Hertz Car Hire
West Palm Beach

Palm Beach International Airport has a user-friendly layout, so finding your way late at night is straightforward. After collecting your luggage from baggage claim on Level One, simply follow the prominent overhead signs for "Rental Cars." The Hertz desk is conveniently located inside the terminal, so you won’t need a shuttle or to go outside. The rental area is well lit and staffed, ensuring you can easily find the desk and then proceed to the adjacent garage to collect your vehicle.

During the busy winter season it’s wise to allow a little extra time to get on the road. Deplaning, walking to baggage claim and waiting for your bags can take around 30–45 minutes. From there you’ll go to the rental counter, where queues may be longer during peak arrivals. A realistic estimate from touchdown to driving out of the garage is roughly 60–90 minutes, which gives you a comfortable, unhurried start to your trip.

For the most straightforward drive to Palm Beach island, take Belvedere Road east directly from the airport area. This road provides a direct line and minimises complex interchanges. Continue on Belvedere Road for a few miles until you see signs for the Royal Park Bridge (also known as the Middle Bridge). This route is generally well signed and leads you right into the central part of the island, making it ideal for first-time visitors.

Three main bridges link West Palm Beach to Palm Beach island, each serving a slightly different purpose. The Royal Park Bridge is the most central, leading toward Worth Avenue, and typically has steady traffic. To the north, the Flagler Memorial Bridge is another common option that can become busy during rush hour. Further south, the Southern Boulevard Bridge is usually less congested and a good choice if your destination is in the island’s southern part.

When staying in the lively Clematis Street district, the most reliable overnight parking option is one of the city’s public garages. Garages such as the Banyan Public Parking Garage or the City Center Garage are well lit, secure and offer overnight and multi-day rates. They remove the stress of searching for limited street parking and deciphering time restrictions. Many hotels also offer valet or self-parking, so it’s worth checking with your accommodation first.

Driving in downtown West Palm Beach during a weekend event requires extra patience and planning. Expect higher pedestrian volumes, especially along Flagler Drive and near The Square. Some streets may be temporarily closed to vehicles, and on-street parking becomes significantly harder to find. The best approach is to arrive early and use one of the main public parking garages, which are usually a short walk from the festivities.

For a weekday morning flight from PBI it’s important to account for local traffic patterns. Commuter traffic on I-95 and major roads like Okeechobee Boulevard can be heavy, particularly between 07:30 and 09:00. Add in congestion around school zones and travel time increases. A safe plan is to leave at least 30 minutes earlier than you would during off-peak hours to ensure a low-stress journey.

Navigating a busy hotel entrance works best as a team effort. Pull into the designated passenger loading zone, even if you have to wait briefly for a spot. Have one person remain with the vehicle while another unloads luggage onto the curb or takes it to the bell stand. This lets you manage belongings efficiently without blocking traffic or needing to circle the block.

Parking on Palm Beach island is limited, so an early start is key for a good beach day. Most visitors use metered street parking along A1A near public access points like Midtown Beach. To secure a spot, especially on a sunny weekend, it’s highly recommended to arrive before 10:00. After that you may spend a long time looking for a space, so planning ahead pays off.

The most efficient, low-stress route from West Palm Beach to Jupiter is to take I-95 North. This helps you bypass many traffic lights and commercial congestion found on local roads like US-1. For the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse or nearby beaches, you’ll typically take the Indiantown Road exit and head east. A1A is a scenic alternative but is much slower and more liable to delays.

For a pleasant coastal drive to Delray Beach, take State Road A1A south. This route runs parallel to the ocean, offering picturesque views and passage through charming seaside towns such as Lake Worth and Boynton Beach. It is significantly slower than I-95 due to lower speed limits and local traffic, but the scenery makes it worthwhile. Allow extra time for this leisurely journey.

The ideal approach for visiting Worth Avenue is to park once and explore on foot. Rather than trying to drive along the avenue itself, aim for public parking lots just off the main strip, such as those on Hibiscus or Peruvian Avenue. Once parked, the whole shopping district, with its courtyards and galleries, is easily accessible on foot. This saves you the hassle of navigating traffic and hunting for limited street spaces.

When driving on A1A, be vigilant about your speed as limits change frequently and sometimes with little warning. The road passes through many small towns and residential areas, each with its own posted speed, which can drop significantly. This scenic route is often monitored by local law enforcement, so watching the signs is the best way to ensure a safe and citation-free drive along the coast.

I-95 through the West Palm Beach corridor can be very busy during morning and evening rush hours, typically from about 07:00–09:30 and 16:00–18:30. Traffic often slows considerably, and drivers can be aggressive with lane changes. For visitors, the interchanges at Okeechobee Boulevard, Belvedere Road and PGA Boulevard can be particularly stressful due to high volumes and complex merges, so it’s wise to be extra alert in these areas.

