Albuquerque Travel Forum

We'll be flying into Albuquerque late on a Wed. night in Sept. (arriving after 11:00 PM) and driving up to Santa Fe the next day. By the time we collect luggage, get the rental car, etc. it'll be pushing midnight. Do you think we should try to drive/stay on the north side of town to avoid the worst of the next morning's weekday traffic or just book something near the airport - maybe traffic isn't so bad by 9:00 - 9:30 AM?

It depends on how much you dislike traffic. I really dislike it, and would definitely pick the extra 15 minute drive over getting into an airport hotel.
Where are you thinking about staying? By I-25/San Mateo? It's difficult to escape the Albuquerque traffic but, at the same time, you'd actually be heading in the wrong direction in the morning.

Hi Colin - thanks a million for the reply. We can handle city traffic (we live in a city) but doesn't mean we like it! It just might be nice not to have to deal with the worst of it the next morning. A 15-30 minute drive north is fine - can probably make tracks that time of night, eh? Have no idea where to stay - don't want to spend a fortune as we'll be there just long enough to catch some zzzz's but don''t want a dump either. Any ideas?

It depends on your rate range. I haven't stayed at any of them personally, but there are quite a few mid-range chain hotels right on I-25 on the north side of town around the San Antonio and Alameda exits.

You will have no problem with traffic at 900am. What we call a rush hour is just that, one hour of traffic in the morning 7:30a to 8:30am and 4:30p to 5:30pm. Albuquerque is not a problem to get around. You can find hotels near the airport with good deals, many of them. But also many hotels are just off I25 from the airport as far as Tramway exit, with good deals. I am from here and drive the city every day. Enjoy your trip.

I agree with Dave. At 9:00-9:30 AM there won't be much traffic on I-25 unless there was an earlier accident. We have one business traveler who visits us and likes to stay near the airport since she arrives on the late flight from Oakland. She likes the Albuquerque Grand Hotel or the Courtyard Airport. She does not like La Quinta or the Comfort Inn. However, there are many new hotels in the airport area and others may be quite nice.

I agree...traffic should not be a problem at 9am. I'd stay near the airport. there are about 6 motels there including a holiday inn express.

Thanks for your help, everyone! Sounds like traffic isn't an issue (unless we 're up and out earlier) so guess I'll just decide by best hotel rate. If this flight goes anything like the last few we've taken, we'll be seriously delayed and get in at 5:00 AM or something. Seems like Northwest has had it in for us....