Enterprise Car Hire
Alabama

The Enterprise rental counter at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport is located within the airport’s Rental Car Facility. After collecting your luggage from baggage claim on the lower level, walk directly across the road to the main parking structure. The rental car counters, including Enterprise, are on the ground floor of that building. No shuttle is required, making the transfer from the terminal to your vehicle quick and straightforward.

A late-night pickup at BHM needs a little planning. Check the operating hours for the Enterprise location at the airport before you travel. If your flight is due after the counter has closed, confirm your reservation details and ask about any after-hours collection procedures. Including your flight number on the reservation can help staff anticipate delays.

On a busy weekend, it’s sensible to allow about 45 to 60 minutes from landing to driving away. This accounts for disembarking, walking to and waiting at baggage claim, and then proceeding to the rental counter. Peak periods can mean longer queues, so this buffer helps ensure a relaxed start to your trip.

For a smooth early-morning return, follow the airport signage for "Rental Car Return" as you approach BHM; this will direct you to the car park opposite the terminal. Park in a designated Enterprise space, collect your belongings and complete the return at the drop-off kiosk or counter. The terminal is only a short walk across the road, so you can reach the airline check-in counters within minutes of leaving your car.

For first-time visitors, suburban neighbourhoods such as Homewood, Vestavia Hills and Mountain Brook are generally the easiest to navigate. These areas have simpler road layouts and plentiful surface parking at shopping centres and restaurants. The Summit, an outdoor shopping centre off Highway 280, is also very driver-friendly with extensive parking lots, though access via the highway can be busy.

Driving from BHM to downtown during rush hour (roughly 7–9 AM and 4–6 PM) can add significant time due to congestion. The most direct and straightforward route for someone unfamiliar with the area is to take I-20/I-59 West. While this interstate can be busy, it is well signed and avoids the complexities of navigating surface streets, making it the simplest option to reach the city centre.

The area around the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is a dense urban environment with a mix of metered on-street parking, public car parks and permit-only lots. Before you arrive, confirm the parking situation with your hotel, as many offer dedicated guest parking. Be prepared for one-way streets and pay close attention to posted parking restrictions, as enforcement is common near the campus.

The most direct route to Barber Motorsports Park from most of Birmingham is to take I-20 East. You’ll drive for about 15–20 minutes before taking Exit 140 for Leeds. From that exit the park is well signposted and just a few minutes away. The route is almost entirely on the interstate, making it a simple and efficient drive.

To ensure good parking at Vulcan Park and Museum, especially on a clear day or weekend, plan to arrive before 11 AM. The drive involves ascending a winding road on Red Mountain, offering scenic views but requiring attentive driving. The entrance is clearly marked, and using a GPS is helpful for navigating the residential streets that lead to the park’s main access road.

When visiting the Civil Rights District, drivers have several convenient parking options. A large public car park run by the Birmingham Parking Authority is located on 6th Avenue North, just a block from the institute and church. Additionally, there are several paid surface lots and metered street spaces throughout the immediate area, though these tend to fill up quickly.

Driving to The Summit during peak times, such as weekday evenings and weekends, involves using US Highway 280, one of Birmingham’s busiest corridors. Expect significant traffic and potential delays, particularly when entering and exiting the shopping centre. Once inside, The Summit offers extensive free surface parking, but finding a space close to your destination may require some patience.

On event nights, driving and parking near Protective Stadium and Legacy Arena can be very challenging due to heavy traffic and road closures. It is advisable to arrive at least 60 to 90 minutes before the event starts. The best approach is to pre-purchase parking online for one of the official lots or car parks, which guarantees a space and can simplify your arrival.

Avondale is a popular neighbourhood with predominantly on-street parking. For a concert at the brewery, these spaces fill very quickly, so plan to arrive early and be prepared to park several blocks away and walk. For pickup after the show, it’s often easier to move a block or two away from the venue’s main entrance to avoid the immediate post-concert vehicle congestion.

