Hertz Car Hire
Illinois

At Chicago O'Hare, all car hire companies, including Hertz, are conveniently located in one central hub called the Multi-Modal Facility (MMF). Regardless of which terminal your flight arrives at—1, 2, 3, or 5—you will not find rental desks in the baggage reclaim area. Instead, follow the overhead signs for "Rental Cars" or the "Airport Transit System". A free shuttle bus or the airport train will then take you on a short trip directly to the MMF, where the Hertz desk and vehicles are located.

Getting from Terminal 5 to the car hire facility is straightforward and designed for international travellers. After clearing customs and collecting your luggage, follow the prominent overhead signs for "Rental Cars / Parking Lot F". These will take you outside to the lower-level kerb, where you’ll find the designated pick-up area for the free car hire shuttle bus. This shuttle runs 24/7 and will take you directly to the Multi-Modal Facility, ensuring you reach the Hertz desk without any complex navigation.

Arriving late at O'Hare is generally smooth for renters, as the airport is designed for 24/7 operations. The shuttle buses that connect all terminals to the Multi-Modal Facility run continuously throughout the night. The pick-up areas are well lit and clearly marked with signage for "Rental Cars", making them easy to find even after a long flight. The rental facility itself is also brightly lit and staffed, ensuring a secure and clear process for collecting your vehicle at any hour.

A practical plan is to have everyone meet directly at the Hertz desk inside the Multi-Modal Facility (MMF). After each person lands and collects their luggage from their terminal’s baggage reclaim, they can independently take the airport shuttle to the MMF. This avoids the confusion and crowding of trying to coordinate a meeting point within a busy terminal. Meeting at the rental desk ensures the whole group is together and ready to go once the rental agreement is finalised.

Once you leave the car hire facility, a great option is to use the airport’s cell phone lot, which is designed for short-term waiting and is just a minute or two away. This provides a safe and calm space to adjust mirrors, set up navigation, and secure luggage without the pressure of moving traffic. Alternatively, there are several petrol stations and coffee shops along Mannheim Road just south of the airport entrance. Pulling into one of their car parks offers a quick and convenient spot to get organised before merging on to I-190.

If your navigation fails, the key is to look for signs directing you to I-190 East. This is the main interstate that leads directly away from the airport and towards the City of Chicago. Following signs for I-190 East will put you on the right path, and from there it merges with I-90 East (the Kennedy Expressway), which is the primary route into central Chicago. As long as you see signs for "Chicago" or "I-190 E", you are heading in the correct direction.

The most direct and best-signposted route into downtown is to take I-190 East from the airport, which merges into I-90 East, also known as the Kennedy Expressway. While this motorway can be busy, it avoids complex surface streets for most of the journey. To make the drive less stressful, try to plan your arrival to avoid peak rush-hour traffic, typically between 7–9 am and 4–6 pm on weekdays. Once you’re closer to downtown, your GPS will guide you to the specific exit for your destination in The Loop or nearby neighbourhoods.

The initial part of the drive from O'Hare is the same for all three destinations, as you’ll take I-90 East (the Kennedy Expressway) towards the city. The main difference is in the last few miles and which exit you take. Exits for River North and Streeterville, such as Ohio Street, appear slightly before the exits for The Loop. These areas can sometimes feel a bit less congested as you leave the motorway compared with the dense grid of one-way streets and multi-level roads you’ll encounter immediately when exiting directly into The Loop.

Yes, reaching hotels in Rosemont or Schiller Park is exceptionally easy and avoids major motorway interchanges. These suburbs are immediately adjacent to O'Hare airport property. From the car hire facility, you’ll mainly use well-signposted local roads such as Mannheim Road or River Road. The drive to most area hotels is typically under ten minutes and involves simple, straightforward turns, making it a very low-stress start to your trip.

