National Car Hire
Naples

After collecting your luggage at RSW, follow the clearly visible overhead signs for the Rental Car Centre. The facility is conveniently located on the ground level of the car park, directly opposite the baggage claim area of the terminal. It’s a very short, covered walk, so you won’t need to wait for a shuttle to reach the National desk and your vehicle.

The route from the terminal to the rental car facility at RSW is designed to be quick and accessible. It’s a short, direct walk under a covered walkway that protects you from the weather. Lifts are readily available to take you from the terminal level down to the ground-floor rental counters, making it straightforward to manage a buggy, car seats and luggage.

Arriving late at night at RSW often means a smoother rental pickup with fewer people. The rental car centre is well lit and staffed to assist passengers from the last flights of the evening. While the widest selection of vehicles is usually available midday, National plans for late arrivals and ensures a good range of cars is ready for a convenient and efficient departure.

The Emerald Aisle at RSW offers a streamlined experience that allows eligible members to bypass the desk. After walking from the terminal to the rental car garage, look for the clearly marked National area. Signs will direct you to the designated Emerald Aisle, where you can choose any vehicle from that section, load your luggage and proceed directly to the exit gate to complete the rental process.

To keep your pickup at the National desk as quick as possible, have your documents prepared. Travellers find it helpful to have their driving licence and reservation confirmation number easily accessible. Presenting these items promptly allows the agent to finalise the paperwork efficiently, helping you get on the road to Naples without delay.

A practical strategy is to have one person from the first flight go to the National desk to complete the rental while the others wait for luggage. Once you have the car, drive to the airport’s cell-phone waiting lot, a free holding area just minutes away. Coordinate by phone and, once your family has their bags, drive to the arrivals kerb for a quick and easy pickup.

The most direct and least complicated route from RSW to Naples is I-75 South. As you leave the airport, follow the clear signage for I-75 South towards Naples. This interstate lets you avoid most local stop-and-go traffic. Stay on I-75 until you reach your Naples exit, such as Pine Ridge Road or Golden Gate Parkway, for a straightforward drive.

The main drive on I-75 from RSW to Naples is free of major bridges that typically cause significant delays. Congestion is more likely on the smaller bridges leading to barrier islands in the Naples area, such as the bridge to Marco Island. To avoid these bottlenecks, plan beach visits for earlier in the morning or on weekdays.

Driving on I-75 is generally comfortable for visitors. The highway is modern, wide and well maintained, with multiple lanes in each direction. While the scenery is mainly natural Florida landscape, the road is straight and flat, making for an easy drive. It’s a primary travel corridor, so expect a steady flow of traffic but few navigational challenges.

After leaving I-75, your drive to Marco Island will be on major local roads like Collier Boulevard (CR 951). The main challenge is the increase in traffic lights and the potential for congestion, especially during peak season. The final approach onto the island over the S.S. Jolley Bridge can also become a bottleneck, so allow a little extra travel time.

An SUV or a minivan is an excellent choice for a Naples beach holiday. These vehicles offer ample cargo space separate from the passenger cabin, allowing you to store sandy chairs, coolers and wet gear in the back. This helps keep the seating areas clean and comfortable after a long day at the beach. Many models also feature durable floor mats that are easy to clean.

To enjoy Naples with minimal driving, consider staying in Old Naples, particularly near 5th Avenue South or 3rd Street South. This downtown district is known for its walkability, with a high concentration of restaurants, boutiques and art galleries. You can park your rental at your accommodation and explore the heart of the city on foot for hours or even days.

Driving in the 5th Avenue South area is straightforward but requires extra awareness because of heavy pedestrian activity. The main thing to watch for is the constant flow of pedestrians in crossings, which calls for a slower, more patient driving pace. While the street grid is simple, on-street parking is limited, so using a nearby public car park is often the most convenient option.

During the busy winter and spring seasons, securing a parking space at popular beach spots like Naples Pier or Lowdermilk Park requires an early start. To avoid circling full lots, aim to arrive before 10am, especially at weekends. After mid-morning, car parks fill rapidly and can remain full for most of the day.

The key to a successful visit to Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park is to arrive early. The park has a limited vehicle capacity and frequently closes its gates to new arrivals by mid-morning on weekends and holidays. Before you leave, check the park’s official website or social media for real-time capacity updates to avoid a wasted trip.

To avoid the post-sunset traffic jam at Vanderbilt Beach, consider staying a little longer after the sun goes down. Most visitors leave immediately, creating a mass exodus from the car park and surrounding lots. By relaxing on the beach for an extra 20–30 minutes, you allow the worst of the congestion to clear, making for a much smoother and faster departure.

A rental car day trip from Naples to Everglades City is very practical and makes for a memorable outing. The drive is an easy 45-minute trip south on US-41 (Tamiami Trail), a road that takes you through the scenic Big Cypress National Preserve. Plan for a pleasant, scenic journey with opportunities to stop at visitor centres or viewpoints along the way.

For an efficient day trip to Sanibel and Captiva, start early from Naples to avoid heavy traffic on the Sanibel Causeway. A good strategy is to drive to the furthest point first—Captiva Island—and then work your way back across Sanibel during the day. This positions you closer to the causeway for your return and helps you avoid the late-afternoon rush.

Visiting Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is an easy and enjoyable excursion from Naples. The drive typically takes about 45 minutes on well-maintained, clearly signed roads. The sanctuary has a large, convenient car park at the entrance to the visitor centre and boardwalk. Arriving in the morning is recommended for the best wildlife viewing and more comfortable temperatures.

