Budget Car Hire
Vermont

After collecting your luggage at baggage reclaim, look for the overhead signs directing you to the "Rental Car" counters. The Budget desk is conveniently located right inside the main terminal building, so you will not need to take a shuttle. Once you have completed the hire agreement with the agent at the desk, you will be directed to the adjacent car park where the vehicles are located. The whole process is streamlined and designed to get you on your way quickly.

The hire car counters at Burlington International Airport are used to serving passengers from late flights. It's good practice to include your flight number in your booking, which helps staff anticipate any delays. The airport terminal is well lit and easy to navigate at night, with clear signage pointing to the hire car area. The process for collecting your vehicle remains the same, ensuring a smooth start to your visit regardless of arrival time.

Getting to your hire car with family and luggage is quite manageable at BTV. The hire car counters are within the main terminal, a short distance from baggage reclaim. After you complete the paperwork, you can use a luggage trolley to transport your bags and pushchair to the nearby car park where the cars are parked. The route is fully paved and covered, making it a smooth, direct walk without the need for shuttles or stairs.

For the most efficient meet-up, have your friend wait in the airport's mobile phone waiting area, a free waiting spot just a minute's drive from the terminal. After you've returned your hire car and collected your belongings, you can call them. They can then drive straight to the passenger pickup kerb outside the terminal doors to meet you. This avoids the stress and congestion of them having to circle the busy terminal loop while waiting.

The initial drive from BTV towards the city centre is very direct. Simply follow Airport Drive out of the airport, which leads straight into the city. As you approach the downtown core and the waterfront, using a GPS navigation app is highly recommended to manage one-way streets. For the simplest approach, aim for a municipal car park as your destination, which will provide clear turn-by-turn directions to an easy parking spot.

For a first-time visitor, the most direct and easiest route to Stowe is via Interstate 89. From the airport area, join I-89 South and drive for about 30 minutes to Exit 10 in Waterbury. This exit is clearly signed for Stowe. From there, take Route 100 North, a scenic and well-maintained road that leads you directly into the village of Stowe. This route is simple to follow and offers pleasant views along the way.

The most important factor is the seasonal closure of Route 108, the narrow, winding road through Smugglers' Notch pass. This section is closed to all traffic during winter, typically from mid-October through mid-May, due to snow and ice. If you're travelling in those months you must drive around the mountain, usually via Cambridge. Always check the current road status on a reliable navigation app before you set off from Burlington.

The drive from Burlington to the Ben & Jerry's factory in Waterbury is very simple, as it's located just off Interstate 89 at Exit 10. A common mistake is over-relying on a GPS that suggests scenic but slower back roads instead of the main highway. Another mistake is missing the clearly signed exit and having to double back. For the most efficient trip, stick to I-89 South and follow the prominent signs for the factory tour.

A wonderful and manageable fall foliage day trip is a loop south of Burlington. Start by driving south to the charming towns of Shelburne and Charlotte, then head east towards Bristol. From there, drive north on the famous Route 100 through the Mad River Valley, passing Waitsfield and Waterbury. You can then return to Burlington via Interstate 89, completing a scenic loop that showcases farms, mountains and classic Vermont villages.

The drive from Burlington to Killington typically takes about 90 minutes to two hours in normal conditions. To ensure you arrive before sunset, especially during shorter autumn and winter days, plan to leave the airport by 3:00pm at the latest. The route mainly follows I-89 South to US-4 West. While the roads are well maintained, this buffer allows for potential traffic through towns like Rutland and ensures a comfortable daylight drive to the resort.

A good strategy for visiting Montpelier and Barre is to park once in each town and explore on foot. In Montpelier, the state capital, aim for the public car park near the Capitol Plaza, which offers easy access to the State House and downtown shops. In Barre, look for municipal lots near the city centre to explore its historic granite industry sites. This approach is far simpler than trying to find on-street parking in these compact and busy downtown areas.

The most common route from Burlington to Lake Placid, New York, involves taking a ferry across Lake Champlain, such as the one from Grand Isle to Plattsburgh. This route keeps you entirely within the United States, so no border documents are needed. It's essential to check the ferry's operating schedule and seasonal hours in advance, as they can vary. Allow for potential wait times for the ferry when planning your overall travel time.

The simplest way to drive to the Lake Champlain Islands from Burlington is to take US Route 2 West. This road becomes a scenic causeway connecting the mainland to the islands of South Hero and Grand Isle, requiring no ferry. Ferry schedules only matter if you plan to continue from the islands across the lake to New York State via the Grand Isle–Plattsburgh ferry. For a trip focused solely on exploring the islands, the causeway is your direct and attractive route.

