Hertz Car Hire
Columbus

Arriving late at John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) is straightforward. After you collect your bags, follow the prominent overhead signs for "Ground Transportation" and "Rental Cars." Those signs lead to the shuttle bus stop just outside the terminal. A regular shuttle runs to the consolidated rental car facility, where the Hertz desk is clearly marked. The facility is easy to navigate and the exit provides direct access to the main airport roadway, ensuring a simple start to your journey.

Getting from the CMH terminal to the Hertz counter with luggage and a stroller is manageable. After you’ve picked up your belongings at baggage claim, look for signs directing you to the rental car shuttle. The pickup area is just outside the terminal doors and the shuttles are equipped to handle luggage and foldable strollers. The ride to the separate rental car facility is short, and once you arrive you can use a luggage trolley to move your items from the shuttle drop-off to the Hertz desk to complete your rental.

For a simple return to CMH, especially in the early morning, follow the airport’s clear signage. As you approach via I-670 or Stelzer Road, look for the large, well-lit signs for "Rental Car Return." These direct you off the main road onto a dedicated path that leads straight to the rental car facility entrance. Your sat-nav will get you to the airport area, but relying on the official airport signs for the final turns is the most reliable way to avoid confusion and find the Hertz return lane smoothly.

After leaving the CMH rental facility, Easton Town Center, a few minutes north of the airport, is a convenient place for a short stop to organise your luggage. This large shopping district has numerous spacious car parks where you can safely pull in and take a few minutes to adjust your belongings. Alternatively, for a quieter option, use the car park of a large supermarket or retail store along Hamilton Road. These locations provide ample space and sit right off the main routes, making it easy to continue towards the city centre.

To reach the Short North from CMH while bypassing the most complex downtown interchanges, take I-670 West towards Columbus. Rather than continuing into the heart of the I-70/I-71 split, exit onto North 4th Street or North 3rd Street, which occur just before the trickier parts of the highway system. Following either 4th or 3rd Street north takes you directly toward the Short North Arts District on a more predictable street grid, offering a less stressful introduction to driving in the city.

Driving in the Arena District at night is generally straightforward, but be prepared for the urban layout. The area features a grid of one-way streets, so it helps to check your hotel’s exact location on a map beforehand. Most hotels have their own car parks or partnerships with nearby public garages, which are typically well-lit and clearly signed. Pay attention to your sat-nav as you approach; it will help you navigate the one-way system to find the correct entrance for your hotel’s parking or drop-off zone.

On a home football Saturday, driving and parking near the Ohio State campus becomes extremely challenging. Major roads like Lane Avenue, Olentangy River Road and High Street experience gridlock several hours before and after the game. Many streets are closed or have restricted access, and official parking lots are often pre-sold or fill very early. If you’re driving in, your best strategy is to arrive many hours ahead of kick-off and be prepared to park a significant distance from the stadium—often in a private lot or garage—and then walk. Expect major delays and plan accordingly.

For a smooth experience at Nationwide Arena, select a car park a little further from the venue and walk the last few blocks. Garages directly attached to the arena fill quickly and can be slow to exit after an event. Consider parking in one of the many garages west of Neil Avenue or south of Nationwide Boulevard. Arriving about an hour before the event usually means you can find a space without stress. This approach makes departure quicker, as you avoid the heavy traffic at the arena exits.

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is very popular and its main car park can fill up, especially at weekends, on holidays and on sunny summer days. For families with young children, the best arrival window is typically right when the zoo opens or slightly before. That helps secure a closer parking spot, reducing the walk for little legs, and lets you see some exhibits before the biggest crowds arrive. Arriving after lunch, around 1:00pm, often means parking in more distant lots.

Driving to Franklin Park Conservatory is straightforward as it sits just off East Broad Street, a main thoroughfare. To avoid the surrounding residential streets, approach directly from Broad Street. The entrance to the large, dedicated car park is clearly marked and provides ample free parking for visitors. Staying on this main artery lets you access the entrance without cutting through tighter neighbourhood roads, making for a low-stress arrival.

