Car Hire New Mexico

Guide

New Mexico may have just celebrated its 100th year as an American state, but its history dates back dozens of centuries. Most of New Mexico’s tourist attractions lie along the Rio Grande Corridor between its rugged western end and flat eastern end. A Rio Grande journey with car hire in New Mexico will take visitors past the over 1,000-year-old Taos Pueblo, the artistic state capital of Santa Fe, and New Mexico’s most populous city, Albuquerque.

Hiring a Vehicle

After visitors compare car hire in advance to get the best deals, Albuquerque International Sunport’s car rental centre is the best place to find Thrifty, Payless, Avis, and over half a dozen other reputable companies. Many passengers secure their vehicles at El Paso International Airport before driving to New Mexico.

Transport Options

Albuquerque International Sunport, three miles southeast of central Albuquerque, is New Mexico’s only major airport. Many visitors to southwest New Mexico decide to use El Paso International Airport, just 45 miles from Las Cruces, instead. Car rental in New Mexico is frequently the only way to travel in much of the state apart from city bus services and a commuter rail between Santa Fe and Albuquerque.

Car Hire Driving Tips in New Mexico

Interstate 40 parallels the legendary Route 66 through central New Mexico, while I-25 and 1-10 intersect near Las Cruces. Driving in New Mexico is usually pleasurable, easy, and takes visitors past miles of breathtaking scenery. However, motorists should be extra cautious along rural roads, some of which are still unpaved. Speed limits can vary dramatically from 15mph to 55mph.

Not to be Missed!

New Mexico’s most famous road is undoubtedly Route 66, which still contains several vintage roadside diners, neon signs, and trading posts. Art lovers will want to spend considerable time in Santa Fe, one of America’s oldest cities, and the art colony in Taos. Taos Ski Valley offers spectacular winter skiing in the shadow of New Mexico’s highest mountain, Wheeler Peak. New Mexico is also home to 19 unique native pueblos along with the Navajo Nation territory covering much of the state’s northwest portion.

Weather & Tourist Seasons

New Mexico’s annual average temperatures vary dramatically from just 4°C in its northernmost mountain areas to a balmy 18°C in its flat southeast. Average daytime summer temperatures range from a torrid 38°C on flatter terrain to a comparatively cooler 26°C at higher altitudes. Autumn and spring bring milder temperatures, but skiers will naturally want to wait until winter to hit New Mexico’s slopes.