Avis Car Rental
Illinois

If your trip is mostly downtown, you can usually skip a car and rely on trains, walking, and rideshares while avoiding expensive parking and city traffic. Rent a car only if you’ll be leaving the core for suburbs, multiple neighborhoods in a day, or day trips. For a downtown-only stay, renting a car is usually unnecessary.

A rental car is most useful if you’re planning day trips (like Starved Rock State Park or Milwaukee), visiting far suburbs, or traveling with family luggage where door-to-door convenience matters. It also helps if you have a packed schedule across areas that are slower by transit. For exploring beyond the city center, renting a car is beneficial.

It’s straightforward because ORD has direct highway access, but traffic on the main expressways can slow heavily during weekday rush hours. Navigation is manageable, yet delays are common at peak times. For direct airport-to-city travel, a car is optional, not required.

ORD sits in a busy highway network, and congestion is common on approaches and nearby expressways, especially around weekday commuter peaks. Snow or storms can make the airport area noticeably slower. If you want the simplest arrival, renting a car is optional rather than essential.

Weekday rush hours are typically 7:00–9:30 AM and 4:00–6:30 PM, when major routes can crawl. Plan airport pickups, drop-offs, or long cross-town drives outside those windows when possible. If you’ll be driving during rush hour daily, renting a car is less appealing.

Downtown parking is often limited and expensive, and free parking is rare in the core. Many visitors choose to “park once” in a garage and use transit or rideshare for the rest of the day. If you’re mostly downtown, renting a car is usually unnecessary.

If your hotel parking is costly, you may spend more parking than driving, especially if you’re staying downtown and not taking day trips. In that case, using transit and occasional rideshares is typically cheaper and easier. For a downtown stay with pricey parking, renting a car is usually unnecessary.

Street parking exists but rules are strict, meters can be time-limited, and popular areas fill quickly. In winter, plowing and snowbanks can also reduce curb space and create temporary restrictions. If you don’t want to hunt for spots, renting a car is optional at best.

Renting at ORD is convenient if you’re leaving the city soon or heading straight to the suburbs, since you can get on the highways quickly. If you’re staying downtown for a few days first, waiting can help you avoid paying for unused rental days and parking. For downtown-first trips, renting later is often the better choice.

ORD rental cars are typically handled through a consolidated rental facility, and once you’re in the car, you can connect quickly to major expressways. The main friction point is allowing extra time for airport circulation and congestion. For travelers leaving the city immediately, renting at ORD is beneficial.

Yes—tolls are common on major routes around Chicago and into the suburbs, and tolling is cashless in Illinois. If you’ll be doing lots of highway driving, plan your toll payment method so you don’t get surprised later. For frequent suburban driving, a rental car is beneficial but plan for tolls.

You can often route around toll roads, but it may add time, especially during traffic. If you’re on a tight schedule, paying tolls is usually the smoother choice. For time-sensitive plans, renting a car is beneficial and tolls are part of the deal.

Downtown is grid-based but includes one-way streets, frequent lane changes, and lots of activity from buses, cyclists, and pedestrians. Using live navigation helps, but driving can feel intense at peak times. For nervous city drivers, renting a car is optional unless you truly need it for day trips.

A compact or midsize car is easier for tight streets and garages and generally less stressful to park. Bigger vehicles can be inconvenient in crowded areas and narrow garages. For city-only plans, a smaller car makes renting more practical—otherwise it’s optional.

In Chicago winters, conditions can shift quickly, and AWD can help with traction—especially if you’ll drive to hillier suburbs or during heavier snow. Most rentals typically have all-season tires rather than dedicated winter tires. For winter suburban driving, renting a car with AWD is beneficial.

Dedicated winter tires are uncommon in typical U.S. rental fleets, so you should expect all-season tires in most cases. That means your driving behavior and extra following distance matter a lot on slick days. For deep-winter travel, renting can still be beneficial, but don’t rely on snow tires.

Black ice can show up on bridges and ramps, especially before sunrise and after sunset, and it can be hard to spot. Drive gently, avoid sudden braking, and give yourself extra space in cold weather. In winter, renting a car is beneficial only if you’re comfortable driving cautiously.

Cold weather can reduce EV range and heater use can drain the battery faster, so you’ll need more charging buffer than you expect. If your itinerary includes long drives or uncertain parking/charging access, a gas car is usually simpler. For winter trips, an EV rental is optional, while a gas car is often more practical.

There are fast-charging options close to the airport area, but availability can still vary by time of day and network. If you choose an EV, plan a charging stop near your destination rather than assuming you’ll charge only at the airport. For most visitors, EV renting is optional, not the easiest default.

Summer often brings construction, detours, and sudden slowdowns on major routes, which can add unpredictable time to airport runs. Build buffer time and avoid tight schedules for returns. If you’ll be mostly within the city, renting a car is less beneficial during heavy construction periods.

