Car Hire
Gander

When you arrive at Gander International Airport, you will find the car hire desks conveniently located within the main terminal building. After collecting your luggage from baggage reclaim, head into the arrivals hall. The counters for the different hire companies are typically grouped together in this main public area, making them easy to spot before you leave the building.

The set-up at Gander Airport is designed for convenience, with elements both on-site and close to the terminal. You will complete the paperwork and collect your keys at the hire counters inside the terminal building. Once you have your keys, you’ll be directed to the designated hire car park, which is just a short walk from the terminal exit, so it’s an easy transition from arrivals to your vehicle.

On a typical weekday afternoon, the process from getting off the aircraft to receiving your hire car keys at Gander Airport is usually efficient. Allowing time to walk from the gate, wait for and collect checked bags, and complete the hire agreement at the desk, a realistic timeline is generally 30 to 45 minutes. This can vary a little depending on passenger numbers and how many people are hiring cars, but YQX’s compact layout helps keep things moving.

Finding your way around Gander’s terminal late at night is straightforward, as it’s a smaller airport with clear signage. The car hire counters are in the main arrivals hall, a well-lit area you’ll naturally pass through after baggage reclaim. Airport signs point you clearly towards this area. Because the terminal is compact, you can locate the hire desks without complicated turns or long walks, making pick-up simple and low-stress even after a late flight.

If your group is arriving on different flights, baggage reclaim is an excellent, easy-to-find meeting point. It’s centrally located and usually has seating, so people can wait comfortably. Alternatively, the general seating area in the main arrivals hall near the hire car counters is another practical option. This lets the designated driver finalise the paperwork while everyone else gathers nearby with the luggage.

The best place for the rest of your party to wait is in the main arrivals hall, just after the baggage reclaim carousels. This area typically has seating and keeps everyone close to both the terminal exit and the hire counters. The person collecting the car can complete the process and then meet the group easily before heading out to the car park together. This reduces confusion and keeps everyone and their luggage in one convenient central spot.

Locating your specific vehicle in the Gander Airport hire car park is simple. When you receive your keys, the agent will give you an agreement showing the vehicle’s make, model, colour and, most importantly, its assigned bay number. The car park is well organised with clear row signage and numbered bays. Match the number on your agreement to the signs in the car park to find your car quickly.

The best place to get organised is before you leave the hire car park. Find a quiet spot within the car park, away from the main flow of traffic, to adjust your mirrors, seat and steering wheel. It’s also the ideal time to plug in your phone, set up GPS navigation to your first destination and make sure your luggage is secure. Taking a few minutes in the car park provides a calm, safe environment before you join the airport roads.

Driving out of Gander Airport is generally straightforward, with a single main road, Airport Boulevard, leading away from the terminal. The most common point of confusion is joining the Trans-Canada Highway (Route 1). It helps to know in advance whether you need to head east or west. Having your GPS set up before you start driving will help you take the correct slip road and avoid having to turn back.

The drive from Gander Airport to the main hotel area is very direct and only takes a few minutes. Follow Airport Boulevard away from the terminal until you reach the Trans-Canada Highway (Route 1). A short run along the highway brings you to the main exits for Gander, such as Elizabeth Drive. Most hotels, restaurants and services are along this main route, making it an easy first drive.

Getting to the Gander Lake or Cobb's Pond areas from the airport is straightforward. From the terminal, take Airport Boulevard to the Trans-Canada Highway (Route 1) and head west. The turn-offs for these recreational areas are well signed directly from the highway. Watch for the official signs for Gander Lake and Cobb's Pond Park. The routes are direct, reducing the chance of getting lost on unfamiliar side roads.

Road signs in Newfoundland and Labrador follow standard Canadian conventions, so they’ll feel familiar to most North American drivers. The key route is the Trans-Canada Highway, clearly marked as Route 1. Other major routes are numbered as well, and signs often include the names of the next major towns or communities, which can be very helpful. Pay attention to town names on signs, as they often provide more useful context than route numbers alone.

The main thing is choosing the correct on-ramp for your intended direction on the Trans-Canada Highway (Route 1). Signs clearly indicate which ramp leads to Route 1 East (towards Terra Nova National Park and Clarenville) and which leads to Route 1 West (towards Grand Falls-Windsor and Deer Lake). Deciding your direction before leaving the airport grounds helps prevent last-minute lane changes or confusion at the interchange.

