National Car Hire
Melbourne Orlando

After you deplane and collect your luggage, proceed to the baggage reclaim area on the first level of the main terminal. The National Car Rental service counter is located directly within this area alongside other rental agencies. This central location makes it easy to find without leaving the building or taking a shuttle. Look for the prominent National signage to complete your paperwork and get directions to your vehicle.

National Car Rental vehicles at Melbourne Orlando International Airport are in a dedicated car park directly adjacent to the terminal building. After completing the hire process at the counter inside, you will take a short walk outside to this car park to select your car. There is no need for a shuttle bus or a long walk to a separate facility, making the transition from the terminal to your vehicle quick and convenient.

Melbourne Orlando International Airport is known for its compact, efficient layout. Arriving on any flight, including a regional one, means a very short walk from the gate to the main terminal area. You can typically expect to be at baggage reclaim and the National Car Rental counter within just a few minutes of leaving the aircraft. This streamlined set-up helps you get on your way with minimal delay.

On a typical weekday afternoon, the process at MLB is generally smooth and efficient. Assuming no significant flight delays and that your luggage arrives promptly, a realistic timeline from getting off the aircraft to driving away in your National rental car is often 20 to 40 minutes. This includes walking to baggage reclaim, completing the rental agreement at the counter, and walking to the adjacent car park to collect your vehicle. The airport’s smaller size is a key factor in this quick turnaround.

Arriving late at MLB is typically straightforward. The terminal is well lit and easy to navigate at any hour. The National Car Rental counter is in the main baggage reclaim hall, which you will pass through anyway. Staff will be available to assist you, and the process is the same as during the day. The adjacent rental car park is also well illuminated, so you can find and inspect your vehicle safely before departing.

The most practical meeting point is the baggage reclaim area on the first level of the terminal. It’s ideal because it’s where the person hiring the car needs to go to find the National counter. Seating is available, and it serves as a central hub for arriving passengers. Once everyone has gathered and collected their luggage, you can head together to the rental counter and then to the car.

The easiest and most convenient place to wait is in the seating areas within the baggage reclaim hall. This keeps everyone and the luggage together in one central spot. The person handling the rental can simply walk over to the National counter, which is in the same area. This avoids confusion or having to move luggage multiple times before you’re ready to head to the car.

Once you complete your rental agreement at the National counter, the agent will give you clear instructions on where to find your vehicle category or assigned bay. The rental car car park at MLB is well organised and clearly marked with signs for different car classes and rows. Because it’s compact and right next to the terminal, finding your specific vehicle is quick and straightforward without the risk of getting lost.

For the most accurate navigation when returning your vehicle, use the airport’s main address: 1 Air Terminal Pkwy, Melbourne, FL 32901. This will guide you to the main airport entrance. As you approach the terminal, pay close attention to the road signs, which will clearly direct you to the dedicated “Rental Car Return” entrance. Following these signs is crucial for the final approach so you don’t end up in the departures or arrivals loops.

Rather than stopping on the immediate airport exit roads, a safer, more relaxed option is to drive just a minute or two away. Head east on Airport Boulevard towards US-1, where you’ll find several shopping centres with large, open car parks. Pulling into one of these provides a safe, out-of-the-way place to programme your GPS, connect your phone to the car system, and adjust your luggage without feeling rushed by traffic.

The primary exit road from MLB is Airport Boulevard. A common point of confusion for first-time visitors is navigating the intersections with major roads like US-1 and Babcock Street shortly after leaving the airport. It’s important to know in advance which direction you need to go (north or south) on these main routes. Missing a turn here may send you into local residential areas, so having your GPS ready before you set off is strongly recommended.

Reaching I-95 from the airport is very straightforward. As you exit the airport, follow the main road, Airport Boulevard, heading west. Signs for I-95 are large and frequent. Continue on Airport Boulevard for about two miles and it will take you directly to the on-ramps for both I-95 North (towards Jacksonville/Orlando) and I-95 South (towards Miami). This route is direct and avoids complex city-street navigation.

The most direct and easiest causeway to use when driving to Indialantic from MLB is the Melbourne Causeway, which is part of US-192. Exit the airport and head east on Airport Boulevard. Follow signs for US-192 East, which takes you over the Indian River Lagoon directly into Indialantic. The route is well signed and is a primary thoroughfare, making it simple for visitors to navigate.

