DriveCosts

Road trip cost

How Much Does It Cost to Drive From Albuquerque to Santa Fe?

At just 69 miles, the drive from Albuquerque, NM to Santa Fe, NM is a quick 1 hr 6 min trip — easy to do in a single morning or afternoon. Most drivers spend less than a tank of gas, making it one of the cheapest ways to travel between these two cities.

Easy day tripEasy drive
  • Updated for 2026
  • US avg fuel prices
  • EPA-style MPG
  • EV rates vary by state
  • US units
Distance

69 mi

Driving time

1 hr 6 min

Fuel stops

0

EV charges

0

Route overview69 mi

Key takeaway

Plan on about $9 in gas one-way in a 28 MPG sedan, with 0 fuel stops and roughly 1 hr 6 min behind the wheel.

Drive intensity

Easy day trip

Doable in a single day.

Estimate your trip cost

Pre-filled with the Albuquerque → Santa Fe distance.

miles
mpg
$/gal

Estimated Trip Cost

$0.00

Per Person

$0.00

Gallons

0.00gal

Total miles: 69 (one way).

How we estimate this trip

Distance
Great-circle distance between city centers × 1.18 road factor, rounded to whole miles.
Fuel cost formula
(miles ÷ MPG) × price per gallon, computed one-way unless noted.
Gas price assumption
Recent US average retail regular gas (AAA-style baseline).
EV charging assumption
Combined MPGe with average US residential electricity rate.
Tolls & weather
Not included — add manually for I-95, I-90 and mountain routes.
Driving time
Estimated at typical highway average speeds; excludes long breaks.

Sources & assumptions

  • EPA fuel economy data — City / highway / combined MPG and MPGe baselines.
  • U.S. Department of Energy (fueleconomy.gov) — Vehicle efficiency and EV range references.
  • AAA gas price trends — Recent national and regional retail fuel averages.
  • EIA electricity rates — Average residential per-kWh prices used for EV charging.

We summarize publicly available data — no scraping, no external API calls. Figures are calibrated periodically; use the calculators above for your exact inputs.

Fuel cost by vehicle type

Estimated one-way fuel cost at $3.45/gal (US average). Adjust for your local price.

Compact car· 35 MPG · 2.0 gal$6.80
Sedan· 28 MPG · 2.5 gal$8.50
SUV· 22 MPG · 3.1 gal$10.82
Pickup truck· 18 MPG · 3.8 gal$13.23

Cost at different gas prices

Assuming a 28 MPG sedan over the 69-mile route.

Gas at $3.15/gal

$7.76

one way · ~2.5 gal

Gas at $3.45/gal

$8.50

one way · ~2.5 gal

Gas at $3.85/gal

$9.49

one way · ~2.5 gal

Fuel & charging stops

No fill-up needed

At ~69 miles, a full tank in a typical sedan (~350-mile range) covers this drive end-to-end. Top up before you leave and you're set.

No EV charging needed

A modern EV with 230+ miles of real-world highway range can make this drive on a single charge. Start at 100% and you'll arrive with margin.

Route personality

Short metro hop

Mountain West driving context

  • Mountain passes can require chains or AWD from November through April — check CDOT/UDOT before departure.
  • Elevation gain reduces gas MPG and EV range by 10–20% on climbs; you recover some on descents.
  • Cell coverage drops in canyons — download offline maps before you go.

City insights

Albuquerque, NM

  • Limited shade and long distances between services around Albuquerque — fuel up before leaving.

Santa Fe, NM

  • Santa Fe draws year-round visitors — book parking and lodging ahead in peak weeks.
  • Government and event-day closures around downtown Santa Fe can reroute traffic.

Best stops along the way

  • Scenic pull-offs and coastal overlooks add 15–30 min but break up the monotony on tourism corridors.
  • Mountain pass viewpoints make great photo stops — but check brakes before long descents.

Seasonal notes

Summer

Desert highs over 110°F stress engines, tires and EV batteries — drive early or late, never midday.

Recommendations for this route

  • Any vehicle works for the distance — pick comfort over MPG.
  • AWD or all-terrain tires help in winter; check brake pads before long descents.

Is it cheaper to fly or drive?

Driving is almost always cheaper here — short flights cost more than fuel once you factor in airport parking, bags and a rental car.

A one-way drive uses about $9 in gas (28 MPG, $3.45/gal). A typical short domestic flight costs $80–$220 per person plus $30–$60/day for airport parking and any baggage fees.

Weather & best time

Any time of year works — avoid local rush hours and you're set.

  • • Summer highs over 100°F across the desert — drive early morning or after sunset and carry extra water.

Tolls

Mostly toll-free — you can drive this without a transponder.

Best vehicle

Any vehicle works — short enough that fuel economy barely matters.

Driving difficulty

Easy day trip · 1 hr 6 min

Low — one driver can comfortably handle this with a single break.

Doable in a single day

Most drivers complete this route in a single day. Leave early to avoid arriving tired in evening traffic.

About the drive from Albuquerque to Santa Fe

This 69-mile route between Albuquerque, NM and Santa Fe, NM is a popular drive in the region. Expect roughly 1 hr 6 min behind the wheel under normal traffic conditions.

Fuel-saving tips

  • Keep your speed near 65 mph — fuel economy drops sharply above 70.
  • Fill up before mountain or desert stretches; remote stations charge a premium.
  • Use GasBuddy or AAA to spot cheap stations along your route before you leave.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to drive from Albuquerque to Santa Fe?

The drive is about 69 miles and takes roughly 1 hr 6 min under normal traffic. Add buffer for stops, construction, and rush hour around either city.

How much gas does the trip use?

In a 28 MPG sedan, expect about 2.5 gallons one way. A 22 MPG SUV would use roughly 3.1 gallons.

What's the typical fuel cost?

At the US average of $3.45/gal, a 28 MPG vehicle costs about $8.50 one way. Round trip roughly doubles that. Use the calculator above for your exact MPG and local gas price.

How many fuel or charging stops will I need?

A typical gas sedan needs about 0 fuel stops one way. A modern EV with ~230 miles of highway range needs about 0 DC fast-charges.

Is it cheaper to drive or fly from Albuquerque to Santa Fe?

Driving is almost always cheaper here — short flights cost more than fuel once you factor in airport parking, bags and a rental car.

What's the best time of year to drive this route?

Any time of year works — avoid local rush hours and you're set.

Best vehicles for this route

Estimated 69-mile fuel cost for each pick at average US prices. Tap any vehicle for a full cost breakdown.

Cheapest to drive

Toyota Prius

57 MPG · hybrid

~$4

est. one-way fuel cost

See full breakdown

Best EV

Lucid Air

134 MPGe · ev

~$3

est. one-way charging cost

See full breakdown

Best sedan

Hyundai Elantra

37 MPG · sedan

~$6

est. one-way fuel cost

See full breakdown

Best SUV for comfort

Nissan Rogue

33 MPG · suv

~$7

est. one-way fuel cost

See full breakdown

Best truck for cargo

Ford Maverick

26 MPG · truck

~$9

est. one-way fuel cost

See full breakdown

Related routes

More routes like Albuquerque to Santa Fe

Reverse drives, connecting routes and regional alternatives — each with distance and driving cost at current US gas prices.

Reverse drive

Santa Fe to Albuquerque driving cost

69 mi · 1.1 h

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