Planning a trip to the suburbs from O'Hare involves getting on to the correct beltway to bypass downtown Chicago. For western suburbs like Naperville, follow signs for I-294 South. For north-western suburbs like Schaumburg, take I-190 West briefly to connect with I-90 West. Using these routes is far more efficient than driving towards the city and then back out again, saving considerable time and traffic-related stress.

First-time visitors are often surprised by the speed and assertiveness of local drivers, especially when merging on to the Kennedy Expressway (I-90). Once downtown, the multi-level streets, such as Upper and Lower Wacker Drive, can be very confusing if you’re not prepared for them. Additionally, the city has many one-way streets and junctions where turning on red is prohibited, so it’s crucial to pay close attention to signage. Finally, be aware of the reversible express lanes on I-90, which change direction for rush hour.

The Kennedy Expressway (I-90) between O'Hare and downtown features reversible express lanes to manage rush-hour traffic. It’s critical to watch the large overhead electronic signs, which display a green arrow or a red "X" to indicate whether the lanes are open or closed for your direction of travel. These lanes are typically open for inbound traffic (towards the city) in the morning and outbound traffic (towards the airport) in the afternoon. Entering them when they are closed to your direction is extremely dangerous, so always verify the signs before merging.

During rush hour, the most chaotic part of the drive is typically the merge from I-190 on to the Kennedy Expressway (I-90), where airport traffic must join an already packed motorway. As you get closer to the city, the section known as the "Kennedy/Dan Ryan split" near downtown becomes another major bottleneck with heavy congestion and frequent lane changes. The final exits into The Loop or River North can also feel hectic due to dense city traffic and complex junctions.

For a convenient stop shortly after leaving the airport, consider pulling off in the nearby suburb of Rosemont. The area around the junction of River Road and Higgins Road offers numerous options, including coffee shops, fast-food restaurants, and petrol stations. This lets you take a brief break, grab a drink, and confirm your navigation before you merge on to the Kennedy Expressway for the drive into central Chicago. It’s a low-stress way to pause and prepare for the busier part of your journey.

The best strategy is to contact your hotel ahead of time to ask about their specific loading and unloading procedures. Most downtown hotels have a designated short-term pull-in area or valet service right at the entrance. Plan to have one person stay with the vehicle while others quickly move the luggage inside. This avoids the need to circle the block and prevents you from obstructing traffic on busy one-way streets.

The most effective "park once" strategy is to pre-book a space in a secure public car park for the duration of your stay. Using a parking app or website lets you compare locations and rates in areas like The Loop, River North, or Millennium Park. Once you’ve parked, you can rely on Chicago’s excellent public transport (the "L" train and buses) or ride-hailing services to explore the city. This approach is often more convenient and cost-effective than trying to find on-street parking at each destination.

Driving to major attractions like Navy Pier and Millennium Park is entirely realistic, but the key to a smooth experience is planning your parking in advance. Both destinations have dedicated car parks, and it’s highly recommended to check capacity or even pre-book online, especially at weekends or during events. Arriving early in the day can also help you secure a space more easily. Once parked, these areas are very walkable, so you can leave the car and enjoy the sights on foot.

On a non-game day, driving to Wrigley Field is quite manageable. The most common route is to take I-90 East from O'Hare and exit at Addison Street, heading east for a couple of miles. Without the game-day crowds, traffic in the Wrigleyville neighbourhood is much lighter. On-street parking is often available, though you should still pay close attention to posted restrictions. This allows for a relaxed visit to see the historic ballpark and surrounding area.

On a game day, the best plan is to avoid driving directly to the stadium if at all possible. Traffic becomes extremely congested for miles around Wrigley Field or Soldier Field, and parking is scarce and expensive. A much better strategy is to use a remote parking service offered by the teams or park at a nearby CTA "L" station in a neighbourhood or suburb. From there, you can take the train directly to the game, saving significant time and frustration.

