Avis Car Hire
Melbourne Orlando

The Avis car hire counter at Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB) is conveniently located inside the main terminal building. You will find it directly within the baggage reclaim area, making it easy to access immediately after collecting your luggage. There is no need to take a shuttle or walk to a separate car rental centre. The entire process, from deplaning to reaching the counter, is streamlined and under one roof.

The route from baggage reclaim to the Avis pick-up area is exceptionally simple and convenient at MLB. Once you have your suitcases, the Avis counter is just a few steps away within the same room. After completing your paperwork, you will exit the terminal doors directly behind the rental counters. The rental car lot is immediately outside, requiring only a short walk across the covered walkway to find your vehicle.

Arriving on a regional flight at MLB offers a much more streamlined Avis pick-up experience compared with larger hubs. You can expect significantly shorter walks from your gate to the baggage reclaim area. Because the Avis counter is located right in baggage reclaim, the entire process is faster and less crowded. The rental car lot is also adjacent to the terminal, eliminating the need for lengthy shuttle rides or navigating complex multi-storey car parks.

The most practical way to coordinate this is for the first traveller to collect their luggage and wait in the public seating area of the baggage reclaim. This area is comfortable and located just steps from the Avis counter. Once the second traveller arrives and gets their bags, you can both proceed to the Avis counter together to handle the rental process. This avoids having one person wait in the car or circle the airport.

At a smaller airport like MLB, late-night pick-ups are typically smooth, but a few things can cause minor delays. The most common slowdown is if multiple delayed flights arrive at once, creating a temporary queue at the rental counter. To ensure a swift process, have your reservation details readily accessible on your phone or printed out. Double-checking that your information is accurate beforehand can help make the transaction at the counter as quick as possible.

The most frequent mistake for first-time visitors is confusion on Airport Boulevard immediately after exiting the rental lot. Drivers sometimes turn right too early into business parks instead of continuing to the main junction at NASA Boulevard. To avoid this, simply follow the main flow of traffic straight ahead until you reach the traffic lights at NASA Boulevard. From there, clear signage will direct you east towards the beaches or west towards I-95.

Getting to I-95 is very straightforward. As you exit the rental car lot, follow the airport road straight to the main traffic lights at NASA Boulevard (also marked as FL-508). You will need to be in one of the left two lanes to make a left turn, heading west. Continue on NASA Boulevard for approximately three miles, and the on-ramps for I-95 North (towards Daytona/Orlando) and I-95 South (towards Miami) will be clearly marked.

To reach US-1, simply exit the rental car area and proceed straight on the airport road to the traffic lights at NASA Boulevard. At this junction, get into the right-hand lane and make a right turn, heading east. US-1 is a major north-south highway located just over a mile down the road. The junction is large and well marked, making it an easy and stress-free drive from the airport.

The most direct route to Indialantic or Melbourne Beach is to use the Melbourne Causeway (US-192). From the airport, turn right (east) onto NASA Boulevard and continue for about a mile until you reach US-1. Turn right (south) on US-1, and then make a left onto US-192 East, which is clearly marked for the beaches. This road becomes the Melbourne Causeway, taking you directly over the Indian River to the barrier islands.

For a first-timer, the simplest route to Cocoa Beach is to take US-1 North. From the airport, turn right (east) onto NASA Boulevard, then turn left (north) at the major junction with US-1. Stay on US-1 North for approximately 15 miles until you see signs for the Pineda Causeway (FL-404 East). This causeway provides a direct and scenic drive over to the barrier island, placing you at the southern end of Cocoa Beach.

The most convenient way to get groceries is to head east from the airport on NASA Boulevard. Within a mile, just before you reach US-1, you will find several major supermarkets and shopping centres directly on your right. This allows you to pull in easily, shop, and then continue on your way to the beaches or your hotel by turning onto US-1. This route requires no backtracking and fits seamlessly into your initial drive.

When driving to Port Canaveral, the biggest timing pitfall is potential traffic from a rocket launch, which can cause significant delays on major routes like the Beachline Expressway (FL-528). Always check the launch schedule for your travel day. Additionally, be mindful of weekday rush-hour traffic, particularly between 4 pm and 6 pm, around the I-95 interchanges and on US-1. Plan to leave an extra 30-45 minutes to account for any unexpected slowdowns.

The most visitor-friendly route is to take I-95 North from Melbourne. After driving approximately 25 miles, take Exit 212 for FL-407. This exit and the subsequent roads are specifically designed to handle tourist traffic heading to the space centre. The signage is exceptionally clear, with large, easy-to-read signs directing you all the way to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex entrance, minimising any chance of getting lost.

