Dollar Car Hire
Harrisburg

Once you have collected your luggage from the baggage reclaim area, you can proceed directly to the car rental counters. The Dollar service desk is conveniently located right in the terminal building on the baggage reclaim level. You will complete your paperwork there with an agent. After that, you will be directed to the adjacent parking garage where the hire vehicles are staged for pick-up.

The initial pick-up process for your Dollar hire is conveniently located inside the terminal at Harrisburg International Airport. The car rental counters, including Dollar's, are situated on the baggage reclaim level, making it easy to find after you retrieve your bags. The vehicles themselves are parked in the attached public parking garage, which is just a short, covered walk from the counter area, so no shuttle bus is required.

Finding the Dollar car hire area at MDT, even late at night, is quite straightforward. As you exit your gate and head towards the main terminal, simply follow the overhead airport signage for "Baggage Claim" and "Ground Transportation". Once you are on the baggage reclaim level, you will see prominent signs directing you to the "Rental Cars" section. The counters are well lit and clearly marked by brand, making them easy to spot.

On a typical weekday at Harrisburg International Airport, a realistic timeline from deplaning to driving away in your hire car is usually between 30 and 45 minutes. This accounts for the time it takes to walk to baggage reclaim, wait for your luggage, and complete the rental agreement at the counter. The process can be quicker if you are travelling with only a carry-on or if you arrive during a less busy period. Having your reservation information and driving licence ready will help speed things up at the counter.

A great meeting spot for a group at MDT is the baggage reclaim area. You can designate a specific baggage carousel number, even if you don't have checked bags, as it provides a clear, numbered landmark. Alternatively, meeting directly in the seating area in front of the car rental counters is another excellent option. This allows the primary driver to begin the check-in process while waiting for the rest of the party to arrive.

The most convenient place for the rest of your party to wait is in the public seating area located on the baggage reclaim level, directly opposite the car rental counters. This spot keeps everyone and the luggage out of the direct queue for the rental desk but still within close proximity and sight. It allows the designated driver to handle the paperwork efficiently while the group can relax comfortably nearby before heading to the garage to get the car.

After you complete your rental agreement at the Dollar counter, the agent will provide you with a specific bay or row number for your vehicle. The hire cars are located in the parking garage connected to the terminal. The garage is well organised with clear signage for rows and sections, making it easy to navigate. Simply follow the signs to your designated row to locate your car quickly and efficiently.

Before you exit the parking garage, you can take a moment in your assigned parking bay to get organised. This is the safest and easiest place to set up your phone's navigation and adjust your mirrors and seat. If you prefer to do this after exiting the garage, Harrisburg International Airport has a cell phone lot just a short drive from the terminal area. Following the signs to this lot provides a safe, out-of-the-way place to pull over and prepare for your drive.

The most frequent mistake visitors make when leaving MDT is accidentally getting back into the arrivals or departures loop instead of exiting the airport complex entirely. To avoid this, pay close attention to the overhead signs as you leave the car rental garage. Make sure to follow the signs specifically for "Airport Exit" and for the road you need, such as PA-283. Using your sat nav from the moment you start the car will also help prevent these simple navigational errors.

To ensure your navigation system directs you away from the airport complex, it’s a good idea to set your first destination to a point just outside the airport grounds. A reliable option is to enter a petrol station or coffee shop in the nearby town of Middletown, which is only a couple of miles away. This forces the sat nav to calculate a clear route onto the main roads, like PA-283, and prevents it from getting confused by the airport’s internal road system.

The drive from MDT to downtown Harrisburg is very straightforward and primarily uses major roads. You will take PA-283 West from the airport, which merges into I-283 North. From there, follow signs for I-83 South towards Harrisburg. After crossing the Susquehanna River on the John Harris Memorial Bridge, take the exit for 2nd Street, which leads you directly into the heart of downtown. This route is well signed and minimises complex city-street navigation.

For a simple drive to Hershey, take PA-283 East from the airport towards Lancaster. After about nine miles, take the clearly marked exit for PA-743 North, which leads you directly into Hershey. The drive is generally smooth, but you should expect increased traffic on PA-743 as you get closer to Hersheypark and Chocolate World, especially at weekends, on holidays, or during major concerts and events.

For a visit to the Pennsylvania State Capitol, the most convenient option is to use one of the nearby public parking garages. The South Street Garage and the Walnut Street Garage are both excellent choices, situated just a few blocks from the Capitol Complex. These facilities offer hourly parking and allow you to leave your car in a secure spot while you explore the Capitol building and the surrounding area on foot.

