Dollar Car Hire
Newport News

After collecting your luggage from the baggage reclaim area, look for the overhead signs directing you to 'Rental Cars'. The Dollar hire desk is located inside the main terminal building alongside other rental agencies. Once you have completed the paperwork at the desk you will be directed to the adjacent multi-storey car park where the hire vehicles are staged. The whole process is indoors and a short walk from the baggage carousels.

Collecting a vehicle after a late flight at PHF is typically straightforward, as desk hours are often aligned with the final flight arrivals. The procedure is the same as during the day, and with fewer people it can be even quicker. Head straight to the rental car desks in the terminal after you collect your bags. To ensure the smoothest experience, it’s good practice to include your flight number on the booking so staff can monitor any delays.

For a comfortable, stress-free departure from PHF, a sensible rule of thumb is to arrive at the airport about two hours before your scheduled flight. Allow around 15 minutes for the vehicle return process, including gathering your belongings and the final inspection. From the rental return area it’s a short walk to the airline check-in desks. This timing gives you a comfortable buffer to check bags and clear security without rushing.

If you are approaching Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport from Interstate 64, take exit 255 for Jefferson Avenue (Route 143). As you drive towards the airport follow the prominent green and white signs for 'Airport Terminal' and then for 'Rental Car Return'. The airport has a well-marked one-way loop road, and the entrance to the return lanes is clearly designated as you near the main terminal building. Simply remain in the lane indicated by the signs.

Military homecomings can make the airport busier, but you can plan to minimise your wait. The largest crowds at the hire desks often align with the arrival of major flights. If your schedule is flexible, try to arrive during off-peak hours, such as mid-afternoon between the lunch and evening rush. Having your reservation details and driving licence ready will also help expedite the process once you reach the desk.

When you leave the airport, the two most important roads to know are Jefferson Avenue and J. Clyde Morris Boulevard. These are the main thoroughfares the airport road connects to. Jefferson Avenue runs parallel to the coast and takes you through the heart of Newport News’s commercial districts. J. Clyde Morris Boulevard is a key connector to the I-64, the primary motorway you’ll use to travel around the Hampton Roads region.

The drive from PHF to the City Centre at Oyster Point is relatively short in distance, but times vary with traffic. During typical weekday rush hours, roughly 07:00–09:00 and 16:00–18:30, you should allow about 20 to 30 minutes. The main route along Jefferson Avenue can be heavily congested in these periods. Outside peak times the same drive can often be completed in just 10 to 15 minutes.

The simplest and most direct route to Colonial Williamsburg is to use the I-64 West. From the airport you’ll quickly merge onto the I-64 and travel for approximately 20 miles. Take Exit 238, clearly signed for Colonial Williamsburg. The exit ramp and subsequent signs will guide you directly towards the Visitor Centre, making it an easy and well-signed journey for first-time visitors.

Getting to Busch Gardens is very straightforward from the airport. Take the I-64 West for about 25 miles, the main motorway linking the area. Look for Exit 243A, which is specifically signed for Busch Gardens. This exit puts you directly onto Route 60, and the park entrance will be almost immediately visible, avoiding any need to navigate complex local roads.

The I-64 corridor connecting Newport News and Norfolk requires crossing the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT). This tunnel is a major traffic bottleneck and significant delays are common, especially during rush hour and on summer weekends. Before you depart always check a real-time traffic app or the local news for tunnel status. Planning your crossing for mid-day or later in the evening can save considerable time and frustration.

The approaches to the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (I-64) or the Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel (I-664) are major factors in your travel time to Virginia Beach. Traffic can back up for miles before the tunnel entrances, especially during peak periods. To reduce stress listen to local traffic radio for updates, decide on your route before you get close to the interchange, and build at least 30–60 minutes of buffer time into your travel plans.

On summer weekends tunnel traffic patterns are predictable. Eastbound traffic towards the beaches on the I-64 is heaviest from Friday afternoon through Saturday midday. Westbound traffic heading away from the beaches peaks on Sunday afternoon and evening. For the calmest crossing plan to travel early in the morning, ideally before 09:00, or later in the evening after 20:00, when most day-trippers have already reached their destination or departed.

A realistic plan for a day trip to the USS Wisconsin involves timing to avoid the worst tunnel traffic. Drive from Newport News to Norfolk after the morning rush, between about 09:30 and 11:00. For the return trip aim to leave Norfolk either before 15:00 to beat the afternoon rush or wait until after 18:30 when it begins to clear. This schedule helps you bypass the most congested periods on the I-64.

