Enterprise Car Rental
Salt Lake City

The Enterprise rental car counters at Salt Lake City International Airport are conveniently located in the Gateway Center, which is adjacent to the parking garage. After you collect your luggage, simply follow the overhead signs for "Rental Car Return" and take a short walk to the facility. The entire process is designed to be efficient, and most travelers find they can reach the counter within 10 to 15 minutes of leaving the baggage claim area. This streamlined setup means you can get on your way to exploring Salt Lake City without a lengthy transfer.

Navigating to the rental car facility at SLC, even late at night, is quite straightforward. The airport is well-signed, and your primary goal is to follow the prominent signs directing you toward the Gateway Center and parking garage. Once you have your bags, you will walk a short distance to this dedicated rental car area without needing a shuttle. The pathway is enclosed and well-lit, ensuring a safe and clear route directly to the Enterprise counter, making your late-night arrival as seamless as possible.

The most direct route from the airport's rental car center to downtown Salt Lake City is via Interstate 80 East. During typical weekday commute times, this remains the fastest option, though you should anticipate some congestion. After a short drive on I-80, you will take one of the downtown exits, such as the 600 South exit, which provides excellent access to the heart of the city. Using a GPS app for real-time traffic updates can help you navigate any unexpected slowdowns and confirm the best exit for your specific destination.

For visitors prioritizing easy parking, neighborhoods just outside the central business district are excellent choices. Areas like Sugar House offer a vibrant atmosphere with more plentiful street parking and hotel lots compared to the downtown core. Similarly, the Avenues and the University district provide a more residential feel with better on-street parking availability. Staying in these locations allows you to park your rental car with ease and then use it for day trips or drive into downtown when needed.

Driving in downtown Salt Lake City is generally manageable for newcomers, thanks to its logical grid system and exceptionally wide streets. However, you should pay close attention to one-way streets, which are common throughout the central business district. The interchange where I-15 and I-80 meet, known as the "Spaghetti Bowl," can be confusing, so it's wise to have your GPS navigation active and know your exit in advance. Allowing a little extra time for your first few trips will help you get comfortable with the local traffic patterns.

The most frequent mistake travelers make is accidentally taking I-80 West toward Reno instead of I-80 East toward Cheyenne and Park City. The signs are clear, but it's an easy error to make if you're in a hurry. Another common issue is missing the specific Kimball Junction exit (Exit 145) for Park City, as there are a few exits that mention the town. To avoid this, confirm your route on a map or GPS before you leave the rental lot and pay close attention to the overhead highway signs as you merge onto the interstate.

A practical approach is to dedicate full days to each location to minimize driving back and forth. You could spend your first day exploring Salt Lake City, then drive up to Park City the next morning to enjoy a full day there. Plan to head back down Parleys Canyon to Salt Lake City well before sunset to ensure you're driving in full daylight. Alternatively, consider staying a night in Park City so you can enjoy the evening there without the pressure of a late-night drive back down the mountain.

For most visitors, the drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon (SR-190) to Solitude and Brighton often feels slightly less intimidating than the road to Little Cottonwood Canyon. The road in Big Cottonwood is generally a bit wider with more gradual turns compared to the steeper and narrower sections of SR-210 leading to Snowbird and Alta. Both routes are well-maintained, but if you are apprehensive about mountain driving, Big Cottonwood can be a more comfortable introduction, especially during winter conditions.

The primary challenge when driving to Alta and Snowbird is the final stretch of Little Cottonwood Canyon on State Route 210. This road is steep and winding, and traffic can become extremely congested on powder days, leading to significant delays. Confusion can sometimes arise near the resort entrances, where the road configuration and parking lot access can be tricky for first-timers. It's crucial to check road conditions before you go, as SR-210 is frequently subject to traction law enforcement and temporary closures for avalanche control.

