Enterprise Car Rental
Alabama

The Enterprise rental car counter at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport is conveniently located within the airport's Rental Car Facility. After collecting your luggage from the baggage claim on the lower level, simply walk directly across the street to the main parking deck. The rental car counters, including Enterprise, are situated on the ground floor of this structure. No shuttle bus is required, making for a quick and easy transition from the terminal to your vehicle.

Planning for a late-night pickup at BHM requires a bit of advance preparation. It is essential to check the specific operating hours for the Enterprise location at the airport before you travel. If your flight is scheduled to arrive after the counter closes, confirm your reservation details and inquire about any after-hours pickup procedures. Ensuring your flight number is included in your reservation can also help the staff prepare for potential delays.

During a busy travel weekend, it's wise to budget approximately 45 to 60 minutes from the time your plane lands to when you're driving away. This timeframe accounts for deplaning, walking to and waiting at baggage claim, and then proceeding to the rental counter. Peak periods can mean longer lines for service, so allowing this extra buffer helps ensure a stress-free start to your trip without feeling rushed.

For a smooth early-morning return, follow the airport signage for "Rental Car Return" as you approach BHM, which will guide you to the parking deck opposite the terminal. After parking in a designated Enterprise spot, gather your belongings and proceed to the drop-off kiosk or counter to complete the return. The terminal is just a short walk across the street, so you can be at the airline check-in counters within minutes of leaving your car.

For first-time visitors, suburban neighborhoods like Homewood, Vestavia Hills, and Mountain Brook are generally the easiest to navigate. These areas feature more straightforward road layouts and abundant surface parking at shopping centers and restaurants. The Summit, an outdoor shopping center off Highway 280, is also very driver-friendly with its extensive parking lots, though the access highway can be busy.

Driving from BHM to downtown during rush hour (roughly 7-9 AM and 4-6 PM) can add significant time to your trip due to congestion. The most direct and simplest route for a newcomer is taking I-20/I-59 West. While this interstate experiences heavy traffic, it is well-signed and avoids the complexities of navigating surface streets, making it the most straightforward option to reach the city center.

The area around the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is a dense urban environment with a mix of metered street parking, public garages, and permit-only lots. Before you arrive, it's best to confirm the parking situation with your hotel, as many offer dedicated guest parking. Be prepared for one-way streets and pay close attention to posted parking restrictions, as enforcement is common in the campus vicinity.

The most direct route to Barber Motorsports Park from most of Birmingham is to take I-20 East. You will travel for about 15-20 minutes before taking Exit 140 for Leeds. From the exit, the park is very well-signed and just a few minutes down the road. This route is almost entirely on the interstate, making it a simple and efficient drive for visitors.

To ensure good parking at Vulcan Park and Museum, especially on a clear day or weekend, plan to arrive before 11 AM. The drive to the park involves ascending a winding road on Red Mountain, which offers scenic views but requires attentive driving. The entrance is clearly marked, but using a GPS is helpful for navigating the residential streets that lead up to the park's main entrance road.

When visiting the Civil Rights District, drivers have several convenient options for parking. A large public parking deck operated by the Birmingham Parking Authority is located on 6th Avenue North, just a block away from the institute and church. Additionally, there are several paid surface lots and metered street parking spaces throughout the immediate area, though these tend to fill up more quickly.

Driving to The Summit during peak times, such as weekday evenings and weekends, involves navigating US Highway 280, one of Birmingham's busiest corridors. You should anticipate significant traffic and potential delays, particularly when entering and exiting the shopping center. Once inside, The Summit offers extensive free surface parking, but finding a spot close to your destination may require some patience and circling.

On event nights, driving and parking near Protective Stadium and Legacy Arena can be very challenging due to heavy traffic and road closures. It is highly advisable to arrive at least 60 to 90 minutes before the event's start time. The best strategy is to pre-purchase parking online for one of the official lots or garages, which guarantees you a spot and can simplify your arrival.

Avondale is a popular neighborhood with parking that is almost entirely on-street. For a concert at the brewery, these spots fill up extremely fast, so plan to arrive early and be prepared to park several blocks away and walk. For pickup after the show, it's often easier to walk a block or two away from the venue's main entrance to avoid the immediate post-concert vehicle congestion.

