Las Cruces to Albuquerque drive: Best stops, distance & time

The distance from Las Cruces to Albuquerque by car is 223 miles, with a 3h13m driving time. The best road trip stops on the Las Cruces to Albuquerque drive are Elephant Butte Lake State Park, the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge and Socorro NM.

Planning a Las Cruces to Albuquerque road trip itinerary

The Las Cruces to Albuquerque drive connects the two largest cities in New Mexico.

Las Cruces lies on the Rio Grande and the cusp of the Chihuahuan Desert. The Organ Mountains provide a spectacular backdrop, and the most wholesome thing you can do here is go hiking in the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument.

However, there’s also a lively bar and restaurant scene, thanks in part to the New Mexico State University. Attractions-wise, the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum has art to go with the agricultural history.

Fabulous Albuquerque experiences include a sunrise hot air balloon flight, old town ghost walks, nature tours by bike and guided hops between craft breweries . You can also pay a visit to the castle-like Turquoise Museum and old town food tours focusing on New Mexican flavours.

Great Albuquerque accommodation choices include the historic, adobe-style Casas de Suenos and the old town’s art-filled Hotel Chaco.

Las Cruces to Albuquerque distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Las Cruces to Albuquerque is 223 miles. You can expect a driving time of around three hours and 13 minutes. The quickest route is up the I-25.

The best stops to add to a Las Cruces to Albuquerque road trip itinerary are Elephant Butte Lake State Park, the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge and Socorro NM.

Las Cruces to Albuquerque road trip attractions: Elephant Butte Lake State Park

Elephant Butte Lake State Park is New Mexico’s largest state park. It comes with 15 miles of hiking and biking trails plus a campground and playground. The focus, however, is justifiably on the lake. Boats are available for hire at the marina, but passing visitors are likely to be more interested in going for a swim.

Las Cruces to Albuquerque drive: Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge

Sandwiched between the Chupadera Mountains and San Pascual Mountains, the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge is a key stopover for migrating wildfowl. For humans, this means excellent birdwatching, a naturalist-led wildlife tours are available in the winter.

Opt for the DIY approach, and there’s a 12 mile auto loop through evocative landscapes. Alternatively, plump for hiking along one of the 12 nature trails.

Best stops between Las Cruces and Albuquerque: Socorro NM

The town of Socorro NM began life as a Spanish mission. The historic plaza is the most attractive part of Socorro, but the parks along the Rio Grande are arguably more alluring for a brief stop.

For outdoors types, the Blue Canyon trailhead is just to the south of town. For cultural attractions, the Hammel Museum covers local history in a former ice plant and the New Mexico Bureau of Geology Mineral Museum hosts lots of rare, colourful mineral specimens.

The Comfort Inn and Suites is arguably the best of Socorro’s motels.