Car Rental Albuquerque, NM

The best time to visit Albuquerque is typically in the fall. The autumn months in Albuquerque are cooler than the hot summers, but still relatively warm during the day with an average temperature of 84 degrees Fahrenheit in September. Albuquerque’s annual balloon festival also takes place in the fall, usually in October. 

Santa Fe and Albuquerque are 61 miles apart by way of I-25. In light traffic, it takes about one hour to travel between the two cities. If you’re looking to make the most of your time in New Mexico, a one-way or round-trip car rental from Budget can make visiting both cities easy and fun. 

Albuquerque’s climate is classified as “semi-arid” as it receives only 10 to 20 inches of rainfall per year. Albuquerque is located in the Chihuahuan desert, so it should come as no surprise that the weather is usually dry, while being hot in the summers and cold in the winters. 

Albuquerque terrain is indeed full of hills. To be more precise, it is considered mountainous—the elevation of the city ranges from 4,900 feet to 6,700 feet. Much of the city lies in the valley just west of the Sandia Mountains, but both the weather and terrain are still impacted by the nearby mountain ranges. 

In comparison to many larger urban cities in other states, Albuquerque is a relatively tame city to drive in. However, the city is considered to have the worst traffic within the state of New Mexico, so it probably wouldn’t be right to call it “easy” either. Try to avoid driving during rush hour in Albuquerque.