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Driving and buying tires in Albuquerque

Known as The Duke City or Burque, Albuquerque is an exciting buzzing city and the biggest population center in the state of New Mexico. Once an important stop on El Camino Real from Mexico City, today Albuquerque (also known as Burque and the Duke City) sits at a major crossroads for both north-south and east-west cross-country travelers. Home to a lively art scene, a dynamic tech scene, the Gathering of Nations, and Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, there are many reasons to visit, and even more to stay in this beautiful city. Our guide to motoring in The Duke City covers everything you need to know, from parking and road rules to traffic updates and the best tires for the city.

Whether you regularly drive around the city or are about to head out on a cross-country road trip, make sure your tires are in good condition, and suitable for the journey ahead. If you need to upgrade your tires visit the United Tires website for the best value tires in the whole country. With a vast stock, exceeding 60,000 new and used tires, you’ll have the best selection, whatever the weather. Your tires will be delivered fast and free with FedEx, and with our price match promise you know you’re getting the best prices anywhere.

The most popular cars and tires in Albuquerque

The most popular car model

Ford F-150*

*Source: KRQE News

The most popular color of the car

White

*Source: Albuquerque Journal

The most popular tire model

Goodyear Eagle RS-A

*Source: utires.com sales department

The average budget to buy 2 used tires

$175.20

*Source: utires.com sales department

Albuquerque tire shops and key auto facilities

Unser Racing Museum

1776 Montano Rd NW, Los Ranchos De Albuquerque, NM 87107

35.1410224

-106.6655379

Wheels Museum Inc

1100 2nd St SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102

35.0746278

-106.6524116

Lewis Antique Auto & Toy Museum

905 U.S. Rt. 66, Moriarty, NM 87035

35.0056376

-106.029241

West Central Route 66 Visitor Center at Nine Mile Hill

12300 Central Ave SW, Albuquerque, NM 87121

35.062895

-106.7787626

Torc Robotics - Albuquerque Test Center

1200 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102

35.0913441

-106.6320789

Sandia Motor Speedway

100 Speedway Park Boulevard, Albuquerque, NM 87121

35.0209955

-106.8625115

Albuquerque Dragway

Dragway Road SE, Albuquerque, NM 87105

35.0154796

-106.6037099

Inside Line

4100 2nd Street NW, Albuquerque, NM 87107

35.1244165

-106.6422335

Walmart Auto Care Center

2266 Wyoming Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87112

35.1069376

-106.5513887

Costco Tire Center

1420 N Renaissance Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107

35.1362148

-106.6156622

Did you know that?..

Albuquerque is home to one of motor racing’s great dynasties

The Unser family, many of whom hail from Alberquerque are IndyCar greats with not one, not two, but seven members of the family, across three generations taking up the IndyCar challenge. The family has won the Indy 500 a record-breaking nine times, with brothers Bobby and Al holding the record for the only pair of brothers to both win the race. You can find out all about the Unser family’s racing history and learn about modern-day racing techniques at the Unser Racing Museum in Alberquque. Find out more at the museum’s official website.

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Automotive Albuquerque at a glance

Since before the days of the internal combustion engine, the Duke City has been home to major trade routes, crossing the country, and into Mexico. From El Camino Real to Route 66, and the Santa Fe Railway to Interstate 25, the city is a place where people come together by road and rail.

Cruisin’ Route 66

Route 66 is one of the most iconic highways in the United States. Stretching from Chicago to Los Angeles, the “Mother Road” has been a symbol of America’s open road for more than a century. And Albuquerque is one of the best places to experience it.

The Duke City is home to a stretch of Route 66 that winds its way through the heart of town, past some of the city’s most popular attractions. Along the route, you’ll find vintage diners, neon signs, and kitschy roadside attractions. There’s even a section of the highway that passes through the Burque’s Historic Old Town district.

Whether you’re a longtime fan of Route 66 or you’re just looking for a unique way to experience Albuquerque, a drive down this historic highway is sure to be an unforgettable experience.

