Avis Car Hire
Bellingham

After collecting your luggage at baggage claim, look for the overhead signs directing you to "Rental Cars" or "Ground Transportation". The Avis rental counter is conveniently located inside the main terminal building, just a short walk from the baggage area. Bellingham’s airport is compact and easy to navigate, so you will find all the rental agencies grouped together in a clearly marked section of the terminal.

The Avis counter at Bellingham International Airport is located directly within the main terminal building. You will not need to take a shuttle or walk to a separate rental car centre. This convenient set-up allows you to proceed straight from baggage claim to the Avis desk to complete your paperwork. The rental cars are then parked just a short walk from the terminal exit, making for a quick and seamless transition.

For late-night arrivals, it’s always good practice to confirm the Avis counter’s opening hours for your specific travel date. The rental car area within the BLI terminal is well lit and easy to find, even after dark. As the airport is relatively small, the process of getting your keys and finding your vehicle in the adjacent lot is typically straightforward and efficient. This allows you to get on your way to your destination with minimal delay.

On a typical weekday afternoon at Bellingham International Airport, the process is generally very efficient. Assuming your flight arrives on time and you have no checked bags, you could be driving away in as little as 20–30 minutes. If you need to wait for luggage, a more realistic timeline from the gate to driving your rental car would be around 45 minutes. This accounts for disembarking, baggage claim, and completing the rental process at the counter.

A great meeting point for a group at BLI is the baggage claim area. As all arriving passengers pass through this section, it’s a central and easy-to-find location. Alternatively, you could agree to meet directly at the Avis rental counter. This allows the first person to arrive to begin the rental process while waiting for the rest of the group, making your departure from the airport more efficient.

The most practical place for the rest of the group to wait is in the seating area near baggage claim. This spot is just a very short walk from the rental car counters, so you can easily keep an eye on each other. It provides a comfortable space to manage luggage without crowding the rental desk area. Once the paperwork is complete, the driver can meet the group there before heading out to the car.

Your rental agreement from the Avis counter will clearly state the parking bay number or row where your vehicle is located. The rental car lot at BLI is situated directly outside the terminal and is well organised with clear signage for each row. Simply follow the signs for the Avis section and then look for your specific bay number. The compact size of the lot makes finding your car a quick and simple process.

Immediately after leaving the rental lot, you can use the airport’s mobile phone waiting area, which provides a safe and convenient place to pull over. This allows you to take a few minutes to connect your phone to the car’s infotainment system and programme your sat-nav without feeling rushed. Alternatively, there are several commercial parking areas just off Airport Way where you can briefly stop to get organised before joining the main roads.

The most critical decision point when leaving BLI is the turn from Airport Way onto Interstate 5. You will quickly need to choose between I-5 North for destinations like Ferndale or the Canadian border, and I-5 South for downtown Bellingham, Fairhaven, or Seattle. The signs are clear, but it helps to know your direction beforehand so you can confidently move into the correct lane as you approach the interchange.

The most straightforward route to downtown Bellingham is to take I-5 South from Airport Way. You will only be on the motorway for a very short distance. Take Exit 253 for Lakeway Drive and turn right. Lakeway Drive will lead you directly into the heart of downtown, offering a simple and direct path that avoids most of the city’s more complex junctions and one-way streets.

To reach Western Washington University, take I-5 South from the airport to Exit 252, which is for Samish Way and WWU. Follow the signs directing you towards the campus. The university has designated visitor parking areas, often referred to as the "C" lots. These lots are clearly marked and typically use pay-by-plate kiosks, making it convenient for campus visitors to park for a few hours or the whole day.

The easiest way to get to the historic Fairhaven district is by taking I-5 South from the airport to Exit 250 for Old Fairhaven Parkway. Turn right onto the parkway and follow it directly into the village. Parking in Fairhaven consists of free on-street parking, which has time limits, and several small public car parks. It can be competitive on busy weekends, so arriving earlier in the day can make finding a space easier.

Driving in Bellingham is generally low stress. The downtown core has a grid of one-way streets that are well signed and easy to navigate once you get the feel for them. The waterfront area, particularly around Squalicum Harbor and Bellwether Way, is more modern and has straightforward two-way traffic. As with any city, it’s wise to be mindful of pedestrians and cyclists, especially in the bustling downtown and Fairhaven areas.

