Hertz Car Hire
Portsmouth

The Hertz rental desk at Portsmouth International Airport (PSM) is conveniently located inside the main terminal. After you collect your luggage from baggage reclaim you'll find the rental desks clearly signposted and easy to reach. The vehicles are parked in a dedicated lot just a short walk from the terminal exit, so you won't need a shuttle. This streamlined layout makes collecting your keys and getting on the road very efficient.

The most reliable way to ensure a smooth late-night pick-up is to include your flight number and arrival time when you make your reservation. This allows local Hertz staff to track your flight status and anticipate any delays. It's also good practice to double-check the location's opening hours shown on your confirmation email. If your flight is significantly delayed, having your flight information on file helps the team prepare for a later arrival.

Portsmouth International Airport is smaller and generally more efficient than major hubs, so the process is typically quite fast. During peak times, such as summer weekends or holidays, you might expect the whole process to take around 30 to 45 minutes. This includes walking to the desk, completing the paperwork and getting to your vehicle. To speed things up, have your driving licence and reservation details ready when you approach the desk.

For the most straightforward drive, take Pease Boulevard from the terminal to the Portsmouth Traffic Circle. This route is well signed and minimises complicated turns. At the traffic circle follow the signs for US-1 Bypass South, which will take you directly towards the town centre. From there you can easily access the main streets and public car parks without immediately navigating the tighter historic side streets.

The drive from Portsmouth International Airport to Kittery is very straightforward and usually takes under 15 minutes. You will head from the airport towards I-95 North. The main crossing you’ll encounter is the Piscataqua River Bridge, which takes you from New Hampshire directly into Maine. It's a major interstate bridge that's easy to navigate and offers a brief, scenic view of the river and naval shipyard.

The smoothest approach is to use your satnav to navigate to one of the city's main car parks, like the Hanover Street Garage or Foundry Place Garage. Drivers often get turned around trying to navigate the maze of one-way streets and pedestrian-heavy areas directly within Market Square. By parking first you can avoid the stress of searching for limited on-street parking and simply enjoy a short, pleasant walk to the waterfront, shops and restaurants.

For visitors who want to park once and explore on foot, the Hanover Street Garage and the Foundry Place Garage are the two best options. The Hanover Street Garage is located right in the heart of the town centre, offering immediate access to Market Square and the waterfront. Foundry Place is slightly larger and just a few blocks away, providing an easy walk to the main attractions and simple access from the main roads.

The best plan is to pull up at the hotel's main entrance, where there is often a temporary loading zone. It's sensible to have one person stay with the vehicle while the other brings the luggage inside or gets assistance from hotel staff. After quickly unloading your bags you can then proceed to your hotel's designated parking area or a nearby public car park for overnight parking, avoiding the need to navigate narrow streets with all your luggage.

Driving and parking in downtown Portsmouth can be challenging during busy summer weekends. Traffic volume increases significantly, especially on roads leading to the waterfront and Market Square. On-street parking becomes very scarce, so your best strategy is to head straight to a public car park. Arriving earlier in the day, before the lunchtime rush, will give you a much better chance of finding a convenient spot without circling.

The historic core of downtown Portsmouth features a dense network of one-way streets that can be tricky for first-time visitors. It's highly recommended to use a satnav and pay close attention to street signs. The best approach is to identify your destination, such as a car park, and navigate directly there. Driving around aimlessly to find on-street parking will likely lead to circling and frustration, so having a clear plan is key.

The most convenient place to park is the museum's on-site visitor car park. You can access it via Hancock Street and it is well signed as you approach the museum grounds. Using this car park removes any need to search for on-street parking in the surrounding historic neighbourhood and allows you to park your rental car and immediately start exploring the museum and its grounds.

The easiest way is to drive to each town and park once in a central municipal car park or a designated all-day private lot. Both Ogunquit and Kennebunkport are very walkable so you can explore shops, beaches and restaurants on foot. Trying to find on-street parking in the heart of these popular towns, especially in summer, can be very difficult, so park once and walk for a stress-free day.