The Trans-Canada Highway in central Newfoundland is generally a well-maintained two-lane road. Be prepared for long stretches with limited services between towns, so manage your fuel accordingly. The most important hazard to be aware of is wildlife, particularly moose, on or near the road, especially at dawn and dusk. Stay alert and scan the verges as you drive.

A great, straightforward day trip from Gander is to visit the coastal communities of Lewisporte or Twillingate. The drive to Lewisporte is simple: take the Trans-Canada Highway west for a short distance, then turn onto Route 340. For a slightly longer but still manageable outing, continuing to Twillingate on the scenic ‘Road to the Isles’ offers stunning coastal views without complicated navigation. Both options deliver classic Newfoundland scenery with minimal driving stress.

The most direct and scenic route to Twillingate is known as the ‘Road to the Isles’. From Gander, take the Trans-Canada Highway (Route 1) west to Notre Dame Junction, then head north on Route 340. The route is well signed through several small communities. Lewisporte is an excellent place to stop, with services such as fuel and restaurants, making it a convenient halfway break before continuing the drive to Twillingate.

The drive from Gander to Bonavista is a beautiful journey along the Discovery Trail. You’ll head east on the Trans-Canada Highway (Route 1) towards Clarenville. Clarenville is the ideal stop as it’s a major service town right on the highway, with plenty of places to eat and shop without a significant detour. After your break, continue from Clarenville on Route 230, which leads directly up the Bonavista Peninsula.

Driving to Terra Nova National Park from Gander is exceptionally easy. Take the Trans-Canada Highway (Route 1) eastbound for about an hour and the park entrances are directly off the highway. For a great introduction, make your first stop the main Visitor Centre near Saltons. There you can pick up maps, get recommendations from park staff on suitable trails and activities, and enjoy the views of Newman Sound.

Reaching popular sites in Terra Nova National Park by car is very convenient. Major trailheads, viewpoints and visitor facilities have clearly marked car parks. In peak summer, popular locations like the Ochre Hill Lookout or Sandy Pond can get busy. Arriving earlier in the day is a good idea to secure parking easily and enjoy the park without hassle.

The drive from Gander to Grand Falls-Windsor is a straightforward run west on the Trans-Canada Highway (Route 1). The road is well maintained and the journey is typically smooth. Grand Falls-Windsor is very car-friendly, with a logical layout and plenty of free parking at most attractions, shopping areas and restaurants, so it’s easy to explore at your own pace.

After a flight, it’s sensible to plan a shorter first drive to get used to your hire car and local roads. A manageable first leg is to drive to a nearby town such as Glenwood just west of Gander, or head east towards Gambo. Both are under an hour away and directly on the Trans-Canada Highway, letting you settle in for the night without feeling rushed or overly tired.

Even though the Trans-Canada Highway (Route 1) is the main route, it’s worth adjusting expectations for journey times. Much of the highway is two lanes and speed limits are generally lower than on major multi-lane motorways elsewhere in Canada. Plan for a more relaxed pace and allow extra time beyond GPS estimates. This accommodates a smoother trip and any slowdowns or scenic stops you’ll want to make.

Mobile coverage is reliable in Gander and other larger towns, but you should expect significant gaps between communities and especially within national parks. It’s highly recommended to download offline maps of the entire region in your navigation app before leaving the airport. That way, you’ll still have dependable turn-by-turn directions even without a mobile signal.

The biggest wildlife hazard for drivers in Newfoundland is moose. They’re most active at dawn, dusk and during the night, and can be very hard to see. Slow down at these times and continually scan the sides of the road for movement. Other animals such as caribou or foxes may appear, but moose pose the greatest risk, so staying highly alert is essential.

Fog in Newfoundland can be extremely dense and can arrive very quickly, reducing visibility to just a few car lengths. This can happen both along the coast and inland. Many visitors are surprised by how suddenly conditions change. If you encounter thick fog, slow down significantly, use dipped headlights and, if visibility becomes dangerously poor, pull completely off the road in a safe place and wait for conditions to improve.

Winter driving in central Newfoundland can be challenging. Drivers from outside the province are often surprised by sudden whiteout conditions from blowing snow, especially on exposed sections of the Trans-Canada Highway. Black ice is another major risk and can form quickly even when roads look clear. Drive at reduced speed, leave a generous following distance and be prepared for rapidly changing weather and road conditions.

