Avis Car Hire
Detroit

After collecting your luggage at Detroit Metropolitan Airport, head to the Ground Transportation Center. Look for airport signage directing you to "Rental Cars." DTW consolidates its rental operations, so you'll board a dedicated shuttle bus that serves all the hire companies. These shuttles run continuously and will take you on a short ride directly to the rental car facility where the Avis desk is located.

From the baggage claim area in the McNamara Terminal, follow the signs for Ground Transportation. You will proceed to the multi-storey car park area via a skywalk. Once across the bridge you will find the designated pickup location for all rental car shuttles. These buses are clearly marked and will transport you to the separate rental car campus where you can complete your collection.

On arrival at the Evans Terminal (formerly the North Terminal), collect your bags and follow the overhead signs for Ground Transportation and Rental Car Shuttles. Exit the baggage claim level and cross the roadway to the Ground Transportation Center. There you will find clearly marked stops for the rental car shuttles. Board the appropriate bus for the short trip to the main rental car facility.

Arriving early at DTW can be calm, but it's sensible to remain observant. Even when terminals are quiet, the airport signage remains the best guide. Look for the standard symbols for ground transportation and rental cars. The rental car shuttles operate on a consistent schedule, even in the early hours, to accommodate arriving flights. Following the signs to the designated shuttle pickup zones will get you to the rental facility smoothly.

To ensure a smooth return, enter the specific address of the rental car facility into your sat nav rather than just "DTW Airport." This will guide you directly to the correct entrance for rental returns. As you get closer, also pay attention to road signs that specifically direct traffic to "Rental Car Return." Following these signs for the last stretch is the most reliable way to avoid confusing terminal loops.

For a more relaxed drive into downtown Detroit, you can use surface streets instead of immediately joining the motorway. A common alternative is taking Merriman Road north from the airport area. You can then turn east onto Michigan Avenue (US-12), a major thoroughfare that leads straight into the city centre. This route has traffic lights and lower speeds, giving you more time to acclimatise to the car and local traffic patterns.

The drive from DTW to downtown Detroit typically takes about 30 minutes in light traffic. However, during weekday rush hour, generally 7–9am and 4–6pm, you should plan for significant delays. It’s prudent to budget at least 60 to 75 minutes for the trip to a hotel in Greektown or near Campus Martius. This extra time accounts for potential congestion on the I-94 and the surface streets as you approach the city centre.

Getting from DTW to the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn is very direct. From the airport, take I-94 East for a few miles. Look for the exit for the Southfield Freeway (M-39) North. After a short drive on the Southfield Freeway you will see clear signs for the exit to Michigan Avenue. The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village are right off this exit, making it an easy and well-signposted trip.

To reach the riverfront from DTW with minimal confusion, take I-94 East towards Detroit. As you near downtown, instead of exiting directly into the central business district, continue onto I-75 South. From I-75 take the exit for Jefferson Avenue East. Jefferson Avenue runs parallel to the riverfront, providing direct access to Hart Plaza, the Renaissance Center and various parks without navigating the densest part of the one-way street grid.

When driving from DTW to Ann Arbor, the most common mistake is accidentally taking I-94 East towards Detroit instead of West towards Chicago. The signage leaving the rental facility can be complex. Ensure you are in the correct lane for I-94 West immediately after exiting the airport grounds. Once you are correctly heading west on I-94, the drive to Ann Arbor is very straightforward with several clearly marked exits for the city.

For a Lions game, driving to Ford Field is convenient if you plan ahead for parking. A reliable strategy is to take I-75 and exit near the stadium area, such as at the Grand River Avenue exit. Many fans prefer to park in the numerous lots and garages surrounding Comerica Park and the Fox Theatre district, which are just a short walk from Ford Field. Arriving early allows you to find a spot easily and enjoy the pre-match atmosphere around the stadiums.

Navigating to Little Caesars Arena for a Red Wings game involves anticipating downtown traffic. It’s best to arrive well before the game starts, as roads like Woodward Avenue and the I-75 service ramps get very congested. To manage post-match gridlock, consider parking a few blocks away from the arena, which can make for a quicker exit. Alternatively, wait around 30 minutes after the game for the initial traffic surge to clear before heading back to your car.

To ensure a low-stress experience when driving to a game at Comerica Park, plan to arrive at least 90 minutes before the first pitch. This gives you ample time to navigate downtown traffic, which builds significantly on match days. Arriving early also provides a much better selection of parking options in the lots and garages near the stadium. This buffer allows you to park, walk to the ballpark and find your seats without feeling rushed.