To create an efficient day trip consider making a loop using the Colonial Parkway. Drive from Newport News to Yorktown first, then take the scenic Colonial Parkway west to Williamsburg and finally to Jamestown. After visiting the Jamestown sites you can return to Newport News via Route 199 to the I-64 East. This route allows you to see all three historic sites in a logical order without unnecessary backtracking.

Parking directly within the historic area of Colonial Williamsburg is extremely limited and not recommended. The easiest and most practical solution is to park at the official Visitor Centre, which has a large dedicated lot. From there you can access the historic area by a short walk or by using the complimentary shuttle buses. The shuttles run continuously and have multiple stops, making it simple to explore the site without your car.

Busch Gardens has expansive car parks and you will likely park some distance from the main entrance. Trams are available to shuttle guests from designated pickup spots to the entrance, reducing the walk. At the end of the day, especially after fireworks, expect a significant delay exiting the car park. To avoid the biggest rush you can either leave slightly before the park closes or relax for about 30 minutes after closing before heading to your car.

Using a hire car is the most convenient way to visit the Williamsburg Premium Outlets, as it offers ample free parking on site. You can easily drive between different sections of the large open-air mall. For the best parking spots and a more relaxed shopping experience plan your visit for a weekday morning or early afternoon. Weekend afternoons and holiday periods are the busiest times when finding a close parking spot can be more challenging.

From Newport News a great way to experience the Colonial Parkway is to start at its eastern terminus in Yorktown. This allows you to drive the entire 23-mile length of the parkway uninterrupted. You can follow it through Williamsburg and all the way to its western end at the James River near Jamestown. This route provides continuous views and access to numerous historic pull-offs along the way.

When driving in Newport News and Hampton it’s important to be vigilant about posted speed limits, as they are strictly enforced, particularly on major roads like Jefferson Avenue and Mercury Boulevard. Pay special attention to school zones which have significantly lower limits during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up times. These zones are often indicated by flashing yellow lights, and adherence is crucial for safety.

Yes, the Hampton Roads area has several quirks due to its geography of bridges and tunnels. Be prepared for left-lane exits on the motorway, which can be unexpected if you’re not used to them. Additionally merge lanes approaching major interchanges, like the I-64 and I-664 split, can be shorter than average. It’s wise to read overhead signs well in advance and give yourself plenty of room to change lanes safely.

For a cruise departure plan to drive to Norfolk’s Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center outside peak rush hour. The terminal has a designated area where you can pull up to drop off passengers and luggage at the entrance. For parking there are several city-owned garages within a short walk of the terminal. Following the signs for 'Cruise Parking' will lead you to the most convenient longer-stay options.

While most of Newport News follows a grid system, the downtown area near the shipyard and the historic Hilton Village neighbourhood can have some tricky junctions and one-way streets. Similarly the Phoebus area of Hampton has a distinctive street layout that may confuse first-time visitors. Using a sat-nav with turn-by-turn directions is highly recommended when navigating these parts of the Peninsula for the first time.

To visit either installation use your sat-nav to navigate directly to the main visitor gate, not just the base in general. You will need to present your driving licence and rental agreement to security at the gate. Be prepared to stop at the Visitor Control Centre to obtain a temporary pass, so allow a little extra time for this security process before your scheduled meeting or visit.

For events at the Hampton Coliseum plan to arrive early as traffic on Mercury Boulevard and the surrounding motorway exits can become congested. The coliseum has ample parking but it can take time to get into the lot and find a space. After the event expect significant delays leaving the parking area. A good strategy is to either leave a few minutes before the event ends or wait patiently for 20–30 minutes afterwards to let the initial surge dissipate.

The drive from Newport News to Richmond International Airport (RIC) typically takes about an hour in ideal conditions. However for a morning flight you should allow for potential commuter traffic on the I-64, particularly as you get closer to Richmond. To be safe plan for the drive to take at least 90 minutes. Leaving Newport News around 2.5 to 3 hours before your RIC flight’s departure is a prudent approach.

A half-day trip to the Eastern Shore requires careful planning around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. Leave Newport News early in the morning to avoid local traffic and enjoy a scenic drive across the bridge. This gives you a few hours to explore a town like Cape Charles, have lunch and start your return journey by early afternoon. This timing helps you avoid both the afternoon beach traffic and the evening commuter rush back in Hampton Roads.