The Big I

Not many cities have two major Interstates meeting close to downtown but the Duke City does, in the form of the Big I. The junction between the I-25 and the I-40 is the busiest in the whole of New Mexico, with over 300,000 vehicles using it every day. It’s a complex stack exchange, designed to keep traffic moving, but this means you need to ensure you’re in the correct lane, or you could end up going in the completely wrong direction.

The future of car making

The Duke City may not be known for its car-making heritage but as a city in tune with the technological future, it’s home to several companies pushing the boundaries of automotive technology.

Torc Robotics has pioneered self-driving vehicles, particularly specializing in trucks and other commercial vehicles. They have a test center in Burque where they test their autonomous trucks.
Pulstar is a manufacturer of innovative spark plugs that are actually made in the Duke City. Because they’re more powerful than regular spark plugs they are used in many race cars.
Pajarito Powder makes catalysts for fuel cells, used in many electric vehicles. They help electric vehicle batteries last longer and perform better.

Choosing the right tires for driving in Albuquerque

Where to buy new tires in Albuquerque?

As one would expect, the largest city in the state is home to several of the big tire chains, stocking a reasonable choice of the most popular tires at competitive prices. From Walmart to Costco, you have a few options for standard new tires when looking for a tire shop, Albuquerque.

If you are more concerned about price or looking for a more comprehensive selection of tires, the new tires department of our website will provide you with thousands of options at the lowest possible price. With free delivery from FedEx, to guaranteed low prices (we’ll match them if you find a better deal), you get quality, value, and choice on our site. And if you place your order before 12 noon we will send your order out the very same day (business days only).

Costco Tire Centers

9955 Coors Bypass NW, 87114
1420 N Renaissance Blvd NE, 87107
South San Pedro Shopping Center, 500 Eubank Blvd SE, 87123

Walmart Auto Centers

2550 Coors Blvd NW, 87120
10224 Coors Bypass NW, 87114
8000 Academy Rd NE, 87111
2701 Carlisle Blvd NE, 87110
2266 Wyoming Blvd NE, 87112
400 Eubank Blvd NE, 87123
301 San Mateo Blvd SE, 87108

Where to buy used tires in Albuquerque?

Used tires are becoming more popular as an affordable option when you need to upgrade your existing tires. With strict quality checks and great prices, buying used tires from a reputable retailer is a fantastic money-saving hack. There are various options for used tires, Albuquerque but none with a selection as wide, or prices as affordable as United Tires used tires selection.

One of the best reasons for choosing our used tires, other than the extreme savings, is our quality checking process. We completely check every tire in our warehouse for defects, and to ensure it has plenty of tread life left. We state the tread life remaining for every tire and it will be between 99% - 60% of the tread life (yes, that’s tread life, not tread depth). We also give you:

Selection of driven-once tires
Free shipping (FedEx)
Savings of up to 50%
Price match promise
Expert tips, advice, and articles
1-year returns policy

Our team is also fully trained to answer any tire-related questions or advise you on the right tires for your vehicle and driving conditions. To speak with us, toll-free, call 1-888-566-6214 or contact us via our online chat.

What tires do you need for Albuquerque weather?

Albuquerque is located in the high desert, which means that it has relatively mild winters and hot summers. The spring and fall are relatively short but can be very pleasant. The winter months can see some snowfall, but it is usually not enough to cause any major problems on the roads. However, the summer months can be scorching, with temperatures reaching over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The heat can cause the asphalt to soften, making it more likely to buckle and crumble. Potholes are also an issue during the summer months, so it is important to be aware of potential hazards when driving in Albuquerque.

Summer driving

With this climate, some people like to use summer tires for the hotter parts of the year, as they cope well with high temperatures, gripping the asphalt, allowing you to drive like one of the local Unser family (famous racecar drivers). These tires are made from a rubber compound that copes with the heat particularly well but hardens up when temperatures drop. But they may be overkill for many.

For the average family driver, who doesn’t need to perform like a racecar driver, all-season tires are an excellent option, giving great all-around performance when the weather is wet and dry. These tires are durable and give a comfortable ride. Some people decide to buy all-season tires rated for mud and snow (M&S) markings, and use them year-round.

Winter driving

With the city only seeing about 8 inches of snow a year, many people can get away without using winter tires. If you choose M&S all-season tires, you can keep them on your vehicle year-round, unless you need to make frequent trips into the mountains in winter.

