Avis Car Rental
Maryland

After collecting your luggage at BWI, look for signs directing you to Ground Transportation and the Rental Car Shuttle. The rental car facility is located off-site, so you will need to board a complimentary shuttle bus. These shuttles run frequently from the lower level terminal roadway, just outside the baggage claim area. The ride to the consolidated rental car facility is typically short, and once you arrive, you will find the Avis counter clearly marked inside the main building.

For late-night arrivals at BWI, the process remains straightforward as the rental car shuttles operate 24/7. After exiting baggage claim on the lower level, follow the overhead signs for "Rental Cars" which will guide you to the designated shuttle stops. The stops are well-lit and clearly marked for each zone. Board the next available shuttle, which will take you directly to the consolidated rental car facility where the Avis counter is located.

A convenient meeting spot at BWI is the main terminal's upper level (departures) near the airline check-in desks, as it's generally less congested than the arrivals area. Another excellent option is the Observation Gallery, located before the security checkpoint between the B and C concourses, which offers seating and a more relaxed atmosphere. Once the entire group is together, you can proceed to the rental car shuttle as one party or have the driver circle back to the passenger pickup curb.

It's wise to budget an additional 20 to 30 minutes after you've received your rental car keys at the BWI facility. This provides a comfortable buffer to install child safety seats correctly without feeling rushed and to organize your luggage in the vehicle. Most rental facilities have designated parking spots where you can take your time to get settled. This preparation ensures you can start your drive safely and with everything properly secured for the journey ahead.

As you exit the rental car facility, follow the primary signs for "Airport Exit." This main road will lead you directly toward I-195. Pay close attention to the overhead signs and stay in the lanes designated for I-195 West (towards Baltimore/I-95) or I-195 East (towards MD-295). Avoid lanes that direct you back toward the terminals, daily parking, or hourly garage to ensure a smooth departure from the airport grounds.

For a less confusing drive to downtown Baltimore, take MD-295 North (Baltimore-Washington Parkway) from the airport area. As you approach the city, MD-295 becomes Russell Street. Instead of taking the complex exits right at the stadiums, continue on Russell Street as it turns into Paca Street. This route takes you directly into the west side of downtown, providing a more straightforward grid of streets to navigate to your final destination.

To ensure your GPS provides the best route out of the airport complex, it's helpful to set your first destination to a major landmark or intersection just outside the airport grounds. A good initial target would be the intersection of I-195 and MD-295, or a gas station or coffee shop on Nursery Road. Once you are clearly on the main highway, you can then update your navigation to your final destination. This prevents the GPS from attempting to use service roads or restricted-access loops.

When driving to the Inner Harbor, a practical strategy is to target one of the large, centrally located parking garages rather than searching for street parking. Consider setting your navigation for a garage on Pratt Street or Lombard Street, such as the Harbor Park Garage or the Gallery Garage. Parking here allows you to leave your vehicle securely for the day and places you within easy walking distance of the National Aquarium, historic ships, and numerous restaurants.

For a lower-stress drive to Fells Point, take I-95 North from the airport area. Use the exit for Boston Street/O'Donnell Street and head west on Boston Street. This approach brings you into Fells Point from the east, along the waterfront, which helps you avoid the dense network of one-way streets in the heart of downtown. From Boston Street, you can make a more direct turn onto a major north-south street like Wolfe Street or Ann Street to find your destination.

The most straightforward route to Fort McHenry is to take I-95 North toward Baltimore. Take Exit 55 for Key Highway/Fort McHenry National Monument. The exit ramp and subsequent signage are specifically designed to guide visitors directly to the fort's entrance. Following these dedicated signs is the key to avoiding the confusing industrial roads and residential streets that surround the peninsula, ensuring you arrive without any unnecessary detours.

A smart 'park once' plan for visiting the National Aquarium involves selecting a nearby parking garage as your primary destination. The Lockwood Place Garage or the Harbor Park Garage are both excellent options, located just a short walk from the aquarium's entrance on Pratt Street. By navigating directly to one of these facilities, you eliminate the stress of searching for limited street parking. This allows you to secure your vehicle and immediately begin enjoying the Inner Harbor attractions on foot.

To reach Annapolis while avoiding the most intense parts of the Baltimore Beltway (I-695), take I-195 East from the airport. Merge onto MD-295 South briefly, then take the exit for MD-100 East toward Glen Burnie. Follow MD-100 until it merges with I-97 South. This interstate will take you directly to Annapolis via US-50 East. This route is generally more direct and involves fewer complex interchanges than navigating the entire beltway.

A great strategy for avoiding downtown DC traffic is to drive to a Metro station in the Maryland suburbs and take the train into the city. Stations like Greenbelt (Green Line) or New Carrollton (Orange Line) offer ample daily parking and are easily accessible from the Baltimore-Washington Parkway (MD-295). By parking your rental car there, you can enjoy a stress-free ride into the heart of DC, bypassing the city's notorious congestion and the challenge of finding parking near major attractions.

