SUV Hire
Detroit

After collecting your luggage, follow the signs for the rental-car shuttle that takes you to a separate rental facility. Once you have your SUV, set your sat nav for downtown Detroit before you leave the car park. The most direct route is I-94 East, and the signage is clear once you exit the airport area. The elevated driving position in an SUV gives excellent visibility of road signs, which is particularly helpful when navigating unfamiliar freeways at night.

For a large group with substantial luggage, the most efficient method is to send one designated driver to the rental-car facility alone. The rest of the group can wait comfortably with the bags at the terminal’s arrivals pick-up curb. Once the driver has the SUV, they can return to the terminal to load everyone and their belongings. This strategy avoids the hassle of managing multiple large suitcases and tired travellers on the rental shuttle.

Before heading towards the border, confirm that your rental agreement permits cross-border travel into Canada. Do a thorough walk-round of the SUV, noting any pre-existing scratches or dings on the rental contract to avoid any confusion later. Also perform a quick check of the tyres, lights and windscreen wipers to ensure the vehicle is in top condition for your journey. Familiarise yourself with the vehicle’s features before you merge onto the freeway.

The drive itself from DTW to the city centre is primarily on the I-94 freeway, which is a straightforward route without any unusual turns. Michigan lefts are typically found on major surface streets with medians, so you may not encounter them until you are closer to your hotel. They are well signed and involve passing your junction, using a dedicated U-turn lane, then turning right. An SUV’s higher vantage point can actually make spotting these turn lanes easier.

When heading to a game, plan to arrive early to secure a space in one of the many surface car parks surrounding the stadiums, as they offer more room for an SUV than a tight multi-storey. For your departure, exercise patience as the streets will be congested. A good strategy is to park a few blocks away from the immediate stadium area, allowing for an easier exit onto the freeway once you return to your vehicle.

While most modern garages in Detroit can accommodate standard SUVs, some older structures can be a tighter fit. Before entering any garage, always look for a posted height-clearance sign, typically displayed on a bar or sign at the entrance. If you’re uncertain, newer garages associated with major venues like Huntington Place or hotels are generally a safer bet. Surface lots are an excellent alternative if you have concerns about manoeuvring in confined spaces.

Driving an SUV across the border is a common and straightforward experience. The Ambassador Bridge is a wide, open-air crossing that feels like a normal highway. The Detroit–Windsor Tunnel is more enclosed and can feel narrow, so the key is to stay centred in your lane. The vehicle’s size is not a significant factor for either crossing; the main focus should be on having your travel documents ready for a smooth inspection process.

Midtown offers a mix of on-street parking and paid lots, but circling can be time-consuming. For quick errands, the best approach is to patronise businesses that have their own dedicated car parks, which is common for larger stores and restaurants in the area. Using a navigation app that shows real-time parking availability can also help you head directly to a nearby lot or garage instead of searching for a limited street spot.

To reach the Detroit Institute of Arts on Woodward Avenue, you will likely encounter Michigan lefts, which require you to drive just past the museum and use a designated U-turn lane. They are well marked and an SUV’s higher seating position helps with visibility. Getting to Eastern Market is less about Michigan lefts and more about navigating crowded streets on market days; arriving early is the best way to find convenient parking for a larger vehicle.

The most straightforward route from DTW to The Henry Ford avoids downtown Detroit entirely. From the airport, take I-94 East for a few miles to exit 204 for the Southfield Freeway (M-39) North. This freeway takes you directly into Dearborn, and there are large, clear signs directing you to the museum-complex exit. This path is a simple and direct drive, making it ideal for visitors unfamiliar with the area.

To ensure a smooth drive back from Ann Arbor, timing is everything. The evening commute from Ann Arbor toward Detroit can be very heavy, especially on M-14 and I-96. For the least stressful experience, plan to leave Ann Arbor either before 3:00 pm or wait until after 6:30 pm. An SUV provides a comfortable ride for the 45-minute journey, but avoiding peak rush hour will make it much more enjoyable.

Belle Isle is a popular destination, and on pleasant weekends or during events traffic can be heavy and parking limited. The main road that loops around the island is wide and easy to navigate in an SUV. The best strategy is to arrive early in the day to secure a convenient parking spot near the attractions you want to visit, such as the aquarium or the conservatory. Be sure to share the road with the many cyclists and pedestrians enjoying the park.