However, for people using summer tires, it’s important they change them out in the fall, as temperatures do get low enough for the summer rubber compound to harden up, making them a riskier choice for winter. If that’s the case for you, you can select between all-season (M&S) tires or winter tires, depending on your budget and whether you’re likely to be driving in a lot of snow, outside of the city.

Best-selling tire brands in Albuquerque*

*Source: utires.com sales department, 2022

The most popular tire sizes in Albuquerque*

*Source: utires.com sales department, 2022

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DRIVERS’ ALBUQUERQUE GUIDE: PRACTICAL INFORMATION

With the super sunny climate and the straightforward grid layout, Burque is a great city for motoring. We’ve gathered together all the vital information you’ll need, including some key road laws, parking tips, and details on seasonal tire changes, in our mega guide.

Live traffic report

Residents of the Duke City may complain about the traffic, but compared to many other big cities, driving here is a breeze. You might want to keep an eye on traffic reports though, around rush hour, which goes from 6:30 a.m. to about 8:30 a.m. and then again from about 4:30 p.m. to about 6:30 p.m.

Seasonal tire changeover

Carrying out a seasonal tire changeover is a habit for many people and an unknown concept for others, depending on where they live. For residents of Burque, it’s somewhere in between, with many people not requiring different seasonal tires. Here we’ll try and outline if it's something you should do.

Hotter months

During the hotter parts of the year, some people enjoy the faster and more responsive handling that comes with summer tires, making them feel like racecar drivers. If that’s the case for you, these tires should only be put on your vehicle from March or April until October or November. That's because the special rubber formula these tires are manufactured from works incredibly well gripping onto the road surface in hot weather. But once the mercury drops this rubber formula begins to harden up, making them less than ideal for cold weather driving.

If you’re not a budding Mario Andretti and prefer a tire that will last and work well in a range of settings, then either touring tires or all-season tires will fare you well in the warmer months. Touring tires are great for highway and paved road driving and will give you a comfortable, fuel-efficient, and smooth ride. All-season tires are generally seen as hard-wearing, long-lasting, and adaptable. They work effectively in warmer and cooler weather and can cope with gentler dirt roads.

Cooler months

This is where more variables come into play. If you have summer tires or touring tires on your car you’ll definitely need to swap them out for winter. You can either use mud and snow-rated all-season tires (marked with an M&S sign), or winter tires. If you mostly drive in the city and can avoid driving into the countryside or mountains on particularly cold days, then all-season tires should be fine for you throughout the winter in Burque.

For the individuals who chose all-season tires for summer - if they are marked for mud and snow, they will be fine for almost everything the Duke City will throw at you in winter and you'll only need to consider winter tires if you regularly go into the mountains in winter.

Driving Laws

The rules of the road are important for everyone to understand and here are a few important ones you should know about driving in Burque.

Cellphones: You’re only allowed to use your phone in hands-free mode while driving, and that’s only if you have a full driver's license. If you’re still a learner driver you can’t use your phone at all.
Speeding: Interstates in the area have fairly fast speed limits of 75 mph, dropping down to 65 mph for other limited access roads.
Drink driving: The basic limit for a drunk-driving penalty is a blood alcohol level of 0.08%. If you have twice that level of BAC, 0.16% there are harsher penalties for breaking the law.
Seatbelts: Everyone in a vehicle is required to wear a seatbelt, or a child restraint or booster seat for kids up to 6 years of age. From 7 up kids can use regular adult seatbelts.
Older drivers: If you’re 75 or older you have to renew your license every year to ensure you’re still fit and healthy enough to drive.

Unspoken Road Rules

Living in such a sunny place many Burque residents like to have a more relaxed pace of life and this shows up on the roads. You’ll hear about locals driving slowly in the left-hand lane, or meandering between lanes without signaling. This is usually not too big of an issue as traffic isn’t usually too busy in the city, but in rush-hour times this can be frustrating. But try not to get too stressed and embrace the local, chilled way of life.

