Ruidoso, NM Road Trips
Sitting in the Desert Southwest, Ruidoso, NM is a local road trip base with 7 trip routes mapped and ready to explore. The route mix is balanced, with options ranging from 48-mile quick runs to 366-mile cross-state drives. Most routes from Ruidoso, NM head east, giving the route network a clear directional lean.
Photo: Hector Portillo
Trip Routes
7
Longest Drive
365.6 mi
Farmington, NM
Quickest Drive
1h 4m
Alamogordo, NM
Plan Around Ruidoso, NM
Popular Incoming Routes
Useful if Ruidoso, NM is the arrival point and you want the strongest routes into the city first.
Continue From Ruidoso, NM
Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.
Trips from Ruidoso, NM
Driving from Ruidoso, NM
Expect an average of 168 miles and about 3h 26m behind the wheel when leaving Ruidoso, NM. The majority of routes are short drives — quick enough to finish before lunch and be back for dinner. The longest mapped route runs 366 miles (7h), while the shortest is just 48 miles.
Popular Destinations
Top road trip destinations from Ruidoso, NM are Farmington, NM (365.6 mi, 7h), Hobbs, NM (190.8 mi, 4h 10m), Clovis, NM (182.2 mi, 3h 44m), Carlsbad, NM (149.4 mi, 3h 3m), and Roswell, NM (73.5 mi, 1h 36m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.
Planning & Costs
Regular gas in NM currently averages around $3.79 per gallon. For the typical 168-mile trip from Ruidoso, NM, budget about $25 in fuel one way, assuming 25 MPG. Longer hauls and premium fuel will cost proportionally more.
Most trips take a half-day, so a morning start gets you there in time for lunch or an afternoon of exploring. Routes tend to go east, so afternoon departures put the sun at your back on the return leg.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are 6 mapped routes leaving Ruidoso, NM and 1 routes heading into Ruidoso, NM, covering 7 total connections. Distances range from 48 to 366 miles.
The longest mapped route from Ruidoso, NM covers 366 miles and takes approximately 7h. Shorter options start at just 48 miles.
The average route from Ruidoso, NM runs about 168 miles with a drive time of roughly 3h 26m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.
At current gas prices (about $3.79/gallon for regular), the average 168-mile trip from Ruidoso, NM costs roughly $25 in fuel one way, based on 25 MPG. Your actual cost depends on your vehicle's efficiency.
The most popular road trip destinations from Ruidoso, NM include Farmington, NM, Hobbs, NM, Clovis, NM and Carlsbad, NM. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.
Ruidoso, NM by the Numbers
Recent demographic snapshot from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
Population
7,701
Median Income
$50,259
Median Home Value
$229,100
Median Age
44.4
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year (public domain). See our methodology for details.
Traveler Guide to Ruidoso, NM
Ruidoso is a town in southeastern New Mexico. Its attractions include pleasant mountain recreation and world-caliber horse racing. During the summer population triples as New Mexicans and Texans arrive to enjoy the horse races, gambling, and cool mountain air.