Both beaches are easy to drive to, but parking is the main challenge. York Beach in Maine often feels a bit simpler as its main car parks are clearly visible on arrival, though they fill up fast. Hampton Beach in New Hampshire has more parking overall, including a large state park lot and metered street spots, but the area is more congested. For either destination on a summer weekend, arriving before 9:00am is essential to secure a parking space without a long search.

For a lovely coastal drive head south from Portsmouth on Route 1A through Rye and Hampton. There are numerous designated pull-offs and parking areas along Ocean Boulevard that offer fantastic, unobstructed views of the Atlantic, perfect for watching a sunrise. For sunset consider driving through New Castle on Route 1B where you can find spots overlooking the Piscataqua River as the sun sets behind the town.

A day trip to Portland is very realistic and a popular choice for visitors. The drive is straightforward, taking about one hour each way via I-95 North. To make the most of your day plan to leave Portsmouth by 9:00am to arrive before the city gets too busy. Heading back in the late afternoon or early evening will help you avoid the worst of the commuter traffic around both cities.

The most direct and easiest route for a first-time driver is to take the Spaulding Turnpike (NH Route 16) north from Portsmouth. This highway is a major, well maintained road that leads directly into the heart of the White Mountains region, passing through cities like Rochester and continuing on to Conway. It is well signed and avoids smaller, winding back roads, making for a confident and scenic journey.

When driving north on the Spaulding Turnpike (NH-16) the most common slowdowns occur at weekends, especially during the summer and autumn foliage seasons. Traffic can become congested around Rochester and again as you approach Conway where the road narrows and passes through the town's busy commercial centre. To avoid the worst of it try to travel on a weekday or get an early start on a Saturday morning.

Autumn foliage weekends dramatically increase traffic on all scenic routes heading north, particularly NH-16 towards the White Mountains. Expect significant slowdowns and allow much more travel time than your satnav might estimate. Parking at popular trailheads, scenic overlooks and in towns like North Conway becomes extremely limited. The best advice is to start your day as early as possible and have back-up plans for destinations if car parks are full.

For the best restaurant access park your car in the Hanover Street or Foundry Place public garages. These locations put you within a short walk of the highest concentration of restaurants in the town, including those in Market Square, on Bow Street and along the waterfront. This strategy allows you to enjoy an evening of dining without the stress of trying to find on-street parking near each individual restaurant in the compact, busy town centre.

The most convenient way to handle tolls on highways like I-95 and the Spaulding Turnpike is to use the electronic tolling system offered with your rental car. Most rental vehicles are equipped with a transponder that automatically pays the tolls as you drive through the express lanes. Be sure to ask the Hertz agent at the desk about their specific tolling programme so you understand how it works before you leave the airport.

A great place to get organised is in one of the nearby shopping centre car parks just off Pease Boulevard, a minute or two from the airport exit. These large, open car parks provide a safe space to pull over, adjust child seats, set up your navigation and distribute snacks and drinks. This allows you to get everything settled in a low-stress environment before merging onto the motorway for a longer journey.

The rental car area at Portsmouth airport is typically less busy than those at major hubs, which naturally creates a more relaxed environment. To make loading even smoother have one person manage the luggage trolley while the other finalises the rental agreement at the desk. Once at the vehicle you can take your time organising your bags in the boot and rear seats without the pressure of a long queue of cars waiting behind you.

In winter road conditions can vary greatly, from perfectly clear and dry to snow-covered and icy. Major highways like the I-95 and the Spaulding Turnpike are top priority for snow clearance and are usually in good condition shortly after a storm. However secondary roads and town streets can remain slick, so it's important to drive with caution, allow extra braking distance and reduce your speed, especially at night.

During or after a snowstorm the least stressful route to Boston is to stay on the I-95 South for the entire journey. As a major interstate it receives the highest priority for ploughing and gritting, making it the safest and most reliable option. While it has its share of merges they are generally better managed in winter weather than the interchanges on smaller state highways, which may not be cleared as quickly.

The drive itself is straightforward on I-95 South but traffic can make it tough. Without traffic the trip takes about an hour. However the worst slowdowns typically occur during weekday commuter hours from about 7:00am to 10:00am heading south and from 3:00pm to 7:00pm in both directions. To avoid the heaviest congestion plan your drive for midday or later in the evening.

