Car Rental - Charlotte

 

Rent a car in Charlotte to explore North Carolina’s most exciting city and the rest of the state. Brimming with opportunity, this bustling business hub is one of North Carolina’s most important finance districts, but the city that works hard plays hard too.

Unwind and relax in the stunning Freedom Park, feel the rumble and adrenaline of NASCAR at Charlotte Motor Speedway, or experience the roar of the crowd at a Charlotte Panthers NFL game.

Hertz have several car rental locations across the greater Charlotte area, including Charlotte Airport, just 15 minutes away from the city, and several inner-city locations.

With car rental in Charlotte from Hertz, you can choose from a sporty convertible for romantic adventures, to family friendly SUVS and spacious sedans. Ideal for making the 250-mile drive to Atlanta.

Reserve car rental in Charlotte online today with Hertz.

Charlotte Locations

A Quick Guide to Charlotte

Visit the NASCAR Hall of Fame

In a city that’s shaped by racing, and just 25 minutes from Charlotte Motor Speedway in a rental car, a visit to the NASCAR Hall of Fame is a must.

Learn about racing legends through the years, experience the thrill of racing in a high-speed simulator against other competitors and then retrace NASCAR’s routes via film in the 280-seat, high-octane theatre. You can visit it on our NASCAR Homelands road trip.

Unwind in Freedom Park

Centered around a beautiful seven-acre lake, Freedom Park is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the beauty of the city. Stroll around the tree-lined trails or head to the tennis and basketball courts for an afternoon of fun-filled exercise. There are playgrounds for the kids too and plenty of spaces to enjoy a picnic on the grass in the sunshine.

Visit The US National Whitewater Center

Adrenaline junkies will love the plethora of activities on offer here. From thrilling whitewater rafting to zip lining, mountain biking and stand up paddle boarding, there’s something for everyone to try their hand at.

The Fig Tree Restaurant

Located in a gorgeous 1913 bungalow, this uptown restaurant is ideal for celebrating a special occasion. Serving up a mixture of American, French and Italian cuisine, expect delicious fresh seafood, succulent meat options and award-winning pasta dishes on the menu. In the summer months, we recommend some alfresco dining on the veranda.

Midwood Smokehouse

Adored by locals and tourists alike, Midwood Smokehouse is the only place in Charlotte to order barbequed meat. Tuck into delicious ribs, smoky charcoaled burgers and tender steaks, accompanied with piping hot fries and fresh side salads. Indulge in the creamy mac and cheese too for an indulgent treat.

The Asbury

Elegant and stylish, the Asbury restaurant – inside the historic Dunhill Hotel on North Tyron Street – is perfectly located for a romantic dinner before heading to watch a show at the theatre. The menu changes seasonally but expect traditional southern food, presented creatively with a modern twist. Most of the ingredients are locally sourced too.

Kimpton Tryant Park Hotel

Chic and stylish, this modern hotel is ideal for exploring Downtown Charlotte. The rooms are beautifully presented with stunning views of the city skyline and key attractions, such as the Modern Art Museum, are just a four-minute walk away. It’s only an 18-minute drive by rental car from Charlotte Airport, so you can get settled in sooner.

Omni Charlotte Hotel

Based in the heart of the financial district, this elegant hotel is perfect for staying in the city on business. Each of the rooms is finished to an exceptionally high standard with an incredible roof top pool and lounge area for you to relax and unwind on. Some of the city’s key attractions are on your doorstep with the Discovery Place Science Museum just a short walk away.

The Ritz-Carlton Charlotte

For a truly special stay in the city, the Ritz-Carlton is hard to beat. Exquisitely designed this hotel is complete with a stylish and sophisticated décor, an indoor pool and spa. It’s a 10-minute walk from both the NASCAR Hall of Fame and the Discovery Place Science Museum.

Driving In and Around Charlotte

  • On-street parking in Downtown Charlotte is easy to find for your rental car, and payable using cash at the meter, by card or payment apps. Parking is free on Sundays.
  • Parking lots. There are plenty of lots and garages close to Temple Square. You’ll find nearly 170 spaces at West Temple Surface Lot (84103) and more than 200 spots at Elks Building Garage (84111), a 10-minute walk away.
  • Shopping Centre Parking. At City Creek Center, there is underground parking available at City Creek East Garage (84111) and West Garage (84101).

If you’re driving through Charlotte in a rental car, it’s important to know main interstate highways which run through and around Charlotte. They are:

  • Interstate 77 (I-77) travels through the city center and connects with Cleveland in the north and Columbia, South Carolina, in the south.
  • Interstate 85 (I-85) runs across the north of Charlotte, towards Richmond in the east and Atlanta in the west. 

Navigating traffic in Charlotte by a rental car is like other cities, with busy mornings and late afternoons. The morning rush hour usually starts around 7am with commuters traveling into the city until around 9am. On an evening, traffic can start picking up from as early at 3.30pm until 6pm when it eases off.

How to Get From Charlotte to Charlotte Douglas Airport

The seven-mile drive from Uptown Charlotte to Charlotte Douglas Airport in your rental car lasts around 15 minutes:

  1. Join the I-277 to I-77 South.
  2. Take Exit 6B to Billy Graham Parkway for five miles, exiting after the third set of traffic signals at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport exit.
  3. Parking availability will be signposted along Josh Birmingham Parkway.

 

How to Get From Charlotte to Atlanta

Georgia’s state capital is 250 miles away and a four-hour drive south-west of Charlotte by rental car. Leave Charlotte on the I-85 S for around 250 miles – it’ll take you right into the heart of the city.

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