If you live in Albuquerque, you know the sound before you see anything. Propane burners roar in the dark, and by the time you back out of the driveway, the first balloons are lifting over the rooftops. For nine days each October, the city’s morning drive comes with a view that draws visitors from around the world.
This year’s ExxonMobil Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta runs Oct. 3–11, 2026. With this spectacular event comes hundreds of thousands of visitors, which means a lot more traffic on local roadways.
Nine Days of Visitors on One Set of Roads
Most people who attend the Fiesta don’t live here. According to figures the Fiesta presented to a New Mexico legislative committee, 611,986 of the 838,337 guest visits in 2024 came from outside the state.
During the Fiesta, it’s wise to be extra cautious when driving. A large share of the drivers around you are navigating from a map app instead of memory. They don’t know which lanes end or where their exit comes up, and they’re making those decisions in heavy event traffic.
APD has said that during the Fiesta, they see an increase in crashes and inattentive driving. It makes sense that crashes would increase, given the fact that Albuquerque’s population more than doubles during Fiesta week. Plus, with hundreds of dazzling balloons floating overhead, it may be tempting to look upwards while driving, raising the risk of a crash.
If you’re in a crash with an out-of-state driver, know that New Mexico laws apply, including the state’s pure comparative negligence rule. That means even if you’re partially or mostly at fault for a car crash in Albuquerque, you could still recover compensation.
Driving Through Fiesta Week as a Local
Fiesta week is one of the best times of year to live in Albuquerque. There’s no other place on Earth with a hot air balloon event like ours. Just be aware of your surroundings while driving, and admire the balloons when you’re safely parked.
If you’re hurt in a crash during Fiesta week or any other time of year, contact Dean Boyd’s Albuquerque office. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t pay attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.