When visiting German Village, the best parking approach is to look for spaces along wider main streets like 3rd Street or High Street, which often have metered or public parking. Another good option is the public car park near the corner of City Park Avenue and W. Schiller Street. This provides a central starting point for exploring on foot. Avoid parking on the very narrow, brick-paved side streets, as these are primarily for residents and can be tricky to navigate.

For a quick visit to North Market, use the surface car park directly opposite the market’s main entrance on Spruce Street. While there is an adjacent car park, the surface lot is much faster for quick in-and-out stops. To avoid the heaviest downtown traffic, plan your stop outside the weekday lunch rush (11:30am–1:30pm). Approaching from the north via Neil Avenue or High Street can also be simpler than navigating denser traffic from the south or east.

Easton Town Center is designed to be intuitive, with a main loop road, Easton Town Center Loop, circling the primary shopping and dining areas. For a full day of exploring, the most convenient places to park are the large multi-level car parks at the north and south ends of the district. These garages provide easy access to the whole area and are a better option than hunting for on-street spaces, which often have time limits. Once parked, the district is very pedestrian-friendly.

Weekday rush hour in Columbus, typically 7:00–9:00am and 4:00–6:00pm, can cause significant slowdowns on the major interstates. The worst congestion is around the downtown interchange where I-70 and I-71 merge, often called the "split." I-670 also backs up heading towards the airport in the afternoon. To avoid the worst, travel before 7:00am or after 6:30pm. A real-time traffic app will also help you navigate around accidents or unexpected delays during peak times.

When a large convention is in town, expect increased traffic congestion and pedestrian activity in the heart of downtown Columbus. Areas most affected are around the Greater Columbus Convention Center, particularly on High Street, Nationwide Boulevard and Goodale Street. Traffic can gridlock during morning arrivals and evening departures for the convention. Nearby car parks fill quickly, so allow extra travel time and consider parking further away and walking or using alternative transport to reach your downtown destination.

For a first-time visitor, the easiest drive out of Columbus is generally west towards Dayton or southwest towards Cincinnati. These routes use I-70 West and I-71 South respectively, straightforward multi-lane interstates that quickly get you out of the metropolitan area. The drive to Hocking Hills is scenic but requires moving from a main highway (US-33) onto smaller two-lane country roads, which can be more challenging if you’re unfamiliar with rural driving. Heading to Dayton or Cincinnati is a more direct, less complex option.

The drive from Columbus to Hocking Hills moves from multi-lane highways to two-lane rural roads that become very dark after sunset. Street lighting is minimal or absent in many areas, so use your full beams where appropriate. Be particularly alert for wildlife—deer often cross these roads, especially at dusk and dawn. Services such as petrol stations and restaurants become sparse nearer the parks, so ensure you have enough fuel and supplies before leaving the more populated stretches along US-33.

For a sunrise hike in Hocking Hills, Lancaster or Logan are practical places to fuel up and pick up supplies; they’re the last main towns on US-33 before the park entrances. These towns have 24-hour petrol stations and early-opening cafes or diners where you can get coffee and a quick breakfast. That allows you to head straight to trailheads such as Old Man's Cave or Ash Cave without backtracking. Plan this stop in advance, as services are limited once you’re in the immediate park area.

To maximise your time at Cedar Point on a day trip from Columbus, start early. Aim to be on the road by 6:00–6:30am to avoid the tail end of Columbus rush hour and to arrive in Sandusky as the park opens. The drive is roughly two hours, mainly via US-23 North and OH-4 North. Pre-purchase park tickets and a parking pass online to save time at the entrance. When leaving, consider departing slightly before the park closes to get ahead of the mass exodus from the car park, which can save considerable time on the return.

Routes from Columbus to both Pittsburgh and Indianapolis are very straightforward. To reach Indianapolis, take I-70 West the entire way; it’s a direct multi-lane interstate with minimal complexity. For Pittsburgh, take I-70 East, which is equally direct. The key to avoiding traffic is timing your departure to avoid passing through the Columbus downtown interchange during peak hours. Once outside the I-270 outer belt, the drive in either direction is typically smooth and easy to navigate.