To avoid the worst of the ski traffic on a weekend morning, you should plan to be on the road exceptionally early. For the Cottonwood Canyons, aiming to be at the mouth of the canyon by 7:00 AM is a wise strategy, as traffic builds rapidly after that. This early start helps you bypass the long lines of cars that form later in the morning and increases your chances of finding a good parking spot at the resort. An early departure is the key to maximizing your time on the slopes instead of in traffic.

For winter driving to Utah's mountain resorts, a vehicle with all-wheel drive (AWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD) offers the most confidence and stability. An SUV is a popular choice as it provides better ground clearance in deep snow and a more commanding view of the road. While many car types can handle the drive in clear weather, having an AWD or 4WD vehicle is especially reassuring when navigating the steep, winding roads of the Cottonwood Canyons during or after a snowstorm, when traction laws are often in effect.

Closures in the Cottonwood Canyons for avalanche control are a regular occurrence during the winter, especially following a significant snowstorm. These closures typically happen in the early morning hours and can last for a few hours. If a canyon is closed, it's essential to have a backup plan. You could visit a different ski resort, such as one in the Park City area, or enjoy one of Salt Lake City's indoor attractions for the morning until the road reopens. Always check the UDOT Traffic app or website before you leave.

For visitors unfamiliar with winter driving, the most stressful conditions are often black ice and low visibility during heavy snowfall. Black ice is a thin, transparent layer of ice that can form on bridges, overpasses, and shaded road sections, making it extremely hazardous. Additionally, a heavy snow squall, particularly from lake-effect snow, can reduce visibility to near zero in a matter of minutes. Driving slowly, increasing your following distance, and avoiding sudden maneuvers are crucial for staying safe in these challenging conditions.

After a snowstorm, road crews prioritize clearing the major transportation arteries first. Interstates like I-15, I-80, and the I-215 belt route receive the most immediate attention, making them the most reliable for travel. Following the interstates, major surface streets and state routes are the next priority. Residential side streets are typically the last to be plowed, so it's best to stick to the main roads as much as possible until conditions improve across the valley.

Driving during a lake-effect snow event is significantly more challenging than on a typical winter day. These events produce intense, localized bands of heavy snow that can drastically reduce visibility and cause roads to become slick very quickly. You might be driving in clear conditions one moment and enter a whiteout just a few miles later. This unpredictability requires heightened awareness and slower speeds, as the road conditions can change dramatically over a short distance.

Once you are in Park City, it is often much easier to park your rental car and utilize the excellent free public transit system. The bus network efficiently connects Main Street, the ski resorts, and other key areas, saving you the hassle of finding and paying for parking, which can be very limited. However, having a rental car remains valuable for trips to the grocery store, exploring areas outside the main town, or driving back to Salt Lake City, giving you the best of both worlds.

The most convenient and straightforward parking option for visiting Temple Square and City Creek Center is the large underground garage located directly beneath the shopping center. This garage offers ample space and provides direct, weather-protected access to the entire area. There are multiple entrances to the garage from surrounding streets like West Temple and South Temple. Using this central parking facility eliminates the need to search for limited street parking in the busy downtown core.

For a first-time visit to the Utah State Capitol, the easiest approach is to look for parking in the designated visitor lots located on the east side of the building. If those are full, there is often available street parking on the surrounding residential roads. For Memory Grove Park, which is just a short walk down the hill from the Capitol, parking can be found in a small dedicated lot at the park's entrance or along the adjacent street. Combining both visits is efficient, as you can park once and walk between the two landmarks.

A practical plan for a night out is to drive your rental car to a central downtown location and park it in a secure, well-lit garage for the evening. From there, you can easily use rideshare services like Uber or Lyft to hop between different breweries or entertainment venues. Alternatively, the TRAX light rail system serves many popular downtown and Sugar House nightlife spots. This strategy allows you to enjoy your evening responsibly without the stress of finding multiple parking spots or navigating after dark.

