Radium Springs to Rio Rancho is 224.2 miles and takes about 3h 59m via I 25, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New Mexico, traversing the Desert Southwest for its entirety. Expect a route that's predominantly highway driving, making it a straightforward option for a single-day excursion. Given the relatively short duration, you'll have plenty of flexibility in your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
112.1 miles from Radium Springs, NM
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 25
211.9 mi
3h 34m
Paseo del Norte Boulevard Northeast
4.3 mi
5m
Coors Boulevard Northwest
2.4 mi
4m
Pat D'Arco Highway
1.4 mi
2m
Frodo Place
0.8 mi
3m
De Beers
0.6 mi
2m
Sara Road Southeast
0.4 mi
1m
Fort Selden Road
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 25
— 211.9 mi, about 3h 34m
Traffic on I-25
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~808 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,003
Quietest
2 AM
~64 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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Averaged across 50 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Radium Springs, NM and Rio Rancho, NM.
1
Start on this road
518 ft·22 sec·this road
2
Continue on County Road D006
0.2 mi·39 sec·County Road D006
3
Turn right onto De Beers
0.6 mi·2 min·De Beers
4
Turn right onto Frodo Place
0.8 mi·3 min·Frodo Place
5
At end of road, turn right onto Desert Edge Road
0.1 mi·34 sec·Desert Edge Road
6
Turn uturn onto NM 157
0.4 mi·45 sec·Fort Selden Road
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
8
Merge onto I 25
7.0 mi·7 min·I 25
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
10
Merge onto I 25
205 mi·3 hr 26 min·I 25
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 232Toward NM 423: Paseo del NorteUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward NM 423 West: Paseo del NorteUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto NM 423
4.3 mi·5 min·Paseo del Norte Boulevard Northeast
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward NM 45: Coors RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward NM 45 NorthUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Turn straight onto NM 45
2.4 mi·4 min·Coors Boulevard Northwest
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on NM 528
1.4 mi·2 min·Pat D'Arco Highway
18
Turn left onto Sara Road Southeast
0.4 mi·1 min·Sara Road Southeast
19
Turn left onto 35th Circle Southeast
143 ft·6 sec·35th Circle Southeast
20
Arrive at destination
35th Circle Southeast
Trip Plan
Aim to depart Radium Springs in the morning to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic as you approach Rio Rancho. With a driving time under 4 hours, this is easily a one-day trip, so you can take your time. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as there's a longest stretch of 211.9 miles primarily on I 25, and plan your refueling accordingly. Consider stopping for a break around the halfway point, though with only 224.2 miles, you might not need a formal stop.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 112.1 miles from Radium Springs, NM, or about 2h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 211.9 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 49 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112.1 miles or 2h in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rio Rancho, NM than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Radium Springs, NM so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Radium Springs, NM
This is one driving day of about 224.2 miles and 3h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Radium Springs, NM.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 25 for about 211.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.8 and 219.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.8 mi into trip|~7m in|NM 157 / Fort Selden Road
Turn uturn onto NM 157 / Fort Selden Road
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
7
214.6 mi into trip|~3h 43m in
Take the exit toward NM 423: Paseo del Norte
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 232
Toward NM 423: Paseo del Norte
7
214.8 mi into trip|~3h 44m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NM 423 West: Paseo del Norte
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward NM 423 West: Paseo del Norte
6
219.7 mi into trip|~3h 50m in
Take the exit toward NM 45: Coors Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward NM 45: Coors Road
8
219.8 mi into trip|~3h 51m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NM 45 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward NM 45 North
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.12 one way
$62.25 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg78 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$34.82
$69.64
premium
$4.29
$37.86
$75.72
diesel
$4.80
$42.33
$84.67
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67.3
0
$23.54
$10.76
Efficient EV
56.1
0
$19.62
$8.97
EV Truck/SUV
89.7
1
$31.39
$14.35
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Radium Springs, NM
Late night
in Radium Springs on Sunday
Local time
4:46 AM
MDT
Current temp
94°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 8 mph33% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 18 at 11:40AM MDT until July 18 at 6:00PM MDT by NWS Albuquerque NM
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 18 at 11:40AM MDT until July 19 at 6:00PM MDT by NWS Albuquerque NM
Destination
Rio Rancho, NM
Late night
in Rio Rancho on Sunday
Local time
4:46 AM
MDT
Current temp
91°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 0 to 5 mph31% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 18 at 11:40AM MDT until July 18 at 6:00PM MDT by NWS Albuquerque NM
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 18 at 11:40AM MDT until July 19 at 6:00PM MDT by NWS Albuquerque NM
101°F
Socorro, NM
112 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
3 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 59m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Petroglyph National Monument
National Monument
Petroglyph National Monument protects one of the largest petroglyph sites in North America, featuring designs and symbols carved onto volcanic rocks by Native Americans and Spanish settlers 400 to 700...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 208.7
Caution: Be City Smart: Take precautions to secure your vehicle and valuables.
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 95% of the 224.2 miles on major roads. You'll spend 211.9 miles on I 25 before transitioning to surface streets like Paseo del Norte Boulevard Northwest and Coors Boulevard Northwest. Be prepared for a significant stretch of consistent cruising before entering more urban environments with frequent intersections.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 211.9 mi on I 25.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 25 and Paseo del Norte Boulevard Northeast. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.8 miles in near NM 157 / Fort Selden Road.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 224.2 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.8 miles (NM 157 / Fort Selden Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 214.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 214.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 59m. Total distance: 224.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 211.9 miles on I 25. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Rio Rancho, NM before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
Mostly yes along the main roads, but rural stretches through NM can have sparse or no coverage. Before you leave, download offline Google Maps or Apple Maps for the route, and consider downloading music or podcasts instead of streaming. If you depend on data for navigation, keep a paper backup of the turn-by-turn directions.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.8 miles (NM 157 / Fort Selden Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 214.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 214.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Petroglyph National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Rio Rancho, NM, but most travelers stay overnight.
