Noleggio Auto Budget
Portsmouth

Upon your arrival at Portsmouth International Airport, proceed from your gate to the main terminal building. You will find the car rental counters, including the Budget desk, located within the terminal. Look for the overhead signs directing you to "Rental Cars" or "Ground Transportation." The airport is compact and easy to navigate, so the counters are just a short walk from the baggage claim area.

After completing your paperwork at the Budget counter inside the terminal, you will be directed to the rental car parking lot. This lot is conveniently located just a short walk from the terminal building exits. While not directly outside baggage claim, it is on the airport grounds and does not require a shuttle bus. The close proximity makes it easy to manage your luggage as you head to your vehicle.

Portsmouth International Airport is well-lit, making nighttime navigation straightforward. Once inside the terminal, follow the illuminated overhead signs for "Rental Cars." After visiting the Budget counter, the walk to the rental car lot is also along a well-lit pathway. The parking area itself is illuminated, ensuring you can safely locate your vehicle and get situated before driving off.

On a typical weekday, the process at a smaller airport like PSM is quite efficient. You can generally expect the entire process to take between 30 to 45 minutes. This includes deplaning, walking to baggage claim, collecting your luggage, completing the rental agreement at the Budget counter, and walking to your car. This timeline can vary depending on the number of passengers arriving at the same time, but it is usually a smooth experience.

A convenient and practical meeting point for your group is the baggage claim area. It offers ample space for everyone to gather with their luggage without obstructing foot traffic. Once everyone is accounted for, one person can easily walk over to the nearby Budget rental counter to handle the paperwork. This allows the rest of the group to wait comfortably with the bags.

The ideal place for the rest of your party to wait is in the main baggage claim hall. This area is located just past the arrival gates and before the main exits, making it a central and logical spot. There is usually seating available, and it keeps the group and luggage together in one place. The person renting the car can then return after getting the keys to help move everything to the vehicle.

Your rental agreement and the key fob you receive from the Budget agent will typically have the vehicle's specific details, including the license plate number and its assigned parking space number. The rental lot at PSM is organized with clear signage indicating rows or sections. Simply match the number on your paperwork to the signs on the parking spaces to find your car efficiently.

The best place to get organized is before you even leave the rental car lot. Once you've loaded your luggage, take a few minutes in the parking space to adjust your mirrors, connect your phone to the car's system, and enter your destination into your navigation app. This allows you to get situated in a calm environment without the pressure of moving traffic, ensuring a safer start to your journey.

The most common point of confusion for first-time visitors is navigating the Portsmouth Traffic Circle, which is a short drive from the airport. This large roundabout connects several major roads, including I-95 and the Route 1 Bypass. It's crucial to be in the correct lane and pay close attention to the signs for your desired exit to avoid accidentally heading in the wrong direction.

For a straightforward route, take International Drive out of the airport and follow signs for Route 33 East (Greenland Road). This road will lead you directly towards the downtown area over several miles. As you get closer to the city center, Route 33 becomes Middle Street, which takes you right into the heart of Portsmouth. It's a direct and well-marked path that avoids the more complex traffic circle.

The most practical and reliable option for overnight parking in downtown Portsmouth is the Hanover Street Parking Garage. It is centrally located, open 24/7, and provides a secure place to leave your vehicle. This eliminates the need to search for limited on-street parking or worry about time restrictions. Many hotels are within easy walking distance of this garage, making it a convenient choice for visitors.

The Hanover Street Parking Garage is the most popular and centrally located option for visitors exploring downtown Portsmouth. Its location allows you to park once and easily walk to Market Square, the waterfront, Prescott Park, and numerous shops and restaurants. For shorter visits, metered on-street parking is also available, but the garage offers a less stressful solution for longer explorations without needing to watch the clock.

Navigating Portsmouth's historic downtown and its many one-way streets requires patience. The best approach is to trust your GPS but also drive slowly and watch for street signs. If you miss a turn, don't panic; simply continue around the block, as the grid is relatively small. Using a public parking garage as your base and exploring on foot is often the least stressful way to enjoy the area.

Strawbery Banke Museum offers its own dedicated parking lot for visitors, which is the most convenient option. The entrance to the lot is located on Hancock Street. Parking here allows for direct access to the museum grounds. If this lot happens to be full, there is often on-street parking available on adjacent streets like Marcy Street, just a short walk away.

