SUV Hire
Newport News

The most convenient option is to use the car hire desks located directly inside the PHF terminal building. After collecting your checked bags from baggage reclaim, you can walk a short distance to the hire desks without needing a shuttle. The rental car bays are situated just outside the terminal, making it a simple process to load your luggage into your SUV. The vehicle's ample cargo space is a significant advantage when you're managing multiple bags right after a flight.

Picking up a vehicle late at night at Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport is generally a low-stress experience. The airport is smaller and easy to navigate, and the route to Interstate 64 is well-lit and clearly signposted from the airport exit. Traffic will be minimal at that hour, which is ideal for getting comfortable with a larger, unfamiliar vehicle. The drive from the rental bay to the I-64 on‑ramp only takes a few minutes, making for a smooth start to your journey.

The most straightforward route to Williamsburg is to take Interstate 64 West directly from the airport area. This is a major, multi-lane highway with clear overhead signage for the various Williamsburg exits, such as Route 199 (Humelsine Parkway). The drive is mostly straight with gentle curves, which is perfect for getting accustomed to the handling of an SUV. The elevated driving position will also give you a better view of the road and traffic ahead.

To ensure you secure a good parking spot and can enjoy the historic area before it gets too crowded, plan to arrive in Williamsburg before 10:00. This typically means leaving your Newport News location about 30 to 45 minutes beforehand, depending on traffic. Arriving early is especially important at weekends and on bank holidays. The main Visitor Centre car park is large and can accommodate SUVs easily, but it does fill up as the day progresses.

Busch Gardens has extensive on‑site car parks designed to accommodate thousands of vehicles of all sizes, including large SUVs. When you arrive, attendants will guide you to the appropriate section for general parking. The lots are well organised, and even if you park in a more distant section, complimentary trams run continuously to transport you and your party to the main entrance. This system makes parking a simple and hassle‑free part of your visit.

For a simple and scenic drive, the best route is the Colonial Parkway. You can access it easily from I-64 or local roads in the Newport News and Williamsburg area. The Parkway is a low‑speed, limited‑access road that directly connects Jamestown, Williamsburg and Yorktown. It offers a relaxing drive with beautiful scenery, and its gentle curves are very easy to navigate in an SUV, allowing you to avoid the faster pace of the interstate.

From the City Centre area, the most direct route is to take Jefferson Avenue (Route 143) north. Continue on Jefferson Avenue until you see signs for Route 17 North (George Washington Memorial Highway). This route bypasses the more complex sections of Interstate 64 and takes you on a main local highway directly to the Yorktown area. Once you are on Route 17, there will be clear signage directing you to the Yorktown Battlefield visitor centre.

Weekend traffic to Virginia Beach, especially during the summer, can be extremely heavy. The primary bottleneck is the Hampton Roads Bridge‑Tunnel (HRBT) on I-64 East, where significant backups are common. To avoid the worst of it, plan to leave Newport News either very early in the morning, before 08:00, or later in the afternoon. An SUV can provide a more comfortable ride during the inevitable stop‑and‑go traffic you may encounter.

The major bridge‑tunnels, like the Hampton Roads Bridge‑Tunnel (HRBT) and the Monitor‑Merrimac (MMBT), are designed to accommodate commercial traffic, so standard and full‑size SUVs are well within the height limits. The main thing to be mindful of is staying centred in your lane, as the tunnel portions can feel narrow. The higher vantage point of an SUV is actually an advantage on the bridge sections, as it allows you to see traffic patterns further ahead.

For easy SUV parking in downtown Norfolk, aim for the large, multi‑storey public garages like the Waterside Garage or the Town Point Garage. These are designed for daily commuters and event traffic, so they feature wider lanes and spaces than older, smaller garages. Arriving before the lunch or evening rush will give you the best selection of spots, making it simple to park your vehicle and walk to the waterfront attractions.

During peak weekday commute hours, typically from 07:00 to 09:00 and 16:00 to 18:00, you should budget at least 60 to 90 minutes for the drive to ORF. The trip requires crossing a bridge‑tunnel, which is where the most significant delays occur. Using a real‑time traffic app is highly recommended to get the most accurate travel time estimate on the day of your drive.

A sensible approach is to group your destinations by location to minimise driving time. Dedicate a full day to the Williamsburg area, including Colonial Williamsburg and perhaps Busch Gardens. On another day, explore the Historic Triangle’s other points by visiting Jamestown and then taking the scenic Colonial Parkway to Yorktown. A third day can focus on Hampton’s attractions, such as Fort Monroe and the Virginia Air & Space Science Center.