When winter weather is possible, it's sensible to add at least 30 to 45 minutes to the typical one-hour drive from Burlington to Stowe. The main route via I-89 and Route 100 is well maintained, but traffic moves more slowly in snowy or icy conditions. The final stretch on the Mountain Road in Stowe can also be particularly slow. Checking road conditions and the weather forecast before you leave is the best way to ensure you arrive on time.

During typical weekday peak times, from about 7:30 to 9:00am and 4:00 to 6:00pm, Interstate 89 can experience some congestion. The heaviest traffic is usually between the Winooski and Williston exits as people travel to and from jobs in Burlington. While it's generally not as severe as in a major city, it's a good idea to allow an extra 15 minutes for your journey if driving through this corridor in peak hours.

If your hotel does not provide parking, the most convenient and reliable option is to use one of the city's public car parks. The Marketplace Garage on South Winooski Avenue or the Downtown Garage on Bank Street are both centrally located and offer overnight parking. These facilities are a much simpler solution than navigating varying on-street parking regulations, which can have time limits or residential permit requirements.

Visitors are often surprised by abrupt changes in speed limits when entering small towns, which can drop from 50 mph to 25 mph very quickly. Another key point is the prevalence of wildlife crossing signs, especially for moose, which should be taken seriously on rural roads at dawn and dusk. Finally, be aware that many secondary roads are unpaved, so it's important to drive with caution if your navigation system takes you off the main routes.

Vermont road crews are very efficient, but their primary treatment is a mix of salt and sand rather than just salt. Immediately following a storm, you can expect major roads like I-89 to be ploughed but potentially wet, slushy, or covered in a layer of sand. This can reduce traction compared with dry tarmac, so it's important to increase your following distance and drive at a moderate speed until the roads are fully clear.

The decision often depends on the specifics of your itinerary. If your plans involve driving up steep mountain access roads to ski resorts or exploring scenic back roads, an all-wheel-drive vehicle can provide significant peace of mind and better handling in snowy conditions. However, if you plan to stick mainly to major highways and the city of Burlington, a front-wheel-drive vehicle is often sufficient. Consider your comfort level with winter driving when making your choice.

Mud season, which typically occurs in early spring as the ground thaws, primarily affects Vermont's extensive network of unpaved dirt roads. These roads can become extremely soft, rutted and difficult to pass. When travelling from Burlington into the mountains at this time, it is highly advisable to stick to paved state highways and routes. Avoid taking GPS shortcuts that might lead you onto these challenging and messy back roads.

When driving outside of Vermont's towns and cities at night, be prepared for a significant lack of streetlights. It is essential to use your main beams whenever there is no oncoming traffic to better illuminate the road ahead and spot wildlife. Always drive at a reduced speed and remain highly alert, as animals like deer and moose are most active at night and can be very difficult to see against the dark landscape.

Just a few minutes' drive from the airport you'll find several major shopping areas in South Burlington and Williston. Areas along Williston Road (Route 2) and Dorset Street are home to large supermarkets, pharmacies and other stores. These locations are very convenient for stocking up on all your necessary supplies before you get on the interstate or head out to more remote destinations in the mountains.

Many popular trailheads in the Green Mountains have limited parking that can fill up very early, especially at weekends. It's always sensible to have a backup hike in mind. Be aware that some trailhead access roads can be unpaved, narrow and rough, so drive slowly and cautiously. Always park in designated spots and never block gates or the roadway.

The most efficient way to visit the State House in Montpelier is to make a public car park your destination. The car park behind the Capitol Plaza Hotel is just a short walk from the State House, the Vermont History Museum and the town centre. By parking once in a central location, you can easily explore the capital on foot without the stress of searching for limited on-street parking spots.

The most direct route is to take US Route 7 South from Burlington. This main road leads you directly into the town of Shelburne, and both attractions are clearly signed from Route 7. While traffic can be heavier on summer weekends, the route itself is very straightforward and easy to follow. Leaving a little earlier in the day can help you avoid peak traffic through the centre of town.

For large events at the Champlain Valley Exposition in Essex Junction, expect heavy traffic on the surrounding roads, particularly Route 15 and Route 2A. The venue manages this with organised traffic control and directs cars to large, designated parking areas in adjacent fields. Follow instructions from parking attendants and the posted signs for the smoothest entry and exit, and allow plenty of extra time.

