Alamo Car Hire
Portsmouth

On arrival at Portsmouth International Airport, head to the baggage reclaim area after disembarking. There are clear signs for “Rental Cars” in the main terminal building. PSM is a compact, easy-to-navigate airport, so the rental counters are a short walk from where you collect your luggage. Once you have completed the rental process at the counter, an agent will direct you to the adjacent lot where your vehicle will be waiting.

As a general guideline, allow approximately 45 to 60 minutes from the time your plane lands to when you are driving away. This covers the time to disembark, walk to baggage reclaim, wait for your luggage and then proceed to the rental counter. The process at the counter is typically efficient, but this buffer accounts for short queues or baggage delays, ensuring a relaxed start to your trip.

For a smooth group arrival, the most efficient method is for the designated driver to head directly to the Alamo rental counter after disembarking. While they handle the paperwork, the rest of the group can go to baggage reclaim to collect all luggage. The group can then wait comfortably in the arrivals area near the terminal exit until the driver brings the rental vehicle to the passenger pickup kerb.

Airport rental car locations are accustomed to accommodating late-evening arrivals. You can expect the rental counter to be open for scheduled arrivals. The rental car lots at PSM are well lit to ensure your safety and to make it easy to locate your vehicle. Signage will direct you from the counter to the pickup area, and your rental agreement will specify the exact location of your car.

For the most straightforward drive, exit the airport and follow Pease Boulevard to I-95 South. You will only be on the motorway a very short distance before taking Exit 7 for the Portsmouth Traffic Circle. In the traffic circle, keep to the right and follow signs for Downtown/Route 1 Bypass North. This route will lead you directly towards the heart of central Portsmouth, avoiding complex side streets.

The drive from Portsmouth to the Kittery Outlets is very quick, usually taking about 10 to 15 minutes in normal traffic. You cross the Piscataqua River Bridge on I-95 North into Maine. However, parking can be challenging during peak periods such as summer weekends or public holidays. Car parks can fill up rapidly, so it’s best to arrive early in the day or be prepared to park in a more distant car park and walk a short distance.

The most effective strategy is to park once and explore the city on foot. A good option is to use a centrally located public car park, such as the Hanover Street Garage. From there you can easily walk to Market Square, Strawbery Banke Museum, Prescott Park and the scenic waterfront. This approach removes the stress of finding multiple parking spots and lets you fully enjoy the city’s historic, walkable layout.

The streets immediately surrounding Market Square, like Congress and Daniel Streets, can be the most challenging due to heavy pedestrian traffic, frequent stops and tight turns. To bypass this congested core when travelling across town, it’s often easier to use peripheral roads. Using Maplewood Avenue or the Route 1 Bypass allows you to navigate around the busiest downtown sections, saving time and reducing driving stress.

When staying in Portsmouth’s historic district, it’s a good idea to contact your inn ahead of time to ask about parking and unloading instructions. Many historic properties have limited space. A practical approach is to pull up briefly to the entrance to unload luggage at the kerb. After your bags are out, you can then proceed to the designated parking area, which may be a short walk away.

The drive to Ogunquit is scenic but can be prone to heavy traffic, especially on summer weekends. The main route, US-1, passes through several popular towns and slowdowns are common. The most significant bottlenecks typically occur in the centre of York and as you enter Ogunquit, where traffic narrows and converges. To avoid the worst of it, plan to leave Portsmouth very early in the morning or consider visiting on a weekday.

To catch a sunrise from a White Mountains peak you’ll need a very early start, likely leaving Portsmouth between 03:00 and 04:00. The drive to popular trailheads near North Conway or along the Kancamagus Highway typically takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. For a general early-morning hike, leaving by 07:00 is advisable to avoid traffic and, importantly, to secure a parking space at the trailhead, as car parks for popular hikes fill up quickly.

The stretch of I-95 from Portsmouth to Portland is generally well maintained but requires attentive driving. Be prepared for sudden slowdowns, particularly around the toll plaza in Maine and near exits for popular coastal towns like York and Kennebunk. Traffic merging onto the motorway from these busy exits can cause unexpected backups, so maintain a safe following distance and stay alert.

Yes, Portsmouth is an exceptionally convenient starting point for a Maine coastal road trip. After picking up your car at PSM you are just minutes from I-95, the primary artery heading north. This allows you to immediately begin your journey towards iconic destinations like York, Kennebunkport and Portland. Its strategic location makes it a logical and efficient gateway for exploring the entire Maine coast up to Acadia National Park.

