Avis Car Hire
Utah

The Avis rental counter at Salt Lake City International Airport is conveniently located within the airport’s Gateway Center, which houses all car hire companies. After collecting your luggage from the baggage reclaim carousel, look for the prominent overhead signs directing you to "Ground Transportation" and "Rental Cars". You will not need to leave the main building; simply follow the clear interior signage, which leads you on a short walk directly to the rental car area where the Avis counter is located.

Getting to the Avis pick-up area at SLC is exceptionally convenient as no train or shuttle is required. The rental car facility is directly connected to the main terminal building. Once you have your bags, you can simply walk from baggage reclaim to the Gateway Center where the rental counters are located. The entire route is indoors, well signed, and designed for a seamless transition from your flight to your hire car.

On a typical weekday afternoon, a realistic timeline from landing to driving away in your Avis rental is approximately 45 to 75 minutes. This allows for disembarking, walking to baggage reclaim, waiting for your luggage, and the short walk to the rental car centre. The check-in process at the counter is generally efficient, but this timeframe allows for potential queues during peak travel periods. Having your reservation details and driving licence ready will help speed things up.

Arriving late at night at SLC is straightforward. The airport is modern and well lit, with clear, illuminated signage guiding you from baggage reclaim to the rental car centre. The process is the same as during the day, though often with fewer travellers, which can feel calmer and quicker. The rental garage is also well lit, and exit signs leading to major roads such as I-80 are prominent and easy to follow even in the dark.

A great meeting point is the baggage reclaim area for the last person’s arriving flight, so everyone can gather luggage in one place. Alternatively, the seating area in the Gateway Center, just before the rental counters, is another excellent option. It’s out of the main flow of foot traffic and provides a comfortable place to wait while the designated driver completes the rental paperwork with Avis.

After you complete check-in at the Avis counter, your rental agreement will clearly list the specific zone, row, and bay number where your vehicle is parked. The SLC rental garage is very well organised with large, colour-coded signs for each level and row. Follow the overhead signs to your designated area. The system is designed to be intuitive, minimising confusion and helping you find your car quickly.

Rather than stopping on a busy airport road, the safest and most convenient option is to use the airport’s cell phone waiting lot. It’s located just a few minutes from the rental garage and provides a safe, spacious area for short-term parking. There, you can set up your sat nav, connect your phone to the car’s infotainment system, and adjust seats and mirrors without the pressure of traffic. This lets you get fully sorted before you start driving.

When exiting the rental garage, the most critical lane choice comes almost immediately as you approach Interstate 80. The road splits into I-80 East, towards downtown Salt Lake City and Park City, and I-80 West, towards the Great Salt Lake. Visitors who aren’t paying close attention can easily end up westbound by mistake. It’s strongly recommended to have navigation running before you leave the garage so you can get into the correct lanes for I-80 East.

The simplest route from SLC to downtown is to take I-80 East from the airport. Stay on I-80 for about five miles, then take the exit for 600 South (Exit 121). The slip road is well signed and puts you straight onto a major east–west street through the heart of downtown. Locals and visitors alike favour this route because it avoids the more complex I-15 interchange and provides a direct entry into the city’s grid system.

For hotels near Temple Square, the easiest plan is to drive to the hotel’s main entrance and use the designated passenger loading area to unload luggage and check in. Most downtown hotels offer valet parking or have their own garage. If you prefer to self-park, the City Creek Center garage is a large, central, secure public option within easy walking distance of most hotels in the Temple Square area.

Salt Lake City’s grid system is logical but can feel unusual to first-time visitors. Streets are exceptionally wide and often multi-lane, so it’s important to get into the correct turn lane well before your junction. Because of the width, traffic light cycles can be longer than you may be used to. Be patient and expect that you may have to wait through a full cycle, especially at peak times. The numbered street system makes navigation easier once you get the hang of it.

The most direct route from SLC to the Sugar House neighbourhood is to take I-80 East for roughly 10 miles, then take the exit for 1300 East (Exit 126) and head south into the area. Overnight parking in Sugar House is typically a mix of on-street parking and private driveways or small lots for residences and hotels. Check posted restrictions or permit requirements, particularly in denser residential streets.

To reach Sandy or Draper from SLC, you’ll mainly use I-15 South. On weekday mornings (roughly 7:00 to 9:30) and evenings (4:00 to 6:30), this corridor sees heavy commuter traffic that can significantly increase journey times. If possible, plan to drive outside these peak periods. Exits are clearly signed, but traffic can be dense, so allow extra time to move into the correct exit lane.