The most efficient plan is to group your activities geographically. Spend the first part of your trip staying on the Peninsula to explore Williamsburg, Jamestown, Yorktown and Newport News. Then check out and drive to a hotel in Norfolk or Virginia Beach for the second part of your trip. This two-centre stay strategy removes the need for repeated, time-consuming trips through the bridge-tunnels.

After picking up your car you’ll find several convenient grocery stores within a five-minute drive of the airport. Major chains like Food Lion, Harris Teeter and Trader Joe’s are located along Jefferson Avenue, the main road just outside the airport entrance. These stores are handy for grabbing snacks, drinks and any other provisions before heading to your accommodation, saving you a separate trip later.

When using a sat-nav in this region the lane guidance display is often the most helpful feature. Major interchanges, like the I-64/I-664 split or the I-64/I-264 interchange in Norfolk, can be confusing. Pay close attention to the on-screen graphics that show exactly which lane you need for your intended route. Trusting this visual guidance well in advance of the split can prevent sudden, stressful lane changes.

The Virginia Living Museum in Newport News is an excellent stop, offering both indoor and outdoor exhibits that are engaging for all ages. It’s conveniently located just off the I-64, making it an easy detour. For a quicker, more active break Sandy Bottom Nature Park in Hampton has playgrounds and easy walking trails right off the motorway. Both options provide a good way to break up the drive and let children stretch their legs.

When driving near the Newport News Shipbuilding area, particularly on Warwick Boulevard and Huntington Avenue, it’s important to be extra vigilant. This area has a high volume of large trucks, commercial vehicles and buses. Be prepared for frequent stops, sudden lane changes and increased pedestrian activity during shift changes. Maintaining a safe following distance and staying highly aware of your surroundings is key to navigating this zone safely.

While on-street parking can be limited in downtown Norfolk during evenings, the city has many well-lit and spacious public parking garages. Garages like the Town Point Garage or the MacArthur Centre car parks are easy to access and generally have plenty of space. They are a much more reliable and less stressful option than circling for a street spot, and place you within a short walk of most popular restaurants and attractions.

The downtown Hampton waterfront area is well equipped with visitor parking. There is a large free public car park on Settlers Landing Road that serves the Virginia Air & Space Science Center and the surrounding restaurants. Additionally there are several free surface lots nearby. Parking in one of these central locations allows you to walk to most of the area’s attractions without needing to move your car.

Heavy rain can significantly impact driving in the region, causing reduced visibility and slick roads. Low-lying areas and underpasses can be prone to localised flooding, so avoid driving through standing water. The most stressful areas in a downpour are often the major motorways like the I-64 and the bridge-tunnels, where spray from other vehicles can be intense. It’s essential to reduce speed and increase your following distance in these conditions.

Before you finalise your rental and drive off the lot it’s a good idea to do a quick test-fit with your luggage. Load all your suitcases, golf clubs or other bulky items into the boot and back seat to ensure everything fits comfortably and safely. If space is tighter than expected you can speak with a Dollar agent on-site about swapping to a more suitable vehicle. This simple check prevents any surprises later on.

For a quick and convenient refuelling stop there are several petrol stations located on Jefferson Avenue and Denbigh Boulevard, both just a minute or two from the airport entrance. These stations are perfectly located for a last-minute fill-up before you proceed to the rental return area. Using your sat-nav to navigate to a station on one of these main roads is the most reliable plan when you’re on a tight schedule.

Don’t worry if you miss the entrance on your first pass. The road system at PHF is designed as a simple one-way loop. Just stay on the main airport roadway and it will automatically circle you back past the terminal and the rental car return entrance again. There’s no need to attempt a risky U-turn; simply follow the loop, which only takes a minute or two to complete.

A low-stress timeline starts with leaving your hotel to arrive at the airport about two hours before your flight. Plan for 15 minutes to return the vehicle and gather your bags, followed by a 5–10 minute walk to the airline check-in desks. This leaves you plenty of time to check in luggage, clear security and walk to your gate without feeling rushed. The schedule provides a comfortable cushion for any small unexpected delays.

The most realistic approach is to dedicate separate days to each destination to avoid burnout from too much driving. On one day focus entirely on Colonial Williamsburg and the nearby historic sites, which involves minimal driving once you are there. On a different day plan your trip to Virginia Beach, making the drive in the morning and returning in the evening. This strategy isolates the longest drive to a single day and lets you fully enjoy each location without feeling rushed.