Avis Car Hire
Chicago

After collecting your luggage, follow the overhead signs for “Rental Cars” or “Multi-Modal Facility.” These signs will direct you to the designated shuttle bus pick-up area on the lower-level roadway just outside baggage reclaim. All hire car companies, including Avis, are based in a consolidated off-site facility. The free shuttle bus is the only way to get there and runs continuously, taking you straight to the Avis counter.

Terminals 1, 2 and 3 share a centralised shuttle bus pick-up point, so the route is equally straightforward from any of them. Just exit baggage reclaim and cross the road to the designated kerb. If you arrive at Terminal 5 (the international terminal), the process is similar but uses a separate dedicated shuttle stop. Look for the rental car shuttle signs outside the lower-level arrivals door (Door 5E) to find the correct pick-up location for the Multi-Modal Facility.

The Avis car hire facility is in the Multi-Modal Facility (MMF), which is accessible only by a dedicated shuttle bus from the airport terminals. It is not connected by the Airport Transit System (ATS) train and it is too far to walk. The shuttle bus is by far the easiest and only practical option, especially with luggage, as the buses have plenty of room for bags and drop you directly at the MMF entrance.

Arriving late at night is generally smooth, as the airport is much quieter. The signs for the rental car shuttles are well lit and easy to follow even in late hours. While the shuttles may run on a slightly reduced timetable, they are still frequent enough to avoid long waits. The Avis facility is open 24/7, so you can expect a fully staffed counter ready to help you get on your way without significant delays.

During peak afternoon hours, a realistic timeline from getting off the plane to driving away is around 60 to 90 minutes. This includes walking to baggage reclaim, waiting for your luggage, catching the shuttle bus to the rental facility, and completing the rental process at the counter. To save time, having your reservation details ready can help speed things up once you reach the Avis desk.

The most practical meeting point is at the Avis counter inside the Multi-Modal Facility. Rather than trying to coordinate at a specific terminal’s baggage reclaim, have each person take the rental car shuttle from their terminal. Everyone will arrive at the same building, making it easy to regroup at the counter before collecting your vehicle and setting off together.

First-time visitors often get confused because they expect the hire car counters to be inside the airport terminals. The key thing to know is that all hire companies are in a separate off-site building called the Multi-Modal Facility. The most common mistake is looking for a walking route or a train instead of realising you must exit the terminal and take a dedicated shuttle bus from the kerb.

The easiest way to manage your gear is to use a luggage trolley from the baggage reclaim area. Load your bags, car seats, and the folded pushchair on to the trolley and wheel it straight to the hire car shuttle bus stop. Shuttle drivers are used to helping with bulky items, and the buses have designated luggage space, making the transfer to the Avis facility manageable.

Before you travel, it’s wise to confirm that your home country’s driving licence is printed in English or is accompanied by an International Driving Permit (IDP). At the airport, make sure you have your valid licence and your passport readily accessible when you go to the Avis counter. Having these two key forms of identification to hand helps ensure a smooth, efficient pick-up after a long flight.

The route is very direct and well signed. As you exit the rental car facility, follow the overhead signs for I-190 East towards Chicago. This airport access road will automatically merge on to I-90 East, also known as the Kennedy Expressway, which leads straight to downtown. Stay in the main flow of traffic and you’ll be on the correct motorway without any complex turns.

Immediately after leaving the rental facility, you’ll need to choose lanes quickly. The key is to follow signs for I-294 Tri-State Tollway, which means moving into the right-hand lanes. Out-of-town drivers sometimes get stuck in the left lanes, which are for I-190 East to Chicago. Watch the large green signs closely to make sure you’re correctly positioned for the I-294 split.

For a less intense drive, consider taking I-190 East to I-294 South towards Indiana for a few miles, then connecting to I-290 East (the Eisenhower Expressway). While this can add a bit of time, the Eisenhower often has a more manageable traffic flow and fewer lanes than the Kennedy Expressway (I-90). It offers a more straightforward approach into the west side of the Loop, avoiding some of the most complex downtown interchanges.

A practical plan is to drive straight to your hotel entrance and use the designated loading zone, which typically allows a brief 10–15 minute stop. Have one person go inside to check in while the driver stays with the car. Once you have your room key, unload quickly and then head to a nearby parking garage, as on-street parking in River North is extremely scarce.