A day trip to Talladega is easily manageable, as the drive is about one hour from Birmingham via I-20 East. On a non-race day for a tour, leaving mid-morning is perfectly fine. However, if you are attending a major race, you must plan to leave Birmingham before sunrise. The traffic leading to the speedway becomes extremely heavy, and arriving very early is essential for parking and getting to your seat on time.

The drive from Birmingham to Huntsville is a straightforward and comfortable trip, taking about 90 minutes to two hours north on I-65. The interstate is well-maintained and easy to navigate. For a convenient stop about halfway through the journey, the city of Cullman has several exits with a wide variety of gas stations, fast-food chains, and sit-down restaurants right off the highway.

A one-day round trip to Nashville is ambitious but possible, involving about six hours of total driving time. To make it comfortable and avoid the worst traffic, plan to leave Birmingham no later than 7 AM. This should put you in Nashville after its morning rush. To miss evening congestion on the return, aim to depart Nashville by 3 PM.

The drive to Atlanta on I-20 East is notorious for traffic, especially as you approach the city's perimeter. To minimize delays, the best departure windows from Birmingham are either very early in the morning (before 6:30 AM) or during the mid-day lull between 10 AM and 2 PM. Always check a real-time traffic app before you leave, as accidents can cause major backups at any time.

The most direct and least stressful route to Alabama's Gulf Coast is I-65 South from Birmingham. You'll continue south past Montgomery to Exit 45 near Atmore, then take AL-59 South all the way to the beach. To avoid the heaviest traffic, especially on a Friday or Saturday, it's best to begin your drive before 7 AM to get ahead of the weekend beach-bound crowds.

A very convenient stop for food and supplies after leaving BHM is the Eastwood area, just a few miles from the airport. By taking I-20 East to the Oporto-Madrid Boulevard exit, you'll find a large shopping complex. This area offers a major grocery store, a Target, and a wide selection of both fast-food and casual dining restaurants, making it an easy first stop.

For drivers new to the area, Birmingham's downtown interchange where I-65 and I-20/59 meet can be intimidating due to its many lanes and merging traffic. It's crucial to use a GPS and pay close attention to overhead signs. In contrast, I-459 acts as a bypass around the city and is typically a much calmer and less congested alternative for through-travelers.

Visitors to Railroad Park and the Rotary Trail primarily use the metered on-street parking available along 1st Avenue South, which runs adjacent to the park. There are also several paid surface lots in the area. On nice weekends and during events, these spots fill up quickly, so arriving before noon is recommended to find convenient parking.

The drive to Sloss Furnaces is quite simple, as it's located directly off 1st Avenue North, a major east-west thoroughfare. The main entrance can appear suddenly, so it's helpful to slow down as your navigation system indicates you are getting close. Once you turn into the historic site, the way is clear, and there is a large, free parking lot for all visitors.

For a culinary weekend, the best strategy is to choose a hotel in a walkable area like Downtown or Homewood and park your rental there. You can then explore the dense restaurant scenes in neighborhoods like Avondale or Lakeview using rideshare services or by walking. This saves you the hassle of finding parking at every stop, while keeping the car available for reaching more distant dining destinations.

For families with children, the Birmingham Zoo and the McWane Science Center are two of the easiest attractions for car access. Both venues offer large, dedicated parking lots located immediately next to their main entrances. This convenience significantly reduces walking time for young children and makes it easy to manage strollers and other gear from your vehicle.

Alabama's weather can directly impact driving conditions. Heavy thunderstorms are common and can cause hydroplaning and severely reduce visibility, so it's crucial to slow down. Morning fog can also be dense, requiring the use of low-beam headlights. While infrequent, any winter icing makes bridges and overpasses extremely hazardous and requires extreme caution.

GPS can sometimes be confusing for visitors in two main areas: the complex downtown interstate interchange (I-65 and I-20/59) and the winding residential roads of Mountain Brook. In the interchange, lane changes happen quickly, so it helps to know your exit in advance. In Mountain Brook, the lack of a grid system and numerous roundabouts can be tricky, so drive slowly and trust your navigation.

From central Birmingham, the drive to Oak Mountain State Park is about 30-40 minutes. On sunny weekends, expect a line of cars at the entrance gate, which can add 10-15 minutes to your arrival. The park has multiple parking lots for various trailheads and attractions; arriving before 10 AM is the best way to secure a spot at popular areas like the North Trailhead or Peavine Falls.

