Traffic in Albuquerque

In 2024, Albuquerque's traffic landscape is dominated by car usage, with a significant majority of residents relying on personal vehicles for their daily commutes.Despite the heavy reliance on cars, the city is making strides in sustainability and efficiency to address traffic-related challenges.

Average Commute Times

The average commute involves about 22.74 minutes of driving and 2.85 minutes of walking, covering a distance of 22.4 km.

  • Car - Car commuters spend around 24.53 minutes driving, with minimal walking time, covering approximately 22.74 km.
  • Walking - Walking commutes average 40 minutes, covering a distance of nearly 4.91 km.
Traffic Breakdown
Car
86%
Home
7%
Walking
5%
Motorcycle
2%

Traffic Data

The following traffic data has been gathered from 42 user contributions.
Overall average travel
Distance
13.9 miles
Walking
2.8 mins
Driving Car
22.7 mins
Total:
26.9 mins
Average when primarily using Car
Distance
14.1 miles
Walking
0.8 mins
Driving Car
24.5 mins
Total:
25.3 mins
Average when primarily using Walking
Distance
3.1 miles
Walking
40.0 mins
Driving Car
2.0 mins
Total:
42.0 mins

More Information

Seasonal Trends

Traffic tends to increase during the summer months as tourism peaks, leading to longer commute times.

Winter months see a slight decrease in traffic, although weather conditions can occasionally disrupt travel.

Commuter Pain Points

Heavy reliance on cars leads to congestion, particularly during rush hours.

Limited public transportation options make it challenging for non-drivers to commute efficiently.

Best Travel Times

Early mornings before 7 AM and late evenings after 7 PM are generally the best times to avoid heavy traffic.

Midday travel is also less congested compared to peak morning and evening hours.

Event Impacts

Public events, such as the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, significantly impact traffic, causing road closures and detours.

Residents are advised to plan alternative routes during major events to avoid delays.

Sustainability Efforts

Albuquerque is investing in green infrastructure and promoting electric vehicle usage to combat high CO2 emissions.

The city is exploring options to expand bike lanes and pedestrian pathways to encourage eco-friendly commuting.

Ride-Sharing Impact

Ride-sharing services have helped reduce the number of cars on the road, offering a convenient alternative to personal vehicle use.

These services are particularly popular among younger demographics and those without access to a personal vehicle.

Worldwide
United States

Traffic Rankings

Albuquerque ranks 67th on the Traffic rankings in United States.
The Traffic Index for the United States combines user-contributed data on commute times, traffic dissatisfaction, CO2 emissions, and traffic system inefficiencies in United States, to provide insights into overall traffic conditions.
Worst to BestUpdated: Oct, 2025
Full Traffic Rankings