Payless Car Hire
Fort Wayne

After collecting your luggage at baggage reclaim, the most direct route is to follow the overhead signs for the "Rental Car Centre." These signs are prominently displayed throughout the arrivals area. The Payless desk is located within this designated rental car facility, just a short, well-lit walk from baggage reclaim, making the process straightforward and secure even for late-night arrivals.

Your first stop on arrival at Fort Wayne International Airport should always be the Payless rental counter. An agent there will help you finalise the hire agreement and provide you with the keys and the exact location of your vehicle in the lot. This ensures all paperwork is completed before you proceed to the car area.

The easiest way to locate your vehicle is to refer to the information on your rental agreement. The document will specify the exact parking stall number or zone where your car is parked, and it will also list details like the vehicle’s make, model and colour. Using the stall number as your primary guide is the most efficient method to find your car quickly, even when the lot is crowded.

Before you drive away, take a moment to do a quick walk-round of the vehicle to check for any pre-existing scratches or dents and ensure they are noted on your paperwork. Inside, adjust your seat, steering wheel and mirrors for comfort and visibility. It’s also sensible to familiarise yourself with basic controls such as the headlights, windscreen wipers and climate settings.

If one traveller is delayed, the simplest approach is for your whole party to wait until everyone has arrived before proceeding to the rental counter. The primary renter named on the reservation usually needs to be present to sign the agreement. Waiting to go to the counter together ensures a smooth, single-step process for everyone.

For a straightforward drive to downtown, take Airport Expressway east from the terminal. Follow it for a few miles until you reach the on-ramp to I-69 North, which is straightforward. Continue on I-69 North and take Exit 302 for Jefferson Boulevard; this leads directly onto a main city street that goes straight into the heart of downtown, avoiding complex interchanges.

Under normal traffic conditions, the drive from FWA to the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum takes roughly 25 to 35 minutes. However, for major concerts, games or events you should allow extra time. It’s wise to add at least 20 to 30 minutes to account for increased congestion on I-69 and the roads immediately around the Coliseum.

For overnight parking near Promenade Park, visitors commonly use the public parking garages such as the Civic Center Garage or the Harrison Square Garage. Many downtown hotels also offer dedicated parking for guests, which is very convenient. These garages are generally well-lit, secure and provide 24/7 access, allowing you to come and go as you please.

Driving in Fort Wayne is generally straightforward for first-time visitors. The downtown area is laid out on a grid, which makes navigation intuitive, though you should be mindful of clearly signposted one-way streets. Major thoroughfares are well maintained with clear lane markings and traffic flow is typically manageable outside peak rush hour.

The least stressful plan is to park in the Harrison Square Garage, which is attached to Parkview Field—arrive about 45 minutes early to secure a spot. For an easier exit after the game, consider parking a few blocks away in a different downtown garage or surface lot; that short walk helps you avoid the immediate post-game congestion around the ballpark.

To enjoy the zoo with fewer crowds, plan your visit for a weekday and aim to arrive shortly after it opens in the morning. The car park and nearby roads are busiest from late morning through mid-afternoon, especially at weekends and on holidays. Leaving the zoo by early afternoon will also help you avoid the start of the evening commuter traffic.

The most direct route from FWA to the PFW campus is to take I-469 North to Coliseum Boulevard. Head north on Coliseum and the campus will be on your right. The university has clearly marked visitor parking areas, and it’s best to check the PFW website beforehand for a campus map showing the most convenient visitor lot for the building you need.

For a stress-free evening at the Embassy Theatre, plan to park in one of the nearby public parking garages, such as the Civic Center Parking Garage or the Ash Brokerage Garage. Both are a short walk from the theatre. Arriving downtown about 30 to 45 minutes before the show starts will give you plenty of time to park and get to your seat without rushing.

The drive to Auburn is very simple and direct—great for a half-day trip. From Fort Wayne, take Interstate 69 North for about 20 miles. Take Exit 329 and follow the well-posted signs that guide you directly to the museum district. The entire route is on a major, well-maintained highway.

For a smooth, direct drive to Shipshewana, the best route is to take US-33 North out of Fort Wayne. This road will eventually connect to US-20 West, which leads straight into the heart of Amish country. Using these main highways allows for a more consistent and relaxing drive, avoiding slower, winding back roads.

The most predictable and efficient way to drive from Fort Wayne to Indianapolis is to take Interstate 69 South for the whole journey. This is the primary highway linking the two cities and is direct and multi-lane. Along I-69 you’ll find numerous well-signed rest areas and exits with petrol stations and restaurants, making it easy to plan convenient stops.

To avoid the heaviest traffic when driving to Chicago, plan to leave Fort Wayne very early in the morning so you pass through the suburbs before 7:00 am. Alternatively, a mid-day departure that gets you to the Chicago area between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm is also a good strategy. The main route via US-30 West to I-65 North is efficient, but timing is key for a smooth final approach.

A day trip to Detroit is realistic—the drive is about three hours each way. The most common route is to take US-24 North from the Fort Wayne area. To make the most of your day, plan to leave early at around 7:00 am and begin your return from Detroit no later than 4:00 pm to avoid the worst of the evening rush.

Driving in Fort Wayne’s suburbs is generally low-stress with far less congestion than the city centre. However, be aware that local police often monitor speeds closely, especially on main roads through the towns and in residential areas. Traffic is typically heaviest during standard morning and afternoon school and work commute times, but remains manageable.

Immediately after leaving the airport you’ll find several major grocery stores and retailers a few minutes away. Head north from the airport on Airport Expressway and turn onto Bluffton Road or Ardmore Avenue. That area has a variety of convenient shopping centres where you can easily stock up on any necessities.

