Car Rental - Albuquerque

 

Reserve Albuquerque car rental with Hertz to start your journey into this historic part of New Mexico.

From thriving, ancient cultures to a plethora of traditional Mexican and American eateries, and countless museums tracking the city’s history, Albuquerque is an exciting town with plenty to experience. Explore the city’s cultural epicenter - Old Town – and retrace more than 300 years of history. With car rental, you can also head out to neighboring New Mexico cities, like Santa Fe. 

We have plenty of Hertz car rental pick-up locations peppered across the city, including car rental at Albuquerque International Airport.

Choose the perfect rental car from our vast selection of vehicles. SUVs are spacious, making them perfect for families. Looking for something a little sleeker? Our sporty rentals are the perfect stylish car for kicking off a road trip.

Reserve car rental in Albuquerque and get stuck into New Mexico.

Albuquerque Locations

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Map data ©2026 Google
Map data ©2026 Google

A Quick Guide to Albuquerque

Old town Albuquerque

Old Town (87104)

Albuquerque’s historic Old Town was the city’s first neighborhood and has been the heart of the city since its founding in 1706. Take time to saunter through Old Town’s cultural hub and explore its many museums and galleries like the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. There are more than 100 stores to browse in the area, including the infamous Breaking Bad store. Also within the district, you’ll find a plethora of spiritualist stores like Palms Trading, which specializes in southwestern magic. There are some free parking spaces in Old Town, although they fill up fast, so you might want to head to one of the paid parking lots to guarantee a spot for your rental car.

Sandia Peak Albuquerque

Sandia Peak Tramway (87122)

See Albuquerque in its full glory from the Sandia Peak Tramway. Reaching a height of 10,378 feet above sea level, Sandia Peak is one of the most beautiful mountains in the country, offering magnificent panoramic views of the city below. Step out onto the observation deck on a clear day for the chance to see as far as 11,000 miles. You can park your rental car in the lot near reception. It’s a popular spot so head there early to reserve your parking space.  

Albuquerque Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (87104)

Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (87104)

Just two miles north-east of Albuquerque’s Old Town, uncover the culture and history of the Pueblo people of New Mexico at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. The region has been home to the Puebloan tribes long before the Spaniards made their way here in the 16th century, and today their culture is recognized in the museum. There is a free parking lot on the grounds for your rental car.

Hotel Andaluz (87102)

This historic hotel first swung open its doors in 1939, and ever since has continued to ooze classic Southwestern charm. Each of its elegant suites are designed with Spanish-inspired decor and original pieces of fine art. Spend an evening in their rooftop lounge, where live music is played every night. Add valet parking for your rental car for a small additional fee.

Hotel Parq Central (87102)

Whether you’re visiting Albuquerque for business or leisure, this boutique hotel is the perfect place to unwind in luxury. A stay in their standard guest rooms is indeed sumptuous, but the hotels real glory rests inside its 15 suites and cottages, which serve as a home away from home.

Take a relaxing stroll along the hidden pathways throughout the beautifully landscaped gardens then spend your evening in the Apothecary Lounge. From here you can enjoy scrumptious cocktails while gazing out on the Albuquerque skyline. Enjoy complimentary on-site parking and take advantage of the free shuttle that will take you anywhere within three miles, for those days when you want to leave the car behind.

Albuquerque Marriot Hotel (87110)

The Marriot is a perfect base for those hoping to explore Uptown Albuquerque. This 17-storey hotel has more than 400 newly renovated rooms, as well as six additional suites for anyone needing an added touch of glamour. Here for business? Book one of their meeting rooms, where staff will be on hand to ensure everything runs smoothly. The hotel is only ten miles from the airport and offers free parking for business car rental.

Amore Neapolitan Pizza (87110)

Taste a slice of Italy at Amore Neapolitan pizzeria. Each of their delicious, crispy pizzas are baked in a stone oven at 905°F and are made with creative excellence, combining an array of daring-yet-delicious ingredients to wow guests. The truffle cream-filled burrata, a soft Italian cheese with a creamy interior, is a must.

For your main course, try the local favorite - the Albuquerque Duke. Topped with Pecorino Romana cheese and Italian sausage, this best-selling pizza comes with a hint of hatch green chilies for an added kick.

Los Poblanos (87107)

A real farm-to-fork eatery, Los Poblanos is a historic inn and organic farm serving up traditional New Mexico cuisine created by their head chef, Jonathan Perno. We recommend their mole rojo – a red, spicy Mexican sauce made from onion, garlic, chilies and ground nuts – with green rice and braised lamb. While you can also stay in one of their 50 rooms, the rustic, 1930’s ranch restaurant is open to everyone.

Route 66 Diner (87106)

Step back in time to the 1950s at this classic diner. Slot your quarter into the Happy Days-style Wurlitzer jukebox to pick your favorite track then order a large milkshake for a true vintage experience. Decked out with neon lighting and served by enthusiastic staff in full costume, it’s the best place in town for a classic American burger.

Driving In and Around Albuquerque

 
  • Convention Center Garage (401 2nd St) has more than 1,500 available spaces and is well situated for exploring the heart of the city.
  • Park up your rental car downtown in one of the many on-street metered bays. These are available between 8am and 6pm and accept coins. There are also no maximum stay restrictions, so you don’t have to worry about moving it in a hurry.

Peak traffic in Albuquerque lasts from 7am until 10am. Afternoon congestion starts at 5pm and tails off around 7pm.

  • Interstate 25 (Pan American Freeway) – the city’s main north-south road. Connects Albuquerque with Sandoval Country and the South Valley beyond.
  • The Business Loop I-40 is the best road to use when travelling east-west of Albuquerque.
  • The aptly named “Big I” is a highly accessible route between the I-40 and the I-25. It’s a very popular road, as it is the only five-level interchange in New Mexico.

How to Get From Albuquerque International Airport to Old Town

Traveling to Old Town when you rent a car from Albuquerque International Airport should only take you about 15 minutes in standard traffic. Here’s how to get from A to B with ease:

  1. Exit the airport and head east on Sunport Boulevard.
  2. Merge onto Oak Street and use the left two lanes to turn left onto Lomas Boulevard.
  3. Continue onto Central Avenue and turn right onto San Felipe Street to find yourself in Albuquerque Old Town.

 

Albuquerque to Santa Fe

When you rent a car the beautiful journey to Santa Fe should take about an hour via the I-40 from Albuquerque. If you have time, stop by Cibola National Forest on the way when you turn right onto the NM-566.

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