Car Rental - Panama City

 

Rent a car in Panama City, Florida, to enjoy the famous Floridian hospitality, alongside a great choice of museums, restaurants and much more.

A short drive from the gorgeous Gulf of Mexico, with a bevy of beaches along the shoreline, Panama City is close to forests, creeks and more scenic highlights.

About halfway between Tallahassee and Pensacola in northern Florida, car rental in Panama City allows you to explore these urban hotspots at your own leisure. Stick to the excitement of the city or explore the open roads of Florida.

As well as having pick-up offices across the city – including car rental at Panama City airport – Hertz has a great selection of rental car options to reach every place you want. Whether you’re cruising the Floridian freeways or roaming the rural roads, we’ve got stylish convertibles and rugged SUVs to suit.

Reserve Panama City car rental with Hertz today and relax knowing your Florida road trip is in good hands.

Panama City Locations

Google
Map data ©2026
Map data ©2026

A Quick Guide to Panama City

St Andrews State Park

St Andrews State Park

4607 State Park Lane, Panama City, FL 32408

This state park, which juts out into Saint Andrews Bay, is one of the region’s natural highlights. Take to the waters in a kayak or aboard a boat tour, enjoy the views on a hiking trail, find a spot for birdwatching – St Andrews is a favorite for migratory warblers as the seasons change – or simply soak in the emerald seas. You will need a Florida State Park parking permit for your Panama City car rental, which can be purchased for single occupancy vehicles or for two to eight people.

Panama city Science and Discovery Center

Science & Discovery Center

308 Airport Road, Panama City, FL 32405

Take your junior adventurers on a mission to uncover the past at this friendly and interactive museum. Dig up dinosaur bones in the sand and meet their reptile descendants – residents of the Center include snakes, frogs, and lizards. Hop on the nature trail to discover fascinating things about the world around you, before touring the interactive exhibits. Paid parking is available for your car rental from Panama City.

panama city ZooWorld Zoological Park

ZooWorld Zoological Park

9008 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach, FL 32407

The family highlight of nearby Panama City Beach is ZooWorld, which has more than 250 animals at home in a lush tropical habitat. Take a walking tour around the exhibits and you’ll even have the chance to pet some of their friendlier residents, such as sloths, giraffes and lemurs. Help out at feeding time by throwing alligators their lunch. There is an on-site parking lot for your Panama City rental car, or additional overflow parking just up the road if it’s full.

Sheraton Panama City Beach Golf & Spa Resort

4114 Jan Cooley Dr, Panama City Beach, FL 32408

The Sheraton is home to the Panhandle’s only Nicklaus Design golf course – the gold standard for golfers. Relax between rounds in rooms with balcony views of the Grand Lagoon and tasteful interiors. There are multiple parking spaces for you to leave your Panama City car rental while you explore the local area.

Hilton Garden Inn

1101 US-231, Panama City, FL 32405

A few minutes from downtown Panama City, the Garden Inn has an outdoor pool, plus a selection of spacious rooms with free Wi-Fi. The ideal place to rest your head after a day exploring the town. There’s free parking for your holiday car rental, and EV charging on-site if you choose to rent an electric vehicle.

Seychelles Beach Resort

5115 Gulf Drive, Panama City, FL 32408

Just one mile from St Andrews State Park, the rooms offer clear blue coastal views from the balcony, while the exterior pool also features a hot tub to soak up the sunsets over the Gulf. Each room includes free parking for one vehicle, so you can leave your Panama City rental car while you relax by the water.

The Grand Marlin

5323 North Lagoon Drive, Panama City, Florida 32408

Fresh seafood plus a raft of awards from Florida’s biggest tourist sites equals: a stunning dining experience. Serving shucked oysters with pepper jack cheese and a delicious BBQ butter, as well as sizzling fried shrimp, the flavors are as rich and wholesome as they come.

The Bagel Maker

41 West 4th Street, Panama City, FL 32401

The oven-fresh smell alone is enough to make your mouth water, but what’s really tempting is the Bagel Maker’s creative experiments with baked-in-ingredients. Try the heaps of ham and Swiss cheese on one of their creations, and the beautiful bagel dogs – a choice of sausage swaddled in fresh bread.

Big Mama's Country Cooking

620 West Beach Drive, Panama City, FL 32401

No frills, no fuss – just some good ol’ Southern favorites in this old-timey diner. Pull up a chair at the counter for the genuine Bayou ambiance, and feast on fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy. Don’t forget the slaw.

Driving In and Around Panama City

 

  • There are more than 1,300 spaces available at Panama City Square (32405), now the city’s largest shopping mall.
  • 905 East 23rd Place (32405) has ample parking spaces and is situated close to the old Panama City Mall.

 

Get around in Panama Beach using its main roads:

  • Florida State Road 368 (23rd Street) runs east to west, bypassing Panama City allowing drivers to quickly get across town.
  • The Hathaway Bridge to Panama City Beach is part of US Route 98, which runs east along the Panhandle, passing through the city before turning inland and stretching towards Palm Beach in the southeast. 
  • US Highway 231 runs a little over 80 miles northeast to Dothan in Alabama.

 

 

Panama City to Pensacola

The two-hour, 20-minute drive to Pensacola when you rent a car in Panama City takes you across the outskirts of the Conecuh National Forest.

  1. Take the US-98 W for 12 miles then turn right on to FL-79.
  2. After 40 miles, turn right on to US-331N.
  3. Merge on to I-10 W for a further 70 miles before taking I-110 S.
  4. Take exit 3 off I-110 S into Pensacola.

 

Panama City to Orlando

A five-hour, 20-minute drive east in your Panama City rental car across Florida takes you to one of the state’s most popular destinations.

  1. Take US-231 N, FL-20 E and FL-12 E to the I-10 in Gadsden County.
  2. Merge on to I-10 E.
  3. Take exit 296A to merge on to I-75 S towards Tampa.
  4. Staying on Florida’s Turnpike, follow the signs for Orlando/Turnpike S.
  5. Continue on to FL-408 E into Orlando.