The most straightforward drive to Melbourne Beach is via the Melbourne Causeway (US-192 East). From the airport, take Airport Boulevard east and follow signs for US-192. The main junction that can be busy is where Airport Boulevard meets US-1, but it is well signed. Once you are on the causeway, it’s a direct drive over the river to the beach. Continue east on US-192 until you reach Highway A1A.

For a simple drive to Cocoa Beach, the best plan is to take US-1 North from the airport area. Stay on US-1 for several miles until you see signs for the Pineda Causeway (FL-404 East). This route is very direct and avoids the more local traffic on other causeways. The Pineda Causeway takes you across the river and connects directly to Highway A1A, which you can then take north into central Cocoa Beach.

The most intuitive drive to Satellite Beach is via the Eau Gallie Causeway (FL-518 East). From the airport, take US-1 North for a few miles and then follow the clear signs for FL-518 East. A common point of confusion is the approach to the causeway from US-1; make sure you’re in the correct lane for the eastbound turn. Once on the causeway, it’s a straight run across the river into Satellite Beach.

Downtown Melbourne has several convenient parking options. The best plan is to head straight to the large, multi-storey public car park on Strawbridge Avenue, which is central to most restaurants and shops. There is also plenty of free on-street parking on the main roads and side streets. To avoid searching, arriving a little before the peak 7 pm dinner rush can make finding a space on the street much easier.

When driving on the causeways near Melbourne, be prepared for crosswinds, especially on gusty days, which can affect higher-profile vehicles such as SUVs. Visibility is usually excellent with great views, but it can drop dramatically during a sudden rainstorm. Traffic often flows at a steady pace, so be ready to merge smoothly and keep up with the flow. Also watch for drivers who may be distracted by the scenery.

For a rocket launch, expect significant traffic delays on all major routes, especially US-1, A1A and the causeways, both before and after the event. To avoid getting stuck, consider a viewing spot in a less congested area, perhaps further south in Melbourne or Satellite Beach. Arrive several hours early to secure parking. After the launch, the best strategy is patience—plan to relax, have a meal, or walk on the beach for an hour or two until the worst traffic subsides.

The most straightforward route is to take I-95 North from the Melbourne area and drive for roughly 25 miles. Look for the exit for FL-407 East, which is specifically signed for the Kennedy Space Center. This road leads directly to the visitor complex entrance. The route is mostly motorway, making it easy to follow with minimal turns.

To minimise parking stress, plan to arrive about 30 to 45 minutes before the visitor complex officially opens. This helps you get ahead of the main wave of visitors coming from Orlando. An early arrival almost always means a space closer to the main entrance, reducing your walk and helping you start smoothly. Check the official website for opening times, as they can vary by season.

The least stressful route from MLB to Port Canaveral is I-95 North to FL-528 East (the Beachline Expressway). It’s direct and well signed for the cruise terminals. Build in a buffer of at least 45 to 60 minutes beyond the expected drive time to allow for delays on I-95 or near the port, especially on busy embarkation days, for a relaxed arrival.

For a smooth return, plan a relaxed morning after disembarking at Port Canaveral. Collect your car and consider stopping for an easy breakfast in the Cocoa Beach area to let initial port traffic clear. Then take FL-528 West to I-95 South back towards Melbourne. This approach reduces stress and helps you reach MLB with plenty of time before your flight.

The primary route is I-95 North to FL-528 West. The most critical transition some travellers miss is exiting FL-528 on to FL-417 South (Central Florida GreeneWay). This major toll road leads directly to the Walt Disney World exits. Missing it can take you further into Orlando, so watch the signs carefully as you approach the FL-417 interchange.

The simplest route is I-95 North to FL-528 West. Continue on FL-528 past the airport and follow signs for I-4 East. For an easy final approach, take the Universal Boulevard exit directly from I-4; it is specifically for the resort and leads straight to the parking garages. Using GPS for the last few miles is strongly recommended to navigate the multi-lane exits around the resort area.

The main toll roads between Melbourne and Orlando are FL-528 (the Beachline Expressway) and FL-417 (the Central Florida GreeneWay). After taking I-95 North, you’ll transition on to FL-528 West, which is a toll road. If you’re heading to Walt Disney World, you’ll then connect to FL-417 South, also a toll road. These roads largely use electronic tolling, so discuss toll-payment options for your rental car.