To see a rocket launch, plan to leave MLB at least three to four hours before the scheduled lift-off, as traffic becomes extremely heavy. Your best strategy is to choose a viewing location in advance, such as a public park in Titusville or along US-1, and navigate directly there. Parking is often informal along road shoulders or in designated lots, so arriving early is critical to secure a spot. Expect significant delays when leaving the area after the launch as well.

For a classic beach holiday, staying in Melbourne Beach or Indialantic provides direct access to the ocean and is a simple drive from MLB. If you plan to explore attractions both north (like Kennedy Space Center) and south, consider staying in the Viera or Suntree area. These communities are just off I-95, offering a central location that makes it easy to travel anywhere in Brevard County while still being a short drive from the coast.

For a beach-focused trip, consider an SUV or a vehicle equipped with all-weather floor mats and a rubberised cargo liner. These features make cleaning out sand significantly easier at the end of your trip. An SUV’s higher ground clearance can also be helpful for parking in sandy or unpaved lots near more remote beach access points. Ample cargo space is also key for comfortably fitting beach chairs, coolers, and umbrellas without cluttering the passenger area.

The most efficient method is to have one adult wait with the children and luggage at the designated passenger pick-up kerb outside baggage reclaim. The other adult can then proceed to the Avis counter, complete the rental process, and bring the car round from the lot. This prevents the need to manage luggage and install car seats in the tighter confines of the rental lot, allowing you to load up in the less congested terminal departures/arrivals area.

When travelling with long items like surfboards or fishing rods, a full-size SUV or a people carrier is your best choice. Before booking, it’s wise to measure your gear to ensure it will fit, as even larger vehicles have limits. While some SUVs have roof rails, crossbars needed to mount a rack are not always included. Therefore, planning to store your equipment inside the vehicle is the most reliable strategy.

In the Melbourne area, U-turns are permitted at most major junctions unless a sign explicitly prohibits them, which is a convenient feature for correcting a missed turn. As in most states, you can make a right turn on a red light after coming to a complete stop, unless signed otherwise. Also, be aware that many major roads use dedicated turn lanes with their own traffic signals, so pay close attention to the specific arrow for your lane.

Florida’s afternoon rainstorms can be intense and appear suddenly. When driving, the most important thing is to turn on your headlights and significantly reduce your speed, as roads become slick. Increase your following distance from the car ahead of you. If visibility becomes severely limited, it is safest to pull over to a secure spot, like a car park, and wait for the worst of the downpour to pass.

For new visitors, the junction of US-1 and the Melbourne Causeway (US-192) can be challenging due to heavy traffic and multiple turn lanes. Another tricky spot is the fast-paced merge onto I-95 from NASA Boulevard, where you'll need to be decisive to enter the flow of motorway traffic safely. It's best to be in your intended lane well in advance of these areas and follow your navigation prompts closely.

When arriving in Downtown Melbourne, your best bet is to first locate one of the free public parking garages or lots, which are well signed. Park the car there, and then you can walk to your accommodation to check in without the stress of finding on-street parking. Alternatively, one person can quickly unload luggage at the kerb while the driver circles the block, as on-street spaces are often occupied.

A great scenic loop starts by driving from Melbourne to Sebastian Inlet State Park via the coastal A1A highway. After exploring the park, cross over to the mainland on the Wabasso Bridge (FL-510). From there, you can drive north on the scenic Indian River Drive or the faster US-1. This route offers beautiful ocean views on the way down and serene river vistas on the way back, creating a diverse and enjoyable loop.

Brevard Zoo is a popular attraction, with peak arrival times typically between 10 am and 1 pm, especially at weekends and on holidays. The car park is large and well organised, but arriving during these peak hours will likely mean a longer walk to the entrance. To secure a closer spot and avoid the biggest crowds, plan to arrive shortly after the zoo opens in the morning.

The most direct route to Sebastian Inlet is to take I-95 South from Melbourne to Exit 156 (County Road 512). Head east on CR 512 until you reach US-1, then follow signs south to A1A, which leads directly to the park entrance. The park has extensive parking on both the north and south sides of the inlet, but these lots can fill up by mid-morning on sunny weekends, so an early start is highly recommended.

For a day trip to Vero Beach, taking I-95 South is the fastest and easiest route. Alternatively, driving down US-1 offers a slower but more scenic journey through several small towns. Once in Vero Beach, visitors will find ample and convenient public parking at beachfront parks like Humiston Park and Jaycee Park. These lots provide direct beach access, toilets, and picnic areas, making them ideal starting points for your visit.

The drive to Daytona Beach is primarily on I-95 North. The most common traffic slowdowns occur around major interchanges, particularly the junction with I-4 near Daytona. This area can get congested during weekday rush hours and at weekends, especially if there is a major event at the Daytona International Speedway. It's always a good idea to check a real-time traffic app before you depart.