The least stressful way to visit Boston from Portsmouth is to use the city’s public transport. Drive south on I-95 and then follow signs to a large MBTA car park at a station outside the city centre, such as Alewife Station on the Red Line or Wonderland Station on the Blue Line. You can park there for the day and take the subway into central Boston, completely avoiding the city’s notorious traffic and expensive parking.

To avoid parking difficulties in Salem, especially during the busy season, it’s best to arrive early and head straight to the large public car park near the Salem Visitor Centre. This provides central, all-day parking. An alternative is to drive to a nearby town with a commuter rail station, such as Beverly, and take the train one stop into Salem. This lets you bypass the city’s traffic and parking congestion entirely.

The drive from Portsmouth to Newburyport typically takes about 30 minutes. From Newburyport it’s another 30-minute drive to Rockport. In Newburyport visitors usually find parking in the municipal lots near the waterfront. Parking in Rockport is more challenging, especially near the Bearskin Neck area; many visitors use paid lots on the edge of town and enjoy the scenic walk into the centre.

A great way to see the Seacoast without backtracking is to create a scenic loop. From Portsmouth drive south on Route 1A, which runs along the coast through Rye and North Hampton. After enjoying Hampton Beach, take Route 101 West for a few miles to connect with I-95 North. This provides a quick and direct motorway route back to Portsmouth, completing an efficient and enjoyable loop.

First-time visitors should be mindful of the extensive network of one-way streets in the town centre, so it’s helpful to use a sat-nav. The Portsmouth Traffic Circle can also be intimidating; the key is to give way to cars already in the circle and know which exit you need ahead of time. Finally, always be alert for pedestrians, as they frequently cross at both marked and unmarked crossings throughout the bustling centre.

Yes, you can find lighter traffic at certain times. On weekdays the period between the morning and lunch rush, roughly from 10:00 to 12:00, is often calmer. Mid-afternoon, from about 14:00 to 16:00, is also typically a good window. Early mornings before 07:30 are generally clear, while summer weekend afternoons can be consistently busy, especially on routes leading to and from the coast.

On a summer weekend parking in Portsmouth can be very competitive, and the main public car parks and garages often fill up by late morning. The most common strategy is to arrive early to secure a space in a central location like the Hanover Street Garage. If you arrive later, be prepared to look for on-street parking further from the downtown core and enjoy a 10- to 15-minute walk into the main shopping and dining area.

For kerbside drop-offs it’s helpful to plan your route in advance so you approach on the correct side of the road. This allows passengers to exit the vehicle safely onto the pavement. Many areas have designated loading zones suitable for a quick stop. After dropping off your passengers, the driver can then proceed to a car park, minimising the walking distance for those with mobility concerns.

The most practical solution is to use your rental car as a secure place to store your luggage. After checking out of your hotel, place your bags in the boot of the car. Then park in a central public car park for a few hours. This allows you to enjoy a final meal, do some last-minute shopping or take a walk along the waterfront without being burdened by your luggage before you need to head to the airport.

Coastal fog can appear suddenly and become very dense, significantly reducing visibility, especially on bridges and open stretches of road such as Route 1A. During rain roads can become slippery, increasing stopping distances. In either condition it is crucial to slow down, use your dipped headlights to be more visible to others, and increase the distance between your vehicle and the one in front.

In winter always assume that wet-looking roads could be icy, a condition known as black ice. This is especially true on bridges, overpasses and shaded areas. After a snowfall main roads are usually cleared promptly, but local streets may remain snow-covered. It’s essential to drive at a reduced speed, allow for much longer stopping distances, and avoid any sudden braking or sharp turns.

The bridges connecting Portsmouth to Maine, particularly the I-95 bridge, are major traffic arteries that can become significant bottlenecks. During peak commuter hours on weekdays and throughout the day on summer weekends, crossing these bridges can add anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes to your travel time. It’s always a good idea to check a real-time traffic app before you depart if you’re travelling during these busy periods.

The most direct route is to take I-95 North to the York exit and then follow the scenic coastal roads towards Sohier Park. The lighthouse has a dedicated parking area, but it is quite small and fills up very quickly, especially during summer and at weekends. To secure a spot without circling it’s highly recommended to visit early in the morning or during the shoulder seasons when there are fewer crowds.

The best strategy is to park once and explore on foot. Strawbery Banke Museum has its own dedicated car park on Hancock Street, which is the most convenient option. Alternatively the public lots for Prescott Park or the larger Hanover Street Garage are just a short, pleasant walk away. Parking in any of these spots allows you to easily access the museum, the park and the entire waterfront area without needing to move your car.

