Car Hire
New Jersey Airport

After you collect your luggage from baggage reclaim, look for the overhead signs directing you to the AirTrain. This automated monorail is the primary way to reach the car hire facilities. Most major car hire companies at Newark are located in a centralised facility at the P3 station. The AirTrain is free for travel between terminals, car parks, and the car hire centre, making the process smooth and efficient.

The most efficient way to reach the car hire area is to use AirTrain Newark. After exiting your terminal, follow the signs for the AirTrain, which has stations at Terminals A, B, and C. Board the train and ride to the P3 station stop. The consolidated car hire centre, which houses the desks for most agencies, is located at this station, so it’s a simple walk from the AirTrain platform to pick up your vehicle.

Yes, hire car returns at Newark Airport are in the same consolidated facility where you picked up your vehicle. As you drive back towards the airport, you’ll see prominent signs for “Rental Car Return”. It’s important to follow these specific signs rather than the signs for your departure terminal. This will guide you directly to the multi-storey car park where you can drop off the car, then take the AirTrain back to your terminal.

For a domestic flight, it’s wise to return your hire car at least two and a half to three hours before your scheduled departure. For international flights, plan to arrive at the car return three and a half to four hours in advance. This buffer accounts for the time needed to complete the return, take the AirTrain from P3 to your terminal, check in bags, and clear security, which can have long queues.

Avoiding tunnel traffic entirely can be difficult, but using a real-time GPS app is your best strategy for finding the least congested route. The Holland Tunnel and Lincoln Tunnel are the most direct options, but they’re prone to heavy delays. An alternative is taking the NJ Turnpike north to the George Washington Bridge, especially if your destination is in Upper Manhattan. Always check traffic conditions right before you leave the airport to make the most informed choice.

For Midtown Manhattan destinations such as Times Square or the Theatre District, the Lincoln Tunnel is the most direct and logical river crossing. It connects New Jersey straight into the heart of Midtown. The Holland Tunnel is better for Downtown neighbourhoods like SoHo or the Financial District. The George Washington Bridge is best for Upper Manhattan, Washington Heights, or the Bronx.

Driving out of Newark Airport during weekday rush hour, typically 7–10am and 4–7pm, requires patience and planning. Expect heavy, slow-moving traffic on major routes including the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95), I-78, and Routes 1 & 9. Journey times can easily double, so it’s crucial to build in significant extra time. Using a GPS with live traffic updates is essential for navigating congestion.

The motorway interchanges around EWR are complex, with many merging lanes and quick splits for major routes such as the NJ Turnpike, I-78, and US 1/9. A common issue is getting into the correct lane for your intended route well in advance. Rely heavily on GPS navigation and pay close attention to overhead signs. Last-minute lane changes can be difficult and unsafe due to high traffic volumes.

To ensure your GPS directs you correctly, it’s best to search for “Newark Airport Rental Car Center” or “EWR P3 Station” rather than the airport’s main address. The car hire facility is at the P3 parking station, which is separate from the passenger terminals. Using this more specific destination will guide you to the correct entrance for pick-up or return and help you avoid circling the terminal roadways.

If you arrive on a late-night flight, it’s crucial to check your specific car hire company’s opening hours in advance, as some desks may close overnight. While the airport itself will be quieter, the car hire centre may have reduced staffing, which could mean a longer wait. The AirTrain runs 24/7, so getting to the car hire centre isn’t an issue. Keep your reservation details handy to make the process smoother.

A short drive from the airport, you’ll find plenty of convenient options for food and supplies. The area along US Routes 1 & 9 in Elizabeth has many fast-food chains, diners, and large retail centres like The Mills at Jersey Gardens. For more local variety, Newark’s Ironbound district is well known for Portuguese and Brazilian restaurants. These nearby stops make it easy to stock up on essentials before continuing your journey.

When driving from EWR into New York City, you’ll encounter tolls at all bridge and tunnel crossings, such as the Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel, and George Washington Bridge. Tolls are collected electronically via systems like E‑ZPass, and cash lanes are increasingly rare. Most hire vehicles have a toll transponder, and the hire company will have a programme for how charges are handled. It’s a good idea to ask about the specific toll policy at the desk.

The most direct and popular route to most Jersey Shore destinations is the Garden State Parkway (GSP) South. From the airport, you can access the GSP by taking a short drive on I-78 West. Once on the Parkway, it’s a relatively straight run down the coast. In summer, especially on Fridays and Sundays, expect heavy traffic, so travelling at off-peak times is best if possible.