If you end up on US-1, also called Dixie Highway, expect a very different driving experience to I-95. It’s a major surface road with frequent traffic lights, many business entrances and constant stop-and-go traffic. You’ll need to be more aware of pedestrians, vehicles turning across your path, and changing traffic patterns. While it can be a useful alternative if the freeway is at a standstill, it is almost always a slower journey.

Florida’s Turnpike is generally a smooth, well-maintained toll road that often has less congestion than I-95. For first-time drivers, the key is to prepare for your exit in advance, since some off-ramps and service plazas can appear quickly. Having your navigation active is very helpful. Traffic flow is usually fast and steady, making it a comfortable option for longer drives north or south from West Palm Beach.

For a day trip to Fort Lauderdale, aiming for a municipal parking garage is by far the less stressful option. Street parking near the beach is extremely limited and highly competitive, especially on a pleasant day. By heading straight to a larger garage, like the Las Olas Beach Garage, you can park for the day and then enjoy the beach, restaurants and shops on foot or by using the local water taxi. This strategy saves time and avoids circling for a spot.

To avoid the worst traffic for a Miami day trip, timing is everything. The most practical approach is to leave very early, aiming to be on I-95 south before 06:30 to get ahead of the heavy morning commute into Broward and Miami-Dade. An alternative is to travel mid-day, leaving after 10:00 when the morning rush has eased. For the return, plan to leave Miami either before 15:00 or after 19:00 to miss the northbound evening peak.

The Morikami Museum is located west of Delray Beach, so your drive will typically involve I-95 or the Turnpike to a major east–west road such as Atlantic Avenue. To make the most of your visit, plan to arrive close to opening time in the morning. This allows you to enjoy the tranquillity of the gardens before the afternoon heat and peak crowds. Surrounding roads are generally suburban and easy to navigate, but arriving early ensures a more peaceful experience.

When visiting MacArthur Beach State Park it’s best to arrive early, particularly on weekends and holidays. The park has a single entrance and queues of cars can form during peak times, so getting there before 11:00 is a good idea. All parking is inside the park entrance, and while there’s ample space, the most desirable spots near the nature centre and tram stop fill first. An early arrival secures a convenient spot and more time to enjoy the beach and trails.

The drive to Lion Country Safari is a straightforward westbound trip on Southern Boulevard, taking you into the more rural Loxahatchee area. To have the best experience, plan to arrive right when the park opens in the morning. Animals are often most active in the cooler morning hours, and you’ll avoid the lines of cars that build up later. Leaving in the early afternoon usually helps you miss returning traffic heading back towards the coast.

The most convenient place to park for a show at the Kravis Center is the adjacent multi-level parking garage. To avoid the pre-show rush, it’s recommended to arrive at least 45 minutes before your performance. This gives you plenty of time to find a space, walk to the theatre and be seated without feeling hurried. The garage can get very congested in the final 15 minutes before showtime.

Having a rental car is ideal for a split stay, as it gives you full freedom to move luggage and explore both areas at your own pace. Before your trip, confirm parking arrangements and any associated fees with both hotels. On moving day you can enjoy a leisurely checkout, load your car and perhaps visit an attraction or have lunch before heading to your second hotel. That flexibility makes the logistics part of the holiday rather than a chore.

When travelling with family and beach equipment, an SUV or MPV is an excellent choice for its generous cargo space. Look for a vehicle with a power tailgate, which is very helpful when your hands are full of chairs, coolers and toys. Rear climate control will keep the children comfortable in the Florida heat. Additionally, rubber floor mats make clearing out sand much easier at the end of the day.

After collecting your hire car at PBI, the airport’s cell phone waiting lot is a perfect spot to pull over safely. It’s located just a minute or two from the rental garage and provides a calm environment to programme your satnav and get settled. Alternatively, there are several petrol stations and small plazas on Belvedere Road just east of the airport that offer a safe place to park for a few minutes before merging onto busier roads.

South Florida rainstorms can be intense, causing an immediate reduction in visibility and slick roads. In heavy rain it’s critical to slow down significantly and increase your following distance. Some low-lying roads, particularly those close to the Intracoastal Waterway, can experience temporary flooding. Locals avoid driving through large standing puddles as you can’t be sure of the depth or potential road damage beneath.

Sun glare is a major factor when driving in South Florida, so a good pair of polarised sunglasses is essential. Use your car’s sun visors and be prepared to adjust them as the road curves. When glare is worst, it’s sensible to slow down and be extra cautious, as it can be hard to see traffic lights, pedestrians and cyclists. Keeping your windscreen clean inside and out also helps reduce glare.

