Dollar Car Hire
Detroit

On arrival at Detroit Metro Airport, your first step is to head to the Ground Transportation Centre. No matter which terminal you land in, look for the overhead signs directing you to "Rental Cars". You will then board a designated shuttle bus serving all rental car companies. These shuttles run continuously between the terminals and the separate rental car facility. Dollar Car Rental is located within this main facility, and the shuttle will drop you off right at its entrance.

The process for reaching the Dollar rental counter is nearly identical whichever terminal you arrive at. Both the McNamara and the Evans (formerly North) Terminals have dedicated shuttle stops for the rental car facility. Simply follow airport signage for "Rental Cars" or "Ground Transportation" from baggage reclaim to find the designated pick-up kerb. The same shuttle fleet serves both terminals, taking all passengers to the central rental car building where the Dollar counter is located.

On a typical weekday, a realistic timeline from getting off the aircraft to driving away in your hire car is about 60 to 90 minutes. This includes walking from your gate to baggage reclaim, waiting for your luggage, and then finding the rental car shuttle stop. The shuttle ride itself is short, but you should also allow for potential queues at the rental counter. This can vary depending on how many flights arrive around the same time, so building in a little extra buffer is always sensible.

Detroit Metro Airport is well lit and clearly signed, so late-night navigation is straightforward. The rental car shuttles typically operate 24/7 to accommodate arriving flights. The route to the consolidated rental car facility is direct, and the facility itself is a secure, well-lit structure. Once you have your vehicle, take a moment in the garage to adjust mirrors and set your GPS before exiting. The main roads leaving the airport are major thoroughfares and are also well lit for a safe departure.

The most practical meeting point for a group arriving on different flights is the baggage reclaim area of the terminal where the last person arrives. This lets everyone gather luggage in one place. From there, the designated driver can take the shuttle alone to the rental car facility to collect the vehicle. The rest of the group can wait comfortably inside the terminal with the bags until the driver loops back to the passenger pick-up kerb.

The best place for the group to wait is inside the terminal on the baggage reclaim level, near the main exit doors. This keeps them out of the weather and gives access to toilets and seating while they keep an eye on the arrivals kerb. The driver can then collect the car from the rental facility and drive to the passenger pick-up area, which is clearly marked just outside the baggage reclaim doors. This avoids the hassle of taking all the luggage onto the rental car shuttle.

After you complete your rental agreement at the Dollar counter, the agent will give you a specific bay number or direct you to a designated zone for your vehicle class. The parking garage is organised with large, clear row and section signage, usually using letters and numbers. Pay close attention to the details on your rental agreement or key tag. Taking a moment to orient yourself using the overhead signs before you start walking will help you find your car efficiently.

The safest and most convenient place to get organised is within the rental car facility’s parking garage itself, before you exit the barriers. This allows you to set up navigation and connect your phone in a calm, stationary environment. If you prefer to do this after exiting, the airport has a cell phone lot you can use briefly. Alternatively, there are several petrol stations and fast-food restaurants with large car parks just a minute or two from the airport on Merriman Road.

The most critical junction immediately after leaving the airport is the split for I-94. You need to decide quickly whether you’re taking I-94 East towards Detroit or I-94 West towards Ann Arbor and Chicago. The signs are large, but the decision point comes up fast. Having your GPS guidance running before you leave the rental garage is the best way to ensure you’re in the correct lane ahead of time for this main split.

The most straightforward route to Downtown Detroit is to take I-94 East directly from the airport. This major motorway takes you all the way to the city centre. To reduce stress, try to stay in one of the middle lanes once you’ve merged onto the motorway. This helps you avoid the constant entering and exiting traffic in the right-hand lane, as well as the faster flow often found in the far-left lane, for a smoother drive.

An easy route to Dearborn from DTW is to take I-94 East for a few miles and then exit onto US-24 North, also known as Telegraph Road. Follow Telegraph Road north, then head east on Michigan Avenue (US-12), which takes you directly to the museum area. The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village have a very large, dedicated visitor car park. While it’s spacious, it can be busy at weekends, so arriving earlier in the day is recommended.

The most direct drive to Novi is to take I-94 West from the airport and then merge onto I-275 North. This motorway takes you straight to the Novi exits. On weekdays, northbound I-275 can be heavily congested during the afternoon commute, typically from 3:00 pm to 6:30 pm. If you’re travelling in that window, it’s wise to allow extra time.

For travellers heading to Ann Arbor, the route is exceptionally simple and ideal if you’re new to the area. From the airport, follow the signs for I-94 West. This single motorway takes you straight to Ann Arbor, about a 25-minute drive without traffic. The Ann Arbor exits are clearly signed, making it a low-stress trip with minimal need for complex navigation or lane changes.

In winter driving, the most important thing is to increase your following distance and reduce your speed. Bridges and overpasses, which you’ll encounter frequently on I-94, freeze before other road surfaces, so take extra care on them. While heavy lake-effect snow is more common in Western Michigan, sudden snow squalls can still occur and drastically reduce visibility. Always use headlights in snowy conditions and allow plenty of extra time to reach your destination safely.

On major motorways like I-94 and I-275, heavy rain can create significant road spray, especially from lorries, which severely reduces visibility. Driving in the middle or right-hand lane can sometimes offer a slight improvement over the far-left lane. Fog can settle in low-lying areas on any route, so reducing speed and using dipped headlights is crucial. Avoid full beam in fog, as the light will reflect back and worsen visibility.

One local feature that often surprises visitors is the "Michigan Left". On many major roads you can’t turn left directly; instead you drive past the junction and use a dedicated U-turn lane. On motorways, drivers tend to merge assertively, so it’s important to get up to the speed of traffic on the slip road. The general flow on Detroit motorways is often slightly above the posted limit, so be prepared to keep pace.

A low-stress strategy is to merge smoothly onto the motorway, such as I-94, and settle into the second lane from the right. This avoids the constant merging and exiting in the far-right lane while keeping you out of the faster left lanes. Stay in that lane for the first 10 to 15 minutes to get a feel for the car and the rhythm of local traffic. It gives you time to acclimatise without feeling pressured into sudden moves.

Visitors to The Henry Ford complex will find ample parking in a large, dedicated surface car park right in front of the museum entrance. The route is well signed from major roads like Michigan Avenue. On peak days, such as summer weekends or during special events, the car park can become quite full. To get a more convenient space and avoid the biggest crowds, plan to arrive shortly after opening.

For easy access to the central part of the Detroit Riverwalk, the best plan is to park in one of the parking structures attached to the GM Renaissance Center. The Beaubien Garage or the Port Atwater Garage are excellent choices. You can navigate directly to the Renaissance Center, and from these garages it’s a short walk to the riverfront, Hart Plaza, and various restaurants. This approach is straightforward and provides secure, covered parking.

When heading to an event in the stadium district, expect heavy traffic on the final approach streets such as Woodward Avenue and the I-75 service drive. Many travellers find it easiest to pre-book parking online through the venue’s official partner, which guarantees a space in a nearby garage. As you get closer, police will often be directing traffic, so follow their instructions. Arriving at least an hour before your event starts is strongly recommended to allow for traffic and walking time.

A great "park once" strategy is to use a central parking garage near Campus Martius Park. Garages like the Z Lot, known for its public art, or the One Campus Martius Garage put you right in the heart of downtown. From there you’re within a comfortable 10 to 15 minute walk of Comerica Park, the Fox Theatre, the Guardian Building, and dozens of shops and restaurants, letting you explore for hours without needing to drive again.

The most convenient parking for the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) is the museum’s own secure underground garage. The entrance is on John R. Street, just south of Kirby Street. A simple approach is via Woodward Avenue, a main north-south route, then turning onto Farnsworth Street, which leads directly to the garage entrance. This keeps you off smaller side streets and makes the museum easy to find.

Corktown is one of Detroit’s oldest neighbourhoods, known for its historic character and narrower residential streets. You’ll find a mix of metered and free on-street parking, though it can be competitive on weekend evenings. Pay close attention to one-way street signs, which are common in the area. If you’re driving a larger hire vehicle, take turns slowly and watch for parked cars and pedestrians, especially around the busy Michigan Avenue corridor.

A common mistake happens on downtown routes like the Lodge (M-10) and I-375, which have very short exit ramps and require you to be in the correct lane well in advance. Relying only on GPS without reading overhead signs can also cause issues, especially with frequent construction diversions. In the downtown grid, many streets are one way, so if you miss a turn you often need to go around the block to get back on track.

For an easy grocery stop after leaving the airport, avoid the complex motorway interchanges at first. Instead, head north from the airport on Merriman Road or west on Eureka Road. These surface roads take you into the suburbs of Romulus and Taylor within a few miles. Along them you’ll find several major supermarket chains and pharmacies with easy in-and-out access, so you can stock up before heading to your final destination.

The best and safest place to fit a child car seat is in your allocated parking space within the rental car garage. It’s covered, well lit, and away from moving traffic. It provides a calm environment where you can take the time you need to secure the seat properly according to the manufacturer’s instructions. That way everything is settled before you even start the car and begin your journey.

Before you finalise your rental and leave, open the boot and assess the truly usable space. Look for large wheel arches that intrude into the cargo area, or a sharply sloping rear window that reduces luggage height. If you have several large bags, an SUV often offers a more practical, box-shaped load space than a saloon’s boot. It’s worth test-fitting your bags to ensure everything fits comfortably.

Before leaving the bay, do a quick inspection of the vehicle. Walk around it to note any existing scratches or dents. Inside, start the car to check the headlights and indicators work, and test the windscreen wipers. Look at the dashboard to make sure there are no warning lights, such as low tyre pressure. Finally, confirm the USB or charging ports work for your devices.

To make sure your phone integrates with the car’s system, have your charging cable ready and plug your device into the vehicle’s USB port before leaving the parking space. The infotainment screen should detect your phone and prompt you to launch Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. If it doesn’t appear, check the main menu for an icon or a settings option. Verifying this before you start driving makes navigation much smoother.

A day trip to Frankenmuth from the Detroit area is very straightforward. The main route is I-75 North the whole way, typically about 90 minutes. The exits for Frankenmuth are clearly signed. Once in town, parking is plentiful and generally free. There are numerous large car parks conveniently located behind the main shops and restaurants, making it easy to park and explore on foot.

The most direct route to Lansing is I-96 West, a major motorway that’s well maintained and easy to follow for first-time visitors. For convenient breaks, the towns of Brighton and Howell, about halfway along, offer plenty of options right off the exits. You’ll find petrol stations, coffee shops, and fast-food places, making them ideal for a stretch or a quick snack.

For the smoothest drive from Detroit to Grand Rapids via I-96 West, departure timing matters. To avoid the worst outbound commuter traffic from the Detroit metro area, aim to be on the road either before 2:30 pm or after 6:30 pm on a weekday. This helps you miss the heaviest congestion that often builds around the Novi, Brighton, and Howell areas, giving you a more pleasant start.

For a day trip to Windsor, Canada, you have two choices: the Ambassador Bridge or the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel. The tunnel often feels more direct for reaching downtown Windsor attractions. Both crossings are well signed from major motorways. Once in Windsor, you’ll find clearly marked municipal parking garages and surface lots, particularly around the casino and the riverfront parks. These provide convenient, central parking for exploring.

International visitors should know that all speeds and distances on Michigan road signs are in miles per hour (mph) and miles. A key rule is that you may turn right on a red light after coming to a complete stop, unless a sign explicitly says "No Turn on Red". Also, many major roads use a "Michigan Left", meaning you drive past your junction and use a designated U-turn lane to make a left turn.

On return day, you’ll find several convenient petrol stations on Merriman Road, just north of the main airport entrance. They’re easy to access from either direction and sit before you need to enter the airport’s final approach loops. Refuelling here lets you make a simple right or left turn back onto the main road leading directly to the clearly signed "Rental Car Return" entrance, avoiding complex U-turns or last-minute manoeuvring.

As you approach the airport via Eureka Road or Rogell Drive, watch for the large overhead signs and keep to the middle or left lanes. The signs for "Rental Car Return" are distinct from those for "Arrivals" or "Departures". They guide you onto a dedicated roadway that splits away from terminal traffic and takes you directly to the consolidated rental car facility where you return the vehicle.

At night, rental return signage is well illuminated with large reflective green signs. The most obvious landmark is the massive multi-storey structure that houses all the rental agencies. As you follow the dedicated return road, you’ll see this brightly lit building ahead. Closer to the entrance, specific Dollar signs appear and direct you into the correct lane for the return garage.

The sequence is very straightforward. First, follow the airport signs for "Departures" and the terminal for your airline. Pull up to the kerb to drop off passengers and luggage. Once they’re on their way, continue along the departures roadway. The loop brings you back to the main road, where you’ll immediately see signs for "Rental Car Return", allowing you to circle straight into the return facility.

After you complete your return at the Dollar counter inside the rental facility, go to the ground-level transportation centre. There you’ll find dedicated shuttle buses for each main terminal. The buses are clearly labelled "McNamara Terminal" or "Evans Terminal". They run continuously and will take you and your luggage directly to the departures level of the correct terminal for your airline check-in.

For an early flight, two parts can take longer than expected. First, there may be a short queue at the rental counter if many people are returning cars at the same time. Second, the wait for the shuttle back to the terminal and the ride itself can take 15 to 20 minutes depending on traffic and timing. It’s wise to allow at least 30 minutes more than you think you’ll need for the full return-and-shuttle process to avoid last-minute stress.