When driving in Streeterville and near the Magnificent Mile, rely heavily on a GPS app, as the area is a dense grid of one-way streets. Expect heavy pedestrian traffic, frequent delivery lorries, and lanes that can suddenly become turn-only. It’s best to identify your parking garage in advance and drive straight to it rather than circling the block looking for a space.

The simplest route is to take I-90 East (Kennedy Expressway) towards downtown and then merge on to I-55 North (Stevenson Expressway). Follow signs for Exit 293D for McCormick Place. Visitors often get confused at the complex interchange where I-90/94 meets I-290 and I-55. The key is to stay in the lanes marked specifically for I-55 North to avoid being inadvertently routed into the Loop.

Driving near Wrigley Field on a game day is extremely congested, with numerous road closures and heavy pedestrian traffic. The most practical plan is to avoid driving to the stadium itself. Instead, use a parking app to pre-book a space in a garage several blocks away. Arriving at least an hour or two before the game starts is essential to navigate the area and reach your reserved space without stress.

The most convenient, low-stress option is to park in the Millennium Garages complex, located directly underneath Millennium Park and Grant Park. There are multiple entrances, and the one on Michigan Avenue is particularly easy to find. While other options exist, heading straight to this underground garage avoids the frustration of scarce, confusing on-street parking in one of Chicago’s busiest areas.

The easiest approach is via Lake Shore Drive, exiting at Grand Avenue and heading east. Expect significant traffic, as Navy Pier is a major attraction with only a few access points. The main pinch point is Grand Avenue itself, which can become very slow-moving, especially at weekends and on summer evenings. To minimise delays, visit on a weekday or arrive early in the morning before the biggest crowds.

Driving in Chinatown on a busy Saturday is quite manageable, as the area is relatively compact. The main thoroughfares, Wentworth and Archer Avenues, will be lively but navigable. For parking, your best bet is the large, centrally located Chinatown Parking Corporation lot on Wentworth Avenue. It’s easy to find and provides convenient access to most restaurants and shops, saving you from hunting for limited on-street spaces.

The simplest plan is to drive straight to the zoo’s official car park on Cannon Drive, with an entrance just south of Fullerton Parkway. This provides the most convenient access to the zoo entrance. At weekends or on sunny days, it’s crucial to arrive early, ideally near opening time, as the car park fills up very quickly. If the main lot is full, there’s additional on-street parking nearby, but it can be hard to find.

The Loop is by far the most challenging area for drivers. The combination of the elevated ‘L’ train tracks creating dark, noisy underpasses, a confusing grid of one-way streets, and constant congestion from buses and delivery vehicles makes it very stressful. For a better experience, consider parking in a garage on the edge of the Loop and exploring the dense central business district on foot.

Be very aware of lanes with red pavement or markings that say “BUS ONLY”, as these are strictly enforced and driving in them can lead to fines. Likewise, watch for green-painted cycle lanes, especially when turning. You must give way to cyclists and ensure you are not blocking their path. Always double-check signage before entering a lane that looks different from standard traffic lanes.

These automated cameras are common throughout the city, and they affect visitors the same as locals. People are most often caught out by speed cameras in zones near parks and schools, where limits are strictly enforced. For red-light cameras, make a complete stop behind the white line before turning left on red, as even a rolling stop can trigger a violation.

In winter, be prepared for potentially slippery conditions, especially on bridges and flyovers. Lake-effect snow can develop quickly, causing sudden drops in visibility on major expressways like I-90. Allow extra travel time, increase your following distance, and drive at a speed that feels safe for the conditions, as Chicago weather can change rapidly.

A compact or mid-size saloon is an excellent choice for Chicago. These cars are nimble enough for narrow city streets and fit more comfortably into tight spaces in downtown garages. At the same time, they offer enough room and comfort for longer suburban drives, giving a good balance of manoeuvrability and practicality for a varied itinerary.

For bulky items like golf clubs or multiple large suitcases, an SUV or a people carrier is the most convenient option. The large, open load areas and wide rear hatches make loading and unloading much easier than trying to fit everything into a saloon boot. The higher roofline and flat load floor are especially helpful when dealing with awkwardly shaped gear.

