Budget Car Hire
Newport News

Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport (PHF) has a single terminal, which makes finding your hire car straightforward. The rental car desks are located inside the terminal in the baggage claim area. After you collect your luggage you will see the desks for all major rental agencies, including Budget. Once the paperwork is complete, staff will direct you to the adjacent car park where the vehicles are located, a short walk from the terminal doors.

The process at Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport is generally efficient due to the airport’s modest size. On a typical weekday afternoon you can usually expect the whole process to take between 30 and 45 minutes. That includes deplaning, walking to baggage claim, waiting for bags and completing the hire agreement at the desk. The walk to the rental car lot is very short, so once you have the keys you can be on your way quickly.

For a smooth late-night pickup it’s wise to confirm the rental desk’s opening hours when you make your reservation. Have your driving licence and reservation details ready to speed things up at the desk. The drive from PHF into most parts of Newport News is straightforward and typically takes only 10–15 minutes. Major roads such as Jefferson Avenue are well lit and traffic is usually very light, making for a low-stress start to your visit.

To ensure you get away smoothly, it’s a good strategy to set your GPS to a major nearby road rather than your final destination initially. A useful first target is the junction of Jefferson Avenue and Bland Boulevard, the main artery just outside the airport. Once you are correctly heading north or south on Jefferson Avenue (VA-143) you can then input your final address. This helps you clear the airport’s internal roads before the GPS starts giving more complex directions.

The most direct and well signed route to the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT) from the Newport News area is to join Interstate 64 East. Follow the overhead signs for I-64 East towards Norfolk and Virginia Beach. To avoid last-minute lane changes it’s best to move into one of the middle lanes as you approach the Hampton area. The signage for the tunnel is large and clear, making it the most straightforward path for visitors.

Traffic at the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel can be highly unpredictable, especially during summer and on holiday weekends. Weekday rush hours, typically 6–9am eastbound and 3–6pm westbound, often see significant delays. For the most stress-free crossing aim for mid‑day between 10am and 2pm on a weekday. It’s always a good idea to check a live traffic app on your phone just before you depart.

Driving directly from PHF to Williamsburg is very straightforward and is often the most relaxing option after a flight. The route is a straight shot west on Interstate 64 and takes about 25–30 minutes. However, if you need supplies there are numerous large shopping centres with supermarkets and pharmacies at the first few exits off I-64 in Newport News. A quick stop is very convenient and doesn’t add much complexity to your journey.

To comfortably see the Historic Triangle in one day an early start is essential. A good plan is to drive first to Jamestown Settlement in the morning when you’ll have most energy for its extensive exhibits. From there take the scenic Colonial Parkway to Colonial Williamsburg for lunch and an afternoon of exploration. In the late afternoon you can continue on the parkway to the Yorktown Battlefield for a driving tour and to see the waterfront as the day winds down.

The most straightforward parking solution for Colonial Williamsburg is to drive straight to the official Visitor Centre. It has a large car park with ample space and you can buy admission tickets there. From the Visitor Centre a complimentary shuttle bus runs continuously, taking you directly to the heart of the Historic Area. This approach lets you avoid the stress of searching for limited and often confusing on‑street parking downtown.

On busy days at Busch Gardens, particularly weekends and bank holidays, plan to arrive before the park opens to secure a better parking spot and avoid the longest entry queues. The main entrance to the car parks is directly off Route 60. It’s best to follow the large, official Busch Gardens signs rather than relying solely on your GPS as you get close. Park staff will direct traffic into various lots and following their guidance is the quickest way to get parked.

The most direct route for a first‑time visitor is to take Interstate 64 East from Newport News. This leads you through the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel into Norfolk. Once through the tunnel continue on I-64 and then follow the signage to merge onto Interstate 264 East. This motorway, also known as the Virginia Beach Expressway, will take you all the way to the Virginia Beach seafront.

To avoid the frustration of hunting for parking at the Virginia Beach seafront, your best bet is to use the city’s municipal parking garages and lots. These are conveniently located every few blocks along Pacific Avenue, just one block from the beach. Arriving earlier in the day, particularly before 11am on a summer weekend, greatly increases your chances of finding a spot easily. Many of these garages have electronic signs at the entrance indicating if they are full.

When heading to a Norfolk event, planning your parking ahead of time is key. First identify the venue and search online for its recommended parking garages, such as the Scope Arena Garage or the MacArthur Center garages. Plan to leave Newport News early enough to add at least 30–45 extra minutes for potential tunnel traffic. Aim to arrive in Norfolk about an hour before your event to give yourself plenty of time to park and walk to the venue without rushing.

The most user-friendly route is to take I-64 East through the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel to Norfolk. From there merge onto I-264 West towards Downtown Norfolk. Take the Waterside Drive exit, which will place you directly on the main road running along the waterfront. This route allows you to easily access attractions like Nauticus and Town Point Park while avoiding much of the downtown one‑way street grid.