A great strategy for exploring the riverfront is to park your SUV once and enjoy the area on foot. Consider using one of the large, centrally located parking structures, such as those affiliated with the GM Renaissance Center or Huntington Place. These garages are designed to handle event crowds and are well suited for larger vehicles. This approach saves you the trouble of trying to find on-street parking or moving your vehicle between different riverfront attractions.

Reaching the northern suburbs from downtown is quite direct using major freeways like I-75 North or the Lodge Freeway (M-10). However, these are primary commuter arteries, so they experience significant congestion during morning and evening rush hours. An SUV’s comfortable ride and high vantage point are helpful in heavy traffic, but using a sat nav with live traffic updates is essential for finding the clearest route and estimating your travel time accurately.

While there are drop-off zones near Little Caesars Arena, they become extremely congested just before an event. A more practical plan is to park directly in one of the official garages managed by Olympia Development, such as the one connected to the arena itself. These modern structures are designed to accommodate SUVs easily. You can often pre-book your parking online, which guarantees you a spot and simplifies your arrival.

The main challenge near DTW is the series of interchanges connecting the airport roads, I-94 and I-275. A common point of confusion is ensuring you are in the correct lane for the I-94 East ramp toward Detroit. Because lane changes can be more challenging in a larger vehicle, it's critical to have your navigation set before you start moving and to pay close attention to the large overhead signs well in advance of the split.

A realistic timeline from your flight landing to being parked near the stadium is approximately two hours. This buffer accounts for deplaning, baggage claim, the shuttle to the rental-car centre, and the vehicle pickup process. The drive downtown typically takes 30–40 minutes, but you should add extra time for game-day traffic congestion and finding a parking spot, ensuring you don't miss the start of the game.

When making a stop with luggage in your SUV, security is the top priority. Ensure all bags are stored in the rear cargo area and are completely out of sight, using the retractable cargo cover if one is fitted. For peace of mind, choose to park in a well-lit, attended car park or a busy surface lot rather than on a quiet side street. Keeping your stop brief and avoiding leaving other valuables like electronics visible is also a wise precaution.

To avoid navigation headaches, plan your route directly to the dedicated parking garage for the GM Renaissance Center. The simplest freeway approach is typically I-375 South, which leads you right to Jefferson Avenue and the RenCen entrances. By setting the garage as your final destination, your sat nav will guide you through the specific surface-street ramps required, preventing the confusion that can arise from the complex road network immediately surrounding the towers.

For a mural-viewing tour in your SUV, areas like Eastern Market and the Grand River Creative Corridor are excellent choices. Compared to the dense central business district, these neighbourhoods generally offer more available on-street parking and numerous small lots, making quick stops much easier. The wider streets and lower traffic volume in these areas allow you to pull over safely to appreciate the art without feeling rushed.

Driving an SUV at night in Detroit is generally straightforward, as the vehicle’s higher ride height and powerful headlights improve visibility. Major freeways and downtown streets are well lit, though some side streets can be darker. When heading to a hotel or venue, use your sat nav to navigate directly to the parking-garage entrance, as they can sometimes be located on a side street and might be hard to spot in the dark.

Like many Midwestern cities, Detroit’s roads can have potholes, particularly on older surface streets after the winter season. The good news is that an SUV’s robust suspension and larger tyres typically absorb these imperfections much better than a standard car, leading to a more comfortable ride. While major freeways are generally well maintained, it’s always wise to stay alert for road crews and temporary steel plates in construction zones.

Greektown is known for its lively but narrow one-way streets, which can be challenging to navigate. The most stress-free parking solution is to aim directly for the large, multi-storey Greektown Casino-Hotel garage. It is clearly signed from the main roads, designed for high traffic volumes, and can easily accommodate SUVs. This allows you to park once and explore the entire neighbourhood on foot without worrying about the tricky street layout.

To create an efficient itinerary, dedicate separate days to different geographic areas. Spend one full day exploring the walkable downtown and Midtown areas, leaving your SUV parked at your hotel or in a central garage. On another day, use your vehicle for a suburban excursion to places like Dearborn or Royal Oak. Plan your drives between these zones during off-peak hours, such as mid-morning or after the evening rush, to minimise your time on the freeways.

To make the pickup process easier with children, have one adult wait with the kids and luggage at the designated passenger pick-up area outside the terminal. The other adult can ride the shuttle to the rental-car centre unencumbered. After securing the SUV, they can drive back to the terminal, where there is more space and less pressure to install car seats and load bags quickly.

