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City guide

Rio Rancho, New Mexico, USA

Rio Rancho is the largest and most populous city in Sandoval County, New Mexico, United States. A small portion of the city extends into northern Bernalillo County.

Type CityPopulation 104,046

Why go

  • City in New Mexico, United States.
  • Served by Cubero Airport.

History

Rio Rancho is the largest and most populous city in Sandoval County, New Mexico, United States. A small portion of the city extends into northern Bernalillo County. Part of the expansive Albuquerque metropolitan area, it is the third-largest city in New Mexico, and one of the most rapidly growing. Rio Rancho had a population of 104,046 at the 2020 census. The name Rio Rancho derives from Los Ranchos, the Spanish colonial ranches established along the Rio Grande in the Albuquerque Basin, and throughout historic Nuevo México. There were large ranches also in neighboring Corrales. Since the late 20th century, it has developed as a suburb of Albuquerque.

Restaurants & places to go

Cajun, Soul Food, Southern, Seafood, Restaurant · From fried catfish, collard greens and plantain to etouffee, gumbo and po boys. Features: delivery,… · klynnsfusion.com
Indoor
Ice Cream, Ice Cream · Opening hours: 11:00-21:00 · 3410 State Highway 528 Northwest, Albuquerque, 87114 · locations.baskinrobbins.com
Indoor
Burger, Fast Food · Opening hours: 10:30-19:00 Features: takeaway, delivery · 10000 Coors Bypass Northwest, Albuquerque, 87114-4059 · bk.com
Indoor
Burger, Fast Food · Opening hours: 07:00-23:00 Features: takeaway · 751 Unser Boulevard, Rio Rancho, 87124 · locations.carlsjr.com
Indoor
Chicken, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 07:00-22:00; Su off Features: takeaway, delivery · 1058 r Boulevard Southeast, Rio Rancho, 87124 · chick-fil-a.com
Indoor
Pizza, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Th 10:00-24:00; Fr-Sa 10:00-01:00; Su 10:00-24:00 Features: takeaway · 6510 Paradise Hills Boulevard Northwest,… · pizza.dominos.com
Indoor
Donut, Coffee Shop, Fast Food · Opening hours: 05:00-21:00 Features: takeaway · 1197 Rio Rancho Drive Southeast, Rio Rancho, 87124 · locations.dunkindonuts.com
Indoor
Coffee Shop, Cafe · Opening hours: Su-Th 05:00-22:00; Fr,Sa 05:00-23:00 · 1440 Rio Rancho Boulevard Southeast, Rio Rancho, 87124 · locations.dutchbros.com
Indoor

102 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →

Airports

Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) 17 mi to the centre
Albuquerque, NM, US — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 13 airlines (Southwest Airlines, AirTran Airways, United Airlines, American Airlines…) · direct flights to 23 destinations incl. Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago, Denver, Phoenix… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 13 airlines, 23 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor
Santa Rosa Peak Airfield 31 mi to the centre
Cubero, NM, US
Outdoor
Cubero Airport 50 mi to the centre
Cubero, NM, US
Outdoor

Where things are

Full geo-intelligence in Better Mapping →
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping base map © OSM

Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Cubero Airport; 1 other airport serves the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below.

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Rio Rancho, New Mexico, USA. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Local transit

Bus, Metro · New Mexico · Schedules & GTFS data

Trains & rail

National rail

Coaches & shuttles

Intercity coach
Intercity coach
Intercity coach
Intercity coach

Private aviation

On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.

Jet card, management · Managed fleet across US bases · Locally based jet card and aircraft management with private terminals in ~20 US cities.
Helicopter, by-the-seat · Helicopters, seaplanes, jets via partners · By-the-seat helicopters Manhattan–JFK/Newark and the Hamptons; jet charter through partners.
Membership charter · King Air 350i, Citation, Hawker, Global · US membership and on-demand charter; Delta Air Lines is a major shareholder.
Semi-private scheduled · Embraer 135 (16 seats) · First-class-only scheduled flights from Van Nuys to Aspen, Sun Valley, Cabo and Europe in summer.
Charter, management, FBO · Managed fleet, light to ultra-long-range · Charter, management and FBOs at Van Nuys and Orange County; the original Hollywood jet operator.

Tours & experiences