While the Beachline Expressway (FL-528) is a common route, it merges with other busy motorways near Orlando. For a simpler, albeit potentially slower, drive, consider taking US-192 (W New Haven Ave) west directly from Melbourne. This road goes straight through to the Kissimmee and Disney World area with fewer major motorway interchanges to navigate. It's a more traditional road with traffic lights but can be less stressful for drivers unfamiliar with Orlando’s complex spaghetti junctions.

The primary toll road between the Melbourne area and Orlando is the Beachline Expressway (FL-528). Florida’s toll roads are very clearly marked with large overhead signs indicating "TOLL" well in advance of any exit or on-ramp. To avoid them, simply stay in the lanes marked for non-toll routes like I-95 or US-1. If you choose a route like US-192, you can avoid tolls altogether for the entire journey to the theme park area.

To optimise your day, visit Kennedy Space Center first thing in the morning to avoid the biggest crowds and the afternoon heat. After your visit, you are just a short drive from several excellent beaches. A great option is Cocoa Beach, located just south of the space centre. This sequence allows you to relax at the beach in the afternoon and positions you for a straightforward drive back to the Melbourne area via A1A or US-1.

While phone navigation is generally reliable, it can sometimes try to divert you through complex residential neighbourhoods to bypass traffic on major roads like US-1. To stay oriented, it’s often best to have a general sense of your route and stick to the main arteries: I-95 for north-south travel, US-1 along the river, and A1A along the coast. Trusting these primary roads can be less confusing than following every minor turn suggested by an app during peak traffic.

The dedicated car park at Cocoa Beach Pier is relatively small and fills up very early at weekends and on holidays. The most realistic strategy is to arrive before 10 am to have any chance of a space in the main lot. If it’s full, your next best option is to look for public parking lots or metered on-street parking a few blocks south of the pier. Be prepared for a short walk and bring coins or a credit card for the meters.

During rush hour (roughly 7:30-9:00 am and 4:30-6:00 pm), you should expect significant delays crossing the local causeways. The Melbourne Causeway (US-192) and the Eau Gallie Causeway (FL-518) tend to experience the heaviest congestion, particularly with westbound traffic in the evening. If your travel plans are flexible, it’s best to avoid crossing the causeways during these peak times or allow at least 15-20 minutes of extra travel time.

For a low-stress night drive back to the Melbourne area, your best option is to use major, well-lit motorways. If returning from Orlando or Kennedy Space Center, stick to I-95, which is the most direct and well illuminated route. While coastal roads like A1A are scenic during the day, they can be very dark and poorly lit in stretches between towns, making them more challenging to navigate after sunset for unfamiliar drivers.

The most convenient petrol stations are located on NASA Boulevard, the main road leading to the airport. As you drive east on NASA Boulevard towards the airport entrance, you will see several major brand petrol stations on your right-hand side. These stations are designed for easy entry and exit, allowing you to refuel quickly and then proceed directly into the airport’s rental car return area just a minute or two down the road.

As you drive towards the airport on NASA Boulevard, you will see large overhead signs for the terminal. Pay close attention to the signs that specifically say "Rental Car Return." This will direct you into a dedicated lane and entrance that is separate from the main loop for passenger departures and arrivals. Following these specific signs will guide you directly to the Avis drop-off area without getting mixed up in terminal traffic.

The approach from I-95 is very straightforward. Take Exit 180 for US-192/NASA Boulevard and head east. Continue on NASA Boulevard for approximately three miles. As you near the airport, move into the left lane and follow the large, clear signs for "Airport" and then specifically for "Rental Car Return." The entrance will be a well-marked turn-off to your left.

The smoothest plan is to first drive to the upper-level departures kerb at the main terminal. Here, you can drop off all passengers and luggage with one person while the driver proceeds to return the car. The walk from the rental car return lot to the terminal is very short at MLB, so the driver can quickly rejoin the group at the check-in desk. This avoids the hassle of hauling suitcases through the rental lot.

For a low-stress morning, consider refuelling the car the night before your flight to save a step. In the morning, drive directly to the airport and follow the signs for "Rental Car Return." After dropping off the vehicle and completing the quick return process, it’s just a short, covered walk to the terminal entrance. Since MLB is a compact airport, you'll find the airline check-in desks are conveniently located just inside the doors.

Don’t worry if you miss the turn. The least confusing way to correct this is to simply stay on the main airport road and follow the signs for "Departures." This will take you on a simple, one-way loop in front of the terminal. The loop will automatically guide you back out to NASA Boulevard, where you can safely and easily make a U-turn or circle the block to re-approach the airport entrance for a second attempt.