If your visit focuses on the city centre, Short North and the Arena District, the best strategy is often to park your rental at the hotel and explore on foot. These neighbourhoods are very walkable and well connected. For destinations farther afield like German Village or the OSU campus, decide whether to drive or use a rideshare for that specific trip. This approach saves the hassle and potential cost of finding parking multiple times a day in different busy areas and offers a more relaxed way to see the city core.

Visitors often find the downtown interchange of I-70 and I-71, known as the "split", to be the most challenging due to multiple lanes and quick decision points. Another tricky spot can be the intersection of 5th Avenue and Olentangy River Road near the OSU campus, which has an unusual layout. Some surface streets downtown, like Front Street or 3rd Street, have short merge lanes or turn-only lanes that can catch you out. It’s wise to review your route beforehand and listen to your sat-nav a step or two ahead of time.

Driving near The Ohio State University requires heightened awareness. The biggest factor is the high volume of pedestrians, who may cross streets unexpectedly, especially along High Street and Lane Avenue. Be prepared for frequent stops at crossings. You’ll also share the road with numerous CABS campus buses that make frequent stops and can prompt sudden lane changes. Traffic patterns can change abruptly, particularly during class change times, so keep a lower speed and be vigilant for cyclists and e-scooters.

During the warmer months, roadworks are common around Columbus. Use a real-time traffic and navigation app for up-to-date information on lane closures, closed exits and official diversions. Check the app before you start your drive, especially on major routes like I-70, I-71 and I-270, for reported construction zones. Allow extra travel time as a precaution—even minor works can cause significant delays during busy periods.

In heavy rain, some low-lying areas and underpasses in Columbus are prone to flooding and should be approached with caution. The underpass on Olentangy River Road near 3rd Avenue is a well-known spot for water to collect. Parts of the I-70/I-71 interchange downtown can also experience poor drainage, leading to pooling in the lanes. It’s safest to avoid driving through standing water if you can’t tell its depth. Expect traffic to slow considerably on all major highways during heavy rain as visibility decreases.

For those unfamiliar with winter conditions, driving in Columbus requires caution. Icy conditions are most likely to form overnight and in the early morning, especially on bridges, overpasses and less-travelled side streets. Major interstates like I-270, I-70 and I-71 are prioritised by road crews and are generally the safest routes after snow or ice. Always allow extra stopping distance, reduce your speed and avoid sudden turns or braking to maintain control.

Many Columbus attractions are well equipped for visitors with limited mobility. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Franklin Park Conservatory and the Columbus Museum of Art all have ample accessible parking spaces very close to their main entrances. These venues also feature designated drop-off and pick-up zones, allowing you to let passengers out at the door before you park. Downtown venues like the Ohio Theatre also have nearby garages with accessible options and curb cuts for easier access.

Finding EV charging stations in downtown Columbus and the Short North is becoming increasingly convenient. Many public parking garages, including those near the Convention Centre, North Market and in the Arena District, have installed Level 2 chargers. You’ll also find chargers at some hotels and near newer developments. Using a dedicated app to locate chargers in real time is the most effective strategy; it shows availability so you can plan parking based on your vehicle’s needs while you explore the city.

For a simple meetup that avoids downtown traffic, consider a large shopping centre on the I-270 outer belt. Locations like Easton Town Center (northeast), Polaris Fashion Place (north) or the Tuttle Crossing area (northwest) are excellent choices. These destinations are directly accessible from the motorway and feature large, easy-to-navigate car parks where you can pick a landmark to meet. This allows your friends to reach you easily from any direction without dealing with the complexities of city-centre driving and parking.

After leaving the CMH rental facility, one of the most convenient options for a quick grocery stop is the Easton area, a few minutes north. There are several large supermarkets with spacious car parks right off I-270, making for an easy exit and re-entry onto the motorway. Another option is to head west on I-670 for a few miles to the Grandview Yard development, which also has a major supermarket with ample parking and direct access back to the interstate. Both choices let you stock up without navigating complex side streets.

