Avis Car Hire
Richmond

After collecting your luggage from the baggage reclaim on the lower level of the terminal, follow the overhead signs for "Rental Cars" or "Ground Transportation." The rental car counters, including Avis, are conveniently located directly opposite the terminal building. You will exit the terminal and walk a short distance along a covered walkway to the rental car facility where the desks and vehicles are located.

Major airports like Richmond International are well equipped to handle scheduled late arrivals. To help ensure a smooth process, it is strongly recommended that you include your flight number in your Avis reservation. This allows staff to monitor your arrival time and prepare accordingly. While counter hours can vary, having your flight information on file helps facilitate collection even if you arrive later than originally planned.

On a typical day, it’s wise to allow approximately 30 to 45 minutes from the moment you collect your bags to driving away in your hire car. This timeframe can be affected by factors such as the number of people in line and your arrival time. Enrolling in a loyalty programme like Avis Preferred can often speed up the process, allowing you to bypass the desk and head straight to your vehicle.

Once you have completed your rental agreement at the Avis desk, your assigned parking bay number will be clearly indicated on your paperwork. The rental car garage at RIC is well signposted, with large lettering for different aisles and sections. Simply locate the designated Avis area and then look for the specific row and number shown on your agreement to find your vehicle.

A convenient and comfortable meeting point is in the main terminal area after everyone has collected their luggage. The baggage reclaim level has seating areas suitable for regrouping. Alternatively, there are coffee shops and cafés located pre-security on the upper level, which can be a more relaxed spot to wait for the whole party to assemble before heading over to the rental car centre together.

Requirements can vary, but international visitors should generally be ready to present a few key documents. This typically includes a valid driving licence issued in your country of residence and your passport for identification. In some cases, an International Driving Permit (IDP) may also be useful as a supplement to your domestic licence. It is best practice to confirm the exact documentation requirements with Avis well in advance of your trip.

Before you load your luggage into the car, take a moment for a thorough inspection in the well-lit rental garage. Use your smartphone to record a slow, clear video of the vehicle’s entire exterior, paying attention to any existing scratches, dings or scuffs. Also take photos of the windscreen, tyres and the interior condition. This creates a personal record of the car’s condition at the time of pickup.

If you notice any issues with your assigned vehicle, do not leave the rental car facility. The most efficient course is to return immediately to the Avis rental desk and inform an agent of the problem. They will quickly arrange an alternative vehicle for you. Alternatively, you can often find an Avis attendant in the garage who can also direct you on how to get a swift replacement.

The key to a smooth exit from RIC is to use a sat-nav and pay close attention to the overhead signs for major routes like I-64 and I-295. The airport exit road, Airport Drive, leads directly to these interchanges. The important thing is to get into your desired lane early, as the ramps for I-64 East (towards Norfolk) and I-64 West (towards Richmond/Charlottesville) split off relatively quickly.

The primary route into downtown is I-64 West, which experiences significant congestion during typical rush hour from about 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm. To mitigate delays, use a real-time traffic app like Google Maps or Waze to check for accidents or unusual backups before you leave the airport. If possible, delaying your departure from RIC until after 6:30 pm can often result in a much quicker and less stressful drive into the city.

The most direct drive to the Carytown neighbourhood is to take I-64 West from the airport to I-195 South (Downtown Expressway). From there, take the Cary Street exit. This route is typically quick and straightforward. Once you arrive, expect mostly on-street parallel parking along Cary Street and the adjacent residential blocks, which can be competitive, especially at weekends.

The drive to the Short Pump area is quite simple and is almost entirely on major highways. From RIC you will take I-64 West and continue on it past the city, or use the I-295 beltway as an alternative route. The easiest time for this drive is during off-peak hours, such as mid-day (10:00 am–2:00 pm) or later in the evening after 7:00 pm, which helps you avoid the heaviest commuter traffic around the I-64/I-95 interchange.

When driving around Virginia Commonwealth University and the historic Fan District, it is important to be alert for one-way streets, which are very common. A reliable sat-nav is your best tool for navigating this grid. The Fan’s streets are also narrow and lined with parked cars, so drive cautiously. On highways like I-195 or the Downtown Expressway, be aware that exits can come up quickly.

