Budget Car Hire
New Windsor, NY

Once you disembark at Stewart International Airport, the process is straightforward. After collecting your luggage at baggage reclaim, follow the overhead signs in the terminal for "Rental Cars." The Budget counter is located within the main terminal building. After you complete the paperwork at the counter, staff will direct you to the vehicle pickup area, which is typically a short walk from the terminal exit.

To ensure a smooth pickup after a late flight, have your reservation details and driving licence to hand. On arrival, go directly to the rental car desks in the terminal. Airport rental locations are used to serving passengers from delayed flights, and staff work efficiently to get you on your way. Having all your information ready helps speed up the process at the desk, making your transition from the airport to the road as quick as possible.

For the most accurate navigation, enter "Stewart International Airport" or its address, 1180 1st St, New Windsor, NY 12553, into your sat nav. This will take you to the main airport entrance. Once on airport property, stop relying solely on the sat nav and follow the official signs for "Rental Car Return." These signs will direct you to the specific lot for all hire companies, preventing you from accidentally ending up in passenger drop-off or long-stay parking.

The drive to the United States Military Academy at West Point is scenic and direct. From New Windsor, taking US-9W North is the most straightforward route. All visitors must enter via the Thayer Gate in Highland Falls. Your first stop is the West Point Visitors Centre, just outside the gate. There is ample dedicated parking at the Visitors Centre, where you can arrange a guided tour to access the academy grounds.

The primary crossing is the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge, which carries Interstate 84. To avoid the most stressful traffic, plan your crossing outside typical weekday commuter hours, roughly 7–9am and 4–6pm. For a smoother experience, aim to travel mid-morning or early afternoon. Before you leave, check a real-time traffic app for any unexpected delays on the bridge.

Allow approximately 20 to 25 minutes for the drive from the New Windsor area to Woodbury Common via the I-87 South. The route is direct and well signed. During peak times, such as weekends and bank holidays, the car parks can become very crowded. To secure a convenient space and avoid a long search, it is highly recommended to arrive early in the morning, preferably before the shops open.

A compact or mid-size saloon is an excellent all-round choice for exploring Hudson Valley towns. These cars are easy to manoeuvre and park on the sometimes narrow streets of historic villages like Cold Spring. If your plans include hiking or you need more cargo space, a small SUV provides added versatility without being too large for town parking. Both options offer a good balance of comfort and fuel efficiency for a weekend away.

Access to Minnewaska is via Route 44/55, a scenic but winding mountain road. The most important thing to know is that parking is limited and fills extremely quickly, especially on weekends with good weather. To avoid being turned away, plan to arrive very early, ideally before 9am. The park often posts real-time parking status updates on its official website or social media, which you should check before you set off.

For Mohonk Preserve, the key is an early start, as parking at popular trailheads like West Trapps can be full by mid-morning at weekends. For the Mohonk Mountain House, access is restricted and you cannot simply drive up to look for parking. You must have a pre-booked reservation for an overnight stay, dining or a spa treatment, or purchase a hiking day pass in advance online to be permitted through the entrance gate.

As a first-time visitor, your destination is the West Point Visitors Centre in Highland Falls, located just outside the Thayer Gate. You will park at the Visitors Centre, not on the academy grounds themselves. Inside, you must present a valid government-issued photo ID to book a place on one of the official guided bus tours. These tours are the only way for the general public to access and experience the historic grounds.

The most straightforward and least intimidating route for a first-time visitor is to take the New York State Thruway (I-87) North. This major motorway offers a smooth, multi-lane drive and provides direct access to key Catskill entry points like Kingston (Exit 19) and Saugerties (Exit 20). From these exits, you can then take well-maintained state routes to popular towns like Woodstock or Phoenicia, avoiding steeper, more challenging back roads.

When driving south from the New Windsor area toward New York City, expect to encounter tolls, particularly on the I-87 (NYS Thruway) and at major crossings like the George Washington Bridge. Most hire vehicles are equipped with an electronic tolling pass for convenience. If you prefer to minimise tolls, set your sat nav to "avoid tolls", which may route you onto scenic but slower parkways like the Palisades Interstate Parkway for part of your journey.

An excellent and easy-to-find meetup spot is the Newburgh Mall area or the surrounding shopping plazas on Route 300 (Union Avenue). This commercial hub is just a few minutes from the airport and right off both the I-87 and I-84. With familiar landmarks, large car parks and various coffee shops or restaurants, it serves as a convenient and low-stress central point for everyone to gather before heading to your final destination.

