Hertz Car Hire
in Saskatchewan

After collecting your luggage at Saskatoon Airport, you will find the car rental desks located directly opposite the baggage claim area in the main terminal. Once you have completed the paperwork at the desk, proceed to the rental car car park. This car park is situated just outside the terminal doors, only a short and straightforward walk away. Clear signage will guide you from the rental desks to the designated pickup bays for your vehicle.

Driving out of Saskatoon Airport late at night is quite straightforward as traffic is minimal. The main road leading from the terminal is Airport Drive. Simply follow this road as it heads south away from the airport grounds. You will reach a major interchange for Circle Drive, which is the city's primary ring road. Clear, well-lit overhead signs will direct you to Circle Drive North or Circle Drive South, which will connect you to all other main routes in the city.

During a Saskatchewan winter, it's sensible to add at least 10 to 15 minutes to your schedule for preparing the car before you leave the car park. This allows ample time for the engine to warm up and for the demister to completely clear all windows of ice and frost. For your safety, it's crucial to have full visibility through the windscreen, rear window and side windows, not just a small viewing hole. This extra time also lets the cabin become more comfortable for your journey.

For the most direct and least complicated route to downtown Saskatoon, take Airport Drive south from the terminal area. Follow signs to merge onto Circle Drive East. Continue on Circle Drive for a few kilometres and then take the Idylwyld Drive exit. This main road will lead you straight south into the heart of the city, taking you over the Idylwyld Bridge with clear signage for central streets.

For newcomers, Circle Drive during peak rush hour can be challenging due to its high traffic volumes and frequent merging. Similarly, 22nd Street can be very busy with many junctions and commercial entrances. As a calmer alternative for north–south travel consider 1st Avenue or Spadina Crescent instead of Idylwyld Drive. For east–west travel, College Drive is often more scenic and slightly less hectic than 22nd Street.

To reach the Riversdale neighbourhood easily from the airport, the most direct route is to take Circle Drive to the 22nd Street West exit. Head east on 22nd Street, which forms the northern border of Riversdale. From there you can make a simple right turn onto any of the avenues, such as Avenue H or Avenue D, to enter the neighbourhood. This route avoids the more complex grid of the downtown core and minimises difficult turns.

The bridges are essential connectors in Saskatoon and consequently are the main bottlenecks during morning and evening commutes. Traffic heading downtown and to the university from the east side can be very heavy between 7:30 and 9:00 am. The reverse is true in the afternoon, typically from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. If your schedule is flexible, planning your river crossings outside these peak hours will lead to a much smoother and quicker drive.

When driving in Saskatoon it is critical to be aware of school zones, which have significantly reduced speed limits. These zones are active on school days, typically from morning until late afternoon, and are clearly marked with prominent signs. The speed limits are strictly enforced to ensure the safety of children. Always be prepared to slow down considerably when you see a school zone sign, and remain vigilant for pedestrians.

The interchange connecting Circle Drive and Idylwyld Drive can be complex for first-time visitors, with multiple lanes merging and exiting. Another area to be mindful of is the approach to the University Bridge from College Drive, where you need to be in the correct lane well in advance. When approaching these areas it's helpful to reduce your speed slightly, read the overhead signs carefully and give yourself plenty of space to manoeuvre safely.

Navigating the University of Saskatchewan's campus roads can be tricky, so it's best to aim for a large, designated visitor car park. The Stadium Parkade, located just off College Drive, is an excellent and easy-to-find option for visitors. From there the whole campus is accessible on foot. Trying to find parking closer to a specific building often leads to circling on confusing one-way roads and ending up in permit-only areas.

Most downtown hotels have a designated short-term passenger loading zone right at their main entrance. The most efficient strategy is to pull into this zone, unload your luggage with the help of a porter or your travel companions, and then proceed to the hotel's car park or a recommended nearby lot. This avoids the stress of trying to find immediate street parking while your car is full of bags and allows you to check in without feeling rushed.

While Broadway Avenue has metered on-street parking, it fills up very quickly, especially on evenings and weekends. A more reliable strategy is to park on one of the adjacent residential streets, such as 9th Street East or 10th Street East. You may need to walk a block or two, but you'll save the frustration of circling the main strip. Arriving a little before your dinner reservation can also increase your chances of finding a convenient spot.

The most convenient and straightforward parking for the Remai Modern and the River Landing area is the River Landing Parkade. It is a large, modern, underground facility located directly opposite the museum. The entrance is well-marked on 2nd Avenue South. This option provides secure, sheltered parking and allows for easy pedestrian access to the entire riverfront promenade and nearby restaurants.

