Seattle Car Rental

 

Car Rental in Seattle

Drive through the ‘Emerald City’ in comfort, convenience and style behind the wheel of a Seattle car rental from Hertz. Head down to Pike Place Market and taste the fresh produce sold by local farmers. Then cruise along Interstate 5, through the city center, admiring the skyscrapers and the Space Needle along the way.

There’s a collection of car rental pick-up locations across Seattle, with several throughout Downtown, as well as at Seattle-Tacoma Airport. You’ll also find us in several nearby destinations across Washington state, including the port city of Tacoma – around 30 minutes drive away.

By reserving Seattle car rental with Hertz, you can find your perfect vehicle for the trip. Whether you’re looking to explore the vast national parks of Olympic or Mount Baker-Snoqualmie in a rugged SUV, take a road trip out to Glacier or Mount Rainier National Parks, or cruise around the inner city in a sports car or sedan, you’ll find it in our fleet.

Make Hertz your choice for Seattle car rental today and experience what the biggest city in Washington has to offer.

Popular Vehicles to Rent in Seattle

A BWM series 2 car model

Cars

  • 4-5 people
  • 2-5 suitcases
  • 4 doors
A convertible MINI car

Convertibles

  • 4-5 people
  • 3 suitcases
  • 2-4 doors
A Range Rover SUV model

SUVs

  • 5-7 people
  • 4 suitcases
  • 2-4 doors

Seattle Car Rental FAQs

While there’s no shortage of parking spaces, parking in Seattle can be a hassle due to the sheer number of drivers and vehicles in the city. Fortunately, there is an online interactive map for Downtown Seattle to help you find real-time parking spots. The map also lets you see how many parking spaces are available at each parking location.   

Aside from downtown garage parking, you can also discover free and metered on-street parking for your Seattle car rental using the Seattle Best parking website. It also shows you areas that are not available to park for personal vehicles.

Other popular parking spots in Seattle include:

  • Wells Fargo Center (999 3rd Avenue) contains 703 spaces and is conveniently located next to the Wells Fargo Arena where you can catch a game of basketball, hockey or Lacross – alongside other exciting activities.
  • Fourth & Madison – Diamond Parking Services LLC (925 4th Avenue) contains ample parking with 651 spaces available. Only four minutes walk to 2nd Avenue where you can discover all the sights and sounds of Downtown Seattle.
  • 1st & Columbia Garage (721 1st Avenue) 710 parking spaces available for your Seattle car rental. A short walk to Seattle Bremerton Ferry and Bainbridge Ferry where you can take in breathtaking views of the waterfront. 
  • I-5 Seattle – This is the busiest highway in the Washington area and travels north to south across the Greater Seattle area. Much of the Seattle skyline can be viewed on this highway while driving across the Interstate 5 northbound stretch. 

Drive from our car rental location at Seattle Tacoma International Airport to Downtown Seattle:

  1. Leave the car rental parking lot at SEA and head west on South 182nd Street.
  2. Merge onto WA-518 East via the slip road to I-5/I-405/Seattle/Tacoma.
  3. Merge onto I-5 North.
  4. Take exit 164A for Dearborn Street towards James Street/ Madison Street.
  5. Take the Madison Street North slip road.
  6. Merge onto 7th Avenue.
  7. Turn left onto Madison Street.
  8. You’ve arrived at Downtown Seattle.

Top Tips for Driving a Rental Car in Seattle

  • Washington State Law states that you must be at least 16 years of age to drive.
  • You must have passed a driver’s license exam.
  • You must have had a valid instruction permit for six months.
  • Have passed a certified Driver’s ED course. 
  • Entering a freeway requires stopping at the ramp-meter signal.
  • You must yield to emergency vehicles approaching from any direction.
  • You can make U-turns on a road only if you can see that the road is clear 500 feet+ in any direction.
  • It is against the law to use a hand-held cell phone device to call or text while driving.

 

Once you collect your Seattle car rental, you’ll also be expected to adhere to local speed limits. The speed limit is 25mph on residential streets and 30 mph on arterial streets unless posted otherwise.

Learn more about driving in Seattle with our Seattle driving guide. For more information about exploring Emerald City and the Washington Metropolitan area in your rental car, check out our guide to driving in Washington. 