In ideal conditions with light traffic, the drive from Newark Airport to Atlantic City takes about two hours, mainly via the Garden State Parkway South. However, journey times can increase significantly, sometimes to three hours or more, during peak periods. The worst traffic is typically on summer weekends, especially Friday afternoons heading south and Sunday afternoons heading north, so plan your departure time accordingly.

The most straightforward route to Princeton is the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95) South from the airport. You’ll travel about 35–40 miles, then take the exit for Route 18 North towards US Route 1 South, which leads into the Princeton area. The drive is almost entirely on major motorways and is well signed. Outside peak rush hour, it typically takes under an hour.

Liberty State Park has ample paid visitor parking, which is very convenient if you have a hire car. As you enter the park, clear signage directs you to large visitor car parks near the historic Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal. From these car parks, it’s a short walk to the ticket booths and ferry departure point for the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Arriving early is recommended on weekends and holidays to secure a good space.

A same-day trip from Newark Airport to the Delaware Water Gap is very manageable and makes a great excursion. The drive is typically about 90 minutes each way, mainly via I-80 West. That leaves plenty of daylight for hiking, visiting waterfalls, or taking a scenic drive through the park. To make the most of the day, aim to leave the airport area early in the morning to avoid traffic and maximise time outdoors.

It makes sense to collect your hire car on arrival at EWR if your itinerary involves significant travel within New Jersey or to neighbouring states first. However, if the first part of your trip is focused solely on Manhattan, it’s often more practical to use public transport into the city. You can then hire a car later from a city location when you’re ready to explore areas where a vehicle is necessary, avoiding the high costs and stress of parking in Manhattan.

Driving from EWR to Brooklyn or Queens during peak hours is challenging and requires strategic planning. The most common route crosses Staten Island via the Goethals Bridge and then uses the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge into Brooklyn. This corridor is known for severe congestion, and travel times can easily exceed two hours. A real-time traffic app is essential, and if possible, schedule the drive for mid-day or later in the evening.

The most direct route to MetLife Stadium is to take the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95) North from the airport, making sure you’re on the western spur. Then take Exit 16W, which leads onto Route 3 West and directly to the MetLife Sports Complex. The drive is short, but leave very early for major events, as traffic into the stadium car parks can be exceptionally heavy.

The route to American Dream is the same as for MetLife Stadium, as they’re part of the same complex. From Newark Airport, take the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95) North using the western spur. Follow signs for Exit 16W, which puts you onto Route 3 West. The mall is highly visible and well signed from the motorway, with dedicated entrances to its parking decks. The drive is usually quick outside peak shopping times or event days.

Finding a petrol station near Newark Airport is very easy, so you don’t need to worry about running low before returning the car. The main roads bordering the airport, especially US Routes 1 & 9, are lined with petrol stations from all major brands, many open 24 hours. A quick GPS search as you approach the airport will show several convenient options right along your return route.

As with petrol stations, there are plenty of convenient car washes on the major roads around Newark Airport. You’ll find several along US Routes 1 & 9 in both Newark and Elizabeth, just a few minutes’ drive from the hire car return entrance. Searching for “car wash” in a map app when you’re near the airport will show the closest and best-rated options for a quick clean before you drop off the vehicle.

If you end up in New York City unexpectedly, the most important thing is to stay calm and rely on your GPS to guide you out. Avoid sudden manoeuvres and focus on getting onto a major avenue that leads towards a bridge or tunnel back to New Jersey. Many of the most restricted streets are in Lower Manhattan’s congestion pricing zone. If you stick to major routes like the West Side Highway or FDR Drive, navigation is generally more straightforward.

Two New Jersey driving rules often surprise visitors. First, it’s illegal to pump your own petrol; you must wait for an attendant to do it for you. Second, many roads don’t allow direct left turns. Instead, you use a right-hand ramp called a “jughandle” to loop around and cross the road. Look for signs saying “All turns from right lane” when you need to turn left.

New Jersey traffic circles and jughandles can feel intimidating at first, but they’re manageable if you stay alert. For traffic circles (rotaries), yield to vehicles already circulating and know which exit you need before entering. Jughandles are right-hand ramps used for left turns; follow the signs and the ramp loops you around to cross the main road. Paying close attention to road signs is the best way to handle these unusual junctions.

