Origin
Shiprock, NM
Late night in Shiprock on Friday
Local time
4:11 AM
MDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Shiprock, NM to Rio Rancho, NM
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 59m
Distance
199.7 mi
321 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 46m
★
6 AM
3h 59m
8 AM
4h 25m
10 AM
4h 8m
12 PM
4h 5m
3 PM
4h 9m
5 PM
4h 24m
8 PM
3h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Shiprock, NM
Airam Dato-on
Rio Rancho, NM
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embark on a 199.7-mile journey from Shiprock, NM to Rio Rancho, NM, a drive that will take approximately 3 hours and 59 minutes. This route is well-suited for a single day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. With an estimated fuel cost of $31, it's an economical option for exploring the Desert Southwest. The drive primarily utilizes local roads and US highways, offering a more intimate feel than a pure interstate experience. You'll find yourself navigating a turn-heavy local drive for much of the way, so be prepared for frequent adjustments.
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
99.9 miles from Shiprock, NM
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 2m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 59m. Total distance: 199.7 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 (15%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
This is a turn-heavy local drive, with only 15% of the journey on highways. You'll spend most of your time on South Bloomfield Boulevard, Bloomfield Highway, and US 64. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 149.1 miles on South Bloomfield Boulevard, offering a significant period of consistent travel. Expect a dynamic driving experience with frequent changes in direction and road type as you transition between local roads and the highway. This route feels more like navigating through communities than a high-speed transit.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South Bloomfield Boulevard is the longest continuous segment at about 149.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 59m drive. You will face about 9 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: Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (US 491): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
4
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 491
Turn right onto US 491
Navigation decision point
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
199.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 57m in
|
Sara Road Southeast
Turn right onto Sara Road Southeast
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Bloomfield Boulevard | 149.1 mi | 2h 46m |
| US 64 | 29.7 mi | 40m |
| Bloomfield Highway | 11.3 mi | 15m |
| Pat D'Arco Highway | 8.6 mi | 13m |
| Sara Road Southeast | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| US 491 | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| 35th Circle Southeast | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
South Bloomfield Boulevard
— 149.1 mi, about 2h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Shiprock, NM and Rio Rancho, NM.
1
Start on this road
126 ft
·
6 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right
485 ft
·
22 sec
3
Turn right
459 ft
·
23 sec
4
Turn right onto US 491
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
US 491
5
Keep slight left at fork
132 ft
·
3 sec
6
Turn left onto US 64
30 mi
·
40 min
·
US 64
7
Turn left onto US 64
11 mi
·
15 min
·
Bloomfield Highway
8
Take the exit
484 ft
·
13 sec
9
Merge onto US 550
149 mi
·
2 hr 46 min
·
South Bloomfield Boulevard
10
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
11
Turn straight onto NM 528
8.6 mi
·
13 min
·
Pat D'Arco Highway
12
Turn right onto Sara Road Southeast
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Sara Road Southeast
Use the right lane.
13
Turn left onto 35th Circle Southeast
143 ft
·
6 sec
·
35th Circle Southeast
14
Arrive at destination
35th Circle Southeast
Trip Plan
Consider an early morning departure from Shiprock to make the most of your day and arrive in Rio Rancho with ample time. With a duration under four hours, this drive is easily manageable in one go, and the single stop suggested should be sufficient for a break. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 149.1-mile stretch on South Bloomfield Boulevard, as services might be less frequent. The $31 fuel cost is a good budget estimate, but always factor in a little extra. Be mindful of the 'turn-heavy' nature of the route and stay alert to road changes.
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 99.9 miles from Shiprock, NM, or about 2h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 149.1 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 44 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 99.9 miles or 2h 2m 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 14m
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 Shiprock, 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 Shiprock, NM
This is one driving day of about 199.7 miles and 3h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Shiprock, 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 South Bloomfield Boulevard for about 149.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 99.9 mi from Shiprock, NM · 2h 2m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
100 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 99.9 miles from Shiprock, NM, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before South Bloomfield Boulevard if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 149.1 miles.
Arriving in Rio Rancho, NM
The final approach into Rio Rancho, NM usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Rio Rancho, NM.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.16 one way
$60.32 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
70 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $33.11 | $66.22 |
| premium | $4.56 | $35.84 | $71.69 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $44.09 | $88.18 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 69.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 59.9 | 0 | $20.97 | $9.59 |
| Efficient EV | 49.9 | 0 | $17.47 | $7.99 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 79.9 | 0 | $27.96 | $12.78 |
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Rio Rancho, NM
Late night in Rio Rancho on Friday
Local time
4:11 AM
MDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Bloomfield, NM
100 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
10 degrees warmer 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
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Shiprock, NM to Rio Rancho, NM covers 199.7 miles and takes about 3h 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South Bloomfield Boulevard, US 64, Bloomfield Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 99.9 miles from Shiprock, NM. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $30.16 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 3h 59m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (US 491): Navigation decision point.
The route from Shiprock, NM to Rio Rancho, NM does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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