Car Rental - Punta Gorda

 

Rent a car in Punta Gorda to immerse yourself in the secluded nature reserves and bustling marinas of Charlotte County, Florida.

Punta Gorda captures all the laid-back charm of Florida. Enjoy a stroll along the harbor, soak up the year-round sunshine or find cover under the canopy of palm trees.

Once you’ve picked up your rental car from our Punta Gorda lot, you’re just a short drive away from Port Charlotte and Charlotte Park. You’re also 30 minutes from Fort Myers and less than two hours from Tampa.

We’ve got a great selection of rental cars in Punta Gorda to suit your trip to the Sunshine State, including open-top convertibles, sleek sedans and extra-capacity SUVs.

Reserve your Punta Gorda car rental at Hertz and discover the glistening coastlines, relaxed lifestyle and sun-kissed cities of Florida.

Punta Gorda Locations

A Quick Guide to Punta Gorda

Peace River Wildlife Center

Peace River Wildlife Center

3400 Ponce de Leon Parkway, FL, 33950

Charlotte County is filled with nature, with many variations of birds, mammals and river animals thriving. This wildlife center’s goal is to protect these creatures with its refuge and rehabilitation center, while educating visitors on ways to save local wildlife with their free tours.

Military Heritage Museum

Military Heritage Museum

900 West Marion Avenue, FL, 33950

Don’t be fooled by the blue beach-house exterior of this museum, inside you’ll find a fully functioning military museum with more than 30,000 artifacts. Experience a tour from a real-life veteran and hear personal recounts of the events which make up modern American history.

Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park

Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park

12301 Burnt Store Road, FL, 33955

Soak up the splendor of Charlotte County’s unique landscape at this 45,000-acre state park on the edge of Punta Gorda. Follow one of the many winding trails through natural mangrove forests, paddle along the miles of marches in a canoe or kayak and keep an eye out for local wildlife such as manatees, American bald eagles and dolphins.

SpringHill Suites by Marriott Punta Gorda Harborside

101 Harborside Avenue, FL, 33950

Enjoy striking views of Punta Gorda’s beautiful waterfront from your stylish suite at this modern hotel. You’ll benefit from the world-class Marriott treatment, including a free hot breakfast, complimentary in-room Wi-Fi, and access to the fitness center and outdoor pool. Get complimentary parking for your Punta Gorda rental car here to park without the fuss.

The Wyvern Hotel Punta Gorda - an Ascend Hotel Collection Member

101 East Retta Esplanade, FL, 33950

Filled with local artwork and furnished with luxurious touches, this centrally located hotel is the perfect place to put your feet up after a busy day exploring. Head to the roof deck for a swim in the heated pool or take in the views of Charlotte Harbor. Keep your Punta Gorda rental car overnight with self-service parking and rest your legs before hitting the road again.

The Cottages at Punta Villas

306-312 Harvey Street, FL, 33950

Swap harbor views for history at these cozy cottages in Downtown. Each cottage is individually decorated, with a queen-size bed, fully equipped kitchen and free Wi-Fi. Sit outside among the tropical scenery or fire up the gas grill. If you need more space, the Pineapple Cottage has two bedrooms. Want to rent a car while in Punta Gorda? You can easily park up on-site.

Smoke House Restaurant

1200 West Retta Esplanade, FL, 33950

You can’t pay a visit to Charlotte County without sampling some southern BBQ from this cozy daytime spot. It’s a relaxed eatery tucked in its own smokey nook serving breakfast and lunch-time staples. Take a pit stop and enjoy French toast, a collection of Southern-style meats and some of best omelettes around.

Carmelo's Italian Ristorante

321 West Retta Esplanade, FL, 33950

Swap the captivating waterfront of Punta Gorda for the serene channels of Venice at this authentic Italian restaurant. Bring your partner for a romantic evening dining al fresco alongside live music and a flavorsome menu of fresh pasta, grilled meats and signature appetizers.

The Perfect Caper

121 East Marion Avenue, FL, 33950

Succulent meats and indulgent flavors are on the menu at this award-winning restaurant in Downtown. The plates themselves are a work of art, perfectly presented and featuring creative concoctions, such as whipped golden potatoes, prosciutto crisps and tomato beurre fondue.

Driving In and Around Punta Gorda

  • Herald Court Centre (33950) is a 24/7, four-level parking garage in downtown Punta Gorda. It has 400 spaces and is situated close to Punta Gorda Farmer's Market and A.C. Freeman House.
  • Laishley Park (33950) has a public parking lot close to the marina, perfect if you want to park your rental car and explore Punta Gorda’s maritime markets.
  • Free on-street parking is available throughout Downtown, including on Retta Esplanade, Marion Avenue and Sullivan Street, so parking your rental car is easy in Punta Gorda.

 

  • Interstate 75 (I-75) is a major north-south highway that runs the length of Florida. It crosses between the city and Punta Gorda Airport and heads north to Tampa and south towards Fort Myers.
  • U.S. Route 41 (US-41) runs parallel to the I-75, heading directly through Downtown. It also forms the Barron Collier Bridge between Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte.
  • U.S. Route 17 (US-17) starts in Punta Gorda as an intersection of the US-41 and heads east to Cleveland. From there, it runs through mainland Florida towards Orlando. Jump in your rental car for a day trip to Florida from Punta Gorda in under 2 hours along this route.

 

How To Get From Downtown Punta Gorda by Rental Car to Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park

It takes around 10 minutes to drive the six miles from downtown Punta Gorda to Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park in your rental car.

  1. Leave downtown along Taylor Street and head south.
  2. Stay on this road for around two miles, turn right onto Burnt Store Road.
  3. In a mile, leave Burnt Store Road and turn right to join Jones Loop Road.
  4. Return on Burnt Store Road for under three miles to reach your destination.

 

How To Get From Punta Gorda to Fort Myers in Your Rental Car

If you rent a car in Punta Gorda, you’ll find Fort Myers is just a 30-minute drive away. Take the US-41 highway, south of the city and travel the 24 miles to reach Fort Myers.