The most direct and navigation-friendly route to Park City is I-80 East straight from the airport. Stay on the interstate to the Park City exit (Exit 145 for Kimball Junction). The drive is scenic and straightforward, with a gradual climb into the mountains through Parleys Canyon. The road is well maintained and clearly signed, making it an easy drive for visitors unfamiliar with the area.

In winter, the I-80 drive from SLC to Park City requires extra caution. Although it’s a major route and prioritised for ploughing, it can still become snow-packed or icy, particularly on the climb through Parleys Canyon and at the summit. Conditions can change quickly with altitude. Drive at reduced speed, keep a safe following distance, and be prepared for changing weather. Always check Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) road conditions before you set off.

For Park City Mountain, the main car parks are accessible from the town centre. For Deer Valley, follow signs through lower Deer Valley to the Snow Park Lodge base area. Both resorts offer extensive parking, but it can fill very early, especially at weekends and on powder days. To secure a space, aim to arrive before 9:00, or consider Park City’s excellent free bus system, which serves both resorts from various park-and-ride locations.

Driving to Alta or Snowbird involves State Route 210 up Little Cottonwood Canyon. This two-lane road is known for heavy traffic, especially on weekend mornings and powder days. The main bottleneck is at the mouth of the canyon, where queues can back up for miles. The road can also close for avalanche control. Check UDOT Cottonwoods road status before you go and consider leaving very early.

To minimise traffic driving to Brighton or Solitude in Big Cottonwood Canyon (State Route 190), timing is everything. At weekends and on holidays, aim to be heading up the canyon before 8:00 to stay ahead of the main rush. The afternoon descent can also be slow, so leaving either before 15:00 or after 17:00 can help you avoid the worst stop-start traffic. Weekdays are generally much less congested outside major snow events.

In winter months, Utah enforces traction laws in the Cottonwood Canyons, which may require specific tyres or traction devices. Before heading to the ski resorts, it’s a very good idea to discuss your plans with Avis staff at the counter. Ask about the vehicle’s equipment and familiarise yourself with general requirements for the areas you plan to visit. This helps ensure you’re prepared for mountain driving conditions.

When snow is forecast, flexibility is your best strategy. A practical plan is to leave for the mountains much earlier than usual to build in extra time. Another excellent option is to use the UTA Ski Bus service from park-and-ride lots at the base of the canyons. This lets you relax while a professional handles winter driving, removing the stress of traffic and parking.

For skis or snowboards, an SUV is typically the most convenient choice. A mid-size or full-size SUV often allows you to fold part of the rear seat to create a pass-through for equipment while still seating passengers. This is much easier than trying to fit gear diagonally in a saloon boot. When booking, consider a 40/20/40 or 60/40 split-folding rear seat for maximum flexibility.

A people carrier (minivan) is often ideal for a family with pushchairs and lots of luggage. The low, flat load floor makes it easy to slide heavy suitcases in and out with minimal lifting. Power sliding side doors are also a big advantage in tight parking spaces, making it easier to get children in and out of car seats. A full-size SUV is another strong option, offering ample cargo space for the family’s gear.

The most practical, low-stress place to fit a child car seat is in a quiet corner of the rental garage after you’ve loaded your luggage. Rather than doing it in a main traffic lane, find an empty neighbouring bay or a less busy area. This gives you space and time to ensure the seat is fitted correctly and securely without feeling rushed by other drivers.

Before you drive off, take a couple of minutes for a quick check. Switch on the headlights and walk around the car to confirm they’re working. Test the windscreen wipers and washer fluid. Check the dashboard for warning lights, such as a low tyre-pressure alert. Finally, locate the USB ports to make sure you can charge devices, which is essential for navigation during your trip.

The best way to confirm Apple CarPlay or Android Auto is to test it before leaving the bay. Plug your phone into the car’s primary USB port using your own cable. The system should prompt you to connect automatically. If it doesn’t, check the infotainment settings menu. Verifying this before you depart ensures seamless access to your preferred navigation and media apps.

Interstate 15 has Express Lanes that operate as High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes. Rules can depend on how many people are in the car and whether you have a specific electronic transponder. To avoid confusion or potential fines, it’s often simplest for visitors to stay in the general-purpose lanes. That way you can drive without worrying about specific entry, exit, or occupancy requirements.