There are several easy-to-access petrol stations located right on Airport Expressway, the main road to and from FWA. These stations are a minute or two from the terminal and are laid out for traveller convenience. They have large, clearly signposted entrances and exits, making it simple to refuel your hire car before your flight.

The most efficient sequence is to follow the signs for "Departures" and drop your passenger and their luggage at the terminal curbside. Once they’re inside, continue around the terminal loop and then follow the clear signage for "Rental Car Return"—you won’t need to exit and re-enter the airport road system.

For a morning flight it’s advisable to arrive at the rental car return area at least two hours before your scheduled departure. That provides a comfortable cushion to complete the vehicle return, walk to the main terminal, check your bags and get through security, helping ensure a relaxed start to your travel day.

As you approach the airport on Airport Expressway, pay attention to the overhead signs and make sure you’re in the lanes designated for the terminal rather than long-term parking. On the main airport road there are large, clear signs specifically directing you to the "Rental Car Return" area, which has its own dedicated entrance.

The best strategy is for the driver to go to the rental counter and collect the car alone first. Meanwhile, the other traveller can wait with the luggage and pushchair inside the terminal near the passenger pickup area. The driver can then bring the car to the kerbside loading zone so you can load everything without causing congestion in the rental lot.

A considerate plan is for family members to wait in the comfortable seating area of the terminal’s baggage reclaim or arrivals hall. The primary driver can proceed to the rental counter to collect the vehicle alone. Once the car is ready, the driver can return to the terminal curbside passenger pickup area to collect them, avoiding a long walk through the car park.

After you have your hire car, the calmest place to install a child seat is in a less-trafficked section of the rental car lot. Pull into an adjacent empty parking space away from the main flow of traffic. This gives you time and space to ensure the seat is fitted correctly and safely without feeling pressured by other vehicles.

When driving in Fort Wayne in winter, be extra cautious on bridges and overpasses as they freeze before other road surfaces. Shaded areas can also hold ice longer after a snowfall. Main roads are generally well-treated, but reduce your speed, allow much greater stopping distances, and be gentle with acceleration and braking, especially if you’re not used to winter conditions.

During heavy rain visibility can be significantly reduced, especially on highways like I-69 and I-469 because of spray from lorries and other vehicles. Some older urban streets may experience temporary standing water in low-lying areas after a downpour. It’s safest to reduce speed, switch on your headlights and increase the distance between your vehicle and the one ahead.

While Fort Wayne is generally easy to navigate, some visitors find the multi-street junction at Goshen Avenue and Sherman Boulevard a bit complex. Additionally, some of the older on-ramps onto I-69 have shorter acceleration lanes than modern motorways. When merging, be aware of your surroundings and be prepared to adjust your speed to match the flow of traffic.

Jefferson Pointe is a large outdoor shopping centre with extensive surface parking that’s free and easy to access. At weekends, especially Saturday afternoons, the area can be very busy with shoppers. Driving within the complex is straightforward, but proceed slowly and be highly aware of pedestrians frequently crossing the car parks and access roads.

To reach Lutheran Hospital, take I-69 North from the airport to Exit 302 (Jefferson Blvd) and head west; the hospital is very close to the interstate. For Parkview Regional Medical Center (PRMC), continue further on I-69 North to Exit 316 (Dupont Road) and head east. Both routes are primarily on the interstate and have clear signage to the medical campuses.

The Fort Wayne Rivergreenway system has numerous official access points with dedicated public parking lots. You can find safe and legal parking at major parks along the trail, including Headwaters Park, Promenade Park and Lawton Park. These lots are designed for park visitors and provide a convenient place to leave your car while you enjoy the trails.

Downtown Fort Wayne uses parking meters and central pay stations, which are generally enforced during business hours on weekdays. Time limits are clearly posted, typically in two-hour increments. Many metered spots become free in the evenings after 5 pm and all day at weekends, but always read the instructions on the specific meter or kiosk where you park.

During a festival streets immediately adjacent to Headwaters Park are often closed to traffic. The smartest strategy is to avoid driving directly to the park and instead park in a nearby public garage, like the Civic Center or Harrison Square garages. From there it’s a short and pleasant walk to the festival grounds and you’ll have an easier time leaving afterwards.

The Fort Wayne Museum of Art is located downtown and you can park in a nearby lot or garage to explore it along with other downtown attractions like the Botanical Conservatory on foot. Science Central is a short drive north of downtown and has its own large free car park. It’s best to plan these as two separate stops since they’re not within easy walking distance of each other.

If you’re arriving from Ohio you’ll likely be on US-30 or US-24. The least confusing way to reach FWA is to take the I-469 bypass around the east and south sides of Fort Wayne. From I-469 connect to I-69 South for a short distance and take Exit 299 for Airport Expressway. This route avoids city traffic and has clear signage to the airport.

Fort Wayne’s rush hour is typically 7:30 to 9:00 am and 4:00 to 5:30 pm. During these times expect the most significant slowdowns on major roads like Coliseum Boulevard, Dupont Road and Jefferson Boulevard, as well as on sections of I-69. While traffic is much more manageable than in a larger city, it’s still wise to allow extra travel time.

When returning your car at night the airport’s roadway signs are illuminated and easy to see. As you approach the terminal, specifically look for the large signs that read "Rental Car Return." These will direct you to a dedicated entrance separate from public parking garages or the arrivals/departures curbs, and the return area itself is very well lit.

If you know your flight is significantly delayed and you may arrive close to the counter’s closing time, the best course of action is to call the local Payless office at FWA directly. The phone number is on your rental confirmation. By giving them your updated arrival information, staff can help coordinate your collection and ensure a smooth process when you land.