Parking for events at Prescott Park can be challenging, so it's wise to arrive early. Many visitors look for on-street parking along Marcy Street and the surrounding residential areas. Another excellent strategy is to park at the Hanover Street Garage and enjoy the scenic 10-15 minute walk through downtown to the park. This avoids the stress of searching for a spot right next to the event.

The drive from Portsmouth to Kittery is very short, taking you over either the Memorial Bridge or the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge. For a walkable experience, head towards Kittery Foreside. You can find public parking lots near Wallingford Square and on Government Street. Parking in this area allows you to easily explore the unique shops, restaurants, and waterfront on foot.

To minimize stress when visiting the Kittery Outlets, plan your trip for a weekday morning, as weekends can get very crowded. The outlets are spread out along Route 1, and each cluster of stores has its own large, free parking lot. You can simply drive from one shopping center to the next and park directly in front of the area you wish to browse, making it very convenient.

During the summer, especially on sunny weekends and holiday periods, you should anticipate significant traffic delays on the bridges connecting Portsmouth and Kittery. Traffic heading into Maine is often heaviest on Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings, while return traffic into New Hampshire peaks on Sunday afternoons. Plan accordingly by traveling during off-peak hours or allowing extra time for your journey.

The most direct drive to Hampton Beach is via Route 1A South, which offers a scenic coastal route. When it's crowded, particularly on summer weekends, parking is a major challenge. The best strategy is to arrive very early in the morning to secure a spot in the state-run lots along the main strip. Otherwise, be prepared to pay for a spot in one of the many private lots, which may be several blocks away from the beach.

For a day at a quieter beach like Jenness Beach or Wallis Sands in Rye, planning is key due to very limited parking. The state-run lots are small and often fill up before 9 a.m. on sunny summer weekends. Your best bet is to go on a weekday or arrive extremely early on a weekend. Once the lots are full, there are very few alternative parking options, so an early start is essential.

A great plan for a low-stress trip to Ogunquit is to drive north on I-95 and take the exit for Route 1. Instead of trying to park in the congested town center, head to one of the large municipal parking lots located on the outskirts. From there, you can walk or take the convenient town trolley, which makes stops at the main beach, Perkins Cove, and the downtown village, allowing you to explore everything without moving your car.

When visiting Kennebunkport, the best strategy is to park in one of the paid public lots located just a short distance from the main hub of Dock Square. While there is some on-street parking, it is very limited and has strict time limits. Using a designated lot allows you to park once and then comfortably explore the shops, galleries, and restaurants of Dock Square and the surrounding area on foot.

The drive from Portsmouth to Portland is a simple and direct trip north on I-95, taking about an hour. Once you arrive in Portland, the easiest parking plan is to choose one of the many public parking garages in the Old Port district. This allows you to secure a central spot for the day and explore the city's historic waterfront, shops, and renowned restaurants entirely on foot without worrying about moving your car.

Driving to Newburyport from Portsmouth is an easy journey, typically taking less than 30 minutes south on I-95. Once you exit for Newburyport, follow the signs for the downtown and waterfront area. There are several convenient, visitor-friendly municipal parking lots located right near the central Market Square. Parking in one of these lots makes it simple to walk to the waterfront, shops, and restaurants.

During peak travel times, especially in the summer and fall, I-95 around Portsmouth can experience significant congestion. On Friday afternoons, expect heavy northbound traffic as people head into Maine and the New Hampshire Seacoast for the weekend. Conversely, Sunday afternoons and evenings see very heavy southbound traffic as visitors return home. It's wise to schedule your travel outside these peak windows if possible.

For a well-lit and straightforward drive at night, stick to the area's main commercial roads. From the airport, taking the Route 1 Bypass is a good option, as it is a major divided highway with good lighting that leads to many of the area's hotels. Alternatively, Route 33 (Greenland Road) is another primary, well-traveled road that provides direct access to the downtown area and its accommodations.

The most frequent navigation error occurs at the Portsmouth Traffic Circle. Drivers unfamiliar with the roundabout can easily end up in the wrong lane and take the exit for I-95 North when they intended to go South, or vice versa. The key is to read the overhead signs carefully well before you enter the circle and merge into the correct lane early to avoid last-minute, confusing maneuvers.