The Birmingham Zoo and the Birmingham Botanical Gardens are located next to each other and share a large complex of free parking lots. This makes it very convenient to park your car once and easily walk between the two attractions. Even on busy days, there is typically ample parking available, though you may have a slightly longer walk to the entrance.

To enjoy a relaxed day trip to Cheaha State Park, plan to leave Birmingham by 9 AM. The scenic drive takes about 90 minutes, allowing you to arrive with plenty of daylight to hike and enjoy the views from Alabama's highest point. Packing your own lunch and snacks is a good idea, and you should aim to start your return drive by 4 PM to avoid navigating the rural roads after dark.

Driving from Birmingham to Tuscaloosa for a major event like a football game requires extensive planning. You must leave Birmingham at least four to five hours before the event starts to navigate the heavy traffic on I-20/59. Pre-purchasing a parking pass online is critical, as all campus and nearby public lots fill up hours in advance. Be prepared for significant delays both arriving and departing.

One of the most common mistakes is not allowing enough time for the return process, especially during peak travel times. Another is forgetting to refuel the vehicle to the agreed-upon level, which can result in additional charges. To avoid issues, give yourself an extra 30 minutes, refuel at a station near the airport, and do a final sweep of the car for all personal belongings before you leave.

For long drives on Alabama's interstates, comfort and efficiency are paramount. A mid-size or full-size sedan is often a great choice, offering a smooth ride and better fuel economy than larger vehicles. Features like cruise control are essential for reducing driver fatigue on long, straight stretches, while Bluetooth connectivity for audio and navigation can make the journey much more pleasant.

When making stops before checking into your hotel, always prioritize the security of your belongings. The most important rule is to keep all luggage and valuables completely out of sight, stored securely in the trunk of the rental car. Whenever possible, choose to park in well-lit, high-traffic areas to further deter any potential theft. Avoid leaving items like laptops, cameras, or purses visible on the seats.

The easiest way to structure a multi-city Alabama trip is by using Interstate 65 as your primary route. I-65 South directly connects Birmingham to Montgomery and then continues all the way to Mobile, making for a very straightforward travel plan. Plan your driving segments to avoid morning and evening rush hours in each city and consider booking hotels that offer guaranteed guest parking to simplify each stop.

Homewood and Mountain Brook are charming suburbs known for their non-grid street layouts, featuring many winding roads, roundabouts, and intersections that can be confusing for newcomers. Driving is generally slower-paced and more residential in feel. Parking in the local shopping villages is often a mix of on-street spots and small lots, so be prepared to parallel park and pay close attention to any posted time limits.

Driving to Ruffner Mountain and Red Mountain Park is generally not difficult, as they are easily accessible from main roads. However, on nice weekends, the designated parking lots at the primary trailheads can fill up quickly. To ensure you get a convenient spot, it's best to plan your visit for earlier in the morning, ideally arriving before 10 AM.

If your hotel charges a daily parking fee, you should factor this into your overall travel budget. Before booking, ask the hotel about their policy for in-and-out privileges to ensure it aligns with your day-trip plans. It can also be worthwhile to research nearby public parking garages, as they sometimes offer more affordable rates for multi-day or overnight parking compared to hotel valet services.

For a pleasant half-day scenic drive, consider taking the Shades Crest Road along the ridge of Shades Mountain for beautiful views of the valley. Another excellent option is a drive through the rolling hills and horse farms along Highway 119 south of the city. For a more structured experience, the scenic drive within Oak Mountain State Park offers lovely woodland and lake views with plenty of places to pull over.

International visitors should know that driving is on the right-hand side of the road in Alabama. A common rule that may be unfamiliar is the ability to turn right on a red light after coming to a complete stop, unless a sign specifically prohibits it. Speed limits are posted in miles per hour (MPH) and are strictly enforced, and all occupants of the vehicle are typically required to wear a seatbelt.

When driving from Birmingham to a smaller town late at night, it's crucial to plan ahead for services. Ensure your rental car has a full tank of gas before you leave the metro area, as 24-hour gas stations can become scarce on rural highways. It's also wise to have snacks and drinks with you, as restaurants and stores in smaller towns often close early. Be aware that cell phone service can also be spotty in some rural parts of the state.