Car Rental - Nantucket

 

Rent a car in Nantucket, Massachusetts for a scenic island getaway. A short hop from Cape Cod by ferry, Nantucket is a bite-sized beauty, celebrating New England’s famous coastal retreats. Discover landmarks including Brant Point Lighthouse, the Downtown Historic District and the Whaling Museum, which documents the past of this beautiful destination.

From Nantucket, it’s possible to visit several cities by ferry. A cruise to New York City takes around six hours and is very much a sightseeing activity in itself. You can also travel to nearby Providence or the Cape Cod National Seashore in Massachusetts.

You’ll find our car rental desk at Nantucket Memorial Airport, where you’ll be able to pick-up a rental car from our expansive range. Choose from executive business car rentals, SUVs, luxury sports cars and more to make your island excursion a joy.

Reserve your Nantucket car rental with Hertz online today and prepare to be dazzled.

Nantucket Locations

A Quick Guide to Nantucket

children's beach Nantucket

Children’s Beach

Nantucket, MA, 02554

The best hangout spot for families on Nantucket, Children’s Beach is an activity-packed stretch of sand in the Downtown area. With play equipment, live entertainment from special guests, and some of the island’s best eats dotted along the promenade, it’s a fantastic place to take the kids for some fun family time.

whaling museum

Whaling Museum

13 Broad Street, MA, 02554

Whaling was once the pride of New England industry. The region even served as inspiration for the literary classic Moby Dick. Park your car rental and discover the history of some of Nantucket’s bravest seafarers. Take a tour of the factories which put whale oil to use and find out what life aboard a whaling ship was like during the 19th century.

brant point lighthouse

Brant Point Lighthouse

Easton Street, MA, 02554

One of the island’s scenic and historical highlights, Brant Point Lighthouse has gone through many changes since it was built in 1746. Only one lighthouse was constructed before Brant Point in the States – bear that in mind as you cross the wooden walkway and ascend to the top for some amazing panoramic views over the waters. 

76 Main

76 Main Street, MA, 02554

Nestled in Nantucket’s bustling Downtown, the rooms making up 76 Main are tastefully appointed with nautical blues and seafoam greens – the building was also once a sea captain’s home. Unwind after a day’s exploration in minimalist, yet cozy, chambers.

The Beachside on Nantucket

30 North Beach Street, MA, 02554

Grouped around its spacious, serene pool, The Beachside’s beautiful buildings lead into relaxing sea-themed rooms. You’ll find all the modern trappings, like free Wi-Fi and coffee makers, and the hotel is also just a short walk from Children’s Beach and Brant Point.

Greydon House

17 Broad Street, MA, 02554

Greydon House features the seafaring décor you’d expect to find in a place by the sea. With high-end furniture found in the 20 boutique rooms and a warm, comfortable feel, it’s just the place to relax in luxury after a day exploring the island.

The Nautilus

2 Cambridge Street, MA, 02554

Combining smaller bites with super-sized sharable mains, the Nautilus draws from culinary influences across the globe. Choose between the juicy 30oz ribeye or whole roasted Peking duck and sample the rich flavors, alongside tapas-style oyster tacos and Thai pumpkin curry.

Topper’s

120 Wauwinet Road, MA, 02584

Marrying delicious food with enviable seaside views, Topper’s is hard to top. The seasonal menu offers fresh-caught sea urchin risotto and Maine rock shrimp. The chef’s tasting menu comprises seven courses of bite-sized beauty, including roasted duck with chestnut spaetzle.

Black-Eyed Susan’s

10 India Street, Nantucket, MA 02554

One of the most popular Nantucket dining spots, Black-Eyed Susan’s is known for its delicious breakfasts. Start your day the right way with the Portuguese scramble – a mouthwatering mash-up of chorizo, toasted garlic and tomato. Or stay for dinner and enjoy a wide selection of entrees, including sumptuous swordfish.

Driving In and Around Nantucket

  • Nantucket Memorial Airport (ACK) Parking (02554) has 650 spaces and is designated for airport travelers. It’s close by the Hertz car rental desk at the airport.
  • On-street parking is available across Nantucket. Parking restrictions are subject to seasonality, which means time limits and costs will vary, so please bear in mind where you can park your rental car during the busier summer season.
  • Madaket Road travels along the western portion of Nantucket and connects Downtown in the island’s center, with Madaket Beach on the west coast.
  • Milestone Road goes southeast from Downtown and heads towards Siasconset Old Historic District and the coast, where you’ll find Sankaty Head Lighthouse.
  • Polpis Road also runs east from Downtown, along the north side of the island, though the village of Polpis. It meets back close to Milestone Road, on the other side of Sankaty Head.

 

Traffic in Nantucket

Traffic in downtown Nantucket can be very busy during peak tourist season in the summer. However, the rest of the island is easily drivable throughout the year.

 

Beach Driving in Nantucket

It’s possible to drive onto Nantucket beaches and park your car rental, but you must register for a permit and pay a fee. Additionally, only 4x4 vehicles will be permitted to drive on the beach, and in very limited areas, to protect the surroundings.

How to Get From Nantucket to Boston

It’s just a ten-minute drive to travel the three miles from our Nantucket car rental location to ferry connections on Steamboat Wharf. Nantucket ferry services take passengers from the island to Hyannis, Massachusetts. Once you’re back on the mainland, it takes around one and a half hours to drive from the cruise terminal to Boston.

  1. Leave the Hyannis Cruise Terminal via Yarmouth Road.
  2. Merge onto US-6 West towards Boston/Providence.
  3. Continue onto MA-3 North in Sagamore and stay on for around 27 miles.
  4. Take Exit 43B to merge onto I-93 North towards Boston.
  5. Use Exit 23 to arrive in Downtown Boston.