1 Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Billy the Kid Casino, ☏ +1 575 378-4431. In the adjacent village of Ruidoso Downs. Horse racing from Memorial Day to September, culminating in the major All American Futurity, a $2-million event on Labor Day that bills itself as the richest quarter-horse race in the United States. Hubbard Museum of the American West, 841 US 70 West (Ruidoso Downs), ☏ +1 575 378-4142. Open 7 days 9AM - 5PM. Temporarily closed as of 14 May 2022. Includes the Ruidoso Downs Racing Hall of Fame. Spencer Theater, 108 Spencer Dr, Alto, NM, ☏ +1 575 336-4800. Performing arts center featuring traveling musicians, plays, ballets, concerts and musicals. (updated Aug 2015)
Ruidoso Disc Golf (Directions: Off of Sudderth Dr. (the main street in Midtown Ruidoso, go (south) on Center St., then (right) on Wingfield St. then (left) on Grindstone Canyon Rd. then (right) on Resort Dr. Course is on the left Hole 1 is left of parking lot below Grindstone Dam.). 9 hole disc golf, a great and low cost way to enjoy the outdoors with your family. If you don't own any discs, see the above link to pick some up in town. FREE, if you bring your own discs.. Ruidoso Winter Park - Tubing (1/4 mile west of Hwy 48 on Ski Run Rd.), ☏ +1 575-336-7079. 0am to 5PM, sometimes 9PM.. Magic carpet lifts, be whisked to the top of the hill on a moving conveyor! An area for smaller kids available. (updated Apr 2019) Lincoln National Forest. The White Mountain Wilderness is right next to Ruidoso and contains opportunities for all outdoor activities. However, due to severe fire danger there are often restrictions or closures during the summer, the current restrictions should be checked before planning activities in the forest. Zip Line at Two World Class Options (Apache Wind Rider ZipTour and Apache Eagle ZipRider), Inn of the Mountain Gods and Ski Apache, ☏ +1 575-464-3633. In 2015, Ruidoso, NM became a destination for adventure seeking enthusiasts. Two zip lines are operated by the Mescalero Apache tribe. The Apache Wind Rider ZipTour is known as the fourth longest zipline in North America and tallest. The smaller Apache Eagle ZipRider is at the Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort and Casino. (updated Aug 2015) 1 Perk Canyon. Amazing hike in the city limits.
1 Cafe Rio Pizza, 2547 Sudderth Dr, ☏ +1 (575) 257-7746, [email protected]. Thursday – Monday 11:30am – 8:00pm. Spot for East Coast-style pizza, served in a laid-back place decorated with flags & license plates. $5- $20 USD. (updated May 2024)
1 Story Book Cabins, 410 Main Rd, toll-free: +1-888-257-2115. Upscale rustic knotty pine cabins nestled amid the tall trees of Ruidoso's Upper Canyon. Amenities include full kitchen, washer/dryer, fireplace, hot tub, and deck views of Sierra Blanca. $119 - $349. Forest Home Cabins, 436 Main Rd, ☏ +1 575-257-4504. Describes itself as "1-, 2- and 3-bedroom rental cabins offer comfortable lodging with rustic charm". Inn of the Mountain Gods, Carrizo Road, toll-free: +1-800-545-9011. A well-known casino/resort on the adjacent Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation just south of town. Condotel Corporation, 1103 Mechem Dr, toll-free: +1-800-545-9017. Offers vacation rental condos, cabins, and homes of all sizes throughout the region. Best Western Pine Springs Inn, 111 Pine Springs Dr, Ruidoso Downs, ☏ +1 575-378-8100, toll-free: +1-888-353-2793. 2 Ruidoso Lodge Cabins, 300 Main Rd, ☏ +1 575-257-2510. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Rental cabins nestled in the cool pines of Ruidoso's Upper Canyon. $99 - $209. Ruidoso River Resort & Inn, 206 Eagle Dr (Off Sudderth, in Midtown, torn at Eagle Drive, near the river), toll-free: +1-877-624-2254. Beautifully decorated one-, two- and three-bedroom suites with fireplace, flat panel TV, private bath, upscale kitchen, gas BBQ grills, courtyard with waterfall, fire pit and seating area. Starting from $100/day. Canyon Creek Lodge, 900 Carrizo Canyon Rd, toll-free: +1-855-I-LUV-CCL (4-588-225). Rental condos available by the night, one mile from the casino. $79-$169. 3 Canyon Cabins, 416 Main Rd, ☏ +1 575-257-2076.
Ruidoso is on US 70 between Alamogordo and Roswell; the latter has daily air service to Dallas/Fort Worth and four weekly flights to Los Angeles via American Eagle, the regional affiliate of American Airlines. The nearest airports with major commercial air service are in Albuquerque and El Paso, each about 150 miles away.
Travel tips adapted from Ruidoso on Wikivoyage, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Content summarized; visit the source for the full article. See our methodology for how we use it.
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