Both the Mariners’ Museum and Newport News Park are exceptionally easy to visit with a hire car. Each location offers large, free car parks located very close to the main entrances, so you can expect minimal walking. They are situated on major local roads, J. Clyde Morris Boulevard and Jefferson Avenue respectively. Getting back onto these main thoroughfares or connecting to Interstate 64 is simple and clearly signed.

For a morning flight out of PHF, a safe plan is to leave your location in Newport News about two hours before your flight’s departure time. This provides a comfortable buffer for any unexpected traffic on Interstate 64 or Jefferson Avenue. It also allows about 15–20 minutes to refuel the car and 15 minutes for the rental return process, leaving you with plenty of time to check in and get through security without feeling rushed.

You’ll find several convenient petrol stations within a five‑minute drive of the airport entrance. The stations along Jefferson Avenue (VA‑143) and Denbigh Boulevard are excellent choices. Many are situated on corners with traffic lights or have large forecourts, making it easy to get in and out. These stations are used to hire car traffic and provide a hassle‑free option for refuelling right before your return.

The rental return area at PHF is relatively small and well signed, but if you do get disoriented don’t worry. The best course of action is to drive slowly through the designated return loop and look carefully for your company’s signs. If you miss your turn, the airport’s road layout makes it easy to circle around and try again. In a pinch you can pull into any rental lane and an agent will kindly point you in the right direction.

A great strategy for a smooth return is to first drive to the terminal’s departures curb. Here one adult can get out with the children and all the luggage while the other adult takes the car for the return. This minimises the distance the kids and bags have to travel. After completing the quick vehicle return process just a short walk away, the driver can easily rejoin the family inside the terminal at the check‑in desk.

Before pulling out of the rental lot, take a moment to get comfortable with the car’s controls. Adjust your mirrors, locate the headlight switch and pair your phone with the car’s Bluetooth for hands‑free navigation. Since headlights are required in the tunnels, it’s good to know how to turn them on beforehand. Also ensure any personal toll transponders are properly mounted on the windscreen to avoid issues in express lanes.

The simplest and most direct route to Richmond is Interstate 64 West. This major highway offers a straight path from the heart of the Peninsula directly into the Richmond metro area. The road is well maintained and has multiple lanes for most of the journey. You’ll also find plenty of well signed rest areas and service stations along the way, making for a comfortable and low‑stress drive.

A day trip to Washington, D.C. is ambitious but possible with an early start. The drive is about three hours each way without traffic, so leaving Newport News before 6am is advisable. A practical plan is to drive to a Metro station in the Virginia suburbs, such as Franconia‑Springfield or Wiehle‑Reston East. You can park your hire car in their large garages for the day and take the Metro into the city, avoiding D.C.’s notorious traffic and expensive parking.

The most straightforward route is to take Interstate 64 East from Newport News towards Chesapeake. From I‑64 you’ll take the exit for Virginia Route 168 South, the Chesapeake Expressway. This is a direct, multi‑lane road that flows seamlessly into U.S. Route 158 East in North Carolina. This path is the primary route for holidaymakers and is very well signed, leading you directly towards Kitty Hawk and the main Outer Banks communities.

Before you head for the Chesapeake Bay Bridge‑Tunnel be aware that it is a 17.6‑mile crossing with a substantial toll collected each way. It’s a good idea to check the official CBBT website for any weather‑related restrictions, as high winds can sometimes impact travel. The drive is incredibly scenic but also very exposed, so be prepared for a unique experience over open water. Ensure you allow ample time in your schedule as it is not a quick crossing.

When heading west on Interstate 64 towards Richmond, there is a large, modern rest area near New Kent County that makes a perfect first stop. It offers clean facilities, vending machines and picnic areas with very easy access from the motorway. If you are travelling north on Interstate 95, the rest area near Carson, south of Petersburg, is another excellent and well maintained option. Both are designed for traveller convenience and safety.

Before you arrive it’s a good idea to call your hotel and ask a few key questions about their parking. Ask whether their parking is on‑site or in a nearby garage and if there is a daily charge. It’s also helpful to know if you will have in‑and‑out privileges, allowing you to come and go as you please. Getting these details in advance helps you plan your arrival and budget for any extra costs.

A practical plan is to leave Newport News at least four hours before your scheduled cruise boarding time. This builds in a generous cushion for potential delays at the Hampton Roads Bridge‑Tunnel. Drive on I‑64 East and follow signs for I‑264 West to Downtown Norfolk, then take the Waterside Drive exit. The Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center is well signed from there and you can proceed directly to the designated cruise parking garage adjacent to the terminal.