Boulevard Park has its own dedicated parking lots, which are the most convenient option for visitors. These lots provide direct access to the park, the coffee shop, and the start of the trail. On exceptionally sunny weekends, these lots can fill up. In that case, you can usually find additional on-street parking in the nearby residential neighbourhood and enjoy a short, scenic walk to the park entrance.

Visiting Whatcom Falls Park is very straightforward by car. From either the airport area or downtown, the most direct route is to take Lakeway Drive eastbound. The park is located right off this main road and has multiple entrances. Each entrance leads to large, dedicated parking lots, ensuring that finding a space is almost always easy and convenient, allowing you quick access to the trails and waterfalls.

The Mount Baker Theatre is located in the heart of downtown Bellingham’s Arts District. The easiest plan is to drive into the city centre and park at the Commercial Street Garage. This public parking facility is just a block away from the theatre and offers safe, convenient parking for evening events. Using a garage removes the need to hunt for on-street parking before your show.

While GPS is generally reliable, the area around Squalicum Harbor can sometimes be tricky. Streets like Roeder Avenue, Bellwether Way, and Coho Way curve and intersect in ways that can be momentarily confusing. The key is to drive slowly and pay close attention to the signs for specific destinations like the marina, Zuanich Point Park, or the Hotel Bellwether, as they will guide you more accurately than GPS alone might.

For a "park once" strategy, your best bet is to use one of the central downtown parking garages, like the Parkade on Commercial Street. From this central location, you can easily walk to the downtown brewery district, numerous restaurants, and shops. It’s also a pleasant walk down to the waterfront path near Maritime Heritage Park, allowing you to explore a wide area of the city on foot without needing to move your car.

A day trip to Mount Baker requires a full day, as the drive along State Route 542 is about 90 minutes each way without stops. In winter, you must check the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) website for current road conditions, as traction tyres or chains may be required. Always start your trip early in the day to maximise daylight, especially since the upper mountain roads are unlit.

To ensure a safe and enjoyable scenic drive, plan to begin your descent from the highest points, like Artist Point or Heather Meadows, by mid-afternoon. This is especially important in the autumn and winter when daylight hours are shorter. The upper portion of the Mount Baker Highway is winding and has no streetlights, making a daytime drive much more pleasant and allowing you to fully appreciate the stunning scenery.

A realistic day trip from Bellingham involves driving the North Cascades Highway (State Route 20) to the Diablo Lake Overlook and back. This round trip takes approximately four hours of driving time alone. Plan for easy stops in the towns of Sedro-Woolley or Concrete for food and fuel on your way there. The drive itself is the main attraction, offering incredible views right from the road.

When heading east on the North Cascades Highway, the towns of Sedro-Woolley and Concrete are your last major service hubs. They offer a variety of petrol stations, grocery stores, and restaurants. Further on, the small town of Marblemount has limited services but is a good final stop for toilets and snacks before you enter the more remote sections of the national park where facilities are sparse.

Chuckanut Drive is famous for its scenic vistas, and it features several well marked, designated pull-offs with ample space for parking. These spots are designed for visitors to stop safely and enjoy the view of the San Juan Islands. Additionally, Larrabee State Park, located along the drive, offers larger parking areas and access to beaches and trails. Driving slowly and keeping an eye out for these spots makes for a relaxed experience.

The easiest route is to take I-5 South to Burlington (Exit 230), then follow Highway 20 West towards Whidbey Island. Signs will clearly direct you to Deception Pass Bridge. There are large, dedicated parking lots on both the north and south sides of the bridge, providing access to viewpoints and trails. While these lots can get very busy on summer weekends, parking is generally available.

To reach the Lummi Island ferry, you’ll drive west from Bellingham via Marine Drive or Slater Road to Gooseberry Point. The ferry terminal has clearly marked queuing lanes where you line up with your car to wait for the next departure. If you prefer to walk on to the ferry, there are designated parking areas near the terminal where you can leave your vehicle for the day.

The most direct route is I-5 South to Exit 230 in Burlington, then west on Highway 20, following the signs for "Anacortes / San Juan Ferries". It is highly recommended to make a vehicle reservation online in advance. The ferry system advises arriving at the terminal 45 to 60 minutes before your scheduled sailing time to ensure you get through the ticketing booth and into the staging lanes without stress.