While downtown Richmond is very walkable, having a hire car offers significant freedom to explore beyond the immediate area. It allows easy trips to popular neighbourhoods like Scott's Addition, Carytown, or attractions such as Maymont Park and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. The decision often comes down to your hotel’s parking situation, as nightly fees can add up, but the convenience of having a car is often worthwhile for a comprehensive visit.

All three areas can present parking challenges. In Shockoe Bottom and Scott’s Addition, street parking is highly competitive, especially on weekend evenings due to the high concentration of restaurants and breweries. Near the Greater Richmond Convention Center, availability is heavily dependent on the event schedule, often making paid car parks the most reliable, albeit more expensive, option for visitors.

A simple route from the airport is to take I-64 West to I-195 South, then follow signs for VA-147/Cary Street. From there, local roads lead you to the park entrances. Maymont is well equipped for visitors with cars, offering several large, free car parks. The most popular lots are located near the Historic Estate Entrance on Hampton Street and the Nature & Visitor Centre Entrance on Spottswood Road.

The drive from Richmond to Kings Dominion is typically about 30 to 40 minutes north on I-95. To ensure a smooth start to your day, plan to arrive at the park’s parking toll booths about 30 minutes before the official opening time. This allows you to park and walk to the entrance gates without rushing, beating the largest wave of crowds that tends to arrive right at opening.

To make the most of your day trip to Williamsburg, it’s best to get an early start. The drive east on I-64 usually takes about one hour without traffic. A sensible plan is to depart Richmond no later than 8:30 am. This helps you avoid the tail end of morning commuter traffic and ensures you arrive in Williamsburg as the historic sites and attractions are beginning to open.

A day trip to Virginia Beach is achievable, with a drive time of about two hours each way via I-64 East. For a practical plan, leave Richmond by 8:00 am to maximise your beach time. The most critical part is planning the return; to avoid the notorious Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel traffic, especially on a summer weekend, aim to leave the beach either before 3:00 pm or wait until after 7:00 pm.

The drive from Richmond to Charlottesville is a pleasant and straightforward trip west on I-64, typically taking about 70 to 80 minutes. When you arrive at Monticello, you’ll find ample and well-organised free parking at the visitor centre. In downtown Charlottesville, parking is similar to Richmond, with a mix of metered street spots and several conveniently located paid car parks.

For a day trip from Richmond, the most logical and accessible entrance to Shenandoah National Park is the Rockfish Gap Entrance, located at the southern end of Skyline Drive. The drive there takes about 90 minutes west on I-64. This allows you to enter the park, drive a scenic portion of Skyline Drive northward, enjoy a few overlooks and a short walk, and then easily return to I-64 for your drive back to Richmond.

The drive to Washington, D.C. via I-95 North is notoriously unpredictable and can take anywhere from two to three hours. The most effective strategy is to avoid driving into the city itself. Instead, park your hire car at a Metro station in Northern Virginia, such as Franconia–Springfield (Blue Line) or Vienna (Orange Line), and take the train into the heart of D.C. to explore.

A trip to the Outer Banks is more realistic as a long weekend getaway than a single day trip, as the drive is typically 3.5 to 4 hours one way. The most common route involves I-64 East to US-168 South. The key to successful route planning is timing your travel to avoid peak weekend traffic, especially across the Wright Memorial Bridge, which is a common bottleneck.

The most common point of confusion for visitors is the complex interchange near downtown where I-95 and I-64 merge and then split. It’s a multi-lane, high-traffic area where you need to be in the correct lane well in advance. Using a sat-nav and carefully reading the large overhead signs for city names like "Charlottesville" or "Washington" is the best way to ensure you stay on your intended route.

It’s extremely easy to find a petrol station just before your return. Several major-brand stations are located along Airport Drive, the main road into the airport complex. Additionally, S Laburnum Avenue, which intersects Airport Drive, has numerous options just a minute or two away from the rental car return entrance, making a final fill-up very convenient.

The most efficient process is to drive first to the upper-level Departures roadway at the main terminal. Here you can pull up to the kerb and let your passengers out with their luggage. Once they are safely on their way to the check-in desks, you can drive away from the terminal and follow the clearly marked signs for "Rental Car Return" to complete the vehicle drop-off yourself.

