Car Rental - Fort Wayne

 

Rent a car in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and make the most of a city with a long, proud history. Built in 1794 and named for an American Revolutionary War general, here you’ll find that 200 years have made this into a wonderful, modern city that embraces its past.

Our Fort Wayne car rental pick-up branch is conveniently located near excellent transport links, meaning you can be Downtown in minutes, while the rest of Indiana awaits your exploration. If you’re planning a road trip, Detroit and Lake Erie are less than three hours to the east, with Chicago to the west.

Set out in a vehicle that’s ideal for your trip, with a range that spans sedans perfect for business car rental, and larger SUVs that can fit all your family and their baggage too.

Reserve Fort Wayne car rental online today with Hertz to get your passport to ‘Summit City’.

Fort Wayne Locations

Google
Map data ©2026 Google
Map data ©2026 Google

A Quick Guide to Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne’s Children’s Zoo

Fort Wayne’s Children’s Zoo

3411 Sherman Boulevard, IN, 46808

This zoo in Franke Park has been charming children since 1965, with 40 acres to explore and a world of animals to say hello to. There are distinct areas and habitats, including an Indonesian Rainforest, Australian Adventure and African Journey. The Central Zoo is home to capuchin monkeys, penguins and sea lions, while the family farm will let your kids brush a goat. Elsewhere, they might even get to feed the giraffes. Park your holiday rental car for free and stay as long as you like.

Fort Wayne the old fort

The Old Fort

1201 Spy Run Avenue, IN, 46802

Fort Wayne earned its name as a fort for traders in the 19th century, and you can get a sense of life back then in this replica of the original. It’s free to enter and wander around, with numerous reenactments throughout the year focusing on the 1812 siege and Revolutionary War. Park your Fort Wayne rental car at Headwaters Park and use the pedestrian bridge to access the fort.

Fort Wayne’s Riverfront

Riverfront Fort Wayne

1 South High Street, OH, 44308

Fort Wayne was sighted at the confluence of three rivers – the St. Joseph, St. Marys and Maumee – and the Riverfront area is close to where they all meet up. It’s an area that encompasses the Old Fort, but also the wonderful Promenade Park, Science Central, river cruises, walking trails and the Landing District with its hotels and dining spots.

Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Fort Wayne

1150 South Harrison Street, IN, 46802

A brilliant spot for Downtown, this Marriott Courtyard is next to the Grand Wayne Convention Center and Embassy Theatre. The Botanical Conservatory and Parkview Field are only seconds away. There’s a small indoor pool, and Conner’s Kitchen and Bar is a step above most chain hotel restaurants. Park your holiday car rental on-site for a daily fee, or at City of Fort Wayne Parking just 0.1 miles away.

Tru by Hilton

5345 Distribution Drive, IN, 46825

One of the more modern Hilton brands, Tru has a modern hub in reception, with games areas and charging points, as well as a heated indoor pool. Perfect for a short stay, it’s near Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo. Enjoy complimentary on-site parking for your Fort Wayne rental car when you stay at Tru.

TownePlace Suites Fort Wayne North

3949 Ice Way, IN, 46805

Just off US 27, this all-suite hotel puts you in pole position for the Children’s Zoo, Glenbrook Square shopping mall and Franke Park. Both the business center and fitness center are open 24 hours a day, while rooms have kitchenettes. Complementary parking is available for guests on-site – please ask for a parking pass to avoid your Fort Wayne rental car being towed.

Cindy’s Diner

230 West Berry Street, IN, 46802

The epitome of the classic diner, Cindy’s might be small in stature but it’s big on leaving you happy. It has been here since 1950 – being called Noah’s, Paul’s and Marge’s Diner over the years – and serves up greasy spoon classics. Try the hot cakes, sausage, gravy and biscuits or ‘Garbage, their mix of eggs, cheese, potatoes and ham.

The Oyster Bar

1830 South Calhoun Street, IN, 46802

Originally opened as a saloon in 1888, this stalwart of the Fort Wayne dining scene is now celebrated for its oysters, scallops and other seafood specials. It ticks a lot of boxes – you can start with snails, move on to oysters Rockefeller, then dive into baby back ribs with their signature rub, or choose filet mignon.

Don Hall’s Gas House

305 East Superior Street, IN, 46802

Housed in what was once a Downtown gas plant near to St. Mary’s River, Don Hall’s is the place for prime rib or surf and turf, accompanied with classic sides and rich sauces. The coffee-crusted New York strip steak is a winner, as is the jambalaya risotto.

Driving In and Around Fort Wayne

  • Downtown Fort Wayne has metered parking which is free after 5PM on weekdays, and all weekend long. North River Parking Lot (46802) is a free-to-use surface lot that is ideal for visiting the Promenade Park and Riverfront areas.
  • Many of the city’s museums such as Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Botanical Conservatory and Science Central have free visitor parking lots for your Fort Wayne rental car.
  • Interstate 469 (I-469) is a bypass that runs for 30 miles from the south of Fort Wayne, skirts around the eastern edge, then ends north of the city. It’s known as the Ronald Reagan Expressway.
  • Interstate 69 (I-69) runs southwest to northeast, passing through the northern side of town. Southwest it takes you to Indianapolis, the largest city in the state, northeast to Lansing, the shores of Lake Huron and the border with Canada.
  • US Route 27 (US 27), which has its northern end in Fort Wayne, runs to the southern Indiana border, on through Cincinnati and finally terminates in Miami, Florida.

How to Get From Fort Wayne to Indianapolis

It should take from two to three hours to drive the 125 miles in your rental car from Fort Wayne to Indianapolis:

  1. Take the Indianapolis ramp to merge onto I-69 S/US 33S.
  2. Follow I-69 S for approximately 105 miles.
  3. Leave I-69 S at Exit 200, join I-465 S.
  4. Take Exit 44 for I-70 W. Follow signs for Indianapolis.

 

How to Get From Fort Wayne to Detroit

Some 160 miles northeast of Fort Wayne, the fastest route in your rental car to Detroit takes you through Toledo.

  1. On the eastern edge of the city, join US 24 E, heading into Ohio.
  2. Take Exit 68 A for I-475S/US 23 S for Dayton.
  3. After four miles, take exit 1B for I-75 N.
  4. Stay on I-75 N as you enter Michigan.
  5. Leave the I-75 N at Exit 49 for M-10 for Southfield.