To avoid hitting rush hour traffic on I-70 between Columbus and Dayton, schedule travel during off-peak hours. The ideal time for the roughly one-hour drive is mid-day, between 10:00am and 3:00pm. If you must travel in the morning, leave Columbus before 7:00am. For an evening trip, wait until after 6:30pm to depart. This strategy helps you avoid commuter congestion that builds up on the outskirts of both cities during morning and afternoon peaks.

The drive from CMH to Dublin usually takes about 25 to 35 minutes in normal traffic, primarily via I-270 North. The Bridge Park area in Dublin is popular and busy, especially on evenings and weekends. It features several large multi-storey public car parks that are free and clearly signposted. While the streets within Bridge Park can be bustling, the garage system is designed to handle the volume, making parking straightforward once you arrive.

A good strategy for visiting both the Columbus Museum of Art and the Scioto Mile is to park in the museum’s surface car park. From there it’s a pleasant walk of about 15–20 minutes to the Scioto Mile. Walk west on Broad Street, passing the Ohio Statehouse, which leads directly to the riverfront. This lets you park once for the day, avoiding the need to find and pay for a second spot, and enjoy a scenic stroll through downtown.

In residential neighbourhoods like Victorian Village and Clintonville, pay close attention to parking signs. Many streets have permit-only parking for residents, especially in Victorian Village near the Short North. Look for signs that specify restrictions such as time limits or permit requirements, which can vary from one side of the street to the other. When in doubt, it’s safer to park on a main commercial street like High Street, which typically has metered parking, or find a public car park to avoid the risk of a ticket.

When you arrive at a downtown hotel, pull into the designated loading zone, usually right in front of the main entrance. The key is to be efficient: put your hazard lights on and quickly go inside to notify the bell staff or front desk of your arrival. They can often help with your luggage while you check in. Avoid leaving the car unattended for an extended period, as these zones are intended for active loading and unloading to keep traffic flowing on busy city streets.

Driving between major Columbus neighbourhoods at night is generally safe and well lit, especially on main thoroughfares like High Street, Broad Street and Olentangy River Road. However, once you turn onto smaller residential side streets in areas like German Village or Victorian Village, the lighting can be dimmer and the street signs smaller. Your sat-nav will be a reliable guide, but it’s wise to drive a little more slowly and be extra aware of one-way streets and stop signs that might be less visible in the dark.

A smart plan for a brewery tour is to use the rental car to travel to a central neighbourhood, like the Brewery District or the area north of downtown, and park it for the evening. Find a public garage or a safe long-term spot where you can leave the car. From there you can walk between several nearby breweries or use rideshare services to travel to others farther apart. This gives you the flexibility of your own car during the day while ensuring a safe and responsible way to enjoy the city’s craft beer scene in the evening.

There are no toll roads in the immediate Columbus area, but you will encounter them if you drive north to the Ohio Turnpike (I-80/I-90) or into neighbouring states like Pennsylvania or Indiana. Most rental companies offer programmes that allow use of electronic toll lanes for convenience. Typically there’s a transponder in the car that records the tolls, which are then settled after your rental period ends. Ask Hertz staff at the counter about their specific tolling programme when you pick up your vehicle.

Arriving at CMH during a busy morning means you’ll likely merge into the tail end of rush hour traffic. The primary pinch point is the I-670 interchange with I-270, a few miles west of the airport, where traffic from multiple directions converges. Another slowdown often occurs as I-670 approaches the downtown area and the I-71 interchange. Be patient, allow extra travel time to your destination and use a real-time traffic app to anticipate the slowest sections of your route.

If you’re short on time returning your car to CMH from downtown, the most direct and predictable route is I-670 East. This interstate provides a straight route to the airport exit with minimal turns or complex navigation. Avoid surface streets, as traffic lights and potential congestion can add unpredictable delays. Once you take the airport exit from I-670, immediately follow the clear signs for "Rental Car Return," which will guide you directly to the facility without guesswork and help you save valuable minutes.