Immediately surrounding the airport, you'll find major shopping centres along Jefferson Avenue and Denbigh Boulevard. These areas contain large grocery stores like Kroger and Food Lion, as well as superstores such as Walmart and Target. The car parks are expansive and designed for heavy traffic, making it very easy to manoeuvre your SUV, find a spot and load up on any supplies you need for your trip.

Newport News Park, located just a five‑minute drive from the airport off Jefferson Avenue, is an ideal spot. The park is extensive and has numerous large, quiet car parks where you can take all the time you need. It's a safe and relaxed environment to adjust car seats, organise luggage and let the kids stretch their legs after a flight before you continue to your hotel or destination.

Parking at the Virginia Living Museum is very straightforward. The museum has its own large, dedicated car park located directly in front of the main entrance. The lot is designed to accommodate school buses and large visitor crowds, so there is plenty of room to manoeuvre an SUV. Finding a space is typically easy, even on busier days, and the walk to the entrance is short.

An SUV is extremely convenient for a trip to the Mariners’ Museum, particularly in inclement weather. The generous cargo area provides ample space to keep prams, umbrellas and rain gear organised and easily accessible. The museum offers a large, free car park very close to the main entrance, which minimises the time you and your family have to spend in the rain while unloading your belongings.

The main entrance on Jefferson Avenue (Route 143) is the easiest point of access. This entrance leads to a wide, paved road that loops through the park, connecting all the major facilities. You'll find numerous large, clearly marked car parks near points of interest like the Discovery Centre, picnic areas and trailheads. Navigating these well‑maintained roads and spacious lots in an SUV is simple and stress‑free.

For a sunrise trip, plan to leave Newport News about 45 minutes before the scheduled sunrise to allow for the drive and time to park. Traffic will be very light at this hour. For a sunset drive, be sure to account for potential evening commute traffic on weekdays by leaving a little earlier. The most direct route is typically Route 17, but the Colonial Parkway offers a more scenic and relaxing alternative if you have extra time.

The best strategy is to take I-64 West and then use the I-295 bypass, which loops around the busiest parts of Richmond. From I-295, you can exit onto a main artery like Broad Street or Patterson Avenue to access attractions in the city's less congested West End, such as the Short Pump shopping area. If you're visiting a museum, check for dedicated car parks which are often easier to navigate than on‑street parking.

Excellent meeting points with easy access and ample parking include the Peninsula Town Centre in Hampton or the Patrick Henry Mall area in Newport News. These large shopping centres are conveniently located near major roads and have vast car parks where it's easy to find each other. For a more scenic option, you could designate a specific parking area at a large public park like Fort Monroe or Newport News Park.

One of the most common mistakes is not getting into the correct lane early enough for the major I-64 and I-664 split near the Hampton Coliseum. The interchange can be confusing, so it's crucial to pay attention to overhead signs well in advance. Another frequent issue is underestimating how quickly the local exits appear after one another; using a satnav and having a co‑pilot read the directions can be very helpful.

The most straightforward route is to take I-664 South, which will take you through the Monitor‑Merrimac Memorial Bridge‑Tunnel. This route often has less traffic than the HRBT. After the tunnel, follow signs for I-264 East toward downtown Norfolk and take the Waterside Drive exit. This exit leads you directly to the waterfront area, minimising complex city driving and lane changes.

Driving to and around Fort Monroe in an SUV is very easy. The roads are wide, the speed limits are low, and the area is generally uncongested. You will find plenty of free, spacious parking in designated lots all around the historic site, including areas right next to the beaches and the fishing pier. It's a very low‑stress destination for parking a larger vehicle.

When a major concert, sporting event or conference is scheduled, the roads around the Hampton Coliseum, including Mercury Boulevard and the adjacent I-64 exits, become extremely congested. It's wise to check the Coliseum's event calendar before you travel through the area. If you must pass through during an event, allow at least 30–45 minutes of extra travel time and consider using a navigation app to find alternate local routes.

It's always good practice to check the hotel's website or call ahead to confirm the parking garage's height clearance, especially if your SUV has a roof rack. When driving inside, be mindful of tight turns on ramps and potentially narrow parking spaces, which are more common in older garages. Take your time, use your vehicle's rear‑view camera and sensors, and don't hesitate to find a different spot if one feels too tight.

As a visitor, the main public thoroughfare to use is Warwick Boulevard, which runs parallel to the Newport News Shipbuilding complex. This road provides access to nearby public areas like Huntington Park and the Virginia War Museum. It is important to follow your satnav and obey all posted signs, as many of the smaller side streets leading off Warwick Boulevard are restricted access shipyard property.

This trip requires a very early start and careful planning. The drive from Newport News to the ferry in Onancock involves crossing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge‑Tunnel (CBBT), which has a toll. You should plan to leave Newport News at least three to three‑and‑a‑half hours before your ferry's departure. This allows ample time for the drive, any potential traffic on the CBBT, and locating the ferry terminal once you're on the Eastern Shore.

