on Valle Vista Drive
113 m · 22 sec · Valle Vista Drive
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2
Turn left onto Loma Vista Drive
1347 ft · 1 min · Loma Vista Drive
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3
At the end of the road, turn right onto McNutt Road
2.5 mi · 4 min · McNutt Road
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4
Take the ramp straight
1663 ft · 41 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Camino Real de Tierra Adentro
1801 ft · 22 sec · Camino Real de Tierra Adentro
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6
Turn straight onto West Paisano Drive
3125 ft · 53 sec · West Paisano Drive
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7
Turn slight left
119 m · 18 sec
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8
Turn left onto Executive Center Boulevard
2304 ft · 52 sec · Executive Center Boulevard
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9
Take the ramp slight right
1323 ft · 32 sec
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10
Merge slight left
5.3 mi · 7 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward Loop 478: Copia Street
1044 ft · 25 sec
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12
Turn straight onto Gateway Boulevard East
1601 ft · 40 sec · Gateway Boulevard East
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13
Turn left onto Copia Street
1.1 km · 1 min · Copia Street
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14
Turn right onto Pershing Drive
1.5 km · 2 min · Pershing Drive
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15
Continue on Pershing Drive
1431 ft · 37 sec · Pershing Drive
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16
Take the ramp left toward US 54 East
1682 ft · 41 sec
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17
Merge slight left onto Patriot Freeway
16.8 mi · 21 min · Patriot Freeway
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18
Continue on US Highway 54
28.9 mi · 30 min · US Highway 54
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19
Continue on Main Street
1.3 km · 2 min · Main Street
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20
Continue on US Highway 54 South
34.6 mi · 38 min · US Highway 54 South
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21
Turn right onto Charlie Lee Memorial Relief Route
5.4 mi · 9 min · Charlie Lee Memorial Relief Route
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22
Turn left onto US 54,70
8.7 mi · 11 min · US 54,70
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23
Turn right onto South Bookout Road
1325 ft · 27 sec · South Bookout Road
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24
Keep slight left to continue on South Bookout Road
1.3 km · 1 min · South Bookout Road
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25
Turn right onto Old Mescalero Road
1.4 mi · 2 min · Old Mescalero Road
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26
Turn right onto Central Avenue
32.8 mi · 43 min · Central Avenue
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27
Turn left
23 m · 3 sec
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sunland Park and Ruidoso Downs.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US Highway 54 South
Continue on US Highway 54 South
34.6 mi · 00h 38m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Sunland Park and Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers near Ruidoso Downs.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sunland Park to Ruidoso Downs?
The road trip is about 143.2 miles (230.5 km) and usually takes 02h 59m 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 71.7 miles from Sunland Park and 71.5 miles from Ruidoso Downs.
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 23 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 12:32 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.12 one way or $38.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 44.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Sunland Park and Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers near Ruidoso Downs.
Stop Ideas Near Boles Acres
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 Boles Acres.
Las Cruces, New Mexico
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sunland Park and Ruidoso Downs. Straight-line distance: 120.16 mi (193.38 km).
#1 Sunland Park
City in Doña Ana County, New Mexico, United States
| Population | 18,449 |
| Coordinates | 31.7965000, -106.5799900 |
| Altitude | 1160 |
| Country | United States |
#2 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 |
End: Ruidoso Downs (-105.60443, 33.32897)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 231 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 51m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 23m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 02m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 47m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $19.12 | $38.25 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $21.51 | $43.02 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $23.36 | $46.71 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $27.35 | $54.69 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.