If severe weather such as freezing rain or high winds is forecast, make safety your top priority. Freezing rain can make roads extremely hazardous, and it may be best to delay travel until conditions improve. High winds can also make driving difficult on open highways, particularly in larger vehicles. Always check the official road conditions report and be ready to adjust your plans for your own safety.

Planning ahead is important when driving in rural Newfoundland, as services can be widely spaced. Before leaving Gander, review your map and identify the towns along your route. Plan to stop for fuel, food and breaks in these communities, even if you don’t feel you need to yet. This proactive approach helps ensure you won’t end up with a low tank or needing a break in the middle of a long, unserviced stretch.

For a trip combining long highway drives with exploring small towns, a compact or mid-size SUV is often an excellent choice. It offers comfort and stability for longer distances while still being easy to manoeuvre and park in narrower streets in coastal communities. A standard saloon is also a perfectly suitable and economical option for most travellers.

Before you drive away, take a moment to assess the vehicle’s luggage space. Open the boot or rear hatch to ensure bulky items like coolers and hiking packs fit comfortably. If you need extra room, check how the rear seats fold and make sure the mechanism is easy to use. Arrange your gear so it doesn’t block your view out of the rear window for a safe start to your journey.

The safest and most convenient place to get children settled is in your assigned bay in the hire car park. It’s off the main roads and away from moving traffic, giving you time and space without feeling rushed. You can fit child seats, buckle everyone in, and organise snacks and activities before you even start the engine, for a calm and organised start to your trip.

Your assigned parking bay in the hire car park is the most practical and low-stress place to fit a child car seat. The area is generally quiet, so you can take your time and secure the seat correctly according to the instructions. You’ll have space to open the doors fully and work without other vehicles waiting. It’s safer and easier than trying to do it at the terminal kerb or a busy petrol station.

With long distances and changeable weather in Newfoundland, a quick check is sensible. Before leaving the car park, start the car and confirm all exterior lights, including headlights and brake lights, are working. Test the windscreen wipers and make sure washer fluid sprays properly. Finally, check the dashboard for any warning lights, particularly the tyre pressure monitoring system, to help ensure a smooth and safe trip.

To make sure your phone can be a reliable navigation tool, spend a minute checking the car’s tech features before leaving the hire car park. Confirm the USB ports work so you can keep your device charged. Pair your phone with the car’s Bluetooth for hands-free calls and spoken directions. Also identify a safe, convenient place on the dashboard or centre console where you can position a phone mount for easy viewing while driving.

Gander has several major supermarkets that are easy to reach soon after leaving the airport. Once you drive into town via Airport Boulevard, you’ll find large, familiar grocery shops along the main commercial street, Elizabeth Drive. These stores have big car parks and carry everything you need to stock up on snacks, drinks and supplies before heading out to explore the island.

There are several convenient petrol stations in Gander, making it easy to start with a full tank. Many are located directly on, or just off, the Trans-Canada Highway (Route 1) as it passes through town. You’ll also find stations along Elizabeth Drive, the main commercial road. These locations are designed for easy entry and exit, so you can refuel quickly without navigating awkward side streets.

Returning your hire car at Gander Airport is very straightforward. As you approach on Airport Boulevard, start looking for overhead and roadside signs that specifically say ‘Rental Car Return’. These direct you into a dedicated lane or entrance for the rental facilities, separate from the main passenger drop-off area. Following these signs is the best way to avoid confusion and reach the correct area smoothly.

The smoothest sequence is to follow the airport signs for ‘Departures’ first. This takes you to the upper-level kerb directly outside the terminal doors, where you can drop off passengers and luggage. Once they head inside for check-in, drive away from the kerb and follow the airport road as it loops around. You’ll then see the ‘Rental Car Return’ signs, which guide you straight to the correct car park.

Gander Airport’s terminal is compact and easy to navigate. After you park and drop the keys at the return kiosk, the rental car park is only a short walk to the main terminal building. There are clear pedestrian routes and signs pointing to the ‘Departures’ entrance. Once inside, the airline check-in desks are immediately visible in the main hall.

Airport car hire companies are used to flight delays and typically monitor arrival times. The best approach is to stay calm and follow the usual process, as staff will be prepared for you. Once you have the keys, don’t feel pressured to drive off immediately. Take a few minutes in the car park to adjust settings, review your route on your phone and get comfortable before setting off.