To make the most of your day and avoid the worst traffic, a realistic departure time from Newport News is no later than 07:00, especially on a summer weekend. This allows you to get through the Hampton Roads area and south on Route 168 before the heavy beach‑bound traffic builds up. The drive itself can take three hours or more, so an early start is key to a less stressful journey.

The Hampton Roads region is low‑lying and can experience localized street flooding during heavy rain, particularly in the summer and autumn. An SUV's higher ground clearance can be an advantage in these conditions. However, it is crucial to drive slowly and cautiously, and to never attempt to drive through deep or fast‑moving water. If a road looks flooded, it is always safest to turn around and find an alternative route.

It can become quite windy on the area's major bridges, such as the James River Bridge, the Monitor‑Merrimac and especially the Chesapeake Bay Bridge‑Tunnel. In a taller vehicle like an SUV, you will likely feel the force of strong crosswinds more than you would in a saloon. The best approach is to maintain a firm grip on the steering wheel with both hands, reduce your speed slightly, and keep a safe following distance from other vehicles.

While dedicated pull‑through spaces are uncommon, your best bet for easy parking is in the large, open lots of modern shopping areas like New Town or the High Street district. These lots feature wider driving aisles and standard‑sized spaces that are easier to navigate with an SUV. Arriving for an early lunch or dinner often means you can find a spot at the end of a row, allowing you to pull straight out when you leave.

During a major bank holiday weekend, the car parks at the most popular regional attractions fill up the fastest. Expect the lots at Busch Gardens Williamsburg and the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Centre to be near capacity by late morning. The Jamestown Settlement and the Yorktown waterfront can also become very congested. The best strategy is to pick your must‑see attraction for the day and plan to arrive right as it opens.

A logical route would be to visit Air Power Park first, as it is located directly on Mercury Boulevard, a major east‑west road. After your visit, you can continue heading east on Mercury Boulevard and then follow the clear signage for downtown Hampton. This will lead you directly to the waterfront area, where you can park once and explore the Virginia Air & Space Science Center, local restaurants and the marina on foot.

Yes, an SUV is an excellent choice for managing bicycles during your trip. The spacious cargo area often allows you to store bikes inside with the rear seats folded down, keeping them secure and protected from the weather. Local parks with popular trails, like Newport News Park or the Noland Trail at the Mariners' Museum, have large car parks that provide plenty of space for safely mounting bike racks or unloading them from the vehicle.

The most common unexpected tolls are at the Downtown and Midtown Tunnels connecting Norfolk and Portsmouth, and on the Chesapeake Expressway (Route 168) if you're heading south towards North Carolina. These facilities use all‑electronic tolling with no cash booths. To avoid them, pay close attention to large green motorway signs that explicitly state "TOLL" and show the E‑ZPass logo, and consider setting your navigation app to an "avoid tolls" option.

The best place to park is the large, free public parking terrace located on Water Street, right behind the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. This multi‑level facility has ample space for larger vehicles and is centrally located. From there, it's just a short and pleasant walk to the Riverwalk, the beach, and the various shops and restaurants along the waterfront.

During morning and evening rush hours, you should plan for significant delays at the major bridge‑tunnels. It's wise to add a buffer of at least 30 to 60 minutes to your estimated travel time when crossing the Hampton Roads Bridge‑Tunnel (HRBT) or the Monitor‑Merrimac Memorial Bridge‑Tunnel (MMBT). A traffic incident can cause even longer backups, so checking a real‑time traffic map before you leave is essential.

The most direct route is to get on I-64 East from either Jefferson Avenue or J. Clyde Morris Boulevard. Drive for just a few miles and take the exit for Mercury Boulevard (US‑258) heading east toward Fort Monroe. From Mercury Boulevard, you will see prominent signs directing you to downtown Hampton. Without heavy traffic, this drive should take approximately 15 to 20 minutes.

For a morning flight, allow yourself a comfortable cushion of time for the drive and return process. Whether you are coming from I-64 or a local road like Jefferson Avenue, follow the prominent blue airport signs. As you approach the terminal, look for specific signs for "Rental Car Return." These will guide you to a dedicated lot where you can complete the drop‑off, gather your luggage, and then walk directly into the terminal.

The Historic Triangle destinations of Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown are ideal day trips for first‑time visitors. The routes primarily use I-64 and the scenic Colonial Parkway, which are easy to navigate. All of the major historical sites and attractions have large, well‑marked car parks specifically designed for tourist traffic, making it very simple to park an SUV. A trip to Fort Monroe in Hampton is another excellent choice, offering a relaxed drive and abundant, stress‑free parking.