Route map
Start / endStops
Albuquerque to Santa Fe: the drive
The drive from Albuquerque to Santa Fe covers 63 miles (102 km) and takes about 1 hr without stops, mostly on I-25.
It's an easy drive that leaves plenty of time to explore along the way. Allow about 1 hr 30 min with breaks.
We found 4 worthwhile stops within about 25 miles of the route, including Madrid (Turquoise Trail) and Bandelier National Monument.
| Main roads | Approx. miles |
|---|---|
| I-25 | 57 |
Best time to go: May to October; December is lovely for farolitos.
Best stops between Albuquerque and Santa Fe
Before you leave Albuquerque
- 1
Petroglyph National Monument
More than 20,000 images pecked into volcanic boulders on Albuquerque's West Mesa. Boca Negra Canyon has the easiest trails.
Photo: formulanone · CC BY-SA 2.0 - 2
Sandia Peak Tramway
A 2.7-mile aerial tram to the 10,378-foot crest above Albuquerque, with views of 11,000 square miles.
Photo: AnnaCummingsPhotography · CC BY-SA 4.0
- 3
Madrid (Turquoise Trail)
A former coal town turned artist colony on the scenic Turquoise Trail (NM-14), the back road between Albuquerque and Santa Fe.
Photo: Cathy from USA · CC BY-SA 2.0
Near Santa Fe
- 4
Bandelier National Monument
Climb wooden ladders into ancestral Pueblo cliff dwellings carved from volcanic tuff, 45 minutes from Santa Fe.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
Where to stay in Santa Fe
Adobe architecture, galleries on Canyon Road and the best green chile in the Southwest.
Map not loading? See places to stay near Santa Fe →
Renting a car for this trip
Most travelers fly into Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) and pick up a car there. If you're not driving back, compare one-way rentals that drop off at SAF. One-way fees vary a lot between companies.
Need a car?
Rental cars at ABQ
Compare prices from major and local agencies at Albuquerque International Sunport in one search. Dropping off near Santa Fe? Search a one-way rental; drop fees vary a lot between companies, so compare first.
Compare rental cars →Free cancellation on most bookings.
Trip cost calculator
Estimate gas or charging, hotels and car rental for a round trip from Albuquerque to Santa Fe:
Albuquerque to Santa Fe road trip FAQ
How long is the drive from Albuquerque to Santa Fe?
About 1 hr without stops for 63 miles via I-25. With breaks for fuel and food, allow around 1 hr 30 min.
Can you drive from Albuquerque to Santa Fe in one day?
Yes. At 1 hr of driving it's a comfortable one-day trip. Leave early so you arrive with daylight to spare.
What are the best stops between Albuquerque and Santa Fe?
Top stops include Madrid (Turquoise Trail) and Bandelier National Monument. See the full list with detour times above.
How much does gas cost from Albuquerque to Santa Fe?
About $8 one way in a car that gets 28 mpg with gas at $3.60 a gallon. Use the calculator on this page to plug in your own car and prices.
When is the best time to visit Santa Fe?
May to October; December is lovely for farolitos.
Route calculated from OpenStreetMap data and checked 2026-11-09. Drive times assume normal traffic and no stops.