Another tip, that’s more about where you live and work, is to try and live on the same side of the river as your place of work. There are six main bridges that cross the Rio Grande and they can form bottlenecks at busy times of day, so if you can avoid crossing them to get home or to work, your life will be even more chilled out!

Parking rules

There are plenty of options for parking in Burque, but it’s always important to know where and when you can and can’t park. Here are a few useful tips:

Parking lots and structures: The City manages several lots and parking structures in the downtown area. You can either pay for monthly permits or pay as you use them. Rates for parking structures are $1 for 30 minutes and are capped at $10 over 5 hours (in a single day).
Metered parking: You’ll find metered parking spots in the Old Town, Downtown, and Nob Hill districts, and fees range from 5 cents for 3 minutes to $1 for an hour.
Free street parking: Metered parking spots are free on Sundays and federal holidays, as well as between 6 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Bicycle lanes: Remember that city ordinances forbid parking in bicycle lanes, or even stopping briefly in them.

You can learn all about parking regulations and options on the City of Albuquerque’s Municipal Development, official Parking website.

Window tint laws

With all the sunshine the Duke City sees, tinting your windows is an important thing to do. It will not only keep the interior of your vehicle cooler but it’ll also give you a little more privacy. But how dark can you go with your tint, and what other laws govern window tinting in the city?

Windshield tint is only allowed above the AS-1 line (the top 5 inches approximately of the windshield).
Front side window tint must let in at least 35% of light.
Rear side and rear window tint must allow in at least 20% of light.
Reflective tint is not allowed.
Colored tints are not allowed in shades of red, amber, or yellow.
Medical exceptions may be allowed but you will need proper paperwork from your doctor.

Want to find out even more about window tinting? Learn all about tinting everything from your car windows to your headlights, car wraps, and even commercial tinting.

Helmet laws

Helmets, when riding motorcycles or bicycles, are a great safety device, preventing a lot of injuries and saving lives. But they are not a legal requirement everywhere. The rules for wearing helmets in Burque are as follows:

Motorcycle helmets: The law states that only riders and passengers 17 years or younger must wear a helmet. But all motorcycle riders must wear protective eyewear.
Bicycle helmets: If you’re under the age of 18 you need to wear a helmet, whether you’re riding a bike, skateboarding, using a scooter, rollerskates, skateboards, or riding a tricycle.

Roads and highways

Burque is a crossroads for several major routes. Some of the key roads you need to know in the city:

I-25, also known as the Pan American Freeway, is a major interstate highway that runs through the city from north to south. The highway enters the city from the north, coming from Santa Fe, and before that, Colorado, and heads south towards downtown. It then turns east, crossing the Rio Grande, and continues out of the city to the southeast, providing access to the Albuquerque International Sunport before heading on to the Mexican border.

I-40, also called the Coronado Freeway, is another major interstate highway that runs through the downtown area. The highway enters the city from the west and heads east towards downtown. It provides access to the University of New Mexico. Beyond the city limits, this highway goes all the way from Barstow, CA to Wilmington, NC.

US-550 begins just north of the city, at the I-25, and heads north to Colorado.

NM State Highway 423, also known as the Paseo del Norte, is a 6-lane state highway that runs through the northern part of Albuquerque from east to west. The highway intersects with the I-25 north of downtown.

NM State Highway 528 runs along Alameda Boulevard in the north of the city before heading northwest to join up with the US-Route 550.

NM State Highway 556 acts as a partial loop highway around the northeast of the city intersecting with both the I-25 and I-40.

Scenic routes

With amazing scenery, historic monuments, and stunning national parks all within a stone’s throw of Albuquerque, you’ll love all the scenic drives, days out, and overnight trips you can take from the city.

The Visit Albuquerque official tourism website has collated a few of their favorites including trips to Billy the Kid country, the Jemez Mountains, and the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument.

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Best tires for Albuquerque

There are a few things to consider when choosing tires for the Duke City. This city is surrounded by beautiful and fairly wild land, giving you many options for driving away from paved roads and exploring the wilderness, so many people here drive pickup trucks or SUVs. There are specialist tires designed for these types of vehicles. For example, pickup truck tires will enable you to drive comfortably on rougher terrain while carrying a heavy load.