A lovely scenic drive is to follow Spadina Crescent, which runs parallel to the South Saskatchewan River. A great route is to start downtown and head north, passing the iconic Delta Bessborough hotel and several parks. There are numerous small parking areas and pull-offs along the way offering beautiful views of the river and the city’s bridges. You can follow it to the University Bridge and then cross over to the east side for a different perspective on your return.

The drive to Wanuskewin Heritage Park from Saskatoon is straightforward and takes about 15–20 minutes from the city's north end. The route is mainly on well-paved roads, including Wanuskewin Road, and signage is clear as you approach the park. However, services such as petrol stations and restaurants become sparse once you leave the city limits. It's a good idea to ensure you have enough fuel and any snacks or drinks before you begin the final leg of the drive.

A day trip to Pike Lake is very simple to plan. The most direct route is to take Highway 7 west out of the city for a short distance, then turn south onto Highway 60, which leads you directly to the park entrance. The entire drive is on paved highways and is well signed. Once you arrive at the park, you'll find large, designated car parks conveniently located near the main beach, picnic areas and concessions, making for a stress-free visit.

The most direct route for a day trip to Prince Albert is to take Highway 11 north from Saskatoon. It is a main divided highway for most of the journey, making for a safe and efficient drive of about an hour and a half. For a convenient rest stop many travellers pull over in the town of Rosthern or Hague. Both are located right on the highway and offer petrol stations, coffee shops and fast-food options to break up the drive.

When driving to Prince Albert National Park, the most critical stretch with limited services is north of the city of Prince Albert. After leaving the city, the drive on Highway 2 towards the park entrance at Waskesiu has very few petrol stations or shops. It is essential to start with a full tank of fuel, water and snacks from Prince Albert to ensure a comfortable and worry-free journey into the park itself.

The most significant adjustment for American drivers in Saskatchewan is that all speeds and distances are in the metric system. Speed limits are posted in kilometres per hour (km/h), and distances on signs are in kilometres. A common highway speed limit is 110 km/h, which is approximately 68 mph. While many road signs use internationally recognised symbols, it's important to keep the km/h measurement in mind to maintain a safe and legal speed.

Wildlife, particularly deer, become significantly more active on rural roads during the hours around dawn and dusk. To reduce the risk of a collision, it's crucial to lower your speed and be extra vigilant during these times. Actively scan the road ahead as well as the ditches on both sides. Using your main beam lights when there is no oncoming traffic can help you spot the reflection of an animal's eyes much earlier, giving you more time to react.

Spring in Saskatchewan brings a freeze–thaw cycle that can be tough on roads. Visitors should be prepared for an increase in potholes on both city streets and highways. On rural routes, be aware of soft shoulders and loose gravel that can affect traction. After a spring rain, watch for standing water in low-lying areas of the road, and always reduce your speed when driving through it to avoid aquaplaning.

During Saskatoon's busy summer construction season, it's wise to supplement your GPS with local information. Before heading out, check the City of Saskatoon's website for a daily list of road closures and restrictions. Often the most reliable strategy is to stick to major arteries like Circle Drive, even if it seems like a longer route. These main roads are typically prioritised to remain open and can be more predictable than navigating a series of detours through unfamiliar neighbourhoods.

The simplest way to get to SaskTel Centre is by taking Circle Drive North and exiting onto Idylwyld Drive. The venue is located just north of the city and is well signed from this main route. Plan to arrive early, as traffic leading into the car parks can build up quickly before an event. When leaving, expect significant delays as everyone exits at once; patience is key, or consider waiting 15–20 minutes after the event ends for traffic to clear.

After you leave the rental car lot at the airport, there are several convenient places to pull over safely. Just a minute or two down Airport Drive you will find several businesses with large car parks, such as coffee shops and petrol stations. These spots are ideal for taking a few minutes to adjust your mirrors and seating, secure any child seats, organise your bags and enter your destination into your navigation system before merging into city traffic.

After a fresh snowfall, the most important adjustments are to significantly reduce your speed and dramatically increase your following distance from the vehicle ahead. Lane markings will likely be obscured, so you'll need to judge your position by watching the flow of traffic and the tracks of the cars in front of you. Make all of your movements—braking, accelerating and turning—more slowly and gently to maintain traction and control of the vehicle.

For drivers who are uneasy on icy roads, sticking to residential neighbourhoods is often a less stressful option. The speed limits are much lower, giving you more time to react and brake safely. While major arteries like Circle Drive or College Drive are often cleared first, the higher speeds can be intimidating. Driving through quieter side streets, even if it takes a bit longer, can provide a much more comfortable and controlled experience in slippery conditions.

At a four-way stop in Saskatoon, the standard rule is that the first vehicle to come to a complete stop has the right of way to proceed. If two vehicles arrive at the same moment, the vehicle on the right goes first. It is common and courteous for drivers to make eye contact or use a brief hand wave to communicate their intentions and ensure everyone understands who is proceeding next. Cautious and clear communication is always best practice.

