Avis Car Rental
Birmingham

Once you have collected your luggage from the baggage claim area on the lower level, look for the overhead signs directing you to the Rental Car Center. The Avis counter is conveniently located within this dedicated facility, which is connected to the main terminal. Simply follow the airport signage to reach the counters and begin the rental process.

The Avis rental car services at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport are consolidated within a dedicated Rental Car Center. This facility houses the rental counters and the parking garage where the vehicles are located. It is directly connected to the main airport terminal, allowing for a seamless transition from your flight to your car without needing to take a shuttle bus.

From the baggage claim carousels on the lower level, gather your luggage and look for signs pointing towards the Rental Car Center. You can use the airport's elevators, which are ideal for managing luggage carts and multiple bags, to get to the appropriate level for the rental counters. The path is well-marked and entirely indoors, making the short journey to the Avis desk manageable.

For a late-night arrival, the process remains straightforward as the airport is designed for easy navigation. The overhead signage for the Rental Car Center is well-lit and will be your primary guide after you leave the secure area. The facility is connected directly to the terminal, so you won't need to go outside, ensuring a safe and direct path to the Avis counter and then to your vehicle in the adjacent garage.

On a typical weekday afternoon, a reasonable timeline from the moment you step off the plane to driving your Avis rental car away is approximately 45 to 60 minutes. This estimate allows for time to deplane, walk to baggage claim, wait for and collect your luggage, and complete the rental paperwork at the counter. The efficiency of BHM's layout helps make this a relatively quick process.

A convenient and easy-to-find meeting spot for a group is the main baggage claim area on the lower level. You can choose a specific baggage carousel number as a designated point to gather. This allows everyone to collect their luggage and consolidate before one or two people from your party head over to the Avis counter in the Rental Car Center.

The best place for the rest of the group to wait is in one of the public seating areas located throughout the baggage claim level. This keeps everyone and the luggage in a central, comfortable spot away from the main foot traffic. Once the rental paperwork is complete, the driver can either return to meet them or provide instructions on where to meet with the car.

After completing your rental agreement, the Avis agent will provide you with paperwork that specifies the exact location of your vehicle. This will include the level, row number or letter, and the specific stall number in the parking garage. The garage is well-lit with clear signage for each section, making it easy to navigate directly to your assigned car.

For the most accurate directions, simply input "Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM)" into your GPS or navigation app. Once you are on airport property, turn off the app's turn-by-turn directions and follow the large, clear overhead signs for "Rental Car Return" or "Rental Cars." These signs will guide you more effectively than a GPS within the airport's road system.

Immediately after leaving the rental car garage, you can follow signs for the airport's cell phone waiting lot. This is a designated, safe area just a minute or two away from the rental facility. It provides the perfect spot to pull over, program your navigation, connect your phone to the car's Bluetooth, and make any final adjustments before heading out onto the main roads.

The most common point of confusion for first-time visitors leaving BHM is the quick approach to the I-20/I-59 interchange from Airport Boulevard. You'll need to know in advance whether you're heading east or west to position yourself in the correct lane. Missing this turn can require a lengthy detour, so it's helpful to review your route before you start driving.

For a straightforward drive to downtown Birmingham, take Airport Boulevard directly to the entrance for I-20/I-59 West. This interstate highway leads you right into the heart of the city. The exits for the downtown business district are clearly marked, allowing you to get off the highway and navigate surface streets for the final few blocks to your hotel with relative ease.

The most direct route to Homewood involves taking I-20/I-59 West from the airport to I-65 South. From I-65, you will take one of the Homewood exits, such as Lakeshore Drive or Oxmoor Road. Parking in Homewood is generally much simpler than in downtown Birmingham, as most hotels and businesses offer spacious, free surface parking lots for guests.