For a domestic flight out of Stewart International Airport, a good rule of thumb is to arrive at the rental car return lot about two hours before your scheduled departure. This provides a comfortable buffer to complete the vehicle return process, get to the terminal, check in any luggage and pass through security without feeling rushed. While SWF is an efficient airport, allowing this amount of time helps ensure a stress-free end to your trip.

The most convenient and stress-free strategy is to use the Metro-North Railroad. Drive your hire car to Beacon station, which is a short and easy drive from New Windsor and has ample day parking. From there, you can enjoy a scenic train ride along the Hudson River directly into Grand Central Terminal. This approach lets you avoid the hassles of Manhattan traffic, tolls and expensive car parks.

A popular and highly recommended strategy is to park outside Manhattan and use public transport to enter the city. Many visitors drive to a large transit hub in New Jersey, such as Secaucus Junction, and take a short NJ Transit train into Penn Station. Another great option is to park at a Metro-North station north of the city, like Tarrytown or Beacon, and take the train into Grand Central Terminal.

For visitors, the large interchange where the I-84 and the New York State Thruway (I-87) connect can be challenging, with several lanes merging and exiting. It’s important to know your route number and direction in advance. Additionally, a local traffic circle known as the Vails Gate Five Corners can be confusing. Using a sat nav with lane-assist guidance and reviewing your route before you start driving can help you navigate these areas with confidence.

The drive to cruise ports in Bayonne or Hoboken typically takes about 90 minutes in ideal conditions, using routes like the I-87 South to the Garden State Parkway or NJ Turnpike. The biggest factor is time of day; avoid travelling during weekday morning (7–10am) and evening (4–7pm) rush hours if at all possible. Leaving extra buffer time is critical, as traffic in the greater NYC metro area can be unpredictable and heavy.

For a classic fall foliage drive, the Seven Lakes Drive through Harriman State Park is an excellent choice, offering numerous spots to pull over and enjoy the views. Another great option is Route 9W South towards Bear Mountain State Park, which provides stunning vistas of the Hudson River. Both routes are well maintained, easy to navigate from New Windsor, and designed with scenic turnouts for visitors to stop safely and take pictures.

During winter weather events, it’s wisest to stick to the major highways, as they are the top priority for ploughing and salting. Interstate 84 and the New York State Thruway (I-87) are the most reliably clear routes for travel. Major local arteries like Route 300 (Union Avenue) and Route 17K are also well maintained. It’s best to exercise caution and avoid smaller, hilly back roads, which may be treated less frequently and can be more hazardous.

When planning a tour of the region’s craft beverage producers, group your visits by location, such as focusing on the Shawangunk Wine Trail for one day. Distances between stops can be longer than they appear on a map due to winding, rural roads. Be aware that mobile coverage for GPS can be spotty in some areas, so download maps for offline use or have a general sense of your route beforehand.

While major roads are suitable for all vehicle sizes, some historic towns like Cold Spring and Rhinebeck feature narrow streets and tight on-street parking that can be challenging for a large SUV or van. Additionally, some scenic parkways in the region have low stone-arch bridges that prohibit commercial vehicles and larger trucks. For the most flexibility in exploring both towns and countryside, a standard saloon or compact SUV is often the most practical choice.

The best method is to use the airport’s complimentary cell-phone waiting lot. You can wait there free of charge until your family has collected their bags and called you to say they are ready at the curb. The cell-phone lot is located just a minute or two from the terminal’s arrivals area. This allows you to avoid circling the busy terminal roads and provides a perfectly timed, stress-free pickup.

Visiting Dia Beacon by car is very convenient. The museum is easily accessible from major roads and has a large, dedicated visitor car park on site. Parking is typically plentiful and located just steps from the museum’s main entrance. You can expect the walk from your car to the front door to take only a minute or two, making for a very easy and practical arrival.

Both towns are an easy and scenic drive from New Windsor. However, for a first-time visitor, Beacon is generally easier from a parking perspective. Beacon has several large, centrally located municipal car parks near its Main Street, making it simpler to find a space. Cold Spring is smaller and relies heavily on on-street parking, which can be very competitive and difficult to find, especially on a busy weekend.