For an early-morning departure, a safe plan is to arrive at the Avis return at least two hours before your flight is scheduled to depart. This provides a comfortable buffer for the vehicle return process, the short walk or shuttle back to the terminal building, checking in any bags with the airline, and clearing security without feeling rushed.

This is a simple mistake to correct, so there’s no need to worry. The rental car return lots at RIC are all located in the same general area. If you pull into the wrong one, simply drive through and exit, then follow the main loop road around again. Pay closer attention to the overhead signs to ensure you turn into the designated lane for Avis.

Returning a vehicle after hours at a major airport location like RIC is a routine and straightforward procedure. You will typically park the car in a designated lane specifically marked for after-hours returns. The process usually involves noting your mileage and fuel level on the rental agreement, and then depositing the keys and the completed contract into a secure drop-box. It’s a good idea to confirm this procedure with staff when you pick up the car.

A hire car provides great flexibility for a wedding weekend. A sensible strategy is to save all the key addresses—hotel, ceremony venue, reception—in your phone’s map app ahead of time. Plan to car-share with other guests to simplify logistics and parking. Most importantly, always ensure you have a designated driver for any events where alcohol will be served.

Driving near major concert venues on a show night can be very congested with both vehicle and pedestrian traffic. On-street parking is extremely limited and fills quickly. The best approach is to identify a pay car park a few blocks away from the venue and plan to park there. Arriving in the area at least 45 minutes before the show starts will give you enough time to park and walk without stress.

When you arrive at a hotel with valet service, simply pull up to the main entrance and the staff will take care of the car for you. For hotels with self-parking in a tight garage, it’s helpful to pull over briefly to unload your luggage at the entrance before proceeding to the garage. Take your time navigating the garage, being mindful of sharp turns and support columns, especially with a larger vehicle.

The best place to get fully organised is at your assigned parking spot in the rental car garage. After you have located your vehicle, you can take all the time you need to properly install car seats and arrange your luggage without the pressure of holding up traffic. The garage environment is much calmer and safer for this task than the busy kerbside at the terminal.

The safest and most efficient method is to programme your first destination into your sat-nav or smartphone while you are still parked in the hire stall. Do this after you have completed your vehicle inspection and loaded your luggage, but before you start the engine. This ensures your full attention is on driving and navigating the airport roads as soon as you pull out.

Richmond’s bridges, such as the Lee Bridge and the Powhite Parkway Bridge, often connect to complex motorway interchanges. When approaching these areas, it’s essential to rely on your sat-nav for lane guidance. Pay close attention to overhead signs for major routes like I-95, I-64 and the Downtown Expressway, and try to get into your needed lane well before your exit.

Visitors are often surprised by the lower speed limits in Richmond’s many historic and residential neighbourhoods, which are commonly enforced. Be particularly vigilant for school zones, which have significantly reduced speed limits and flashing lights during specific morning and afternoon hours on weekdays. These zones may also be active during some summer programmes, so it’s always best to slow down when you see the signs.

During a heavy downpour, some low-lying areas in neighbourhoods like Shockoe Bottom can be prone to street flooding, so be cautious around underpasses. On major highways like I-95 and I-64, the biggest challenges are reduced visibility from spray and the potential for aquaplaning. The best course of action is to reduce your speed, increase your following distance, and avoid using cruise control.

The key to enjoying Scott’s Addition is to park once and explore on foot, as the breweries are all within a short walking distance of each other. Arrive in the early afternoon to secure a street parking spot, which becomes much harder to find later in the day. Most importantly, this type of outing requires a designated driver to ensure everyone gets around safely.

Richmond’s central location makes it a great starting point for various one-way trips. A very popular route is to drive north along the I-95 corridor to Washington, D.C., dropping the car at Dulles (IAD) or Reagan National (DCA). Other common patterns include driving south to the Raleigh–Durham area in North Carolina (RDU) or heading west on I-64 through Charlottesville and the Blue Ridge Mountains.

One of the most common mistakes is underestimating the traffic on I-64 and I-95 during peak commute hours, which can add significant time to your trip. Another is being unprepared for the number of one-way streets in the city centre and the Fan district. The best way to avoid these issues is to use a sat-nav navigation app from the moment you leave the rental lot and to try to schedule your arrival into the city during off-peak hours if possible.