Driving to the revitalised Michigan Central Station in Corktown is generally straightforward, but it’s wise to check for local updates before you go. The area has seen significant development, which can mean occasional road works or diversions. On weekends or during events the neighbourhood becomes a popular destination, so parking can be more competitive. Using a sat nav app with real-time traffic will help you navigate any temporary changes and find the best route to available street or car park parking.

For a successful day trip to Belle Isle, timing is key. To avoid long entry lines, especially on warm weekends, plan to arrive in the morning, ideally before 11am. Once on the island, the most popular spots like the conservatory and aquarium have limited parking, so visiting them earlier in the day is your best bet. When leaving, try to depart before the late-afternoon rush to ensure a smooth exit back over the MacArthur Bridge and onto the motorway.

After collecting your hire car at DTW, there are several convenient places to stop for snacks, drinks and any forgotten travel items. The area along Merriman Road and Eureka Road, just north and east of the airport, has numerous options. You’ll find familiar grocery stores, large retail outlets and fast-food restaurants within a five- to ten-minute drive from the rental facility. This allows you to get everything you need before heading onto the motorway towards your final destination.

Arriving late at night means less traffic, which can make the drive from DTW to downtown Detroit quicker. However, navigating unfamiliar and quieter streets requires extra attention. It’s highly recommended to have your hotel’s address programmed into a sat nav before you leave the rental car lot. Use a navigation app with a night mode display to reduce glare. Stick to major, well-lit thoroughfares like the I-94 and Michigan Avenue for the most direct and visible route to your hotel.

Driving in Detroit for the first time is manageable, but it helps to be aware of a few local quirks. The most notable is the "Michigan left", where you turn left by first driving straight through an intersection and then making a U-turn at a designated crossover. Major avenues like Woodward and Gratiot are very wide with multiple lanes, so be sure of your lane choice well before a turn. Using a sat nav and paying close attention to signage will help you quickly adapt to the local driving style.

For a low-stress first day, consider exploring areas just outside the immediate city centre. Midtown, home to the Detroit Institute of Arts and Wayne State University, offers a more relaxed driving experience with well-signposted parking garages and on-street parking. The Eastern Market district, especially on a non-market day, is also easy to navigate. These neighbourhoods provide a great introduction to the city without the intensity of downtown’s one-way streets and event traffic.

When driving a hire car to Windsor, Canada, both the Ambassador Bridge and the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel are viable options. The tunnel often feels quicker as it surfaces directly in downtown Windsor, which is convenient for visiting restaurants and the waterfront. The bridge can be more susceptible to wind-related delays and carries more commercial truck traffic. Before your trip it’s essential to confirm with the rental company that your agreement permits cross-border travel into Canada.

Crossing the border into Canada and back can be unpredictable, so it’s crucial to build in a generous time buffer. During non-peak hours the process might take only 30 minutes each way. However, during weekday rush hours, weekends or holidays, wait times can easily exceed an hour or more. To be safe, check online border wait-time trackers before you go and plan for at least 60–90 minutes of potential delay for your return trip to Detroit.

The most direct route from DTW to the Ambassador Bridge is to take I-94 East towards Detroit. You will then merge onto I-75 South. As you approach the bridge, the signage becomes very important. The lanes for passenger vehicles are typically the left-most lanes, while the right lanes are often designated for commercial trucks. Pay close attention to the overhead signs that explicitly direct "Cars" to the correct lanes for the bridge entrance.

Hamtramck is a vibrant and dense city known for its fantastic food and music venues. In the evenings, parking can be competitive, especially along the main commercial street, Joseph Campau Avenue. While there is a good amount of on-street parking, you may need to drive down a side street to find an open spot. There are also some municipal lots available, so it’s a good idea to arrive a little early to give yourself time to find convenient parking.

Visiting the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) by car is very convenient due to its excellent parking facilities. The most practical option is the museum’s official parking garage, located just behind the building with an entrance on John R Street. This secure, underground lot offers easy access directly to the museum. If that lot is full, there are several other public parking structures and surface lots throughout the surrounding Midtown neighbourhood, all within a short walking distance.

The Motown Museum is located in a residential neighbourhood where on-street parking is the primary option. To avoid circling, it’s best to plan your visit for a weekday morning or early afternoon when demand is lower than at weekends. Be prepared to park a block or two away and enjoy a short walk. The museum also has a small, dedicated lot, but it fills up quickly, so relying on nearby street parking is the most realistic approach.

Saturday is the busiest day at Eastern Market and parking is at a premium. To secure a convenient spot in one of the main lots close to the sheds, aim to arrive by 8am at the latest. After this time the primary lots fill up rapidly, and you will likely need to find parking in private lots or on side streets further away. An early arrival not only guarantees better parking but also lets you experience the market with slightly smaller crowds.