A logical and efficient loop from New Windsor would be to first drive north on the west side of the Hudson. Start by taking the NYS Thruway (I-87) to Kingston. From Kingston, cross the river via the Rhinecliff Bridge to visit Rhinebeck, and then drive north to Hudson. This route minimises backtracking and creates a smooth, circular path, allowing you to end your trip on the east side of the river.

The key is to choose a hiking location that is immediately adjacent to the town you wish to visit. For instance, you can hike at Mount Beacon and then drive just a few minutes to park on Beacon’s Main Street for the rest of the afternoon. Similarly, you could hike in the Mohonk Preserve near New Paltz and then find a single parking spot in town for your post-hike meal and shopping, eliminating the hassle of moving the car multiple times.

While coverage is generally good on major highways, be prepared for intermittent or non-existent mobile reception on rural back roads and in mountainous areas. This is particularly true within state parks like Minnewaska and further into the Catskills. Before you leave, download maps of the region to your phone for offline use, ensuring your navigation continues to work even without a signal.

For bulky gear, an SUV or a minivan is the most practical choice. When selecting a vehicle, look for features like 60/40 split-folding rear seats or seats that fold completely flat. This versatility allows you to create a long, open cargo space to accommodate items like skis or bikes. An SUV also provides higher ground clearance, which can be beneficial for accessing some trailhead parking areas.

The most direct route to LEGOLAND is to take Route 17K West to NY-17 West, following the signs for the park in Goshen. The drive is straightforward and takes about 20–25 minutes. To avoid the longest queues of traffic entering the parking areas, plan to arrive around 30 to 45 minutes before the park’s official opening time. This allows you to get through the entrance and park before the peak morning rush.

During a major event at West Point, such as a football game or graduation, expect heavy traffic on Route 9W leading into Highland Falls. For popular festivals in Beacon, traffic can back up significantly on the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge (I-84) and on Route 9D. It’s always a good idea to check a live traffic map and consider alternative routes or allow for significant extra travel time on these event days.

The most efficient and direct way to travel to Albany and other points north is to use the New York State Thruway (I-87). This is the primary north–south interstate highway in the region and is designed for long-distance travel. Taking I-87 North from the Newburgh/New Windsor area will keep you on a major, high-speed route and prevent your sat nav routing you onto slower local roads or scenic parkways.

The most direct route is to take Interstate 84 East through Connecticut until it intersects with Interstate 90 East (the Massachusetts Turnpike). I-90 will then take you directly into the Boston area. This entire route is on major interstates. Both I-84 and I-90 have numerous full-service plazas located on the highway, offering fuel, food and restrooms, making it very convenient to take a break.

For an early-morning trip, it’s good practice to refuel the night before. While many petrol stations along main commercial roads like Route 300 are open 24/7, smaller stations in more rural areas may have limited overnight hours. Most coffee shops and food outlets won’t open until around 6am or later, so plan accordingly if you need to grab breakfast before setting off.

The most convenient area for supplies is the commercial corridor on Route 300 (Union Avenue) in the Town of Newburgh, just a five-minute drive from the airport. This area has several large supermarkets, pharmacies and big-box stores. You can easily stock up on all your groceries, snacks and any other necessities in this one central location before beginning your journey into the more rural parts of the Hudson Valley.

The most scenic and popular route is to drive south on Route 9W, which offers beautiful views of the Hudson River and leads directly to the park. As you approach, follow the signs for the main park entrance. Day-trippers typically park in the large central lots located near the Bear Mountain Inn and Hessian Lake. This provides easy walking access to the carousel, the Trailside Museums and Zoo, and the main trailheads.

A realistic plan is to choose three, or at most four, wineries to visit in a single day. Although they are part of the same trail, the wineries can be a 15–30 minute drive from one another over rural roads. Mapping your preferred stops in a logical geographic order will save significant driving time. Each winery has its own on-site parking, which is usually ample, though you may have a short walk on grass or gravel to the tasting room.

The most efficient method is to first drive to the airport’s "Departures" curb. Here you can drop off all passengers and unload all the luggage with a curbside check-in agent or on a trolley. Once everyone and everything is out of the car, the driver can proceed alone to the rental car return lot. This avoids the entire group having to manage their bags on the walk or shuttle from the return area back to the terminal.

To have the smoothest drive north, aim to get past the Albany area before the afternoon rush hour begins. From SWF you’ll take I-87 North toward Albany. If you can be on the road from the airport by 2:00pm, you will likely avoid the worst of the commuter traffic around the state capital. This is especially important on a Friday, when weekend travel can cause significant northbound delays.