A day trip to Talladega is manageable, as the drive is about an hour from Birmingham via I-20 East. On a non-race day a mid-morning departure is fine. However, if you’re attending a major race you should plan to leave Birmingham before sunrise. Traffic heading to the speedway becomes extremely heavy, and arriving very early is essential for parking and getting to your seat on time.

The drive from Birmingham to Huntsville is straightforward and comfortable, taking about 90 minutes to two hours north on I-65. The interstate is well maintained and easy to navigate. For a convenient halfway stop, Cullman offers several exits with a variety of petrol stations, fast-food chains and sit-down restaurants right off the motorway.

A one-day round trip to Nashville is ambitious but possible, involving about six hours of total driving. To make it comfortable and avoid the worst traffic, plan to leave Birmingham no later than 7 AM. This should put you in Nashville after the morning rush. To avoid evening congestion on the return, aim to depart Nashville by 3 PM.

The drive to Atlanta on I-20 East is notorious for traffic, especially as you approach the city’s perimeter. To minimise delays, the best departure windows from Birmingham are either very early in the morning (before 6:30 AM) or during the mid-day lull between 10 AM and 2 PM. Always check a real-time traffic app before you leave, as accidents can cause major backups at any time.

The most direct and least stressful route to Alabama’s Gulf Coast is I-65 South from Birmingham. Continue south past Montgomery to Exit 45 near Atmore, then take AL-59 South all the way to the beach. To avoid the heaviest traffic, especially on a Friday or Saturday, it’s best to start your drive before 7 AM to get ahead of the weekend beach-bound crowds.

A very convenient stop for food and supplies after leaving BHM is the Eastwood area, just a few miles from the airport. Take I-20 East to the Oporto-Madrid Boulevard exit and you’ll find a large shopping complex. That area offers a major grocery store, a Target and a wide selection of both fast-food and casual dining options, making it an easy first stop.

For drivers new to the area, Birmingham’s downtown interchange where I-65 and I-20/59 meet can be intimidating due to its many lanes and merging traffic. It’s crucial to use a sat-nav and pay close attention to overhead signs. In contrast, I-459 acts as a bypass around the city and is typically a much calmer and less congested alternative for through-travellers.

Visitors to Railroad Park and the Rotary Trail primarily use the metered on-street parking available along 1st Avenue South, which runs adjacent to the park. There are also several paid surface lots in the area. On pleasant weekends and during events these spots fill up quickly, so arriving before noon is recommended to find convenient parking.

The drive to Sloss Furnaces is straightforward, as it’s located directly off 1st Avenue North, a major east–west thoroughfare. The main entrance can appear suddenly, so it’s helpful to slow down as your navigation indicates you are getting close. Once you turn into the historic site the route is clear, and there is a large free car park for visitors.

For a culinary weekend, the best strategy is to choose a hotel in a walkable area like Downtown or Homewood and park your rental there. You can then explore dense restaurant clusters in neighbourhoods like Avondale or Lakeview on foot or with rideshares. This saves the hassle of finding parking at every stop while keeping the car available for more distant dining destinations.

For families with children, the Birmingham Zoo and the McWane Science Center are two of the easiest attractions for car access. Both venues offer large, dedicated parking lots located immediately next to their main entrances. This convenience significantly reduces walking time for young children and makes it easy to manage pushchairs and other gear from your vehicle.

Alabama’s weather can directly affect driving conditions. Heavy thunderstorms are common and can cause aquaplaning and severely reduce visibility, so it’s important to slow down. Morning fog can also be dense, requiring use of low-beam headlights. While infrequent, winter icing makes bridges and overpasses especially hazardous and demands extreme caution.

GPS can sometimes be confusing for visitors in two main areas: the complex downtown interchange (I-65 and I-20/59) and the winding residential roads of Mountain Brook. In the interchange lane changes happen quickly, so it helps to know your exit in advance. In Mountain Brook, the lack of a grid system and numerous roundabouts can be tricky, so drive slowly and trust your navigation.

From central Birmingham the drive to Oak Mountain State Park is about 30–40 minutes. On sunny weekends expect a line of cars at the entrance gate which can add 10–15 minutes to your arrival. The park has multiple car parks for various trailheads and attractions; arriving before 10 AM is the best way to secure a spot at popular areas like the North Trailhead or Peavine Falls.