Both Mounts Botanical Garden and the Palm Beach Zoo offer ample free parking in their dedicated lots, making access very convenient. However, on weekends, holidays or during special events these lots can reach capacity. To ensure a stress-free arrival it’s a good strategy to visit earlier in the day. Arriving shortly after opening usually guarantees a good parking spot and a more relaxed experience before the biggest crowds arrive.

A day trip to the Everglades from West Palm Beach is very manageable with a hire car and offers a fantastic change of scenery. The drive typically heads south and then west toward various entry points or airboat tour operators along US-27 or the Tamiami Trail. Plan your specific destination in advance and make sure you have a full tank of fuel before heading into more remote areas. Also pack water, snacks and sunscreen, as services can be limited.

The best place to wait for arriving friends at PBI is the airport’s complimentary cell phone waiting lot. This designated area allows you to park and wait comfortably until your friends have collected their bags and are standing at the arrivals curb. Once they call, it’s just a short two-minute drive to the terminal for a quick and easy pickup, avoiding the stress and congestion of circling the passenger loading zones.

For a boat day from Riviera Beach or Singer Island, planning your parking is essential for a smooth start. First, identify the marina or park your tour departs from, such as Riviera Beach Marina or Phil Foster Park. Check their parking arrangements online, as lots can fill up early, especially on weekends. Arrive at least 45–60 minutes before departure to allow ample time to find a spot, pay if needed, and walk to your boat.

To visit Peanut Island you’ll drive to Riviera Beach Marina Village to catch the water taxi. The most practical plan is to head straight to the marina and use the large public parking lots. During busy times such as weekends and holidays these lots can become very crowded. It’s highly advisable to arrive early to secure a spot and allow extra time for parking so you don’t miss your shuttle boat.

Driving to The Square is generally straightforward, as it’s a well-known landmark in downtown West Palm Beach. The area is pedestrian-friendly, so drive slowly and watch for people crossing. For parking, follow the clear signage directing you to one of the several large public garages attached to the complex. The entrances are well signed, making it easy for first-timers to find convenient and secure parking.

To ensure comfort for older travellers, prioritise destinations that offer convenient parking solutions. Many attractions, like the Norton Museum of Art, have their own parking lots or garages located very close to the entrance. When dining, consider using valet services to avoid long walks from the car. Planning your itinerary around these accessible parking options can make a significant difference in energy levels and overall enjoyment of the day.

The road design in Palm Beach Gardens is distinctly suburban, featuring wide, multi-lane boulevards with large, landscaped medians. Unlike the tighter downtown grid, you will frequently use dedicated left-turn lanes at junctions. A common feature is the use of designated U-turn lanes just past major intersections, which are useful for accessing businesses on the opposite side of the divided highway. It’s an efficient system once you’re used to it.

A frequent wrong turn for visitors leaving PBI is inadvertently getting onto I-95 in the wrong direction. If this happens, the safest course is to remain calm and drive to the very next exit. Once off the motorway you can safely pull over, consult your navigation app and follow its instructions to get back on track. Never attempt an abrupt lane change across multiple lanes or an illegal U-turn on the freeway.

For a pre-dawn drive to the beach, the easiest routes are the main east–west arteries like Okeechobee Boulevard or Southern Boulevard. At that time they have minimal traffic, allowing a quick, direct trip to A1A. Once you reach the coast you can usually find empty parking spots at public beach access points in Palm Beach or at Lake Worth Beach Park. Arriving before sunrise ensures plentiful, stress-free parking.

When driving near the Brightline station in downtown West Palm Beach, expect a busy environment with a mix of vehicles and pedestrians. Pay close attention to crossings, as many travellers will be walking to and from the station with luggage. The area has designated passenger drop-off zones with strict time limits to keep traffic moving. Be efficient when dropping someone off and avoid lingering in these active lanes.

Before returning your car, perform a thorough multi-point check to ensure you haven’t left anything. Start by checking all seatback pockets, door pockets and the glovebox. Next, look under all the seats and in the centre console. Don’t forget the boot—lift the floor cover where small items can sometimes slide. Finally, do a last scan for any phone chargers or cables still plugged into the USB ports.

As you approach Palm Beach International Airport, the key is to start looking for the specific "Rental Car Return" signs early. These will direct you to a dedicated entrance separate from the main Departures and Arrivals loops. Whether you’re coming from I-95 or downtown via Belvedere Road, following these clearly marked signs will guide you directly into the rental return garage and help you avoid terminal congestion.