To streamline things, divide responsibilities between the adults in your group. One person can manage the children and hand luggage while the other handles the paperwork at the desk. Once you have the car, find a safe spot in the car park to install the child seats before loading all luggage. For drop-off, one driver can unload your family and bags at the departures kerb while the other returns the car alone.

If you’re travelling in winter and heading to a ski area, monitor the weather forecast and road conditions closely. Major motorways are usually well maintained, but mountain roads can be snowy or icy. When booking, consider a vehicle with all-wheel drive for better traction. Allow significantly more travel time, pack an emergency kit, and make sure your phone is fully charged before leaving the airport.

Mobile signal and GPS navigation are generally very reliable around Newark Airport and on nearby major roads. You can usually count on a strong signal. The main potential for brief interruption is inside a tunnel or at the lowest level of a complex interchange. It’s good practice to review the next few turns before entering a tunnel, in case the signal drops temporarily.

The simplest plan is for everyone to collect their luggage independently first. Then agree to meet at one specific place, such as a particular baggage carousel or a designated coffee shop in one terminal. An even easier option is for everyone to take the AirTrain to P3 and meet directly at the car hire centre, so no one has to navigate between terminals.

Newark Airport has direct, clearly signed access to the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95). As you exit the car hire centre, you’ll immediately see large overhead signs for I-95 North and I-95 South. Get into the correct lane for your direction. The slip roads are right at the edge of the airport, so you can join this major motorway within minutes of leaving the car park.

Hiring a car during a layover is only realistic if you have at least six to seven hours between flights. You need time to disembark, get to the car hire centre, complete paperwork, drive to your destination, return the car, and go through security again. A short trip to somewhere very close, like The Mills at Jersey Gardens for shopping, might be feasible. A trip into Manhattan is very risky and not recommended.

In normal traffic, the drive from Newark Airport to the Cape Liberty cruise terminal in Bayonne takes about 25 to 35 minutes, typically using part of the New Jersey Turnpike. However, it’s strongly recommended to budget at least an hour. This provides a comfortable cushion for delays, especially on cruise departure days when the area can become quite congested.

The most reliable method is to enter “Newark Airport Rental Car Return” or “EWR P3 Station” as your destination in your GPS. As you approach the airport complex, pay close attention to the road signs. You’ll see dedicated “Rental Car Return” signs separate from airline departures. Following these will take you directly to the correct entrance for the consolidated return facility.

Picking up a car at EWR is very practical, even if you’re staying in downtown Newark. The airport offers the widest choice of vehicles and strong availability. The drive into downtown is short, typically under 15 minutes. While there may be smaller city branches, their opening hours and vehicle stock are often more limited, so the airport is usually the more reliable choice.

Parking in Hoboken and Jersey City is notoriously difficult and expensive, much like Manhattan. On-street parking is scarce and largely reserved for residents with permits. Your best option is usually a public car park, but expect high hourly or daily rates. Many visitors find it easier to park at a suburban transit station and take the train or ferry into these cities and onwards to Manhattan.

The most direct route from EWR to Philadelphia is the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95) South. It’s a straightforward drive and takes about 90 minutes to two hours without major issues. Typical slowdowns occur during rush hour around the busier central New Jersey exits and again as you approach the bridges into Philadelphia. Check a live traffic map before you set off for current conditions.

At weekends, driving from Newark Airport to the Bronx can take anywhere from 45 minutes to over an hour, depending on traffic. The most common route is the NJ Turnpike North to the George Washington Bridge, then the Major Deegan Expressway or Cross Bronx Expressway. Weekend traffic can be lighter than weekdays, but the area around the George Washington Bridge is almost always congested, so allow extra time.

For a scenic autumn colours drive, a good plan is to head north-west from the airport. Take I-78 West or I-280 West to connect with I-287 North. This leads towards attractive areas such as Morristown National Historical Park and the Ramapo Valley. From there, explore smaller state and county roads that wind through the forested, hilly landscape of northern New Jersey for excellent views of the season’s colours.

First-time visitors should be prepared for a fast-paced, assertive driving environment. The roads around EWR have high traffic volumes, frequent lane changes, and complex interchanges. The best advice is to drive defensively, use your GPS, and know your next turn or exit in advance. Avoid sudden lane changes, leave plenty of space to the vehicle ahead, and focus on following route signage.