Hertz Car Hire
Maine

The Hertz desk is conveniently located inside the main terminal building at Portland International Jetport. After collecting your luggage at baggage reclaim, you can go straight to the desk to complete the hire agreement. The rental cars are parked in the covered multi-storey car park, which is directly connected to the terminal. This setup provides a seamless, weather-protected transition from the baggage area to your vehicle, making it easy to be on your way.

The best way to ensure a smooth pickup after a late flight is to include your flight number on your reservation when you book. This allows the local Hertz team to track your flight status and anticipate a delayed arrival. If you have a significant delay or a flight change, it is also good practice to call the PWM location directly. A quick call provides reassurance that staff will be ready for you when you land.

Portland International Jetport’s layout makes handling bulky gear relatively straightforward. After collecting your items at baggage reclaim, you can use an airport luggage trolley to move them. The Hertz cars are located in the car park attached to the terminal, so you won't need a shuttle. You can wheel the trolley to the lift, go to the level for hire cars, and load your gear straight into the vehicle.

Although summer weekends are peak travel times in Maine, procedures at PWM are typically efficient. Allowing for disembarkation, walking to baggage reclaim, collecting luggage and completing the hire process, a reasonable estimate is between 45 and 75 minutes. Building this buffer into your plans helps manage expectations and gives a more relaxed start to your trip. The on-site location of the rental cars helps to streamline the final stage.

On arrival it’s wise to avoid the heart of the Old Port, particularly Fore Street and Wharf Street, known for cobbles, narrow lanes and heavy pedestrian traffic. Commercial Street can also be very busy with delivery vehicles and pedestrians, making it tricky to navigate with luggage. A less stressful approach is to use wider thoroughfares such as Spring Street or High Street to reach your accommodation, unload your bags, then explore the tighter streets on foot.

For a quick and easy supply run head towards the Maine Mall area in South Portland, just a few minutes’ drive from the airport. That area has several large supermarkets, chemists and big-box retailers with spacious, easy-access car parking. Following signs for the Maine Mall from the airport access road keeps you out of the more complex and congested downtown Portland street grid, making for a stress-free first stop.

The most straightforward route for first-time visitors is to take the I-95 south. From the airport follow signs to merge onto the interstate, which is a direct and well-signed route down the coast. This avoids the smaller, winding local roads such as Route 1 until you are much closer to your destination. Exits for Kennebunkport and Ogunquit are clearly signed, making for a simple, low-stress drive after your flight.

To secure a good parking spot and ensure a relaxed experience, plan to leave the Portland area at least 45 minutes before the scheduled sunrise. The drive to Fort Williams Park, where the lighthouse sits, takes about 15–20 minutes. Arriving early gives you plenty of time to park, walk to a prime viewpoint and set up your camera before the best light, as the car parks can fill quickly with other photographers.

An efficient lighthouse tour starts by driving south from Portland to Cape Elizabeth. Visit the iconic Portland Head Light at Fort Williams Park, then continue to Two Lights State Park a few minutes away. Afterwards drive back through South Portland to see Spring Point Ledge Light and Bug Light Park. This route creates a logical loop around the harbour, allowing you to see four distinct lighthouses without crisscrossing the city.

The key to a smooth day trip is an early start. Aim to be on the I-295 north out of Portland before 09:00, especially on a Saturday. This will get you to Freeport’s well-known outlets before the peak shopping crowds and traffic build up. For the return journey consider leaving after the dinner rush, around 19:00 or later, to avoid heavy southbound traffic that often clogs the motorway in the late afternoon.

A good way to break up the drive to Acadia is to plan the first day to the scenic mid-coast region. Driving about two hours to a town like Camden or Rockland makes for a relaxed and enjoyable first leg. This lets you explore a charming harbour town, enjoy a pleasant dinner and get a good night’s rest. The next day you’ll have a much shorter and more manageable drive to reach Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Island.

Once you leave the greater Portland area many of Maine’s roads are not well lit, and you should be prepared for very dark conditions. Be vigilant for wildlife, as deer and moose are frequently on or near the roadways, especially at dusk and dawn. Always drive at a cautious speed, use your full beams when there is no oncoming traffic, and stay alert to ensure a safe journey on the state’s beautiful but rural roads.

A fantastic and manageable drive for autumn colours is taking Route 302 northwest from Portland towards the Sebago Lake region. This route offers lovely scenery with vibrant foliage reflected on the water, and it passes through charming small towns such as Naples and Bridgton. You can make it a half-day trip by driving to the lake and back, or extend it into a leisurely full day by stopping for lunch and exploring local shops.