A great 'park once' strategy for downtown Harrisburg is to use a public garage near the junction of 2nd and Walnut Streets. This area, often called Restaurant Row, is centrally located. After parking your car, you are just a short walk from the many restaurants on 2nd Street, the beautiful walking paths of Riverfront Park, the State Museum of Pennsylvania, and the State Capitol Complex. This approach saves you the hassle of finding new parking for each attraction.

Visiting City Island by car is very convenient. You can drive directly onto the island using the Market Street Bridge and will find large surface car parks available right on the island itself. Once you park, the entire island is extremely walkable. You can easily stroll to the FNB Field ballpark, the Pride of the Susquehanna Riverboat, mini golf, and other recreational facilities without needing to move your car again.

To find the easiest parking at Broad Street Market, it’s best to arrive early in the day, especially on a Saturday. Aim to get there shortly after it opens, typically between 8:00 and 9:00. At this time, you’ll have a better chance of finding a space in the adjacent market car park or on nearby streets. The market gets progressively busier towards lunchtime, making parking more challenging.

Downtown Harrisburg features a grid system with many one-way streets, such as Front, 2nd, and 3rd Streets, which run parallel to the river. Modern phone navigation apps are very accurate in this area and will reliably guide you through the one-way patterns. It’s important to pay attention to both your GPS and posted street signs, especially for turn-only lanes, to ensure you are in the correct position for your next manoeuvre.

The bridges connecting Harrisburg with the West Shore communities are major traffic arteries and can significantly affect journey times during peak hours. During the morning commute (roughly 7:00-9:00) and the evening commute (4:00-6:00), expect congestion and potential delays on bridges such as the I-83 bridge, the Harvey Taylor Bridge, and the Market Street Bridge. It’s wise to add 15-20 minutes to your estimated travel time if you need to cross the river during these periods.

The process for visiting Hersheypark is well organised for drivers. As you approach the park, follow the large, clear signs directing you to the official parking lots. You’ll typically pay a flat daily rate at a toll plaza before being guided to a parking space by attendants. From most sections of the general car park, a complimentary tram service runs continuously, taking you directly to the park’s main entrance for a hassle-free arrival.

Driving to Hershey’s Chocolate World is simple from both Harrisburg and MDT. Once you arrive in Hershey, follow the specific signs for Chocolate World, which has its own dedicated car park separate from the main Hersheypark lot. Parking is often free for the first few hours if you are only visiting Chocolate World, making it a very convenient and easy stop. The entrance is just a short walk from this dedicated lot.

The most direct route for a day trip to Gettysburg is to take US-15 South from the Harrisburg area. It’s a dual carriageway for most of the journey and takes about an hour. For the easiest parking strategy, make the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center your first destination. It has a very large, free car park and serves as the perfect starting point for tours, whether by coach, by car, or on foot.

The best way for first-time visitors to tour the Gettysburg battlefield by car is to follow the official Auto Tour route. Start at the National Park Service Visitor Center to pick up a map that clearly marks the route and its 16 key stops. The roads on the tour are well marked with signs, making it easy to follow the intended path. This self-guided tour is designed to present the battle chronologically and ensures you won’t miss the most significant monuments and locations.

For exploring Lancaster County, towns such as Lititz, Intercourse, and Bird-in-Hand are excellent choices for walkability. Lititz has a charming town centre with plenty of on-street parking and several public car parks, making it easy to park once and explore the shops and park. In Intercourse and Bird-in-Hand, the main attractions are clustered along the main road, and you can typically find parking at the large markets or groups of shops you wish to visit.

For a low-stress drive to Philadelphia, taking the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76 East) is the most direct route. To simplify your arrival, pre-select a specific parking garage near your destination and enter its address into your sat nav. This avoids the stress of searching for parking in a busy city. As you approach Philadelphia, the Turnpike will lead you to major arteries like the Schuylkill Expressway (I-76), and your sat nav can provide turn-by-turn directions directly into the garage.

When visiting York for a day trip, the most convenient places to park are the three main public parking garages in the town centre. The Market Street, Philadelphia Street, and King Street garages are all centrally located and well maintained. Parking in any of these will put you within easy walking distance of key attractions like the Central Market House, the Appell Center for the Performing Arts, and the city’s historic district.

Driving from Harrisburg to State College on a Penn State game weekend requires planning for heavy traffic. The primary route, US-322 West, can become very congested, especially on Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings, potentially doubling your journey time. Once you arrive, on-site parking is typically in large grass fields managed by the university. Be sure to follow the extensive signage and directions from parking attendants to your designated lot.