For a direct route to McCormick Place that largely bypasses the most congested downtown areas, take I-190 East from the airport to I-90 East. Continue on I-90/94 and then follow signs to merge on to I-55 North (the Stevenson Expressway). McCormick Place has its own dedicated exit off I-55, making it a very straightforward drive. This route is the preferred path for convention traffic and is well signposted, helping you avoid the complexities of navigating through The Loop.

The Museum Campus, home to the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, and Adler Planetarium, is a great first stop. You can reach it via Lake Shore Drive, which offers beautiful skyline views and has large, dedicated car parks that are easy to access. Another excellent option is Lincoln Park Zoo; taking I-90 to the Fullerton Avenue exit provides a relatively direct route. Arriving early in the morning on a weekday will help ensure a less crowded and more relaxed parking experience.

When travelling with someone who has limited mobility, it’s wise to ring your destinations and hotel ahead of time to ask about their specific accessible drop-off zones. Most major attractions and hotels have designated areas for this purpose. For parking, nearly all downtown public car parks offer accessible bays, typically located near the lifts. Using a parking app can help you identify these car parks in advance so you can plan your route directly to the entrance.

When driving in Chicago during winter, always allow extra travel time. Be particularly cautious on elevated surfaces like bridges, overpasses, and motorway slip roads, as they can freeze before other road surfaces and become slick. Lake Shore Drive can be hazardous during snow or ice storms due to blowing snow and spray from the lake, which can reduce visibility and create icy patches. Drive at a reduced speed, increase your following distance, and avoid sudden manoeuvres to ensure a safe journey.

Chicago’s weather can shift quickly, so it’s sensible to check the forecast before you start driving. During heavy rain, visibility on the motorways can decrease significantly, so reduce your speed and switch on your headlights. Be aware that some lower-level streets, such as Lower Wacker Drive, are prone to flooding during intense downpours and should be avoided. If a sudden storm hits, the safest option is to find somewhere safe to pull over—such as a rest area or petrol station—until the worst of it passes.

The most efficient and direct route to Wisconsin from O'Hare is to bypass Chicago’s city traffic entirely. From the airport, follow signs for I-190 and then quickly merge on to I-294 North (the Tri-State Tollway). This major toll road takes you directly north towards the Wisconsin border, where it connects seamlessly with I-94 West. This route is specifically designed for through traffic and is the standard path for travelling between O'Hare and destinations like Milwaukee.

For a simple day trip, take I-294 North from O'Hare to I-94 West, which leads you directly into Milwaukee. To avoid complex navigation on arrival, set your sat nav to a large, central car park, such as one near the Historic Third Ward or the lakefront. Parking there for the day lets you explore Milwaukee’s most popular areas on foot or by using the city’s streetcar, The Hop. This "park once" strategy makes for a much more relaxing and enjoyable visit.

To get to Starved Rock State Park, you’ll typically take I-294 South to I-55 South, and then follow signs for I-80 West. The most important part of your plan is an early start, especially if you’re going at the weekend or during the autumn colour season. The park’s car parks often reach full capacity by mid-morning, leading to temporary closures. Arriving early ensures you get a space and can enjoy the trails before they become too crowded.

The key to a smooth drive to Champaign-Urbana is to avoid leaving the O'Hare area during peak rush hours. Plan to set off mid-morning, between 9:30 am and 11:00 am, or after the evening rush has eased, around 7:00 pm. The route itself is straightforward—you’ll take I-294 South to I-57 South. By timing your departure strategically, you can bypass the worst of the Chicago-area congestion and enjoy a much more consistent and pleasant drive south.

The most efficient route from O'Hare to Indiana Dunes National Park is to use the toll road system to bypass the city centre. From the airport, take I-294 South, which loops around Chicago’s western and southern suburbs. This connects you to I-80/I-94 East, which takes you directly into Indiana and towards the park’s main entrances. This route is significantly faster and less stressful than trying to drive through downtown Chicago traffic.