To turn the drive into part of the holiday, consider an overnight stop in a classic mid-coast town. Boothbay Harbor, Camden and Belfast are all excellent choices that break the journey into two easy segments. Each offers attractive harbours, good restaurants and unique shops to explore. This approach lets you experience another part of Maine’s coastline and arrive in the Acadia region feeling refreshed.

The most efficient method is to drive along Commercial Street directly to the ferry terminal’s designated passenger drop-off zone. Have one person stay with the luggage while the driver loops round to park. There are several public car parks within a short walking distance of the terminal. This divide-and-conquer approach avoids the stress of trying to find immediate parking while managing your party and their bags at the busy waterfront.

For a day trip to Peaks Island the most convenient and secure option is to park your hire car in one of the public car parks in the Old Port. Several garages are on Fore Street and nearby cross streets, just a few minutes’ walk from the Casco Bay Lines ferry terminal. Parking in a garage removes the hassle of hunting for limited on-street parking and lets you enjoy the island without worrying about the vehicle.

For many visitors the biggest challenge is navigating the Old Port, where a combination of narrow cobbled streets, one-way systems and heavy pedestrian traffic can be stressful. The West End is also known for steep hills and tight residential streets with limited parking. The area around Commercial Street can be particularly congested with delivery trucks and tourists, requiring extra patience from drivers unfamiliar with the layout.

Two excellent family-friendly options are Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth and Bug Light Park in South Portland. Fort Williams, home to Portland Head Light, offers wide lawns for running, cliffside paths and ample, easy parking. Bug Light Park is smaller but features a waterfront green ideal for flying a kite and a small beach, also with very convenient parking. Both are a short, easy drive from the city centre.

To secure a good parking spot and enjoy a more relaxed visit, it’s best to leave the Portland area by 09:00, particularly on a summer weekend. This timing helps you get ahead of the main wave of day-trippers heading up the coast. Arriving mid-morning in popular towns such as Boothbay Harbor or Camden makes finding parking easier and lets you enjoy the shops and waterfront before peak crowds.

The drive from PWM to hotels in the Maine Mall area is very short and direct. As you leave the airport follow signs for I-295/Maine Mall. The key is to stay in the correct lane for the Maine Mall exit, which comes up quickly. Most hotels are on Maine Mall Road or the adjacent Payne Road, making the whole trip typically under 10 minutes and avoiding any complex city driving.

During peak morning and evening commute times expect significant delays on the main bridges into Portland. The Casco Bay Bridge from South Portland and the I-295 approaches often become heavily congested. The southbound approach on I-295 in the afternoon, particularly between Falmouth and downtown Portland, is a common bottleneck. To avoid the worst, try to plan your entry into the city before 07:30 or after 09:30.

Yes, the calmest times to navigate downtown Portland are typically off-peak. The mid-morning window between 10:00 and 12:00, after the morning rush has subsided, is often a good time. Alternatively the mid-afternoon between 14:00 and 16:00 is another favourable period before the evening commute begins. Weekdays are generally less congested than busy summer weekends.

A great strategy is to focus on one of Portland’s brewery-dense neighbourhoods at a time. East Bayside, for example, has a large concentration of breweries within easy walking distance. Drive to that neighbourhood, find a single parking spot for the afternoon and explore on foot. For a wider tour consider parking at your hotel or a central car park and using a rideshare service to move between different areas safely.

On Portland’s tight residential streets it’s customary to be as efficient as possible when loading or unloading. Pull your vehicle over as far as you can, switch on your hazard lights to signal your intent and move your bags onto the pavement quickly. Local drivers are generally patient if they see you are actively unloading. Once your luggage is out you can then focus on finding a proper long-term parking spot without pressure.

For the most efficient and least stressful day start by driving out to Cape Elizabeth in the morning. Visit Portland Head Light and Two Lights State Park when they are less crowded and parking is easier to find. Afterwards head back into Portland for the afternoon and evening. Park once in a garage in the Old Port area and explore the waterfront, shops and restaurants on foot for the rest of the day.

The key to a pleasant coastal drive is timing and direction. Weekdays will always be less congested than weekends. Consider exploring the coast north of Portland, as routes towards towns like Yarmouth and Brunswick can sometimes be less crowded than the popular southern beaches. Most importantly, start your drive early in the morning to get ahead of peak traffic, which typically builds from late morning through the afternoon.