A great, easy-to-follow scenic loop starts by heading to New Castle via Route 1B to see the Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse. From there, you can continue out of New Castle and follow signs for Route 1A South. This coastal road will take you through Rye, passing by Wallis Sands State Beach and Odiorne Point State Park. You can then easily loop back to Portsmouth via Route 101 or continue south for more coastal views.

When driving on scenic coastal roads like Route 1A and 1B in the summer, it's essential to be extra vigilant and drive at a relaxed pace. These roads are popular with cyclists, runners, and pedestrians, so be prepared to share the road and give them ample space. The routes are winding with frequent turns, so maintaining a safe speed and staying alert is more important than trying to rush.

A compact or mid-size SUV often strikes the perfect balance for family travel in the Portsmouth area. These vehicles offer enough cargo space to easily fit a stroller, luggage, and other gear without feeling cramped. At the same time, they are still maneuverable enough to navigate Portsmouth's narrow downtown streets and fit into the sometimes tight spaces of parking garages and on-street spots.

Before you accept the vehicle and leave the lot, it's a great idea to do a quick luggage test. For multiple large suitcases, an SUV or a minivan will almost always be a better choice than a sedan. Look for a vehicle with a deep, square-shaped cargo area, which is more efficient for stacking rigid bags. A quick check ensures all your luggage fits comfortably and doesn't obstruct your rear view.

The most practical place to install a car seat is in your assigned parking space within the Budget rental lot. If you need more room to open the doors fully, try to find a spot at the end of a row or with an empty space next to it. Taking the time to install the seat properly and safely before you even start the engine is the best approach, ensuring you're not rushed or blocking traffic.

Before driving off, take a moment for a quick systems check. Turn on the headlights to ensure they work, test the windshield wipers, and glance at the dashboard to make sure there are no tire pressure or other warning lights illuminated. It's also a good idea to locate the USB ports for charging your devices. This simple five-minute check can prevent potential inconveniences later in your trip.

For a simple and beautiful fall foliage drive, taking the Spaulding Turnpike (Route 16) north from Portsmouth towards the Lakes Region is an excellent choice. This major highway offers fantastic color and is a direct, easy-to-follow route. You can drive as far as you like towards Conway or the Kancamagus Highway and return on the same road, making navigation stress-free while you enjoy the scenery.

Visitors in winter are often surprised by on-street parking bans, which are enacted during snowstorms to allow for plowing; always check for signs indicating a snow emergency. Additionally, streets can become significantly narrower due to snowbanks, requiring more careful navigation. Be cautious of icy patches, especially in shaded areas and on bridges, even if the main roads appear clear.

The most straightforward day trip to the White Mountains involves taking the Spaulding Turnpike (Route 16) north directly from the Portsmouth area. This road leads you all the way to North Conway, which is considered the eastern gateway to the mountains. The drive is simple to navigate as you stay on the same primary route for most of the journey, allowing you to focus on the increasingly scenic landscape.

The drive to North Conway on Route 16 is dotted with convenient towns for a quick break. Rochester is one of the first large towns you'll pass through, offering numerous gas stations and coffee shops right off the highway. Further north, the Wakefield area around Union is another easy stop. These towns provide simple, accessible options to stretch your legs without requiring a major detour from your route.

As you approach Portsmouth International Airport, pay close attention to the road signs. You will see signs that split traffic between "Terminal / Departures" and "Rental Car Return." Be sure to follow the specific lane for "Rental Car Return." This will guide you to a dedicated entrance for the rental lots, allowing you to bypass the passenger drop-off and pick-up loops entirely.

For a smooth early morning return, plan to refuel the car the night before if needed. On the morning of your flight, head to the airport a little earlier than you normally would. Follow the signs for "Rental Car Return," park in the designated Budget area, and gather your belongings. Note your final mileage and make sure you have the keys ready for a quick drop-off before walking over to the terminal for check-in.

The process is very straightforward. First, follow the main airport signs for "Departures" or "Passenger Drop-Off." Pull up to the terminal curb to let your passengers and their luggage out. After they are safely on their way into the terminal, simply drive away from the curb and loop back around the airport's road system, this time following the signs specifically for "Rental Car Return" to drop off the vehicle.