The Birmingham Zoo and the Birmingham Botanical Gardens are next to each other and share a large complex of free car parks. This makes it convenient to park once and walk between the two attractions. Even on busy days there is typically ample parking available, though you may have a slightly longer walk to the entrance.

To enjoy a relaxed day trip to Cheaha State Park, plan to leave Birmingham by 9 AM. The scenic drive takes about 90 minutes, allowing you to arrive with plenty of daylight to hike and enjoy the views from Alabama’s highest point. Pack your own lunch and snacks and aim to start your return drive by 4 PM to avoid navigating rural roads after dark.

Driving from Birmingham to Tuscaloosa for a major event like a football game requires extensive planning. You should leave Birmingham at least four to five hours before the event starts to cope with heavy traffic on I-20/59. Pre-purchasing a parking pass online is critical, as campus and nearby public lots fill up hours in advance. Expect significant delays both arriving and departing.

One common mistake is not allowing enough time for the return process, especially during peak travel times. Another is forgetting to refuel the vehicle to the agreed level, which can incur additional charges. To avoid issues, give yourself an extra 30 minutes, refuel at a station near the airport and do a final sweep of the car for personal belongings before you leave.

For long drives on Alabama’s interstates, comfort and efficiency are paramount. A mid-size or full-size saloon is often a great choice, offering a smooth ride and better fuel economy than larger vehicles. Features like cruise control are essential for reducing driver fatigue on long, straight stretches, while Bluetooth connectivity for audio and navigation can make the journey much more pleasant.

When making stops before checking into your hotel always prioritise the security of your belongings. Keep all luggage and valuables out of sight, stored securely in the boot of the rental car. Wherever possible, park in well-lit, high-traffic areas to further deter theft. Avoid leaving items like laptops, cameras or handbags visible on the seats.

The easiest way to structure a multi-city Alabama trip is to use Interstate 65 as your main route. I-65 South directly connects Birmingham to Montgomery and continues to Mobile, making for a very straightforward travel plan. Plan your driving segments to avoid morning and evening rush hours in each city and consider booking hotels that offer guaranteed guest parking to simplify each stop.

Homewood and Mountain Brook are charming suburbs known for their non-grid street layouts, with many winding roads, roundabouts and junctions that can confuse newcomers. Driving is generally slower-paced and more residential in feel. Parking in local shopping villages is often a mix of on-street spaces and small lots, so be prepared to parallel park and pay attention to any posted time limits.

Driving to Ruffner Mountain and Red Mountain Park is generally not difficult, as they are easily accessible from main roads. However, on fine weekends the designated car parks at the primary trailheads can fill quickly. To secure a convenient spot it’s best to plan to arrive earlier in the morning, ideally before 10 AM.

If your hotel charges a daily parking fee, factor this into your overall travel budget. Before booking, ask the hotel about their in-and-out policy to ensure it aligns with your day-trip plans. It can also be worthwhile to check nearby public car parks, as they sometimes offer more affordable rates for multi-day or overnight parking compared with hotel valet services.

For a pleasant half-day scenic drive consider Shades Crest Road along the ridge of Shades Mountain for attractive valley views. Another good option is a drive through the rolling hills and horse farms along Highway 119 south of the city. For a more structured experience the scenic drive within Oak Mountain State Park offers woodland and lake views with plenty of places to pull over.

International visitors should know that driving is on the right-hand side of the road in Alabama. A common rule that may be unfamiliar is the ability to turn right on a red light after coming to a complete stop, unless a sign specifically prohibits it. Speed limits are posted in miles per hour (MPH) and are strictly enforced, and all vehicle occupants are typically required to wear seatbelts.

When driving from Birmingham to a smaller town late at night it’s crucial to plan ahead for services. Ensure your rental has a full tank of fuel before you leave the metro area, as 24-hour petrol stations can be scarce on rural highways. It’s also wise to carry snacks and drinks, as restaurants and shops in smaller towns often close early. Be aware that mobile phone coverage can be spotty in some rural parts of the state.