When driving in Naples, be mindful of speed limits, which are strictly enforced, especially in school zones during designated hours. Major roads like US-41 and Goodlette-Frank Road have variable speed limits that change as you pass through different commercial and residential areas. Paying close attention to posted signs is the best way to avoid surprises.

Florida’s sudden, heavy rainstorms can significantly reduce visibility, so slow down and increase your following distance. While major thoroughfares in Naples drain well, some older local roads or low-lying areas can experience temporary flooding. It’s safest to avoid driving through standing water, as its depth can be deceptive.

If you’re travelling during hurricane season, monitor weather advisories closely on the day you’re due to pick up the car. Be aware of your planned driving route and any potential evacuation orders that could affect your trip. Ensure your phone is fully charged and that you have a clear understanding of your travel plans before leaving the airport.

The cell-phone waiting lot at RSW is the ideal spot to organise your luggage and golf clubs after collecting your rental. It’s located just a minute’s drive from the rental car centre and offers a safe, calm place to park temporarily. This allows you to arrange everything in the boot at your own pace before getting on the highway to Naples.

After you’ve collected your vehicle from the National lot, the best place to install a child seat is the airport’s cell-phone waiting lot. It’s free for short stays and situated away from the flow of traffic. This gives you the time and space needed to ensure the car seat is fitted securely and correctly before you begin your journey.

A low-stress option is to choose a large supermarket just off an I-75 exit, such as Pine Ridge Road or Immokalee Road. These stores are used to high traffic and have spacious, easy-to-navigate car parks. This is much more manageable than trying to manoeuvre in a smaller, busier lot in a coastal shopping plaza right after your flight.

Naples has several modern, multi-lane roundabouts, particularly on main roads like Goodlette-Frank Road and in newer developments. For first-time visitors, slow down on approach, give way to traffic already in the circle and follow the signs for your exit. Using your GPS for turn-by-turn guidance can make them much simpler to navigate.

To travel from North Naples to the downtown area while avoiding heavy local traffic, taking I-75 South is often the most efficient choice. Use the interstate down to the Golden Gate Parkway exit and then head west towards the coast. This route helps bypass the numerous traffic lights and commercial congestion common on parallel roads like US-41 (Tamiami Trail).

To make a multi-city trip more efficient, plan your itinerary geographically to minimise backtracking. For example, explore Naples first, then dedicate the next day to Bonita Springs, and the following day to Fort Myers Beach, moving progressively northward. This linear approach prevents driving the same busy stretches of I-75 or US-41 multiple times, saving valuable holiday time.

The critical navigation point when leaving RSW is getting onto the correct ramp for I-75 South towards Naples. To avoid a mistake, programme your final Naples address into your GPS before you start the car. Airport signage is generally clear, but audible, turn-by-turn directions provide extra confidence and prevent a wrong turn.

The return process at RSW is designed for efficiency. As you approach the airport, follow the overhead signs for 'Rental Car Return' which will guide you directly to the National return lanes in the garage. After an agent checks you in, take a lift or escalator from the garage up to the main terminal’s ticketing level, just a short walk from the airline check-in desks.

As you drive into the rental car return garage at RSW, slow down and pay attention to the large, colour-coded overhead signs. Each rental company, including National, has its own clearly marked lanes. By looking ahead and following the specific signage for National, you can easily navigate into the correct area without confusion.

RSW’s layout handles this scenario very efficiently. After dropping passengers and luggage at the upper-level departures kerb, stay in the main airport loop. Road signs will automatically guide you back around towards the parking garages and the 'Rental Car Return' area. The full loop only takes a few minutes.

Before pulling out of the National lot, take a moment to get comfortable and prepared for the motorway. Adjust your seat, steering wheel and mirrors to your liking. It’s also a good time to pair your phone with the car’s Bluetooth system and set your GPS for Naples. A quick check of the headlight and windscreen wiper controls will ensure you’re ready for any conditions.

When attending an event at a Naples venue with limited parking, plan ahead. Consider using a ride-share from your hotel to avoid parking altogether. If you prefer to drive, research nearby public car parks in advance. Arriving early reduces stress and gives you the best chance of finding a convenient spot.

On a Saturday during peak season, budget between 45 and 75 minutes for the drive from RSW to central Naples. While the trip can be as short as 35 minutes in ideal conditions, heavy weekend arrival traffic can cause significant slowdowns on I-75 and local roads. Planning for potential delays helps ensure a more relaxed start to your holiday.

The public car parks in downtown Naples, particularly those near 5th Avenue South and 8th Street South, are ideal for longer-term parking. They provide a safe, central location to leave your car for several hours or the whole day. From there you can easily explore the downtown area, Cambier Park and the Naples Pier on foot or by hiring a bike.

Both The Naples Zoo and The Baker Museum at Artis—Naples offer ample, free on-site parking, which makes visiting very convenient. To get a good spot and avoid the biggest crowds, arrive earlier in the day. For the zoo, a morning arrival also coincides with when the animals are often most active.

For a hassle-free sunrise beach visit, the metered parking spaces along Gulf Shore Boulevard near major access points like Lowdermilk Park or the Naples Pier are perfect. At that early hour parking is plentiful, allowing you to find a spot right by the beach with ease. Park, walk a few steps onto the sand and enjoy the start of the day.

Planning a one-way drive from Naples to another major Florida city is straightforward. To get to Sarasota, take I-75 North, a direct and easy-to-navigate interstate. For Miami, drive I-75 East, also known as Alligator Alley, a well-maintained toll road that offers a scenic and straightforward journey across the state.