 

In Seattle, daily traffic is often at its peak during morning and evening rush hour times:

  • Weekday mornings: 8am to 10am
  • Weekday evenings: 3pm to 6pm

Try to avoid roads leading in and out of downtown Seattle during these times, as Seattle is on record as having the seventh-worst downtime traffic in the US.  

Seattle Tacoma (Sea-Tac) is the largest airport in the Pacific Northwest, therefore the airport receives plenty of local and international passengers. To ease accessibility, we have an exclusive rental office at Sea-Tac’s rental car facility. Airport shuttle buses are operating on a 24-hour schedule for easy access to our offices. You can find the passenger pick-up areas for these shuttles at the baggage claim of the north and south ends of the main terminal.

If you’d like to know more about booking a car rental with us at Sea-Tac airport, get in touch through our Hertz Support Center. 

A Quick Travel Guide to Seattle

Museum of Pop Culture Seatlle

Museum of Pop Culture

325 5th Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98109

From Nirvana to Minecraft, the Museum of Pop Culture is a window to the world we live in. It’s home to several revolving and permanent exhibits. Step inside the unique curved, purple and silver building, which the Seattle Monorail runs through, and explore exhibitions on grunge music, movies, gaming and subcultures.

Chihuly Garden and Glass

Chihuly Garden and Glass

305 Harrison Street, Seattle, WA 98109

Discover the works of acclaimed glass sculptor Dale Chihuly, one of Washington state’s favorite sons, in the museum dedicated to his works. Perhaps the most striking part is the Glasshouse – a greenhouse full of blown glass flowers – presenting a striking collage of reds, oranges and yellows.

 

Space Needle

Seattle Art Museum

1300 1st Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101

Make your way to downtown Seattle in your rental car and enter this artsy museum that’s only a block from Pike Place Market. Enjoy installations of rotating exhibitions and contemporary art from around the world. Not only that but enjoy magnificent views of the Olympic Mountains and Space Needle as you make your way through its three different floors of art.

 

Inn at the Market

86 Pine Street, Seattle, WA 98101

Over 70 comfortable rooms and suites, waterside views and a short walk from the original Starbucks – what’s not to love about the Inn at the Market hotel? Close to the Seattle Waterfront, it’s perfect for a relaxing stroll any time of day.

 

Four Seasons Hotel

99 Union Street, Seattle, WA 98101

Revel in five-star luxury near the Seattle Museum of Art, at the Four Seasons Seattle. Enjoy modern, understated suites and relax with a dip in the Infinity Pool & Bar. It’s the only heated rooftop pool in the city and boasts stunning sunset views of nearby Elliott Bay.

Seattle Marriot Waterfront

2100 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98121

Prepare for an exciting maritime adventure while staying at the Seattle Marriot Waterfront. Nestled on the breathtaking Ellio Bay, you’re only a few minutes’ drive in your Seattle rental car from tourist hotspots like Pike Place Market. Plus, fall in love with the picturesque waterfront views and delectable cuisines offered in nearby downtown Seattle.

Canlis

2576 Aurora Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98109

Take your Seattle car rental for a spin to Aurora Avenue (98109) and discover fine dining, Seattle style. Experience a four-course meal, with delectable dishes including a caramelized mussel starter, grilled carrots side, dry-aged ribeye and a decadent Japanese sweet potato dessert.

 

The Pink Door

1919 Post Alley, Seattle, WA 98101

With classic Italian American lunch and dinner dishes on its stacked menu, the Pink Door sources most of its ingredients from nearby Bainbridge Island. It’s close to Pike Place Market, and its Lamb “Osso Buco” grilled polenta is not to be missed.

Un Bien

7302.5 15th Avenue NW, Seattle, WA 98117

The Un Bien is a landmark restaurant in Emerald City that you can’t not afford to visit while touring with your Seattle car rental. Previously run by Lorenzo Lorenzo and now under the stewardship of his sons, here get to enjoy a wide range of succulent dishes passed on from one generation to the next.

Fancy a Road Trip from Seattle?

 

We recommend driving your Seattle car rental away from the hustle and bustle of Emerald City to the fun but relaxing city of Bellingham full of outdoor activities, cultural attractions and beaches. Prepare to indulge yourself in a thriving cultural scene – only a 90-mile drive away! 

Seattle travel blog