Suburban driving is generally less complex than downtown navigation, though expressways can still be congested at rush hour. Parking is typically easier and cheaper outside the core. For suburban-focused trips, renting a car is beneficial.

Popular car-friendly trips include Starved Rock State Park and Wisconsin destinations like Milwaukee or the Wisconsin Dells, which are inconvenient or time-consuming by transit. A rental car makes these trips far more direct and flexible. For day trips, renting a car is beneficial.

A car can help if you’re hopping between far-apart neighborhoods or traveling with kids and gear, but parking and traffic can still be a hassle. Many visitors use a hybrid approach—transit/rideshare in dense areas and a car for outbound trips. For neighborhood touring, renting a car is optional.

If you’ll mostly do business near the airport area and only occasional city trips, a car can be convenient for errands and suburban dining where transit options thin out. If you plan to spend most time downtown, you can still avoid a car. For an airport-area stay, renting a car is often beneficial.

Snow, slush, and reduced visibility can slow expressways and airport approaches, so you should build in meaningful buffer time beyond what maps show. Returning early helps reduce stress if conditions change quickly. In winter, renting is beneficial only if you can plan returns with extra time.

Early mornings can be calmer than rush hour, but winter ice risk is higher before sunrise and unexpected lane closures can still happen. If you dislike uncertainty, staying car-free and using transit or a pre-booked ride can feel easier. For early flights, renting a car is optional, not necessary.

Yes—many visitors park in a garage near their hotel or a major attraction and avoid moving the car until they leave the city. This limits exposure to traffic, metered parking rules, and towing risks. For a downtown-heavy itinerary, renting a car is optional and best used with a “park once” strategy.

Gas is often pricier in the city core than in the suburbs, and airport-area stations can vary. If you’re renting, refueling outside the downtown tourist zone can save money. For cost-conscious city stays, renting a car is less beneficial.

The grid helps, but one-way streets can force last-minute reroutes and missed turns, especially around busy downtown blocks. A navigation app helps, but it’s still more demanding than suburban driving. For visitors who want low-stress mobility, renting a car is optional.

Yes—cyclists and bike lanes are common in many areas, and turning or opening doors carelessly can create real hazards. Drive slower in dense neighborhoods and double-check mirrors before turning. If you’re uncomfortable sharing the road, renting a car is optional rather than ideal.

For families with car seats, strollers, and multiple stops, a rental can simplify logistics and reduce reliance on multiple rideshares. The tradeoff is paying for parking if you’re staying in the city core. For family trips with day trips or suburban plans, renting a car is beneficial.

If you’re spending the weekend downtown, a car usually adds parking costs and traffic headaches without adding much convenience. If your weekend includes suburbs or a day trip, then a car can be worthwhile. For a downtown-only weekend, renting a car is usually unnecessary.

Like many big cities, break-ins can happen, especially if items are visible. Keep the cabin empty, use the trunk before you arrive, and avoid leaving luggage in the car while sightseeing. If you’ll be parking in busy areas often, renting a car is optional and needs extra caution.

Deep winter storms and heavy summer construction can make drive times and parking more unpredictable, especially if your plans are mostly in the city. In those seasons, many visitors prefer transit and rideshare for the core. For city-focused trips in harsh weather or construction peaks, renting a car is less beneficial.

Thanksgiving week brings heavier road volume, with the most congested periods typically on the Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons before the holiday and much of Sunday for return travel. If you must drive, mornings are generally smoother than afternoons. For Thanksgiving week, renting a car can be beneficial for flexibility, but expect traffic and plan your drive times carefully.

General guidance is to drive earlier in the day: Tuesday before noon, Wednesday before 11 AM, Friday before 11 AM, Saturday before 10 AM, and Sunday before 11 AM to avoid the worst congestion. Late afternoons and evenings tend to be the slowest. For holiday travel, renting is beneficial only if you can time drives to avoid peak congestion.

Yes—Wednesday is commonly one of the busiest rental pickup days during Thanksgiving travel, which can mean longer lines and tighter vehicle availability. If you can pick up earlier in the week, you may have a smoother experience. For Thanksgiving trips, renting a car is beneficial, but avoid Wednesday pickups when possible.

During major travel periods, flight disruptions can push more travelers onto the roads and into rental counters, increasing demand. If you have a realistic drive plan and flexibility with timing, a car can be a practical backup. For disrupted holiday travel, renting a car is often beneficial as a backup option.

Those longer regional trips are far simpler by car because you control departure time and can go point-to-point without transfers. If the trip is central to your itinerary, a rental car is the most practical option. For regional road trips, renting a car is beneficial.

If you’ll mostly be downtown, skip the rental and use transit to avoid traffic and parking costs. If you’ll spend time in the suburbs or take day trips to places like Wisconsin, Indiana, or Starved Rock, a car will make the trip easier. For ORD travelers, renting a car is unnecessary for downtown-only trips and beneficial for suburban or regional plans.