For larger vehicles the Hanover Street Garage is often a reliable and less stressful option. Its entrances and driving lanes are generally more spacious compared with some of the smaller, tighter lots in the downtown area. When driving a larger vehicle it’s always wise to proceed slowly into any garage, pay close attention to posted clearance heights, and take turns a little wider than you would in a smaller car.

A very convenient place to stock up is the commercial area surrounding the Portsmouth Traffic Circle, which you will pass shortly after leaving the airport. This area contains several major supermarkets, pharmacies and large retail outlets. Stopping here allows you to get all your necessary supplies in one trip before continuing on to your final destination on the Seacoast, avoiding the need to navigate downtown streets with a full car.

When driving to a time-sensitive event on the Seacoast, especially at the weekend, it’s crucial to build in a generous time buffer. Check your navigation app for the estimated travel time and then add at least 30 to 45 minutes to that estimate. This extra time will account for potential traffic delays on popular coastal routes, unexpected slowdowns and the time needed to find parking at the venue, ensuring a timely and stress-free arrival.

The simplest and most stress-free plan is to have your friends take the C&J Bus Lines service from Boston Logan Airport (BOS) directly to the Portsmouth Transportation Centre. This is a comfortable, reliable coach that drops them off at a very accessible location in Portsmouth. You can meet them there, completely avoiding the difficult traffic and confusing layout of driving into Logan Airport yourself.

For a low-stress family day, park for the day at the lots near Prescott Park. This location offers wide-open green spaces, playgrounds and lovely waterfront views, perfect for breaks. From there it’s an easy, flat walk to Strawbery Banke Museum and the main town area for lunch or ice cream. This plan centres your activities in one walkable area, minimising car time and keeping everyone happy.

For straightforward access and convenient parking, Wallis Sands State Beach in Rye is an excellent choice. It features a large, dedicated car park right next to the beach, minimising the distance you have to carry your gear. Jenness State Beach, also in Rye, is another great option with ample metered parking directly along the roadside, just steps from the sand. Both are typically less congested than beaches further south.

The most practical approach is to park once in a central public car park, like the Hanover Street Garage. From there a great number of Portsmouth’s best restaurants and several excellent breweries are within comfortable walking distance in the downtown and West End neighbourhoods. For any breweries located further out, using a rideshare service is a smart and safe choice, allowing you to enjoy yourself without worrying about driving.

For a smooth return with family, follow the signs for “Rental Car Return” as you enter the airport. You can first pull up to the terminal departure kerb to drop off your family and all the luggage. While they head inside to the check-in counter, the driver can then take the car on the short loop to the designated Alamo return area to complete the quick and easy drop-off process.

During peak travel times like a holiday weekend or in the middle of summer, it’s sensible to add an extra 20 to 30 minutes to your rental car return schedule. The roads leading to the airport may have heavier traffic, and there could be a short queue of other vehicles at the return lane. This small buffer helps ensure you can return the car and get to your flight without feeling rushed.

There’s no need to worry if you miss a turn at PSM, as the airport has a simple and forgiving road layout. Do not make a sudden stop or an unsafe U‑turn. Simply continue following the main airport road, which is designed as a one‑way loop. It will automatically and safely guide you back around to the main entrance, allowing you to make the correct turn on your second approach.

Before heading into more rural areas, take a few moments in the rental lot to get acquainted with your vehicle. Confirm the fuel tank is full and note what type of fuel it uses. It’s also sensible to locate the controls for the headlights, windscreen wipers and hazard lights. Finally, adjust your mirrors and connect your phone to the car’s system for navigation before you start your drive.

To create an efficient route plan your stops in a logical geographic sequence, either north‑to‑south or south‑to‑north. For example, travel down the coast on the scenic Route 1A, making all your stops along the way. Then, for your return trip use a more direct inland route such as US‑1 or I‑95. This creates a loop and prevents you from having to backtrack or make difficult left turns across busy traffic.

A manageable three‑day loop would be to drive from Portsmouth to the White Mountains on day one, a journey of about 1.5 to 2 hours. On day two enjoy a scenic drive from the mountains to Portland, Maine, which also takes about 2 hours, leaving plenty of time for sightseeing. The final leg on day three, from Portland back down to Portsmouth, is a simple and quick 1‑hour drive on I‑95, making for a well‑paced and enjoyable trip.