A perfect and manageable plan is to choose a nearby town such as Kennebunkport to the south or Cape Elizabeth for its lighthouses. Spend the morning exploring the coastal destination and perhaps having lunch. In the early afternoon drive back to Portland, park your car for the remainder of the day in an Old Port car park and immerse yourself in the city’s vibrant atmosphere, shops and dining scene.

Rather than coordinating a pickup on a busy downtown street arrange to meet at a location with easy parking. A coffee shop or casual restaurant in the Maine Mall area of South Portland, just minutes from the airport, is an excellent choice. Alternatively you could meet at a public park like Eastern Promenade in Portland, which has a large car park and offers a scenic spot to connect before heading to your final destination.

During spring and autumn drivers should be particularly cautious of changing road conditions, especially in the early morning. Even if the afternoon was sunny and warm, overnight temperatures can drop below freezing, creating slick spots and black ice. This is most common on bridges, overpasses and in shaded rural areas. It’s wise to allow extra stopping distance and drive more slowly when temperatures are around the freezing mark.

A great strategy is to drive into the city and park at a garage on the edge of the downtown peninsula, such as those near Franklin Street or the Casco Bay Bridge. This lets you avoid the narrowest and most congested streets of the Old Port. From these peripheral car parks the main attractions, restaurants and shops are all within a pleasant and easy walking distance, giving you the best of both worlds.

The best approach is to structure your day to your advantage. Head to one of the nearby state park beaches, like Crescent Beach or Scarborough Beach, in the morning when car parks are less likely to be full. After enjoying the coast drive into Portland in the afternoon. Park once in a central downtown garage for the rest of the day, then explore the Old Port and waterfront on foot.

To minimise traffic, especially around the busy Kittery and Portsmouth areas, plan to leave Portland early. Being on the I-95 south before 08:00 on a weekday, or even earlier at weekends, is your best bet. For the return trip aim to leave New Hampshire either before 15:00 to beat the afternoon rush or wait until after 19:00 when commuter and beach traffic has thinned out considerably.

A frequent mistake is getting into the wrong lane immediately upon exiting the airport, leading to an unintended trip on I-95 or I-295. Signage for different routes appears very quickly. Before you put the car in gear, take a moment in the car park to enter your destination into your GPS and review the first few turns. Knowing whether you need to follow signs for Congress Street, the Maine Mall or the interstate will prevent a confusing start.

Instead of trying to adjust on the busy airport access road drive just a couple of minutes to one of the large retail car parks in the Maine Mall area of South Portland. These lots are spacious, have low traffic and offer plenty of room to pull into a spot. There you can take all the time you need to switch drivers, adjust mirrors and seats, and organise your belongings in a safe and relaxed environment.

A safe and realistic plan is to leave your hotel approximately two hours before your flight’s departure time. This allows around 20 minutes for the drive to the airport, 15 minutes for the car return and walk to the terminal, and the recommended 90 minutes to check in, get through security and walk to your gate. PWM is known for its efficiency, but this timeline provides a comfortable buffer for any unforeseen delays.

In challenging conditions focus on safety and visibility features during your vehicle inspection. Use your phone’s torch to check that all headlights, rear lights and indicators are functioning properly. Take a moment to ensure the windscreen wipers are in good condition and not streaking. It’s also a good idea to glance at the tyres to ensure they appear to have adequate tread for the weather you’ll be driving in.

The most effective preparation is to download offline maps of the region to your smartphone before you leave Portland. Most major navigation apps offer this feature, allowing GPS to function even without a cellular signal. It’s also helpful to review your overall route beforehand so you have a general idea of the major roads and towns you’ll pass through. This combination ensures you can navigate with confidence through Maine’s rural areas.

The drive to Bangor is almost entirely on the I-95 north, which is designed for convenient travel. Exits for Augusta, about halfway through the drive, offer a wide variety of petrol stations, coffee shops and fast-food restaurants located just off the motorway ramps. These stops are easy to access and allow for a quick and efficient break. Further north Newport also serves as a convenient stopping point before you reach Bangor.

The final approach to the airport can be tricky, especially when coming from downtown or the I-295. The turn from Congress Street onto International Parkway, the main airport road, is a key point where visitors can get confused by lane assignments. As you get within a mile of the airport it’s best to slow down, get into the appropriate lane early and follow the airport signs carefully to ensure you make the correct turn for the rental car return entrance.

A stress-free strategy is to refuel at one of the petrol stations located on Congress Street, just outside the airport entrance. By planning to stop at one of these before you make the final turn onto International Parkway you avoid any last-minute searching. This allows you to fill the tank and then proceed directly to the rental car return area, which is only a minute or two away, making for a smooth and efficient end to your trip.