Car Rental - Charlottesville

 

Rent a car in Charlottesville to find yourself in Virginia’s beating heart. From here, you’re less than two hours from the state’s major cities, including Richmond and Roanoke.

The city itself has its fair share of splendor, including one of the longest pedestrian malls in the US and former president Thomas Jefferson’s historic plantation, Monticello.

Meanwhile, the natural wonders of Virginia are a stone’s throw away when you rent a car in Charlottesville. Shenandoah National Park, home to the famous Skyline Drive, is an hour north.

We have car rental pick-up locations across Charlottesville, including at Charlottesville Albemarle Airport and Rio Hill Shopping Mall. Choose your vehicle from our range of stylish sedans, spacious SUVs and practical pickup trucks, then explore some of America’s favorite drives.

Reserve your Charlottesville rental car with Hertz today to immerse yourself in the Mother of States. 

Charlottesville Locations

A Quick Guide to Charlottesville

Monticello, Charlottesville

Monticello

931 Thomas Jefferson Pkwy, VA, 22902

Thomas Jefferson’s plantation, located just outside the city, is a significant historical landmark. Visitors can tour the estate to see original rooms and furnishings and learn about the third president’s life. The sprawling gardens also provide a lush backdrop with shaded trees and colorful blooms. A holiday becomes easier with a car rental, as everyone can travel together.  

Downtown Mall, Charlottesville

Downtown Mall

E Main St, VA, 22902

Charlottesville’s downtown area is made even more beautiful by being completely closed off to vehicles. With one of the longest pedestrian malls in the US, featuring more than 120 shops, Downtown Mall is a great place to soak up the city’s splendor. Once you’ve had your retail fill, find one of the outdoor cafes to watch the world pass by.

Shenandoah National Park, Charlottesville

Shenandoah National Park

Elkton, VA, 22827

The start of Skyline Drive and Shenandoah National Park is just 45 minutes from Charlottesville. Enjoy a breathtaking drive into the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, stopping off at various vantage points to soak up the panoramic views. You can also park up to hike one of the many trails in this 200,000-acre park.

Residence Inn by Marriott Charlottesville Downtown

315 W Main St, VA, 22903

Set on the outskirts of downtown Charlottesville, this modern Marriott hotel is the perfect rest stop after a busy day exploring the city. The spacious suites are your home-away-from-home, featuring a fully equipped kitchen and separate living space. Reservations also come with free breakfast and on-site parking for your Charlottesville rental car. 

Omni Charlottesville Hotel

212 Ridge McIntire Rd, VA, 22903

Your every need is catered to at this luxurious four-star hotel in Charlottesville’s leafy suburb. Take a dip in the indoor and outdoor heated pools then dine in the outdoor restaurant before relaxing in your complimentary plush robe.

Boar's Head Resort

200 Ednam Dr, VA, 22903

Stay just outside the city at this indulgent resort, close to US-250. Adventure and relaxation go hand in hand here, with premium tennis and squash facilities, three outdoor pools and a wellness spa. Rooms exude elegance with a fireplace, patio and terrycloth bathrobes.

The Ivy Inn Restaurant

2244 Old Ivy Rd, VA, 22903

Located in a historic house close to the university, the Ivy Inn is a popular choice with students searching for traditional home-style cooking. Sit out on the heated patio as you enjoy a seasonal menu of chicken biscuit pie, seafood chowder or wild mushroom ravioli. Hop in a business car rental and win your clients over at this lovely Charlottesville restaurant. 

C & O

515 E Water St, VA, 22902

This Downtown restaurant will take you from the bustling streets of Charlottesville to the romantic ambiance of Paris with its rustic interiors and French-inspired cuisine. The fixed three-course menu is a feast for the senses, with sweetbreads and fettuccine starters, glazed duck and mountain trout mains and indulgent crème brulée desserts.

The Virginian

1521 University Ave, VA, 22903

Standing as Charlottesville’s oldest restaurant, the Virginian is packed with Southern charm, bearing historic photographs and traditional wooden booths. Here, you can try signature burgers, baby back ribs, cobb salads and crab cakes.

Driving In and Around Charlottesville

  • Water Street Parking Garage (22902) is one of two major parking garages in the city center, with more than 1,000 spaces. It’s open 24/7, with the first hour free. Car rental makes traversing Charlottesville independently easier.
  • Elliewood Avenue Parking Garage (22903) can be found to the west of the city, near the University of Virginia. Parking tickets are distributed by pay and display and the lot is open 24/7.
  • On-street parking is available around Downtown, especially surrounding the Mall. These spots are usually free for a maximum of two hours.
  • Interstate 64 (I-64) is a major east to west US highway that starts in Virginia and cuts through to Mississippi. You can reach it south of Charlottesville and head east towards Richmond and Norfolk. Get a business or holiday car rental to avoid Charlottesville’s public transport.
  • U.S. Route 29 (US-29) cuts through Charlottesville from the north, looping around the university before heading south-west towards Lynchburg and Roanoke.
  • U.S. Route 250 (US-250) starts in Richmond and heads west to form a beltway around Charlottesville.

 

How to Get from Downtown Charlottesville to Monticello

It takes 10 minutes to drive the nine miles from downtown Charlottesville to historical Monticello with your rental car.

  1. Leave East Market Street and turn right on to 9 Street North-East.
  2. Take a left turn on to Monticello Avenue.
  3. Follow this road for around two miles, then turn left to join the VA-53 East.
  4. Circle around on Monticello Loop and follow it across to reach your destination.

 

How to Get from Charlottesville to Richmond

The capital of Virginia is just over an hour’s drive from Charlottesville. Hop in a Hertz car rental and just head south of the city to join the I-64 heading east, then take the I-95 south straight into Richmond.

 

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