Finding parking near the Delta Center on an event night can be challenging due to high demand, so it's best to plan ahead. While there are numerous paid lots and garages in the immediate vicinity, they fill up quickly and can be congested. A less stressful strategy is to arrive early to secure a spot or to park a few blocks away and enjoy a short walk to the arena. Many visitors also choose to park at a TRAX light rail station further out and take the train directly to the arena stop.

To get the most out of your drive to Antelope Island, plan your visit for a weekday to avoid the larger weekend crowds. For the best wildlife viewing opportunities, aim to arrive either early in the morning or in the late afternoon. Animals, especially the island's famous bison, are typically more active during these cooler parts of the day. This timing also provides beautiful light for photography and a more peaceful experience on the causeway and island roads.

Driving a rental car to and on Antelope Island is very straightforward as the roads are paved and well-maintained. The most notable thing to prepare for, especially in warmer months, are the brine flies and biting gnats near the shoreline, so keeping windows closed is a good idea. The island is a free-roam area for bison, and it's common to see them on or very near the road. Always drive slowly, give them plenty of space, and never exit your vehicle to approach them.

A day trip to the Bonneville Salt Flats involves a scenic but lengthy drive of about 90 minutes each way, almost entirely on Interstate 80 West. It's a simple drive, but the landscape is remote, so ensure you have a full tank of gas before leaving Salt Lake City. The primary safety consideration is the condition of the salt flats themselves; never drive onto the salt if it is wet or muddy, as your vehicle can easily get stuck. Always check for recent rainfall and stay on designated paths or solid, dry areas.

The two most accessible and visitor-friendly spots to experience the Great Salt Lake are Antelope Island State Park and Great Salt Lake State Park. Both are easily reached with a rental car and offer ample, designated parking areas. Antelope Island provides extensive shoreline access and wildlife viewing opportunities. Great Salt Lake State Park, located right off I-80, is perfect for a quick stop to see the lake and its marina, making it a very convenient option for travelers.

A day trip from Salt Lake City to Moab is highly ambitious, as it involves about four hours of driving each way, leaving limited time to explore Arches or Canyonlands National Parks. If you decide to attempt it, the smartest plan is to depart from Salt Lake City well before sunrise, around 5:00 AM. This allows you to arrive in Moab with most of the day ahead of you. Be prepared for a very long day and consider that an overnight stay in Moab would provide a much more relaxed and thorough experience.

The most direct and straightforward route from Salt Lake City to Zion National Park is to take Interstate 15 South for the majority of the journey. This drive takes approximately four and a half hours without major stops. Popular towns to pause for gas, food, or a short break include Fillmore, Beaver, and Cedar City. Once you reach Cedar City, you'll exit I-15 and follow state routes through scenic landscapes to the park entrance, making for a simple and pleasant road trip.

The drive from Salt Lake City to Bryce Canyon involves a significant increase in elevation, with the park itself sitting above 8,000 feet. As you travel south on I-15 and then east on scenic byways like UT-20 and UT-12, you will climb steadily. This change in altitude means you should be prepared for sudden weather shifts, even outside of winter. It's not uncommon to encounter colder temperatures, wind, and even snow flurries in the spring or fall, so it's wise to have extra layers of clothing with you.

A perfect half-day scenic drive is the loop up Emigration Canyon and back down Parleys Canyon. This route takes you through historic landscapes just east of the city, offering beautiful views of the valley and mountains without a major time commitment. The entire loop can be completed in about an hour or two, depending on stops. This leaves you with plenty of time to return and explore downtown attractions like Temple Square or the Utah State Capitol.

For a fantastic loop drive in the summer or early fall, take I-80 East up Parleys Canyon to Park City. After exploring the town, drive the Guardsman Pass Scenic Backway, which offers stunning alpine overlooks and connects you to Big Cottonwood Canyon. You can then drive down Big Cottonwood Canyon back into the Salt Lake Valley. This route provides diverse scenery from high mountain passes to a beautiful canyon, creating a memorable trip with minimal backtracking. Note that Guardsman Pass is closed during the winter.