Driving to the UAB campus and medical district involves navigating a dense urban environment with many one-way streets. From BHM, you'll take I-20/I-59 West to one of the downtown exits. Street parking is very limited and strictly enforced, so your best plan is to identify a specific UAB visitor parking garage as your destination and be prepared for paid hourly or daily rates.

A great 'park once' strategy for the Railroad Park area is to use one of the paid public parking lots or decks located near Regions Field, which is right across the street. Once you've parked your rental car, you can easily spend several hours exploring Railroad Park on foot. This location also provides walkable access to the Negro Southern League Museum and several nearby restaurants.

For a visit to the Civil Rights District, the most convenient option is the dedicated parking lot adjacent to the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. There is also ample street parking available in the surrounding blocks, particularly along the numbered avenues. Parking here allows for easy walking access to the 16th Street Baptist Church, Kelly Ingram Park, and other key historical sites.

The Birmingham Museum of Art offers a dedicated public parking lot, making it one of the easier downtown attractions to visit by car. The entrance to the lot is located off Reverend Abraham Woods Jr. Boulevard. Simply navigate to the museum's address, and you will see clear signs directing you into this convenient parking area, which is just steps from the museum entrance.

When attending a game at Regions Field, plan to arrive early to avoid the heaviest traffic congestion right before the first pitch. The area is surrounded by numerous paid surface lots and a few parking decks that are designated for event parking. Follow the signs as you approach the stadium, and attendants will typically direct you to the nearest available lot.

The Five Points South neighborhood is known for its vibrant nightlife, which makes street parking highly competitive in the evenings. To avoid frustration, the most reliable strategy is to head directly to one of the paid public parking garages in the area. This ensures you have a secure spot for your rental car and can begin enjoying the neighborhood's restaurants and bars without a lengthy search for parking.

For a visit to the Avondale neighborhood, a great 'park once' approach is to find a street parking spot along 41st Street South or the adjacent 3rd and 4th Avenues South. This area forms the core of the entertainment district. Once you've parked, popular destinations like Avondale Brewing Company and numerous acclaimed restaurants are all within a short, pleasant walk.

Downtown Birmingham's grid system includes many one-way streets that can be challenging for visitors. For instance, 1st Avenue North is a major one-way artery, and many of the numbered streets alternate direction. It's important to pay close attention to road signs, as GPS systems sometimes lag in dense city environments, especially regarding last-minute turn-only lanes.

Weekday rush hour in Birmingham, generally from 7:30 to 9:00 AM and 4:30 to 6:00 PM, primarily affects the major interstates. Traffic heading into the city on I-65 North and I-20/59 West slows down significantly in the morning. In the evening, the reverse is true, with the heaviest congestion on I-65 South and Highway 280 East heading out of the city.

Visitors are often surprised by the fast pace of traffic on Birmingham's interstates, particularly on I-65 and I-459. Drivers tend to merge assertively, and the complex I-65/I-20/I-59 interchange downtown requires confident and timely lane changes. It's wise to anticipate your exits well in advance to avoid last-second maneuvers.

Visiting Vulcan Park by car is very straightforward. As you drive up Red Mountain, follow the signs that lead directly to the park's entrance. The park provides a large, free surface parking lot right at the top, just a short walk from the Vulcan statue, the museum, and the observation deck that offers panoramic views of the city.

Accessing Red Mountain Park is easy, as paved roads lead directly to the main entrances and parking areas. The park offers several large, free parking lots conveniently located near the primary trailheads and the visitor center. Even on popular weekends, there is typically ample parking available for visitors.

Sloss Furnaces is located just east of downtown and is easily accessible by taking 1st Avenue North. The National Historic Landmark has its own large, dedicated visitor parking lot on-site. This lot can accommodate a significant number of vehicles, so even during concerts or special events, parking is generally manageable and convenient.

The most direct route to Oak Mountain State Park from Birmingham is to take I-65 South to the Pelham exit. Once inside the park, you'll find numerous well-marked parking lots near all major points of interest. The lots at the main beach on Terrace Drive and near the Alabama Wildlife Center are large and provide easy access to popular activities.

