Car Rental - Charleston

 

Rent a car in Charleston to discover the small-town charm and history of West Virginia's capital city. Home to a range of museums, restaurants and the imposing Governor’s Mansion, Charleston is located on the River Kanawha and boasts scenic views of the surrounding green valleys.

With a Charleston rental car from Hertz, you’ll be able to reach the Hawks Nest State Park in just under an hour, and New River Gorge National Park in just over an hour. You can also drive three hours to explore Monongahela National Forest. If you prefer city vibes to a countryside hike, Lexington and Columbus are both under three hours away in your rental car. Downtown Charleston is a mere 10 minutes’ drive from West Virginia International Yeager Airport.

From business car rentals to holiday hires, why not rent a sophisticated sedan for visiting the capitol building or a spacious SUV for sightseeing with your family. Whatever your needs, we have the perfect rental car for you.

Start planning your riverside city trip today with Hertz car rental in Charleston.

Charleston Locations

A Quick Guide to Charleston

West Virginia State Capitol building and view of downtown Charleston

West Virginia State Capitol Building

1900 Kanawha Boulevard East, Charleston, West Virginia, 25305

Perhaps the most prominent building and attraction in Charleston, the grand exterior of this structure matches the importance of its residency – the governor of West Virginia. Explore the landscaped grounds or book a tour to learn about the history of the state and the building.

Quilt exhibition

West Virginia State Museum

1900 Kanawha Boulevard East, Charleston, West Virginia, 25305

Located opposite the Governor’s Mansion, the West Virginia State Museum focuses on the state’s history, culture, art and even paleontology. The exhibitions change regularly but resident displays tell the story of West Virginia from prehistoric to current times. Don’t forget a trip to the gift shop. Metered visitor parking is available for your car rental next to the museum.

inside planetarium

Clay Center

1 Clay Square, Charleston, West Virginia, 25301

The Clay Centre is a 240,000-square-foot venue, home to an art museum, an interactive discovery museum, a planetarium and a performance hall. There’s something for everyone including live music, 3D shows, children’s activities and art classes.

Charleston Marriott Town Center

200 Lee Street E, Charleston, West Virginia, 25301

Located in Downtown Charleston, a few minutes from the State Capitol building in your rental car, this modern Marriott hotel in Charleston provides an indoor pool, fitness center and 16 event rooms. The on-site Brick Salt Bar+Kitchen offers a seasonal menu for guests, and you can even bring your pets to stay.

Hampton Inn Charleston-Southridge

1 Preferred Place, Charleston, West Virginia 25309

The Hampton Inn is ideally placed off US-119, just 15 minutes from Yeager Airport in your Charleston car rental. Guests can take advantage of complimentary parking, a delicious hot breakfast, plus a fitness center that’s perfect for cramming a quick workout into a packed schedule.

Embassy Suites by Hilton Charleston

300 Court Street, Charleston, West Virginia, 25301

Indulge yourself at Embassy Suites with free made-to-order breakfast, complimentary evening reception and an indoor pool. Other amenities at this Downtown hotel include free airport transportation, room service, laundry service, a business center and pet-friendly rooms. On-site parking is available for your car rental for a daily fee. 

Bricks & Barrels

1214 Smith Street, Charleston, West Virginia, 25301

Bricks & Barrels is a popular restaurant among the locals thanks to its unique ambience and fresh food. With dining tables made from wooden wine and whiskey barrels, rustic brick walls and private seating alcoves made to create the impression of dining inside of a barrel, it’s obvious where the restaurant name comes from. Expect a premium steak and seafood menu. Parking is available outside the restaurant for your Charleston car rental.

Laury’s Restaurant

350 MacCorkle Avenue Southeast, Charleston, West Virginia, 25314

Just three minutes’ drive over the river from downtown in your rental car, treat yourself to a fine-dining experience in the decadent rooms of this historic Railroad Depot building. Established in 1976, Laury’s offers indulgent French-inspired dishes such as veal scallopini piccata, pasta primavera and roasted duck. Tuck in while enjoying stunning views of the Kanawha River and the skyline of downtown Charleston.

Soho’s

800 Smith Street, Charleston, West Virginia, 25301

Located in the popular Capitol Market, Soho’s is a casual Italian eatery with a friendly atmosphere for friends and family alike. The menu includes specialty in-house soups, homemade desserts and Italian, American and Mediterranean dishes with a twist. Eat outside in the garden area, or inside the renovated 1800’s train depot, with exposed brick, wood ceilings and steel beams.

Driving In and Around Charleston

  • Washington Trust Lot (25301) provides convenient parking, close to the Clay Center, Capitol Market and the Charleston Convention & Visitors Bureau.
  • Chase Tower – Douglas Parking (25301) can be found in Downtown Charleston, offering more than 500 spaces near Haddad Riverfront Park and Heritage Towers.
  • Charleston Town Center Washington Street Garage (25301) has 550 spaces and is conveniently located for the stores and restaurants in Charleston’s center.

 

  • Interstate 64 (I-64) runs east-west through West Virginia, starting in outer St. Louis and running through Louisville, Charleston and Richmond to end in coastal Norfolk.
  • US Route 60 (US-60) is a major US highway running east-west from Brenda, near Phoenix, to Virginia Beach. In Charleston, it is the main road over Patrick Street Bridge and through the town center.
  • Interstate 77 (I-77) is a south-north highway connecting Columbia in South Carolina to Cleveland in Ohio, via the metropolitan outskirts of Charlotte and other cities in West Virginia, including Charleston.

 

How to Get From Charleston to Hawks Nest State Park

It takes an hour to drive the 50 miles from our Charleston car rental location to Hawks Nest State Park.

  1. Leave the car rental lot on MacCorkle Avenue and head east towards Maple Street.  
  2. Merge onto I-64 East via the slip road to Charleston and follow the road.
  3. Take Exit 96 for US-60 East towards Belle and continue to US-60 East.
  4. Turn left onto US-60 East/Midland Trail.
  5. Follow Midland Trail to Hawks Nest State Park.

 

How to Get From Charleston to Lexington, Kentucky

Lexington is just under a three-hour drive from our Hertz Charleston car rental pick up location. Take I-64 W/I-77 North from Lee Street and follow the I-64 West until you reach Exit 81, then take the exit and merge onto I-75 South towards Richmond/Knoxville. Take Exit 110 for US-60 towards Lexington.

 

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