Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
15m
Distance
7.6 mi
12 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$1
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, NM
Wikimedia Commons
Rio Rancho, NM
Wikimedia Commons
If you are planning a quick excursion from Los Ranchos de Albuquerque to Rio Rancho, you are looking at a brief 7.6-mile trip that typically takes about 15 minutes. This journey stays entirely within the Desert Southwest of New Mexico, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day outing. Because the drive is so short, you will not need to worry about overnight accommodations or extensive planning. With fuel costs estimated at just $1, it is an incredibly budget-friendly commute between these two neighboring communities. You can easily navigate this transition between the two areas without any scheduled stops, giving you plenty of flexibility to adjust your itinerary as needed.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Alameda Boulevard Northwest | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| 4th Street Northwest | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| Pat D'Arco Highway | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| New Mexico State Road 528 Northwest | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Sara Road Southeast | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Bledsoe Road Northwest | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| New Mexico State Road 528 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| 35th Circle Southeast | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, NM and Rio Rancho, NM.
Start on Guadalupe Trail Northwest
Turn right onto Bledsoe Road Northwest
Turn left onto 4th Street Northwest
Turn left onto NM 528
Continue on NM 528
Continue on NM 528
Continue on NM 528
Continue on NM 528
Turn left onto Sara Road Southeast
Turn left onto 35th Circle Southeast
Arrive at destination
4 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 7.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto Bledsoe Road Northwest
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto 4th Street Northwest
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto Sara Road Southeast
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto 35th Circle Southeast
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$1.15 one way
$2.30 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $1.26 | $2.52 |
| premium | $4.56 | $1.36 | $2.73 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $1.68 | $3.36 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$1
Estimated CO2 emission: 2.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 2.3 | 0 | $0.80 | $0.36 |
| Efficient EV | 1.9 | 0 | $0.66 | $0.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 3 | 0 | $1.06 | $0.49 |
Gas CO2
3 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque on Sunday
Local time
4:35 AM
MDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Rio Rancho on Sunday
Local time
4:35 AM
MDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate haul, as this route features zero highway miles. You will navigate via a combination of Alameda Boulevard Northwest, 4th Street Northwest, and the Pat D'Arco Highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 2.4-mile segment along Alameda Boulevard Northwest. Because the entire route consists of local roads, you should prepare for frequent maneuvering rather than long, monotonous stretches of highway driving. It is a practical, utilitarian drive that keeps you close to the local landscape throughout the entire 15-minute duration.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Bledsoe Road Northwest.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 15m drive. You will face about 4 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Bledsoe Road Northwest): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (4th Street Northwest): Navigation decision point; at 7.2 miles (Sara Road Southeast): Navigation decision point.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 15m. Total distance: 7.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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