Several convenient park-and-ride options exist along the primary routes from BWI to DC. The Greenbelt Metro station, located just off I-495, offers a large parking garage and direct access to DC's Green Line. Another excellent choice is the New Carrollton station, accessible via US-50, which serves both the Metro's Orange Line and Amtrak/MARC trains. Both locations provide a seamless transition from your rental car to public transit for exploring the capital.

For a direct drive to a garage near the National Mall, take MD-295 South (Baltimore-Washington Parkway) from BWI. Follow signs for US-50 West, which will take you into the city via New York Avenue NE. To avoid the most congested areas, set your GPS for a large public garage like the one at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. This central location provides easy access to the Mall and its museums without requiring a search for scarce street parking.

For a weekend or weekday morning game, it's advisable to leave the BWI area at least two to three hours before the scheduled start time. This allows ample time to navigate game-day traffic, which can be significant on routes like MD-295 and I-95. It also provides a comfortable buffer for potential road closures around the stadium complex and for finding a spot in your pre-selected parking lot or garage, which often fill up quickly on game days.

A good plan is to coordinate with your friends to meet at the station's designated passenger pickup lane on St. Paul Street. To avoid circling, you can wait in a nearby surface parking lot or find a temporary spot on a side street a few blocks away, like Calvert Street. Have your friends call you once they have their luggage and are outside the station. This allows you to time your arrival at the curb perfectly, minimizing wait time and avoiding congestion.

To reach a Harbor East hotel garage with less stress, use President Street as your main approach. From either I-83 South or by coming across town on Lombard Street, turn onto President Street heading south. This wider, more modern boulevard provides direct access to the main cross-streets of Harbor East, such as Aliceanna Street and Lancaster Street. This route helps you bypass the tighter, more congested streets of the Inner Harbor and Fells Point.

Both the I-95 (Fort McHenry Tunnel) and I-895 (Baltimore Harbor Tunnel) cross the harbor and require a toll, which is typically handled electronically. On busy days, check a real-time traffic app before you commit to a route. Generally, I-95 has more lanes and can handle higher volume, but an accident can cause major delays. The older I-895 tunnel has tighter lanes and lower height restrictions, but it can sometimes be the faster alternative if I-95 is backed up.

The most straightforward route north from BWI is to take I-195 West to I-95 North. Stay on I-95 for a short distance, then take the exit for the Baltimore Beltway, I-695 North/West toward Towson. Once on the beltway, the signage for exits to Towson (like York Road) or Timonium (like I-83 North) is very clear. This path avoids cutting through downtown Baltimore and uses major, well-marked highways for the entire trip.

To easily reach the Maryland Science Center, approach from the west side of the Inner Harbor. From MD-295 or I-395, follow signs for the Inner Harbor, which will typically lead you onto Conway Street. Turn right onto Light Street. The Science Center will be on your right, and several parking garages are clearly marked along Light Street and Key Highway, allowing you to park without navigating the most congested parts of Pratt Street.

To avoid the heaviest traffic to the Bay Bridge, especially during summer, plan to travel during off-peak hours. For eastbound travel, try to cross the bridge before 10 a.m. on Friday or Saturday, or after 2 p.m. on Sunday. For your return trip westbound, aim to cross before noon or after 10 p.m. on Sunday. Always check real-time traffic conditions and the official Bay Bridge Twitter feed for updates on lane closures or delays before you depart.

A low-stress plan involves taking US-50 East all the way to Ocean City. This is the most direct route. To avoid slowdowns, travel during off-peak times, such as mid-day on a weekday. Plan for a rest stop around the halfway point in the towns of Easton or Cambridge, which have plenty of options for food and gas just off the highway. This breaks up the roughly three-hour drive and helps you stay refreshed for the final leg of your journey.

For a straightforward drive to Deep Creek Lake, take I-95 South from BWI to the Capital Beltway (I-495), then head west toward I-270 North to Frederick. From Frederick, take I-70 West to Hancock, then merge onto I-68 West. This route uses major interstates for most of the journey. Good break-point towns with ample services include Frederick and Cumberland, which are located right along your route and are perfect for a meal or rest stop.

When visiting rural Maryland, it's essential to plan ahead for potential navigation challenges. Download offline maps of the area to your phone or GPS device before you leave, as cell service can be unreliable. Try to arrive at your destination before sunset, as many country roads are narrow, winding, and poorly lit. Always be mindful of your surroundings, drive cautiously, and watch for wildlife, especially during dawn and dusk.

The most practical approach is to use the airport's main loop road and follow the large overhead signs for the specific airlines. BWI's terminal is one long building, so you can drop off passengers sequentially along the upper-level (departures) curb. Simply stay in the right-hand lanes and pull over at the curb corresponding to each airline's check-in area. This allows you to make multiple quick stops without having to circle the entire airport.

