How Bad Is Albuquerque Traffic?

Traffic in Albuquerque is generally not considered a big problem, but the city is reported to have the worst traffic in New Mexico as a whole.
Written by Amber Reed
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Albuquerque drivers report that although the spread-out nature of the city means you might be driving for a while, traffic is generally light—especially in relation to other large cities. 
Nestled in the lovely high desert of the Southwest,
Albuquerque
is New Mexico’s largest city with a population of around 564,000. Every October, it hosts the annual
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
, the world’s largest gathering of hot air balloons. While air traffic may be intense at that time, traveling via land in Albuquerque is typically not considered to be too much of a headache.
Here to break that down a bit further is insurance super app and comparison shopper extraordinaire
Jerry
. In this article, we’ll be taking a look at the best and worst times to drive in Albuquerque, what the latest changes are, and how to traverse The Burque like a pro. 

How bad is Albuquerque traffic?

While Albuquerque may have the worst traffic in the state of New Mexico, it’s relatively tame compared to other urban areas. The city is spread out enough so that while it may take a while to get from one place to another, the traffic will at least be moving along. 
The
2021 Global Traffic Scorecard
ranked Albuquerque traffic as the 157th worst in the US and reported that the average Albuquerque driver loses about eight hours a year to traffic congestion. When compared to other cities, that’s not too bad!
Like just about everywhere, there was a decrease in traffic in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The numbers have since returned to their pre-pandemic numbers, per
TomTom’s traffic index
Year
Congestion level
2019
17%
2020
14%
2021
17%
Are you overpaying for your car insurance?
Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.
No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms · No fees
icon4.717k Ratings
5M+Drivers Joined
7M+Cars Garaged
icon
Make safe driving pay
Get rewarded for safe driving. Earn points and unlock benefits. Totally free.
Start earning now

Why is Albuquerque traffic so bad?

The traffic patterns in a city are going to be made up of a combination of factors, such as the city’s population, infrastructure, and driving habits of its citizens. Here’s some inside info about Albuquerque’s traffic:

Population size 

The city of Albuquerque is the most populous city in New Mexico, with more than 564,000 people calling it home as of the 2020 census. When you include the larger metropolitan area, there are close to one million residents. While that’s a decent amount of people, the city is pretty spread out overall. This means that while you may have to spend some time on the road, the congestion in any one area shouldn’t be too significant. 

Major chokepoints

The I-40 and the I-25 converge in the heart of Albuquerque, and anywhere that major highways intersect there are bound to be slowdowns. 
Central Ave NE and Central Ave NW bisects Albuquerque on an east/west axis and is where US Route 66 meets Albuquerque. Menard Boulevard NE and Montaño Boulevard NE are two other major roads that span the bulk of the city and can be among the busier thoroughfares at peak times. 

Driving habits

The commuting pattern of Albuquerque traffic tends to be such that the major east/west roads are busier eastbound in the morning, and westbound in the afternoons. If you have to be on one of these roads at a peak hour, planning to be headed in the opposite direction of most of the traffic should help out. 
MORE:The best type of car insurance to get if you commute long distances
rating reverse-full
"I’m earning
awesome rewards
every week, just for driving safe!”

How to navigate Albuquerque traffic like a pro

Traffic snarls mean more than just lost time and
frayed nerves
—they can also result in more traffic accidents. 
Whether you are in Albuquerque or elsewhere, keeping a cool head in traffic is not only the safe thing to do, but it also helps you to steer clear of
costly traffic tickets
. Here are a few pointers for making the best out of your time driving in Albuquerque traffic: 
  • Steer clear of peak hours if possible. Albuquerque’s busiest traffic times are from about 6 am to 10 am and 3 pm to 7 pm. 
  • Take less popular roads. The main roads aren’t always the fastest, especially during rush hour. Check your route ahead of time to see if there are any alternate ways to go. 
  • Use a traffic app to stay ahead of the game.
    KOB4
    has a traffic map that offers information on traffic, accidents, construction, and more. 
  • Stay focused and relaxed. Getting mad rarely helps anything when it comes to driving, so if you do find yourself stuck in a traffic jam, remember to breathe and stay focused. Avoid distractions like cell phones and loud music, and stay safe!

Prepare for Albuquerque traffic by updating your car insurance

Whether you’ll be staying for a while or just cruising through on Route 66, it’s a good idea to take a minute and make sure your
car insurance
is in good order, and Jerry makes it simple!
The number-one-rated app for shopping for car insurance online,
Jerry
does all the hard work while you reap the rewards. Within minutes of downloading the app and entering some basic information, you’ll have access to a selection of competitive insurance policies from over 50 top insurance providers
Sign up through the app is quick and easy—and if you have any questions, fully-licensed brokers are available to walk you through as much or as little of the process as you need. The average Jerry user saves almost $900 a year! 
“I just had to buy a new car, and I needed quick help to get insurance before I could get my plates. Because I work so many hours,
Jerry
was the ideal choice for getting things done without long phone calls and waiting periods.”  —Rosa G.
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds
icon4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars
icon4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers

FAQs

Generally speaking, no. While there may be increased traffic during peak hours and some areas are more congested than others, Albuquerque is not a difficult city to drive in overall.
If you want to avoid the peak traffic times, then it’s best to be on the road before 6 am, after 7 pm, or between 10 am and 3 pm.
Are you overpaying for car insurance?
Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.
Try Jerry

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings