Hertz Car Hire
in Quebec

The car rental counters at Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport are conveniently located on the main floor of the terminal building. After you collect your luggage from the baggage reclaim carousels, simply walk across the public arrivals hall. You will see a dedicated area with signs for all the major rental car agencies, including Hertz. The walk is very short and entirely indoors, taking only a minute or two to reach the service desks where you can complete your rental agreement.

Airport rental car locations like the one at YQB are accustomed to accommodating flights that arrive late in the evening. It is always good practice to include your flight number in your reservation, as this allows staff to track your arrival time and prepare for your pickup. The process itself remains the same as during the day, though the terminal will be much quieter. You will proceed to the rental counter to finalise your paperwork and then head to the car park to collect your vehicle.

During peak travel seasons, such as summer or major holidays, the time from landing to driving away can vary. Factoring in deplaning, walking through the terminal, and waiting for luggage can take around 30 to 45 minutes. At the rental counter, wait times can fluctuate depending on how many other travellers are arriving at the same time. To help streamline the process, have your driving licence and reservation details ready, and you can generally expect the entire process to take between 60 and 90 minutes.

The most straightforward route from YQB to Old Québec is to follow Autoroute 540 (Autoroute Duplessis) south from the airport. This will merge directly onto Autoroute 440 (Autoroute Charest) heading east towards the city centre (Centre-Ville). This route is a major highway that leads you directly to the edge of the historic district with clearly marked exits. By staying on these main autoroutes, you avoid navigating complex surface streets until you are very close to your destination.

For first-time visitors, streets within the walls of Old Québec like Rue Saint-Louis, Rue des Remparts, and the smaller lanes in the Petit Champlain district can feel particularly narrow. These historic streets were not designed for modern vehicles and often feature tight turns, limited visibility, and a high volume of pedestrians. It is best to drive slowly, be prepared to yield to foot traffic, and pay close attention to one-way signs to navigate these charming but challenging areas with confidence.

Yes, avoiding typical commuter rush hours will make the drive between the Sainte-Foy area and Old Québec much more pleasant. Traffic is heaviest on major arteries like Boulevard Laurier and Grande Allée between 7:30–9:00 AM and 4:00–6:00 PM on weekdays. For a smoother experience, plan your drive during the late morning, early afternoon, or after the evening rush has subsided. Weekend traffic is generally lighter, though it can be busy around popular attractions.

The best strategy is to contact your hotel ahead of time for their specific instructions on luggage drop-off, as they are experts on their location. Many hotels have a designated short-term loading zone where you can pull over for a few minutes. A common approach is for one person to stay with the car while the other quickly brings the luggage inside. Afterwards, you can proceed to a long-term car park without the stress of navigating narrow streets with all your belongings.

The area around Place d’Youville and the Porte Saint-Jean is a major hub where several key streets converge, requiring your full attention. Be aware that Rue Saint-Jean becomes a one-way street and is often very busy with pedestrians and city buses. It's crucial to choose your lane well in advance, as the road splits and turns can be abrupt. Using a GPS is helpful, but also watch the road signs carefully to avoid making a wrong turn onto a restricted or one-way street.

Driving to Montmorency Falls is very manageable, as it's a short and direct trip from Québec City along Autoroute 440 East. The main point where drivers can get confused is the exit for the park itself. The signs for "Parc de la Chute-Montmorency" can appear suddenly, so it's important to be in the right-hand lane as you get close. Missing the exit requires continuing to the next one and turning back, so paying close attention as your GPS indicates the final approach is key.

Absolutely, exploring Île d’Orléans by car is a perfect half-day activity. The loop around the island is about 67 km (42 miles) and can be driven in a couple of hours, leaving plenty of time for stops. For the simplest and most scenic drive, most visitors prefer a counter-clockwise direction. This keeps the St. Lawrence River on your right side, making it easier to pull over at the numerous farm stands, chocolate shops, and scenic lookouts without crossing traffic.

Driving the Chemin du Roy (Route 138) offers a completely different experience from the main highway, Autoroute 40. While the autoroute is fast and direct, the Chemin du Roy is a scenic, historic route that winds through charming, centuries-old villages along the St. Lawrence River. It is a two-lane road with much lower speed limits and local traffic, making the journey significantly longer. Choose the Chemin du Roy for a leisurely day of sightseeing, not for a quick trip between the two cities.

For a stunning yet manageable scenic drive in Charlevoix, the Route du Fleuve (Route 362) is an excellent choice. This road connects the towns of Baie-Saint-Paul and La Malbaie, offering breathtaking views of the St. Lawrence River. While it does have hills and curves, it is a well-paved and well-travelled route that is less challenging than some of the region's more remote mountain roads. It provides the full Charlevoix scenic experience without being overly demanding for most drivers.

To have a relaxed and fulfilling day trip to Tadoussac, it is best to leave Québec City quite early, ideally by 7:30 AM. The drive itself takes about three hours one-way, and you must also allow for potential wait times at the Baie-Sainte-Catherine to Tadoussac ferry, which can be significant during peak season. An early start ensures you have ample time for a whale-watching tour or exploring the area without feeling pressured by the long return drive later in the day.

Travellers from the US often underestimate the sheer volume of snow and the frequency of blowing snow, known locally as "poudrerie", which can drastically reduce visibility in open areas. While your rental car will be fitted with mandatory winter tyres, it's also important to be prepared for the rapid formation of black ice, especially on bridges and overpasses. Québec drivers are accustomed to these conditions, so it's wise to allow extra following distance and drive more defensively than you might at home.

During and after a snowstorm, road clearing crews prioritise major transportation arteries. Highways (autoroutes), main boulevards, and emergency routes are always cleared first to ensure the city remains accessible. Secondary roads and residential streets are cleared later, sometimes a day or two after a major storm. This should affect your plans by encouraging you to stick to the main routes and confirming that your specific destination is accessible before you head out.

A common mistake is parking too close to a large snowbank, which can conceal a fire hydrant, a kerb, or other obstacles, leading to fines or damage to the car. Visitors also frequently misjudge the edge of the pavement, getting a wheel stuck in deep, soft snow at the side of the road. When parking on the street in winter, it's crucial to be aware of what might be hidden under the snow and to choose spots that are well cleared whenever possible.

Black ice is a thin, transparent layer of ice that can be very difficult to see, often making the road surface look merely wet. It forms most frequently on elevated structures like bridges, overpasses, and exit ramps because the cold air circulates above and below the surface. To handle the risk, reduce your speed significantly in these areas, especially at night or in the early morning. Avoid sudden braking or sharp turns, and maintain a steady, gentle control of the wheel.

Modern rental vehicles are equipped with traction control (TCS) and electronic stability control (ESC) systems that are active by default when you start the car. You don't need to do anything to turn them on. A key indicator that the system is working is a dashboard light showing a car with squiggly lines behind it; this light will flash when the system actively intervenes to prevent wheel spin on a slippery road. If the light stays on constantly, it may indicate a system fault, but seeing it flash is normal.

All speed limit signs in Québec are in kilometres per hour (km/h), not miles per hour. The easiest way for a US driver to adapt is to focus on the primary, larger numbers on the car's speedometer, which will be in km/h. A helpful mental benchmark is that 100 km/h, a common highway speed limit, is approximately 62 mph. Ignoring the smaller mph numbers on the dial and matching your speed to the posted km/h signs is the most direct way to avoid confusion.

Yes, GPS systems can sometimes struggle in areas with complex, multi-level road networks. The interchanges where Autoroutes 40, 73, and 440 converge near the bridges can be challenging for GPS to provide timely instructions. Similarly, in the dense core of Old Québec with its narrow streets and stone buildings, the signal can be weak. It's always a good idea to briefly review your route on a map beforehand and pay close attention to road signs as a reliable backup.

The most direct route to Lévis on the south shore is via the Pont Pierre-Laporte. From the airport, take Autoroute 540 to Autoroute 73 South (follow signs for "Pont Pierre-Laporte" and "Rive-Sud"). This is the large, modern suspension bridge and the primary highway link. The adjacent Pont de Québec is older and connects to a network of city boulevards, which can be more confusing for a first-time visitor. Sticking to Autoroute 73 is the simplest and most efficient path.

Visiting Wendake by car is very straightforward as it is located just a few miles north of downtown Québec City. The community is easily reached by following major city arteries like Boulevard de l'Ormière or Autoroute de la Capitale (40/973). Once you arrive, parking is generally easy to find and well signed, with ample free parking available at key sites like the Hôtel-Musée Premières Nations and the Huron-Wendat Museum. It is a very accessible destination for those with a rental car.

A same-day round trip from Québec City to the Saguenay region is extremely ambitious and generally not recommended as it involves at least six to seven hours of driving alone. This leaves very little time for actual sightseeing. If you must do it, plan to leave before sunrise and focus on just one or two accessible spots, such as the village of L'Anse-Saint-Jean. A more enjoyable plan would be to make it an overnight trip to fully appreciate the stunning fjord and surrounding parks.

To have the best experience at Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier, timing is everything. The most practical approach is to visit on a weekday, as weekends can be extremely busy, especially during the peak fall foliage season. If you must go on a weekend, arrive very early in the morning, ideally before 10 AM, to secure a parking spot at the popular trailheads in the Vallée de la Jacques-Cartier sector. This allows you to enjoy the park's main attractions before the largest crowds arrive.

During the Québec Winter Carnival, the areas around the main event sites—specifically the Plains of Abraham, Grande Allée, and parts of Old Québec—experience significant road closures and heavy pedestrian traffic. Driving directly to these locations is highly impractical. A much smarter strategy is to park your car in a garage in a less-congested area, such as in the Saint-Roch neighbourhood or near the Parliament Building, and then walk the remaining distance to the festivities. This will save you considerable time and frustration.

Summer is the primary season for road construction in Québec, and it can significantly impact driving times. Expect potential lane reductions, detours, and delays on major autoroutes like 40 and 73, as well as on the bridges connecting to the south shore. It is highly advisable to check a real-time traffic app like Waze or Google Maps before you depart for any destination. This will help you anticipate delays and, if possible, find an alternative route to save time.

A popular and convenient strategy is to park in a garage in the Upper Town, such as the one located under Québec City Hall (Hôtel de Ville) or at Place D'Youville. From there, you can easily explore the Terrasse Dufferin and the Château Frontenac. To get down to Petit Champlain, you can take the Funicular, a cable car that connects the Upper and Lower Towns. This allows you to enjoy both areas and then ride the Funicular back up, avoiding the steep walk.

The most stress-free approach is to not drive directly to the restaurant's door. Instead, identify a public car park on the edge of the historic district, such as those near City Hall, Place D'Youville, or the Old Port (Vieux-Port). Park your car there for the evening and enjoy a short, scenic walk to your dinner reservation. This strategy allows you to avoid navigating narrow, crowded streets that are often filled with pedestrians, making for a much more relaxed evening.

The 'park once' strategy is ideal for exploring Old Québec. Drive into the city and choose a large, centrally located underground car park, like the one at Place d'Youville or under City Hall (Hôtel de Ville). These car parks offer day rates and provide easy access to all the main sights in both the Upper and Lower Towns. By leaving your car there for the day, you can explore everything on foot without the repeated hassle of finding parking and navigating congested streets.

One unique feature in Québec is the flashing green light, which indicates you have the right of way for a protected left turn before oncoming traffic proceeds. Pedestrians generally have the right of way at marked crossings, and drivers are expected to stop for them. Merging on motorways can feel more assertive than in some US areas, so it's important to be decisive and maintain a consistent speed. Overall, driving is predictable, but being aware of these few differences is helpful.

Québec uses photo radar to automatically enforce speed limits, particularly in designated school zones and active construction zones on motorways. These areas are typically marked with advance warning signs, but they can be easy to miss if you aren't actively looking for them. Travellers are most often caught by surprise in temporary construction zones on major autoroutes where the speed limit is significantly reduced. It is crucial to pay close attention to all posted speed limit changes to avoid an unexpected fine.

Yes, the street parking regulations in residential neighbourhoods adjacent to Old Québec, such as Saint-Jean-Baptiste, Montcalm, and Saint-Roch, can be particularly complex for visitors. Parking signs often have multiple conditions detailing restrictions by time of day, day of the week, and residential permit requirements. To avoid confusion and the risk of a parking ticket, it is often much simpler and safer for tourists to use a clearly marked pay-and-display car park or public garage.

After collecting your car, instead of pulling over on a busy airport road, drive a few minutes to one of the large shopping centres in Sainte-Foy, such as Laurier Québec or Place de la Cité. Their expansive and relatively quiet car parks provide a safe, low-stress environment to properly install car seats, organise your luggage, and tend to your child's needs. This allows you to get everything settled before merging onto the main autoroutes towards your destination.

The drive to Mont-Sainte-Anne is primarily along Route 138, which is a main road but can be snow-covered and slippery during winter storms. Plan for extra travel time in snowy weather. On weekends and powder days, it's wise to arrive early—before 9:30 AM—to get a parking spot closer to the main gondola. The lots are large, but they do fill up, and arriving later may mean a longer walk or waiting for a shuttle from a more distant lot.

The drive to Stoneham is mostly on Autoroute 73 North, which is generally well maintained. The main pinch point is the final few miles on Route 175 and the exit leading to the resort. This section is a two-lane road that winds through a valley and can be prone to blowing snow, reducing visibility. During peak times, such as a weekend morning after a fresh snowfall, traffic can also back up on the exit ramp, so patience and reduced speed are key.

For a stress-free early morning return, plan to arrive at the airport a little earlier than you normally would. As you approach YQB, follow the prominent overhead signs for "Rental Car Returns" (Location de voitures). The entrance to the return area is clearly marked and separate from the passenger drop-off lanes. This leads you directly into the dedicated car park where an agent will complete the return process, leaving you with a short, convenient walk to the check-in counters.

The most common mistake is staying in the left lanes designated for passenger drop-off instead of moving to the right for rental car returns. As you enter the main airport roadway, the signs for "Location de voitures" will direct you to the right-hand lanes. To avoid a last-second lane change, simply slow down as you approach the terminal complex and begin looking for the rental car return signs and pictograms early, ensuring you are in the correct lane well before the turn.

To make the drive part of the adventure, break up the trip with a meaningful stop. A great option is to spend a few hours exploring Trois-Rivières, which is located about halfway between the two cities and has a historic town centre. Alternatively, you could dedicate one travel day to driving the scenic Chemin du Roy (Route 138) along the river, turning the transit into a full day of sightseeing through charming small towns instead of a quick highway commute.

Before your trip, it is crucial to verify with the rental car company that their policy permits taking the vehicle across the US border. When you arrive at the border crossing, be prepared for potential wait times, which can vary from a few minutes to over an hour. US Customs and Border Protection officers will require a valid passport or other approved travel document for every person in the vehicle. They will also ask you questions about your travel plans and citizenship.