For an early-morning flight it's wise to plan on returning your rental car about two hours before your flight's departure time. The return process at PSM is usually very quick but this buffer gives you ample time to refuel the car if needed, gather your luggage and complete the drop-off. This leaves you plenty of time to walk to the terminal, check in and get through security without feeling rushed.

When leaving the airport after dark for the first time take an extra minute in the well-lit rental area to familiarise yourself with the vehicle's controls, especially the headlights and wipers. Drive more slowly as you exit the airport complex and pay careful attention to road signs and lane markings. It's also a good idea to have your satnav route programmed and audible before you start driving so you can focus on the road.

A common mistake is underestimating the heavy summer traffic on Route 1 which can cause significant delays. Another is confusing Route 1 with the more scenic coastal road Route 1A. For the best ocean views and access to beaches like Wallis Sands and Jenness Beach be sure you are following signs for Route 1A. Relying solely on a satnav for the fastest route might keep you on the less scenic, inland Route 1.

To enjoy the scenic drive to New Castle simply stay on the main road, Route 1B. This route, also known as Wentworth Road and Wild Rose Lane, makes a beautiful loop around the island. The key is to resist the urge to turn down the smaller, narrower side streets unless you have a specific destination there. Sticking to Route 1B will provide all the stunning coastal views without the risk of getting into a tight spot.

The simplest and most direct route is to take the Spaulding Turnpike (NH-16) North from the Portsmouth area. For Durham you'll take Exit 6W, and for Dover you'll use one of the subsequent exits. The primary traffic bottleneck tends to form around the Dover toll plaza during weekday morning and evening commutes. Travelling outside of these peak hours will usually ensure a much smoother drive.

The most straightforward driving route is I-95 South to I-95/Route 128 North, then take Exit 44 for Route 114 East into Salem. To avoid the worst congestion plan your trip for a weekday outside of October, as the town is extremely busy with Halloween tourism. Once you arrive in Salem park in one of the downtown garages and explore the historic sites on foot to avoid traffic within the town itself.

During a major event your best strategy is to park at the Foundry Place Garage. It's a large, modern facility located on the edge of the main downtown area which makes for an easier exit when the event is over. By parking here you can avoid the immediate gridlock that often forms on smaller streets closer to Market Square, allowing for a quicker departure when you're ready to leave.

The most effective strategy is to go on a weekday, preferably in the morning, when the crowds are lightest. If you must visit at the weekend arrive right when the stores open, typically around 10:00am. This will give you the best chance of finding a convenient parking spot in one of the main lots. Trying to find parking midday on a Saturday in summer or during a holiday weekend can be extremely challenging.

For an easy and rewarding day trip the towns of Kittery, York and Ogunquit are your best bets. They are all located just a short drive north of Portsmouth along Route 1 or I-95. You can easily drive from one to the next, stopping for lobster rolls at a seafood shack in Kittery, visiting the Nubble Lighthouse in York and walking the scenic Marginal Way in Ogunquit, all within a single, relaxed day.

In poor lighting or bad weather use your phone's torch to thoroughly inspect the car's exterior. Pay close attention to the lower parts of the bumpers and along the doors, as these are common areas for scratches and dings. Make sure to also check the windscreen for any chips or cracks. Before leaving the parking spot quickly test the headlights, indicators and windscreen wipers to ensure they are all functioning properly.

With a larger vehicle the historic streets around Market Square, particularly Bow Street and Ceres Street along the waterfront, will feel the tightest. These narrow, often cobbled lanes require careful manoeuvring. The ramps and parking spaces in the older Hanover Street Garage can also be a snug fit. When unloading kerbside on main roads like Congress Street be extra mindful of your vehicle's size in relation to passing traffic.

A highly efficient plan is to treat the trip in two separate legs. First use Portsmouth as your base to explore north into coastal Maine, visiting towns like York and Kennebunkport. After you've enjoyed the Maine coast return to Portsmouth and then make the direct, one-hour drive south on I-95 to Boston. This north-then-south approach prevents backtracking and keeps your daily driving times manageable and enjoyable.