The drive to popular destinations like Frankenmuth is mostly a straight shot on I-75 and is very comfortable in an SUV, which offers plenty of space for passengers and souvenirs. The journey takes about 90 minutes in normal conditions. During peak tourist seasons, such as summer weekends or the holidays, expect increased traffic on the freeway and more congestion in the town itself. Leaving early in the morning is the best way to beat the crowds.

A hybrid strategy is often best for a weekend in Detroit. If you plan to spend a day visiting attractions clustered in the downtown, Midtown and Corktown areas, it’s much easier to park the SUV once and use walking or ride‑sharing services. Save the driving for destinations that are further apart or outside the city centre, such as Belle Isle, The Henry Ford museum, or exploring the suburbs, where the convenience of having your own vehicle is a clear advantage.

Huntington Place is well prepared for large vehicles and event traffic. The convention centre has its own large, accessible parking garages that are the most convenient option. The easiest approach is to follow the Lodge Freeway (M-10) and take the exit for Larned Street, which provides direct access. During a major convention, arriving early is always a good idea to secure a spot in the closest garage.

For visitors, one of the most complex areas is the interchange where I-94, I-75 and the Lodge Freeway (M-10) converge near the city centre. The key is to know which freeway number you need next and get into the correct lane well ahead of time. When travelling between the airport and Dearborn, the split between I-94 and the Southfield Freeway (M-39) also requires attention, so having a sat nav active is highly recommended.

When visiting popular outdoor destinations like Kensington Metropark on a prime summer weekend, the key is to arrive early. Aim to get there before 11:00 am to secure a parking spot in a main lot, as they can reach capacity. An SUV is perfect for these trips, allowing you to pack everything you need for the day. If you arrive later, be prepared to use an overflow lot and walk a bit further to the beach or picnic areas.

The drive from the northern suburbs is quite direct. From Troy, I-75 South will take you straight into the heart of downtown near the stadiums. From Southfield, the Lodge Freeway (M-10) South is the most direct path, also leading right into the downtown core. Both are major freeways with clear signage for downtown exits, making the trip relatively simple as long as you avoid peak rush hour traffic.

When using drive-thrus, especially at older establishments in the city, be mindful of tight turns and low-hanging canopies. It’s always a good idea to assess the clearance before you enter the lane. Newer businesses, particularly in suburban areas, are generally designed to accommodate larger vehicles like SUVs. If a lane looks questionable, the safest and easiest option is often to park and go inside.

Departing from Detroit for a multi-city trip is very straightforward from the main highway system. To head toward Chicago, you will want to get on I-94 West, which is a direct route. For a trip to Cleveland, your route is I-75 South toward Toledo. Both of these interstates are easily accessible and allow you to bypass the most intricate downtown interchanges once you are on your way.

Parking enforcement in Detroit’s popular areas like downtown and Midtown is quite active, so it’s important to pay at metres or use the designated mobile apps. Finding a street parking spot large enough for an SUV during busy evening hours can be a challenge. For a hassle-free experience, it is often better to use one of the many paid surface lots or parking garages, which offer more space and remove the guesswork.

For a round trip to Windsor, check a border-wait app or website before you leave. Crossings are often quickest during off-peak hours, such as mid-afternoon for your trip there. The return trip to the US can have longer lines, especially later in the evening. The process is the same for any vehicle, so having your travel documents easily accessible is the most important step for a speedy crossing.

In rain or snow, an SUV’s higher clearance and weight can provide a more secure feeling on the road. However, it’s crucial to remember that all-wheel drive improves acceleration but not braking, so always increase your following distance on slick surfaces. Be particularly cautious on sections of freeways like the Lodge (M-10), which can be susceptible to water pooling during heavy rainstorms.

As you head back to the airport, the main roads like Merriman Road and Eureka Road are lined with numerous petrol stations. For the easiest access with an SUV, look for major-brand stations located on corners with traffic lights. These locations typically have larger forecourts with multiple entrances and exits, making it much simpler to manoeuvre your vehicle compared with smaller, mid-block stations.

Many downtown hotels have compact loading zones that can get crowded. The most efficient plan is to temporarily pull into the zone, quickly unload all your gear and luggage onto the pavement with the help of your party, and then move the SUV. One person can proceed to check in while the driver takes the vehicle to the hotel’s designated self-parking or valet, preventing you from blocking traffic.