Downtown Detroit is a hub for major events, which frequently lead to road closures, especially around Campus Martius, Hart Plaza and Woodward Avenue. If you plan to drive downtown during a festival or on a summer weekend, it is essential to check a local news source or the city’s website for traffic alerts before you go. Using a real-time sat nav is also crucial, as it will typically reroute you around active closures, saving you considerable time and frustration.

Navigating downtown Detroit requires staying alert to the various lane types. The QLINE streetcar runs along Woodward Avenue, so be mindful not to drive or park in its track lane. Protected cycle lanes are also common, so watch for cyclists when turning. The downtown grid has many one-way streets, making a reliable sat nav your best tool for turn-by-turn directions. Allow a few extra minutes for your drive to help you navigate calmly and safely to your destination.

For a road trip toward Lake Michigan, the most straightforward route from DTW is I-94 West. This major interstate is easy to access from the airport and will be your primary road for much of the journey across the state. The first hour of driving takes you through the suburbs of Detroit and past Ann Arbor. This stretch is well-maintained and provides a comfortable start to your trip before the scenery becomes more rural as you head west.

The drive from the Detroit area to Frankenmuth is about 90 minutes and is primarily on I-75 North. The route is a simple and direct motorway drive. For the return trip, the easiest time is typically mid-afternoon, before the Detroit evening rush hour begins around 4pm. If you stay for dinner in Frankenmuth, waiting to leave until after 6.30pm will also help you avoid the worst of the southbound traffic congestion as you get closer to the city.

Both Birmingham and Royal Oak are northern suburbs known for their vibrant, walkable high streets. The typical parking setup in both places consists of numerous public car parks and metered on-street parking. Once you park your car you can easily spend hours exploring the shops, restaurants and galleries on foot. Finding a spot in one of the central car park structures is usually the most convenient option for a longer visit.

First-time drivers in Detroit often find the major motorway interchanges, like the I-75/I-94 junction, to be complex with multiple lanes and quick decisions required. A key piece of advice is to use a sat nav and pay attention to lane guidance well in advance of the interchange. Knowing whether you need to be in a left or right exit lane a mile ahead can prevent last-minute, stressful lane changes. Also, be aware that traffic flow can be fast-paced, so merge deliberately and predictably.

If snow begins to fall while you're out, the first step is to adjust your driving and your schedule. Reduce your speed, increase the following distance between you and the vehicle ahead, and allow for much longer braking distances. Major motorways like the I-94 are usually a priority for snow ploughs, but it's wise to start heading back towards your accommodation earlier than planned. Check a local weather app for updates on the storm's intensity before making any long journeys.

To refuel before your return, look for petrol stations along Merriman Road or Eureka Road, which run adjacent to the airport property. These roads have several major-brand stations that are easily accessible without having to enter the main airport loop. After filling up, follow the clear signs for "Rental Car Return" to get back to the facility. This approach is far simpler than trying to find a station after you've already entered the complex airport road system.

To ensure a stress-free departure, plan to arrive at the rental car return facility at least 30 minutes earlier than you normally would for a flight. This buffer accounts for the time it takes to complete the vehicle return process, gather your luggage and wait for the shuttle. The shuttle ride back to the McNamara or Evans terminal can take 10–15 minutes, so building in this extra time is crucial for a calm and timely airport experience.

The most efficient sequence is to drop off passengers and luggage at the terminal's departures curb first. Airport regulations require the driver to stay with the vehicle, so make the drop-off quick. After passengers are out, the driver can then proceed alone to the rental car return facility. Following the prominent "Rental Car Return" signs from the terminal loop will guide them directly to the correct location without confusion.

The rental car return process at DTW is the same regardless of your departure terminal. You will return the vehicle to the central rental car facility where you picked it up. From there you will board one of the airport shuttles that serve the facility. These shuttles make stops at both the McNamara Terminal and the Evans Terminal, so simply listen for the announcement and get off at the correct stop for your departing airline.

To avoid the peak of morning rush hour for an early flight, the most reliable plan is to be on the road from downtown Detroit no later than 6:00am. Traffic on I-94 West starts to build significantly after that time. Leaving this early usually ensures a smooth, 30-minute drive to the airport. This gives you plenty of time to return your hire car and get through security without the added stress of unexpected traffic delays.

After leaving the DTW rental car facility, the most convenient area for a quick bite or coffee is along Eureka Road, just a few minutes' drive east of the airport. This main road is lined with a wide variety of familiar fast-food chains, coffee shops and casual restaurants. You can easily pull off, get what you need and then get back on the road towards I-94 or I-275 to begin your journey without a significant detour.