During major downtown events, such as the marathon or large festivals, expect significant road closures, especially around the waterfront and the Church Street Marketplace. The best strategy is to check the official event website beforehand for a map of closures and recommended parking areas. Plan to park in a municipal car park on the periphery of the event and walk to your destination, as driving into the centre of the festivities is often impossible.

A realistic drive time from Burlington to Manchester is between 2.5 and 3 hours. The journey primarily follows US Route 7 South. The main factors that slow the trip down are reduced speed limits as the highway passes through several towns, including Rutland. It is a scenic drive but not a continuous, high-speed road, so it's important to plan for a more relaxed pace.

To efficiently see several covered bridges, plan a loop drive rather than an out-and-back trip. A great option is to head south from Burlington to see the bridges in Shelburne and Charlotte. From there, cut east towards the Mad River Valley to explore the bridges around Waitsfield and Warren. This creates a scenic circle that allows you to see different landscapes and bridges before returning to Burlington from a different direction.

While mobile coverage is strong in Burlington and along the interstate, it can become unreliable or completely unavailable once you venture into the valleys and more remote parts of the Green Mountains. It is highly recommended that you download maps of the region to your phone for offline use before you leave. This ensures your GPS navigation will continue to work even when you lose your cellular signal.

For beautiful and easily accessible views there are several great options. Driving south from Burlington on Route 7 you'll find several designated scenic turnouts that offer stunning vistas of Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains. Another excellent choice is the drive along the causeway on Route 2 heading towards the Lake Champlain Islands. This route has numerous safe and simple pull-off spots perfect for stopping to enjoy the view.

When hiring a car for a ski trip, the most important consideration is ensuring your equipment will fit. An SUV or a vehicle with fold-down rear seats or a centre pass-through is often necessary to accommodate the length of skis and snowboards inside the car. This keeps your gear secure and protected from winter weather. Consider the size of your group and the amount of kit when selecting your vehicle category.

A good approach is to have one adult go to the hire desk to handle the paperwork while another adult takes the luggage and car seat to the hire car stalls in the car park. The pickup area is covered and out of the main traffic flow, providing a safe space to begin the installation. By the time the driver arrives with the keys, you will have had a calm, unhurried head start on securing the seat properly.

As you approach the airport, follow the large, clear signs for "Rental Car Return." These signs will direct you to a dedicated entrance that is separate from the passenger drop-off lanes. The process is straightforward, leading you into a designated area where you will park in a Budget stall. An agent will then quickly check the vehicle, and from there it's just a short walk into the terminal.

During winter, it's wise to add at least 30 minutes of extra buffer time to your schedule. This accounts for potentially slower driving speeds on your way to the airport due to road conditions. It also allows a few extra minutes for the return process itself, such as clearing any snow off the vehicle before the final inspection. This extra time helps ensure a low-stress start to your travel day.

The drive to Montreal typically uses the Highgate Springs–St. Armand border crossing. Wait times can fluctuate, so it's a good idea to check the US Customs and Border Protection website for current estimates before you depart. The last town in Vermont with full services before the border is Swanton, which is a convenient place to stop for fuel or a final break before you make the crossing into Canada.

The most important speed limit change to watch for is the sharp decrease when entering towns and villages. It's very common for the speed limit on a state highway to drop from 50 mph down to 30 mph or even 25 mph with little warning. These local speed limits are strictly enforced, so it's crucial to be attentive to signage as you pass through Vermont's many charming but slow-paced town centres.

During peak fall foliage weekends, expect a dramatic increase in traffic on scenic byways like Route 100 and Route 108 (the Mountain Road in Stowe). These popular two-lane roads can become very congested, especially in and around tourist-heavy towns like Stowe, Waterbury and Waitsfield. To avoid the worst of the traffic, consider travelling on a weekday or starting your weekend drive as early in the morning as possible.

A great strategy for touring Vermont is to use a combination of both. Use the faster interstate highways, like I-89, to efficiently cover longer distances between regions, such as driving from Burlington to the Montpelier area. Once you are closer to your destination, exit the highway to enjoy the slower, more scenic state routes like Route 100. This approach allows you to maximise your time enjoying the quintessential Vermont landscape without spending your entire day on slow roads.

When picking up your car for a one-way rental, it's essential to confirm the exact drop-off location and address with the agent at the BTV desk. Ensure your hire agreement clearly states the correct return city and airport. It's also a good idea to look up the rental return directions for your destination airport ahead of time. This preparation helps ensure a smooth and predictable end to your journey.