The least stressful way to start your drive to St. Louis is to use the suburban toll road system to avoid downtown congestion. From O'Hare, take I-294 South, which is a beltway that bypasses the city. You will then connect directly with I-55 South, the main interstate that runs all the way to St. Louis. This well-signposted route is designed for long-distance travel and is the most efficient way to leave the Chicago metropolitan area.

Most toll plazas in the Chicago area are now electronic and do not accept cash, so it’s important to be prepared. Hire cars are generally equipped with a tolling transponder that automatically registers tolls as you drive through. Look for and use the lanes marked for I-PASS or E‑ZPass, as your hire car’s device will work there. The process is seamless, and you can discuss the hire company’s specific tolling programme when you collect your vehicle at the desk.

While it’s possible to avoid tolls, it often results in a significantly longer and more complicated drive using local roads. The simplest strategy is to use a GPS navigation app on your phone and select the "avoid tolls" option in the settings. Be aware that for many key routes—such as getting from O'Hare to the suburbs or neighbouring states—the toll roads are the most direct and efficient paths. Avoiding them can add substantial time to your journey.

A smart timing plan for a day trip is to travel during off-peak hours. Aim to drive into the city after the morning rush, arriving centrally after 9:30 am. For your return trip, plan to leave downtown either before the evening rush begins, around 3:00 pm, or wait until after it eases, typically after 7:00 pm. This schedule helps you miss the heaviest congestion in both directions, making for a more pleasant and predictable driving experience.

Downtown Chicago, especially The Loop, operates on a dense grid of one-way streets, so relying on a good GPS is essential. Pay very close attention to street signs, as many junctions have specific turn restrictions, particularly during rush hours. A common rule that catches visitors out is the prevalence of "No Turn on Red" signs throughout the central business district. Always look for these signs before making a right turn at a red light to avoid a fine.

For convenient refuelling, there are several petrol stations along Mannheim Road, just south of the main airport entrance. Another excellent option is the cluster of stations on Higgins Road, just east of the airport. Both areas are easy to reach from the main roads leading to O'Hare and allow you to fill up and then proceed directly to the car hire return entrance. This avoids the complex and often congested inner-airport roadways.

The smoothest sequence is to drop off passengers before returning the vehicle. As you approach the airport on I-190, follow signs for "Departures" and your specific airline’s terminal. Pull up to the kerb, unload your passengers and their luggage, and then rejoin the main airport roadway. From there, simply follow the large, clear signs for "Rental Car Return", which guide you to the Multi-Modal Facility via a separate, dedicated loop.

For a morning flight during peak rush hour—typically 6:30 am to 9:00 am—it’s wise to add an extra 30 to 45 minutes to your planned travel time to the airport. This buffer accounts for potential delays on the motorways leading to O'Hare. The return process itself is usually quick, but allowing extra time for traffic ensures you won’t be rushed getting from the hire car facility to your terminal via the airport transit system.

Finding the entrance is straightforward because it’s extremely well signposted. As you drive towards O'Hare on the main access motorway, I-190, you’ll see large overhead signs specifically for "Rental Car Return". As you get closer to the terminals, stay in the middle or left lanes. These signs direct you on to a dedicated roadway that leads straight to the entrance of the Multi-Modal Facility, where all car hire companies are located.

The process is simple and consistent regardless of your departure terminal. After you drop off your vehicle at the Multi-Modal Facility (MMF), take an escalator or lift up to the Airport Transit System (ATS) station. This free, automated train connects the MMF to all of O'Hare’s terminals, including 1, 2, 3, and the international Terminal 5. Trains run frequently, and the journey to any terminal is only a few minutes.

Staying in the suburbs immediately around the airport—such as Rosemont, Schiller Park, or Des Plaines—makes the return process incredibly simple. Hotels in these areas are just a short 5- to 10-minute drive from the car hire return facility via local roads like Mannheim Road or Higgins Road. This lets you avoid motorway traffic entirely on the morning of your flight, resulting in a predictable and low-stress final leg of your journey.