The I-215 belt route is not very confusing for visitors as it's a simple loop around the Salt Lake Valley. It is most useful when your destination is in the suburbs to the east or west, or if you want to bypass downtown traffic altogether. For example, when traveling from the airport to the ski resorts in the Cottonwood Canyons, taking I-215 South is much more direct than going through the city center on I-80 and I-15. Using a GPS will make navigating the belt route effortless.

Salt Lake City's rush-hour slowdowns are predictable and primarily affect the main interstates. In the morning, from about 7:00 to 9:00 AM, traffic is heaviest heading southbound on I-15 into the city and eastbound on I-80 from the western suburbs. The evening commute, typically from 4:00 to 6:00 PM, sees the reverse pattern, with significant congestion on northbound I-15 and westbound I-80 as people leave the downtown area. Planning your travel outside these peak hours can save considerable time.

The most surprising feature for many visitors is the city's exceptionally wide streets, a legacy of its original pioneer layout. This generally makes driving feel less cramped. The grid-based address system is logical but can take a moment to get used to. One specific quirk is the prevalence of dual left-turn lanes on major roads, so be sure you are in the correct lane for where you intend to go after the turn. Otherwise, driving in the city is quite standard and easy to adapt to.

Driving a larger vehicle like an SUV or minivan around downtown Salt Lake City is surprisingly easy due to the city's wide streets and large intersections. Surface-level driving is rarely an issue. However, you should exercise caution when entering older parking garages, as some may have lower clearance heights or tighter turns than modern structures. Newer garages, like the one at City Creek Center, are designed to accommodate larger vehicles without any problems.

Parking for these family-friendly attractions is incredibly convenient, as they are all located near each other in the same area by the University of Utah. Each destination has its own large, dedicated surface parking lot located directly adjacent to its main entrance. This makes it very easy to manage strollers and other gear, as you will only have a short walk from your car to the ticket gates. You can confidently drive to this area knowing that simple and accessible parking awaits.

During the Sundance Film Festival, driving and parking conditions change dramatically. Traffic on I-80 between Salt Lake City and Park City becomes much heavier, especially on weekends. In Park City itself, parking is extremely scarce and expensive, and many streets are closed or restricted. It is highly recommended to park your rental car at a designated festival lot and use the free, efficient Sundance shuttle system to move between venues. Driving your own car within Park City during the festival is generally not a practical option.

A smooth plan is for the first person or group to arrive to collect the luggage and pick up the rental vehicle. They can then wait for the others at the airport's cell phone lot, which is a free and convenient place to park for short periods. Alternatively, the first arrivals could drive to a nearby coffee shop or restaurant just outside the airport to wait in more comfort. Once everyone has arrived, the entire group can load into the car and head to the mountains together.

There are several convenient options for a quick grocery stop right after leaving the airport. A number of large supermarkets are located just a few minutes' drive from the rental car center, particularly near the interchanges for I-80 and the I-215 belt route. These stores have large parking lots and are situated on major roads, making for an easy in-and-out experience. This allows you to stock up on supplies for your trip before you even get on the main highway toward your final destination.

When returning your rental car on a busy holiday weekend, the most important thing to plan for is extra time. The roads leading to the airport can be more congested, and there may be a line of cars at the rental return area. After dropping off the car, you will also face longer lines at airline check-in and security. It is wise to allow at least an additional 30 to 45 minutes beyond what you would normally budget for the entire airport process to ensure a stress-free departure.

To create an efficient Utah road trip from Salt Lake City, a logical sequence is to travel in a large loop. A popular route is to first drive south on I-15 to visit Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks. From there, you can travel east on scenic byways like UT-12 to Capitol Reef National Park. Continue heading north toward Moab to explore Arches and Canyonlands, and finally, complete the loop by driving back to Salt Lake City via US-6 and I-15. This progression minimizes backtracking and creates more manageable driving days.