After leaving the BWI rental car facility, a great place to pull over is the BWI Cell Phone Lot, located just a minute or two away on Scott Road. This lot is free, safe, and designed for waiting, making it the perfect spot to get your technology and navigation set up. Alternatively, you can find a nearby gas station or the parking lot of a fast-food restaurant just off Nursery Road or West Nursery Road to get organized before hitting the main highway.

When returning your vehicle, the most effective navigation search term is "BWI Car Rental Return." As you get close to the airport, ignore signs for the main terminals and instead follow the large, clear signs specifically for "Rental Car Return." These signs will direct you off the main airport roadway and onto Aviation Boulevard, leading you straight to the entrance of the consolidated rental facility where you picked the car up.

The best plan is to first drive to the upper level (Departures) of the main terminal. Drop off all passengers and their luggage at the curb corresponding to their airline. This allows them to proceed directly to check-in while you handle the car. After they are safely on their way, you can follow the signs for "Rental Car Return" to drop off the vehicle and then take the complimentary shuttle back to the terminal to meet them or catch your flight.

During peak travel periods like summer weekends and major holidays, it is wise to add at least 30 to 45 extra minutes to your car return process. This additional time accounts for increased traffic on airport roads, potential lines at the rental return check-in, and higher passenger volume on the shuttle back to the terminal. Building this buffer into your schedule helps ensure a calm and timely arrival for your departing flight, preventing any last-minute stress.

If you miss the turn for Rental Car Return, do not attempt a sudden or unsafe maneuver. The safest way to recover is to continue following the main airport loop road as if you were heading back to the terminals. The loop is designed to circle the entire airport complex, and it will naturally bring you back around to the exit for Rental Car Return. This may add a few minutes to your drive, but it is the most secure and stress-free option.

First-time visitors should be aware that Baltimore's downtown and historic neighborhoods feature a dense grid of one-way streets, so relying on a GPS is highly recommended. Pay close attention to posted signs for dedicated bus and bike lanes, which are often restricted to other traffic, especially during rush hour. Always be alert for pedestrians and cyclists, particularly in areas like the Inner Harbor and Fells Point, and allow extra time for navigation as you get accustomed to the city's layout.

When driving in and around Baltimore, it's important to be vigilant about posted speed limits, as speed cameras are common, particularly in school zones and on major thoroughfares. Many navigation apps, like Waze or Google Maps, provide alerts for known camera locations. The best strategy is simply to drive at or below the legal speed limit at all times. Pay special attention to signs indicating a reduced speed limit for a school zone, as these are strictly enforced.

A great plan is to have one driver proceed alone on the shuttle to the rental car facility to pick up the vehicle. The rest of the group, including the seniors, can wait comfortably in a less crowded area inside the terminal, such as a pre-security cafe or the baggage claim seating area. Once the driver has the car, they can circle back to the passenger pickup curb on the arrivals level to collect everyone, minimizing their walking and wait time.

Once you have your rental vehicle, drive it to a less busy section of the rental facility's parking garage, perhaps on an upper level or in a corner spot. This gives you ample space and time to load bulky items like skis or golf clubs without feeling pressured by other traffic. It allows you to organize the vehicle's storage space efficiently and ensure everything is secure before you begin your drive, making for a safer and more comfortable trip.

During heavy rain, some lower-lying local roads around the BWI business district can be prone to ponding or minor flooding. Major highways like I-195, MD-295, and I-95 are generally well-drained and remain the most reliable options. If your hotel is on a smaller side road, it's a good idea to check a real-time traffic app for any reported road closures before you leave the airport. Sticking to the main arterial roads as much as possible is the safest strategy in stormy weather.

When driving in winter conditions, be especially cautious on elevated surfaces like bridges, overpasses, and exit ramps, as these freeze much faster than the ground-level roadway. The interchanges connecting I-195 with I-95, MD-295, and the I-695 beltway are areas that require extra attention. Reduce your speed significantly when approaching these structures, avoid sudden braking or steering, and allow plenty of following distance between your vehicle and the one ahead.

For a very simple route to the Arundel Mills and Hanover area, take I-195 West from the airport as if going to Baltimore. Take the very first exit for MD-170 North (Aviation Blvd). Follow MD-170 for a short distance and then take the exit for MD-176 West (Dorsey Road). This road will lead you directly into the Hanover area, with Arundel Mills just a few minutes away, completely avoiding any major beltway interchanges.

A convenient option for a quick grocery run is to navigate to a supermarket located just north of the airport in the Ferndale or Linthicum Heights areas. You can easily access these by taking MD-170 (Aviation Blvd) north from the airport vicinity. This allows you to pick up essentials at a neighborhood grocery store without getting entangled in the heavy traffic associated with major shopping centers like Arundel Mills, saving you time and hassle.

If you realize you've left an item in your rental car, immediately gather a few key pieces of information to expedite the recovery process. Have your rental agreement number ready, as this is the primary way your rental is tracked. It's also extremely helpful to know the vehicle's make, model, and license plate number, along with the specific date and approximate time you returned it. Contacting customer service with these precise details will significantly improve the chances of locating your belongings.