To efficiently make multiple stops around the Peninsula try to plan your route using major surface streets instead of relying solely on the interstate. Arterial roads like Jefferson Avenue, Warwick Boulevard and Mercury Boulevard run parallel to I‑64 and can be much faster for local trips. Group your errands geographically to avoid criss‑crossing the city. This approach helps you bypass frequent congestion points on the interstate, especially near the Hampton bridges.

A frequent point of confusion for visitors is the major split between I‑64 and I‑664 in Hampton. To avoid a mistake pay close attention to the large overhead signs well in advance of the interchange. Remember that I‑64 East continues toward the Hampton Roads Bridge‑Tunnel for Norfolk and Virginia Beach. I‑664 South is the route you need for the Monitor‑Merrimac Memorial Bridge‑Tunnel, leading toward Suffolk and Chesapeake. Keeping your GPS active with the volume up can help provide timely lane guidance.

Sudden, intense rainstorms are common in Hampton Roads and can cause roads to flood quickly, a phenomenon known as ponding. If you encounter a downpour that reduces visibility or makes you uncomfortable the safest plan is to pull off the highway at the next exit. Find a safe, public place such as a shopping centre or petrol station forecourt to wait for the storm to ease. It’s always better to delay your trip by 15–20 minutes than to risk driving in unsafe conditions.

Driving in Hampton Roads you’ll notice that traffic is more assertive, particularly when approaching tunnels and major interchanges. Drivers often wait until the last moment to merge, so it’s wise to be defensive. The best strategy for a visitor is to choose your needed lane well in advance and stay in it. Maintain a safe following distance to give yourself plenty of room to react to sudden braking or late mergers.

To streamline the process with a large group designate one or two people as the drivers to go and collect the vehicle from the rental lot. The rest of the group can wait with all the luggage at the passenger pickup curb just outside the baggage claim doors. Once the drivers bring the car around you can load everything and everyone at the curb, which is far less congested than trying to manage it all within the tighter confines of the rental car stalls.

Many of the area’s best attractions are very car‑friendly. The Virginia Living Museum, the Mariners’ Museum and Park, and the Peninsula Fine Arts Center all feature large, complimentary car parks directly on their sites. Additionally, Newport News Park, one of the largest municipal parks in the country, has abundant free parking throughout its grounds. These destinations make for a stress‑free outing because you never have to worry about finding a place to park.

A sensible approach is to dedicate separate days to each location to minimise driving fatigue. Spend one or two full days exploring the Historic Triangle (Williamsburg, Jamestown, Yorktown), as they are all located close together on the Peninsula. On a different day plan your trip to Virginia Beach as its own excursion. This prevents you from having to make the 45–60 minute drive through the tunnel back and forth on the same day, allowing for a more relaxed experience in each area.

For the best light plan to arrive on site about 30 minutes before sunrise. The drive from Newport News at that hour is typically free of traffic and should take around 20–25 minutes via the scenic Colonial Parkway. Car parks at both Yorktown Battlefield and Historic Jamestowne are generally open and accessible early in the morning, often before the visitor centres officially open. This allows you to park easily and walk to your desired vantage point.

While most major routes are free there are several key toll facilities to be aware of. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge‑Tunnel has a significant toll, as do the Downtown and Midtown tunnels between Norfolk and Portsmouth. The Chesapeake Expressway (Route 168) heading towards the Outer Banks is also a toll road. You can use the 'avoid tolls' feature on your GPS and sticking to I‑64 and I‑664 for crossing the water will keep you on non‑tolled routes.

Newport News is perfectly situated for a balanced trip. You can dedicate one day to city attractions like the museums along J. Clyde Morris Boulevard or the shopping and dining at City Centre. For your nature day you only need to drive a few minutes to Newport News Park, which offers miles of walking trails, or the Noland Trail at the Mariners’ Museum. This allows you to experience two very different environments without spending a lot of time in the car.

When your travel involves crossing a bridge‑tunnel building in a generous time cushion is essential. For a meeting in Norfolk, which requires using the Hampton Roads Bridge‑Tunnel, it’s wise to add at least 45 to 60 minutes to the GPS‑estimated travel time. This accounts for the high probability of congestion or unexpected delays. For a meeting in Hampton, which is on the same side of the water, a 20‑minute buffer is usually sufficient for local traffic.

If you miss your exit the most important thing is to stay calm and not make any sudden or unsafe manoeuvres. Do not try to cut across lanes or reverse. Simply continue driving over the bridge or through the tunnel and take the next available exit. You can then pull over in a safe spot to adjust your GPS, which will quickly calculate a new route to get you back on track with only a minor delay.

The Newport News/Williamsburg airport is very compact, making this transition quite easy. After you’ve completed the vehicle return process you’ll find luggage trolleys available either in the rental lot or just inside the terminal entrance. You can load your bags onto a trolley for the short, indoor walk to the airline check‑in desks. The entire distance is on one level so you won’t have to navigate any stairs or lifts with your luggage.