So the first thing you should consider when choosing tires is the type of terrain you'll be driving on. All-terrain tires are a good choice if you regularly drive out of the city as there are so many unpaved roads in the surrounding countryside. They provide good traction and stability, even in sand and mud, but also allow you to comfortably drive on paved roads. If you'll be doing mostly highway driving, however, all-season tires may be a better option. They're designed to provide a smooth, comfortable ride on paved roads.

The second thing to consider is the weather. Burque can have extreme weather conditions, so it's important to choose tires that can handle hot summers and cold winters. Or possibly a different set of tires for each season.

Finally, consider your budget. There are many different types of tires on the market, so it's important to find one that fits your needs and your budget.

Luckily the team at United Tires is experienced in helping you find the best tire for your requirements and budget. If you’re feeling unsure about which tires you should buy, give us a call (toll-free of course) and we’ll help you out: 1-888-566-6214 or find other ways to contact us online.

Buy tires in Albuquerque and save up to 50%!

Replacing or upgrading your tires in Albuquerque can be a big expense but there are many ways to save money when shopping for tires.

The first tip we have to offer is to buy used tires. As long as they are quality-checked and assured, like all the tires on our website, they will give you many many miles of safe and affordable motoring. Our two-step quality check has both a manual phase where our staff inspects the tires for any visible defects and manual tests that check the health and quality of the tires. This means you are getting great quality tires at savings of up to 50%.

The second tip is to shop online with United Tires. We offer a price match promise, so if you find the same tire cheaper anywhere else, we’ll match that price. Plus we deliver all tires for absolutely free, using FedEx, so you’ll save there too.

Finally, if you’re really on a tight budget you can check out our special sections with used tires for under $50 and new tires for under $100, so you can save even more.

Other tire websites

Set of 4 used tires

Tread Depth

0/32

11/32

Average Price

$546.65

Based on pricing for set of 4 new 245/55/18 on other tire websites

Other
tire
websites

Based on pricing for set of 4 new 245/55/18 on other tire websites

Set of 4 used tires

Tread Depth

0/32

9/32

11/32

Average Price

$246.65

Based on pricing for set of 4 used 245/55/18 on utires.com

Savings
$215.65

Based on pricing for set of 4 used 245/55/18 on utires.com

There are always great deals to be had in our online used tire shop. Whether you’re looking for tires for your new passenger car or decade-old pick-up truck we have sizes and prices to suit! Shop at Utires.com for used tires in Albuquerque

Useful Links

FAQ

Where to buy tires in Albuquerque?

For the biggest range of tires, at the best prices, in Albuquerque, visit the United Tires website. The stock on our site includes both new and used tires, in a huge range of sizes and styles, for all types of driving. Whether you never leave the highways in your sedan or are constantly taking your truck into the wilderness we’ll have the tires for you at our tire shop, Albuquerque, NM. Our prices are matched daily to make sure you save big (up to 50%) and we even have free shipping (with FedEx) and a price match promise, so you can save even more.

What tires are best for Albuquerque?

All-terrain tires are a good option for Albuquerque drivers. There are many unpaved roads around the city, and these tires provide excellent traction on both paved and unpaved surfaces. In addition, all-terrain tires are typically more durable than other types of tires, so they can withstand the rigors of off-road driving. If you're looking for a tire that can handle Albuquerque's varied driving conditions, they are a good choice.

Do I need winter tires in Albuquerque?

Winter tires are a good idea for many people in Albuquerque, although not essential for all. These tires are made from a different type of rubber compound that stays pliable in colder weather, providing a better grip on icy roads. They also have deeper treads that help to channel away slush and snow. As a result, winter tires can provide significantly better traction and control on icy roads.

However, they are not necessary if you only occasionally drive outside the city during winter, and can avoid days when it's particularly cold and icy. Ultimately, whether or not to use winter tires is a personal decision that depends on your driving habits and needs. But remember, they can make driving in snowy and icy conditions much safer, so if you’re likely to encounter these conditions, strongly consider buying a set.

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Need help

In making the right choice?

Our team of professionals is here to help. Let us know your concern and we will quickly solve it. Just give us a call or go to our live chat.

Call us: 1-888-566-6214