Saskatoon drivers are generally considered polite, and one local habit to be aware of is the expectation of a 'zipper merge' in construction zones. This means drivers use both lanes up to the merge point and then take turns filing into the single lane. Merging too early is often discouraged as it can back up traffic unnecessarily. Otherwise driving patterns are quite standard, with a strong emphasis on pedestrian right-of-way at crossings.

For a safe Northern Lights viewing spot it's best to look for designated public areas rather than pulling over on a dark highway shoulder. Research small regional parks, conservation areas or official motorway rest stops just outside the city. These locations provide safe parking off the main road and away from private property. Avoid turning down unmarked grid roads at night, as they can be soft gravel and difficult to navigate in the dark.

Saskatchewan's grid roads are typically unpaved gravel or dirt roads that form a large checkerboard pattern across the landscape. They can be dusty when dry and very slippery or muddy when wet, so it's essential to drive at a reduced speed. To avoid getting lost, it's highly recommended to use a GPS with offline maps downloaded, as mobile signal can be unreliable and road signs are often minimal. Always be cautious of soft shoulders where it's easy to get stuck.

Mobile service can become unreliable once you travel more than 20 to 30 minutes outside of Saskatoon, especially on secondary highways and rural grid roads. The best way to prepare for this is to download the map of the region for offline use on your smartphone's navigation app before you leave the city. This ensures your GPS will continue to function and provide directions even when you don't have a data connection, preventing you from getting lost.

During peak summer weekends, the areas around the riverfront, particularly Spadina Crescent and the Remai Modern, become very busy. The Broadway Avenue district is another popular hotspot for dining and shopping, leading to heavy traffic and scarce parking. The city centre can also be congested, especially if there is a festival or event. Planning to park in a central car park and exploring these areas on foot is often the easiest approach.

The drive to Regina is primarily on Highway 11, which can be quite straight and flat. To break up the journey, plan a stop in the town of Davidson, located at roughly the halfway point, which is famous for its giant coffee pot statue. Another interesting detour is to visit the Last Mountain Lake National Wildlife Area, a short drive off the main highway, to stretch your legs and see a different landscape. These planned stops can make the three-hour drive much more enjoyable.

When driving from Saskatoon towards the Alberta Badlands near Drumheller, a very logical and comfortable overnight stop is the city of Medicine Hat, Alberta. This effectively splits the total journey of about seven hours into two more manageable driving days. This allows you to arrive in Medicine Hat without feeling rushed and then have a shorter drive the next day, giving you more time and energy to explore the Badlands upon your arrival.

To make a multi-hotel switch in Saskatoon as smooth as possible, plan the move for mid-day, between roughly 11am and 2pm. This timing avoids both the morning check-out and afternoon check-in rushes, resulting in less traffic. Drive directly to your new hotel and use their designated passenger loading zone to transfer your luggage. After checking in, you can then move your car to a proper parking spot without the added stress of managing your bags.

For reorganising a car packed with bulky equipment, the large, open car parks of suburban shopping centres are ideal. Locations like Preston Crossing in the north or Stonebridge in the south offer ample space where you can open all your doors and the boot without obstructing traffic. This allows you to sort your gear in a low-stress environment before getting on the highway for a longer trip.

When entering any multi-storey car park with a larger vehicle like an SUV or truck, the first and most important step is to check the maximum height clearance sign at the entrance. While driving inside, be particularly cautious on the ramps between levels, as the angle can reduce the effective clearance. Take turns slowly and widely to avoid scraping pillars, and be mindful of overhead pipes or signage that may hang lower than the main ceiling.

For an early morning flight in winter, travellers are often surprised by how much extra time is needed. You must factor in time to scrape ice and snow from all the car's windows and let the vehicle warm up sufficiently. Additionally, morning road conditions can be unpredictable and slow due to overnight freezing or fresh snow. It is highly advisable to add at least 30 minutes to your usual travel time to the airport to avoid any last-minute stress.

To ensure you get to the correct location, it's best to enter "Saskatoon Airport Car Rental Return" or your specific rental company's name into your GPS. This is often a more precise destination than simply "Saskatoon Airport." As you get close to the airport, ignore the signs for "Departures" and "Arrivals" and instead follow the specific road signs that direct you to "Rental Car Return," which will guide you to the designated drop-off area.

When driving on highways and approaching small towns in Saskatchewan, expect the speed limit to drop suddenly and significantly. These transitions from highway speed (e.g. 110 km/h) to town speed (e.g. 50 km/h) are clearly signed but happen quickly. These reduced speed zones are strictly enforced by local police. It is crucial to be vigilant for the speed limit signs as you enter and pass through any town to ensure safety and avoid a fine.