A good strategy is to book a hotel in a suburb near O’Hare, such as Rosemont or Schaumburg. This gives you easy access to the interstate system for day trips without having to navigate downtown traffic daily. You can use your hire car to visit places like the Chicago Botanic Garden or Ravinia Festival, and then use public transport such as the Metra train for any trips into the city centre.

To avoid the heaviest traffic, plan to leave the Chicago area after the morning rush, around 9:30. The drive north on I-94 is typically smooth in the late morning and early afternoon. For your return, aim to leave Milwaukee either before 15:00 to beat the Chicago evening rush or after 19:00 for a much clearer drive back to O’Hare.

The most reliable way to avoid unpredictable lakefront traffic is to take I-90 East from the O’Hare area and connect to the Chicago Skyway. Although it’s a toll road, it’s a direct elevated route that bypasses surface streets and local congestion along the city’s southern edge. This provides a much more consistent and less stressful drive towards the Indiana border.

The drive is straightforward, mainly on I-80 West. Expect typical suburban congestion as you pass through the Joliet area, but traffic generally thins significantly after that. The small towns of Morris or Ottawa, right off I-80, are excellent places to stop for fuel, food, or a quick break before the final stretch to the park.

The drive from ORD to Rosemont is extremely easy, as it’s the immediate suburb next to the airport; just follow signs for River Road or the convention centre. What often surprises visitors is that parking, while plentiful in large garages, can be expensive and can fill up quickly during major events. If your hotel is nearby, consider walking or using a hotel shuttle to the convention centre to save time and hassle.

The best route from O’Hare is to take I-294 South to I-290 East, then exit at First Avenue and follow the signs. For easy parking, the most workable plan is to arrive right around the zoo’s opening time, typically 10:00. This helps you get a good space in the main north car park before the midday crowds arrive, especially at weekends or on a bank holiday.

For a very easy first-day trip, consider Fashion Outlets of Chicago in Rosemont, about a five-minute drive from the airport, with a large, straightforward parking garage. Another great option is the Des Plaines River Trail, with multiple trailheads near O’Hare offering free, easy parking for a relaxing walk. Both options let you get out and explore without dealing with motorway traffic.

Most motorways around Chicago, such as I-294 and I-90, use an electronic system called I-PASS for open-road tolling. This means you won’t need to stop and pay cash at a toll booth. Your Avis hire car is typically fitted with a transponder that automatically records the tolls. You can drive through the designated I-PASS lanes, and the tolls will be handled through your rental agreement.

You’ll find several convenient petrol stations along Mannheim Road, just south of the airport entrance. They’re on the main route leading back towards the hire car return area, making them very easy to access. Another cluster is on Higgins Road just east of the airport. Both locations are used to serving travellers and offer quick, straightforward access.

As you approach the airport, watch the large overhead signs and stay in lanes marked specifically for “Rental Car Return.” This puts you on a dedicated roadway that bypasses the busy arrivals and departures loops for the passenger terminals. Following those signs will take you straight to the entrance of the Multi-Modal Facility where Avis is located.

A safe timeline is to allow about 45 minutes for the full car return process. This gives you 15 minutes to find a petrol station on Mannheim Road and refuel, 10 minutes to drive to the return facility and check in the car, and another 20 minutes for the shuttle back to your terminal. Add this 45-minute block to the airline’s recommended airport arrival time for a stress-free morning.

The most efficient sequence is to do the passenger drop-off first. Follow the main airport signs for "Departures" and go to the terminal your passenger needs. After they get out with their luggage at the upper-level kerb, continue on the airport loop. The signs will naturally direct you towards "All Terminals" and back towards the airport exit, where you can easily follow signs for "Rental Car Return" without making a second unnecessary loop.

If you accidentally miss the turn for Rental Car Return, don’t panic or try a sudden manoeuvre. The airport road system is designed as a continuous loop. Stay on the main airport roadway and follow signs as if you’re circling back towards the terminals. You’ll quickly see the "Rental Car Return" signs again, allowing a second, safe attempt to enter.

A perfect low-risk stop is the Parkway Bank Park entertainment district in Rosemont, just a few minutes east of the airport. It has a range of restaurants and cafés with convenient, accessible parking, making it ideal for a final meal. Because it’s so close to the airport, you can stop without worrying about getting stuck in traffic on the way to return the car.