For a day trip to Montgomery, take I-65 South for the roughly 90-minute drive. Upon arriving downtown, a simple plan is to park in one of the public parking garages near the State Capitol or Court Square. This central location allows you to park your rental car once and then explore key historic sites like the Rosa Parks Museum and Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church on foot.

Driving from Birmingham to Tuscaloosa on a game day requires an early start, as traffic on I-20/59 West becomes extremely heavy. Expect significant delays as you approach the city. Parking near the stadium is very challenging; the best strategy is to pre-purchase a parking pass online for a designated university lot or plan to park in a private lot further from campus and walk.

The most challenging interchange for visitors is the massive intersection of I-65 and I-20/I-59 in downtown Birmingham, often called "Malfunction Junction." This multi-level system has many lanes that split off with little warning. To avoid mistakes, study your route on a map before you drive and pay close attention to overhead signs to ensure you are in the correct lane for your next turn.

During heavy rainstorms, visibility can be significantly reduced on the downtown sections of I-65 and I-20/I-59 due to spray from other vehicles. These areas, along with the Highway 280 corridor, are also prone to major slowdowns. It is advisable to reduce your speed, increase your following distance, and use your headlights in these conditions.

While significant snow is rare in Birmingham, winter temperatures can dip below freezing, especially overnight. Drivers from warmer climates should be aware that bridges and overpasses on major routes like I-65, I-459, and Highway 280 can develop patches of ice before the main road surfaces. Always exercise extra caution in these elevated areas during cold weather.

A compact or mid-size sedan is often the ideal choice for navigating Birmingham. This vehicle size is comfortable and stable for driving on the area's extensive interstate system. At the same time, it remains nimble enough to easily handle downtown's one-way streets and fit into the sometimes tight spaces found in parking garages and on-street spots. This balance provides the most versatility for a typical visitor's itinerary.

When traveling with a lot of luggage, a mid-size or full-size SUV is often the best choice. At the pickup lot, look for models that have a wide, flat cargo floor and a tall roofline, as this maximizes usable space. Vehicles with a boxier rear shape tend to accommodate bulky suitcases more easily than those with a sloped, coupe-like design.

The most practical place to install car seats is in your assigned parking stall within the rental car garage. After loading your luggage, you can take your time to properly secure the seats and get the children buckled in. The garage environment is sheltered from traffic, allowing you to focus on safety without feeling rushed before you start your drive.

Before you exit the Avis lot, take a minute for a few quick checks to ensure a smooth trip. Turn on the headlights and test the windshield wipers to make sure you know how they operate. Locate the USB ports for charging your devices and glance at the dashboard to confirm there are no tire pressure or other warning lights illuminated.

For a convenient stop for supplies, head east from the airport on I-20 for a few miles to the Eastwood and Irondale area. This commercial corridor has several large grocery stores, pharmacies, and big-box retailers. It's easy to access directly from the interstate and allows you to get back on your route without having to navigate back through airport traffic.

You will find several major brand fuel stations located along Airport Boulevard, the main road that leads directly to the airport entrance. These stations are designed for easy entry and exit, making them very convenient for a quick refueling stop. Topping off your tank here ensures you can proceed directly to the rental car return area without any detours.

As you drive toward the airport on Airport Boulevard, pay close attention to the large overhead signs. You will need to be in the lanes marked for "All Terminals" and "Rental Car Return." As you get closer, a dedicated lane will split off specifically for the Rental Car Return entrance, keeping you separate from the passenger drop-off and arrivals traffic.

The rental car return at BHM is located in the parking garage connected to the main terminal. After you've dropped off your vehicle and completed the return process, simply follow the prominent signs that say "To Terminal." These will lead you through a covered walkway directly into the terminal's main ticketing and check-in level, where you can easily find your airline.