For a simple grocery stop, avoid the motorway initially. Take North Temple Street eastbound from the airport area instead. This main road runs parallel to the interstate and passes several large supermarkets within a few miles. After shopping, you can rejoin I-80 or I-15 easily from these areas without navigating back through the airport’s more complex road system.

Antelope Island is a very straightforward drive. From Salt Lake City, take I-15 North to Syracuse and use Exit 332. Then follow the well-signed Antelope Island Parkway west. It leads directly to the park entrance and the scenic causeway across the Great Salt Lake. Once on the island, parking is plentiful and clearly marked at the visitor centre, trailheads, and Fielding Garr Ranch.

Parking at the Utah State Capitol is very convenient. The easiest option is one of the free public car parks directly to the east of the Capitol building. There’s also a car park on the south side. These provide plenty of space and a short, pleasant walk to the main entrance, making it easy to explore the building and its grounds.

To reach the Natural History Museum of Utah, your navigation will take you to the University of Utah campus. The museum sits in the foothills above the main campus and the route is well signed. The most straightforward approach is via Foothill Drive to Wakara Way. The museum has a large, dedicated car park directly in front of the building, making it easy to park just steps from the entrance.

A trip to the Bonneville Salt Flats involves a long drive west on I-80. Start with a full tank, as there are no services for over 100 miles between Grantsville and the border town of Wendover. Bring plenty of water and snacks. For safety, only use designated rest areas or official viewpoints to pull off the road. The vast open landscape can be disorientating, so stick to marked roads and pull-offs.

The drive from Salt Lake City to Moab is about four hours. To keep it relaxed, plan a break roughly halfway. Price and Green River are perfectly placed for this. Both are right off the road with plenty of petrol stations, fast food options, and clean toilets. Stopping in one of these towns is an easy way to refuel both the car and yourself before continuing to Moab.

The drive from Salt Lake City to Springdale, the gateway town for Zion National Park, is roughly 4.5 to 5 hours. To arrive with plenty of daylight to check in and get settled, a manageable plan is to leave SLC no later than 1:00 PM. In winter, when days are shorter, consider departing by noon. This relaxed schedule still allows a short stop en route without the stress of driving unfamiliar roads after sunset.

A common mistake is confusing frontage roads with the main interstate, as they often run parallel for long stretches. The interchange where I-15, I-80, and State Route 201 merge near downtown—often called the "spaghetti bowl"—can also be challenging due to multiple lanes and rapid splits. To avoid errors, run your navigation app with voice guidance and move into the required lane well ahead of major junctions.

For convenient refuelling before return, there are several petrol stations along North Temple Street just east of the airport entrance. They’re easy to enter and exit, and they let you get back towards the airport’s "Rental Car Return" entrance in a minute or two. This helps you avoid complicated detours or the risk of getting lost right before drop-off.

As you approach the airport, large overhead signs clearly separate lanes for different destinations. To stay on the right route, move into lanes marked specifically for "Rental Car Return". These are separate from "Departures" and "Arrivals". Following the dedicated rental return signage will take you straight into the correct multi-storey garage for all rental returns, bypassing the busier terminal loops.

The airport road system is designed for exactly this sequence. First, follow signs for "Departures" and pull up to the kerb for your airline to drop passengers and luggage. Then rejoin the main airport loop. Within a minute you’ll see signs for "Rental Car Return"—follow them to circle back to the rental return garage for a quick, simple transition.

It’s designed to be simple. After you drop off the vehicle and keys in the rental return garage, follow the clear signs to the terminal. Take a lift or escalator up to the pedestrian walkway. This enclosed bridge connects the garage directly to the main terminal building, bringing you to the airline check-in desks and the security checkpoint.

While returning the vehicle is usually quick, the next steps can take longer during the early-morning rush. The walk from the rental garage back to the terminal adds time. The biggest delays are typically at airline baggage check desks and, especially, the security screening checkpoint, which can be very busy between 5:00 and 7:30. It’s wise to allow at least 30–40 minutes from parking the car to arriving at your gate.

A practical plan is to take a rideshare or taxi from the airport to your Salt Lake City hotel for the first part of your stay. That lets you explore downtown without worrying about driving or parking. When you’re ready to head into the mountains, take an inexpensive rideshare back to the airport’s rental car centre to pick up your Avis vehicle. This can save both hassle and the cost of parking a car you aren’t using.