The key to a stress-free trip is planning ahead. Take I-5 South to Highway 20 West and follow the signs to the Anacortes terminal. The best way to avoid stress is to secure a ferry reservation online weeks or even months in advance, especially for summer travel. Plan your drive to arrive in Anacortes with plenty of extra time, allowing you to navigate the terminal entrance calmly.

From Bellingham, take I-5 North directly to the Peace Arch border crossing. Waiting times can vary significantly, from a few minutes to over an hour. It’s wise to check a border waiting-time app or website before you leave. Generally, avoiding weekday morning commute hours and weekend afternoons can help reduce your wait. Ensure you have all necessary travel documents ready for the border agent.

Driving to the border is very straightforward. As you proceed north on I-5, large overhead signs will direct you clearly. The main lanes are for general traffic. Special lanes, such as for NEXUS card holders or commercial lorries, are distinctly marked well in advance. Simply stay in the general passenger vehicle lanes to avoid any confusion as you approach the customs booths.

To minimise traffic stress, try to avoid driving south into the Seattle metro area during peak commute hours, roughly 7–9 am and 3–6 pm on weekdays. The drive itself is about 90 minutes without traffic. For a break, the Smokey Point rest area, just north of Everett, is a large, well equipped facility and a perfect place to stop before you encounter the heaviest congestion closer to the city.

When it rains heavily in the Pacific Northwest, visibility can be significantly reduced, particularly on I-5 due to spray from lorries. It’s crucial to slow down, increase your following distance, and use your headlights. On rural roads, be cautious of standing water on the surface, which can cause aquaplaning. Allowing extra travel time during wet weather is always a safe and prudent approach.

While Bellingham itself sees infrequent heavy snow, the Mount Baker Highway (SR 542) is a different story. Drivers are often surprised by how quickly conditions can change from wet roads in the lowlands to compact snow and ice at higher elevations. It is essential to check WSDOT road reports before heading up, as traction devices are often required for all vehicles beyond the town of Glacier.

A great way to acclimatise to local roads is by taking a scenic drive along Chuckanut Drive. This road features curves, elevation changes, and beautiful views but is less demanding than the high mountain passes. Another option is to drive the Mount Baker Highway only as far as the town of Glacier on a clear day. This allows you to experience the winding road without committing to the steeper, more challenging upper sections.

A compact or mid-size SUV often provides the best balance for a trip to the Bellingham area. It’s manoeuvrable enough to handle downtown on-street parking and navigate the charming but sometimes narrow streets of Fairhaven. At the same time, it offers the stability, ground clearance, and confidence you’ll appreciate for motorway driving and exploring scenic routes like the Mount Baker Highway.

Before you drive off, take a moment to arrange your luggage and gear in the vehicle. Ensure that everything fits securely in the cargo area or boot without blocking your rear view through the back window. If you have long items like skis, check whether the rear seats have a pass-through or can be folded down. Organising everything while you’re still parked makes the start of your journey much smoother and safer.

The rental car bay where you pick up your vehicle is a perfectly suitable place to install a car seat, as you are out of the main flow of traffic. For a more relaxed setting, you can drive to the airport’s nearby mobile phone lot. This provides a safe, quiet space where you can take your time to ensure the car seat is installed correctly and get the kids settled before heading out on the road.

Before pulling out of the bay, it’s a good idea to plug your phone into the car’s USB port to ensure that Apple CarPlay or Android Auto connects properly. Verify that your preferred navigation app appears on the car’s screen and that you can hear audio prompts through the speakers. Confirming this functionality while you are still parked is much easier and safer than trying to troubleshoot it while driving.

You’ll find several major brand petrol stations conveniently located along Airport Way, the main road leading to and from the airport terminal. These stations are very easy to access whether you are just beginning your trip or are returning your hire car and need to top up the tank. Their proximity to the airport makes refuelling a quick and simple task.

As you drive towards the airport on Airport Way, you will see large, clear signs that separate traffic. Be sure to look for the signs specifically indicating "Rental Car Return". This will guide you into a dedicated lane and entrance that leads directly to the Avis drop-off area, keeping you separate from the busier loops for passenger departures and arrivals.

The process is very simple thanks to the airport’s one-way loop road. First, follow the signs for "Departures" and pull up to the kerb to drop off your passengers and their luggage. After they are safely on their way into the terminal, simply continue following the loop road around. You will then see the signs for "Rental Car Return", which will direct you straight to the Avis drop-off location.