If you are driving from MDT to the West Shore communities such as Camp Hill or Mechanicsburg during peak commute hours, you should anticipate some slowdowns. The drive involves crossing the Susquehanna River on I-83, which is a common bottleneck. In addition, major roads on the West Shore, such as the Carlisle Pike (US-11) and US-15, experience typical suburban congestion during the morning and evening rush, so it’s wise to allow extra time.

For a simple, scenic half-day drive, consider heading north of Harrisburg along the Susquehanna River on PA-147. This route offers beautiful views of the river and surrounding hills without complex turns. Another excellent option is taking Linglestown Road (PA-39) east out of the city towards Hershey, which winds through pleasant rolling countryside. Both routes are easy to follow and provide a relaxing break from motorway driving.

To enjoy beautiful autumn colours with easy driving, take US-15 North or South from the Harrisburg area. This highway cuts through rolling hills and state game lands that offer vibrant seasonal colour. Another great choice is US-322 West towards State College, which passes through the scenic Seven Mountains region. Both are major, well maintained roads that provide a fantastic seasonal experience without requiring navigation of difficult back roads.

Out-of-state drivers in winter should be particularly cautious of bridges and overpasses, which can freeze and become icy before the main road surface. Shaded rural roads can also hold on to ice and snow longer than roads exposed to direct sunlight. It’s important to reduce your speed in these conditions, even if the main roads appear clear. The Susquehanna River bridges are especially prone to windy and icy conditions.

During periods of heavy rain or dense fog, visibility can be significantly reduced on major highways around MDT. Sections of PA-283, I-83, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76) are known to slow down considerably as drivers reduce speed for safety. The areas closest to the Susquehanna River are particularly susceptible to fog, so it’s crucial to allow extra journey time and use your headlights in these conditions.

Visitors driving in the Harrisburg area should be aware that speed limits in roadworks are strictly enforced, often with an increased police presence. Pennsylvania also has a "Steer Clear" law, which requires drivers to move over and slow down for stopped emergency or service vehicles. In addition, speed limits can change frequently as you move from highways to local roads, so it’s important to stay alert to posted signs.

The best place to install a child car seat is right in your assigned parking bay in the rental garage after you’ve picked up the car. This allows you to take your time and ensure the seat is fitted correctly without the pressure of holding up traffic. If you need more space, you can often find an empty corner of the garage level or an unused bay to pull into temporarily.

For a trip involving multiple large suitcases and potential day trips, a mid-size or full-size SUV is an excellent choice. These vehicles offer generous boot space behind the rear seats, keeping your luggage secure and out of sight. The higher seating position is also great for navigating and enjoying the scenery on drives to places like Gettysburg or Lancaster County, while ensuring all passengers have plenty of room.

Before heading to more rural areas, it’s wise to do a quick check of the vehicle. Ensure the tyres appear properly inflated and that the windscreen washer fluid reservoir is full, as country roads can be dusty or dirty. Take a moment inside the car to locate the controls for the headlights, high beams, and windscreen wipers. Familiarising yourself with these basic functions in the well-lit garage will make driving on unfamiliar, darker roads much safer.

There are several convenient petrol stations just a few minutes from the airport entrance, located in the town of Middletown. When you are heading back to MDT, you can simply set your sat nav for a petrol station on West Harrisburg Pike in Middletown. This road runs parallel to the main airport connector, making it a quick and easy detour to refuel before you proceed to the car hire return area.

As you approach the Harrisburg airport terminal, stay in the left-hand lanes. The overhead signs will split, with right lanes directing traffic to "Departures" and "Arrivals". You should follow the large, clear signs for "Rental Car Return", which will guide you to a dedicated entrance for the parking garage. This keeps you out of the congested passenger drop-off and pick-up loops.

The process is quite simple and designed for this purpose. First, follow the airport signs for "Departures" and pull up to the kerb to let your passengers and their luggage out. After they are safely on the pavement, simply drive forward and follow the airport loop as it circles back around. On your second pass, follow the signs for "Rental Car Return" to be directed into the correct garage entrance.

The car hire return at MDT is conveniently located inside the main parking garage, which is directly connected to the terminal building. After you drop off your vehicle and complete the return process with an agent, you will see clear signs directing you to the terminal entrance. It is a short, covered walk that leads you right back to the ticketing and check-in level, making it very easy to navigate.

For an early-morning departure, travellers should allow a little extra time for the final steps of the hire return. While the drop-off itself is quick, you may need to wait a few minutes for an agent to check the vehicle and finalise your receipt. In addition, the walk from the return area in the garage back to the airline check-in counters can take 5-10 minutes. Allowing for these small steps ensures you won’t feel rushed getting to your flight.