The most convenient stops are at major interchanges. The I-95 and FL-528 junction has several petrol stations and fast-food restaurants with large car parks and easy on-and-off access. In addition, FL-528 has service plazas directly on the expressway, designed for exactly this purpose. They offer fuel, food and toilets in one place without requiring you to leave the main road.

A compact or mid-size SUV often provides the best balance for a Space Coast trip. It’s small enough to manoeuvre into tight spaces at popular beaches and in town centres, while still offering enough room and comfort for luggage and passengers on longer day trips to places like Kennedy Space Center or Orlando. This versatility makes it a practical, popular choice for the region.

For lots of family gear, an SUV or a minivan is your best option. Before leaving the rental car park, open the rear hatch to assess the boot space. Check whether the third-row seats (if fitted) fold completely flat to create a large, level surface. This is ideal for sliding in a bulky pack-and-play and arranging suitcases around it. A vehicle with a wide, tall boot opening also makes loading and unloading much easier.

A mid-size or full-size SUV is usually best for accommodating long equipment. When choosing your vehicle, look for one where the rear seats—and ideally the front passenger seat—can fold flat. This creates the maximum interior length. Before leaving the car park, test the folding mechanisms to ensure you can make a clear, unobstructed path from the boot towards the dashboard for your gear.

The best place to fit a child car seat is in the rental car park after you’ve selected your vehicle. Find an empty adjacent bay and pull in temporarily. This gives you space to open the doors fully and work comfortably without blocking the flow of traffic in the lanes. Taking a few extra minutes ensures the seat is fitted safely and securely before you set off.

Before you drive away, check the infotainment system and connectivity options. Look for a USB port so you can keep your phone charged while navigating. Check for Bluetooth pairing so you can make hands-free calls and play spoken directions. If the car supports Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, connecting via USB usually provides the easiest, most integrated navigation experience on the main screen.

Visitors are often surprised by the number of dedicated U-turn lanes at major junctions, which are used instead of left turns—so it’s important to get into the correct lane early. Speed limits can also change abruptly, dropping significantly as you move from a main road like US-1 onto smaller beachside streets. Finally, watch for centre turn lanes that are shared by traffic travelling in both directions.

Florida afternoon thunderstorms can develop quickly and bring sudden, intense downpours. This can drastically reduce visibility and make roads slippery with oil and water, especially at the start of the rain. Slow down, increase your following distance, and switch on your headlights. In very heavy rain, pulling over somewhere safe until the worst passes is often the wisest option.

In a heavy downpour, major roads like US-1 and Babcock Street can see temporary water pooling in the outside lanes. Visibility can be most difficult on the causeways, where there’s little to block wind-driven rain. When returning to the airport in these conditions, allow extra time, stay in the centre lanes where possible, and drive with extra caution, especially on the final approach to the terminal.

For easy access to supplies, exit the airport and head east on Airport Boulevard. Within about five minutes you’ll find several large shopping centres with major supermarkets, pharmacies and department stores. They’re located along Airport Boulevard and at its junction with US-1. Access is straightforward and keeps you on main roads, reducing the risk of accidentally re-entering the airport loop.

There are several conveniently located petrol stations ideal for a quick pre-return top-up. You’ll find multiple options directly on Airport Boulevard, the main road to and from the airport. There are also many stations on US-1 near the Airport Boulevard junction. These sites have easy in-and-out access, letting you refuel and return to the rental car return entrance within a few minutes.

As you approach the airport on Air Terminal Parkway, stay in the designated lane for rental cars. Overhead and roadside signs are large and clearly marked with “Rental Car Return” icons. They guide you to a dedicated entrance separate from the passenger drop-off and pick-up loops. Following these signs from the moment you enter airport property is the best way to avoid a wrong turn.

The process is designed to be simple. First, follow signs for “Departures” and pull up kerbside at your airline to drop off passengers and luggage. Once they’re on their way, rejoin the main traffic loop around the terminal. As you circle round, follow signs for “Rental Car Return” straight away. This will take you directly to the return entrance without leaving airport property.

The route from the rental car return to airline check-in at MLB is very direct. After dropping off your vehicle and completing the return, you enter the terminal building directly from the rental car area. Airline check-in desks are in the main ticketing hall, only a short indoor walk away. The terminal is well signed, guiding you to ticketing and security screening.