Hertz Car Hire
Warwick

The Hertz rental facility is conveniently located within the InterLink at T.F. Green International Airport. This multi-level transport hub is directly connected to the main airport terminal. After collecting your luggage, simply follow the prominent overhead signs for "Car Hire." You will be directed to a covered skywalk that leads straight to the rental desks, including the Hertz desk, where you can complete your paperwork before heading to your vehicle.

Navigating to the Hertz desk after a late flight is very direct. Once you exit the secure area and enter the main terminal, look for the overhead directional signs pointing to "Car Hire" and the InterLink facility. These signs are well lit and positioned at key decision points throughout the terminal. Following this signage will guide you across an enclosed skywalk directly to the rental car centre, where the Hertz desk and vehicles are located, eliminating any need to wander.

The most direct route to downtown Providence is via Interstate 95 North. After exiting the airport rental car area, follow the signs for I-95 N. To make the initial drive smoother, try to move into one of the middle lanes once you are safely on the motorway. This helps you avoid the immediate turbulence of cars merging on from other airport exits and the right‑lane exits that come up quickly, giving you more time to get comfortable with the car.

The drive from the Warwick rental location to Brown University typically takes about 20 to 25 minutes in light traffic. However, during morning or evening rush hours this travel time can easily extend to 45 minutes or more due to congestion on I‑95 and the city streets of Providence. Once you exit the motorway, be prepared for narrower roads and more pedestrian traffic as you ascend College Hill, which can also add a few minutes to your journey.

For a low‑stress drive to Newport, take Route 4 South from Warwick, which merges into Route 1 South, and then follow signs for Route 138 East toward the bridges. The most critical part of the drive is the approach to the Jamestown Verrazzano and Newport Pell bridges. Drivers can be caught out by last‑minute lane changes, so it's best to get into the correct lane for Route 138 East well in advance and follow the overhead signs carefully to ensure a smooth crossing.

Yes, the Newport Pell Bridge on the primary route to Newport operates with an electronic tolling system. There are no cash lanes, so all tolls are collected electronically. Most rental vehicles are equipped with a transponder or another method to process these tolls automatically. It’s good practice to ask at the Hertz desk when you pick up your car about how tolls are handled so you’re aware of the process.

A great strategy for a day in Newport is to park at the Newport Gateway Center car park. This central location allows you to easily walk to Thames Street, the waterfront wharves, and the main visitor centre. From there you can explore the historic downtown on foot. To see the mansions and the Cliff Walk, you might consider driving and parking at the Easton's Beach lot at the start of the walk or finding limited on‑street parking closer to the larger mansions like The Breakers.

To ensure a stress‑free trip to a morning ferry, it’s best to leave Warwick at least 90 minutes before your scheduled departure time. This buffer accounts for the 30–45 minute drive and allows extra time for potential summer traffic, especially at weekends. It also gives you ample time to find parking near the ferry terminal, purchase tickets if needed, and board without having to rush.

Driving to Narragansett and the south coast beaches in summer requires some planning due to heavy traffic. The main bottlenecks occur on Route 4 South where it merges with Route 1, and again at the traffic lights in Wakefield and along the roads leading directly to the beaches, like Route 1A. To avoid the worst congestion, plan to leave Warwick very early in the morning, ideally before 09:00, especially on a weekend.

The most efficient route from Warwick to the Point Judith ferry terminal is taking I‑95 South to Route 4 South, which flows into Route 1 South. From there, take the exit for Route 108 South, which leads directly to the ferry. The last major town with reliable and extensive options for snacks, drinks, or any last‑minute supplies is Wakefield. You'll find several grocery stores and pharmacies in shopping plazas right off Route 1 before you make the final turn toward the coast.

For a day trip to Block Island, the most convenient option is to use the large, designated pay‑to‑park lots located right by the ferry terminal in Point Judith. These lots are specifically set up for ferry passengers and offer daily rates. Arriving at least 45 minutes before your ferry departure will give you plenty of time to find a spot, pay at the kiosk, and walk over to the terminal without any stress.

Driving and parking in downtown Providence during a WaterFire event can be very challenging due to numerous road closures and heavy pedestrian traffic. It’s highly recommended to arrive in the city well before the event begins. Your best strategy is to park at a larger, centrally located car park, such as the one at Providence Place Mall or the Rhode Island Convention Centre, and then walk the remaining distance to the riverfront.

During a Providence College basketball game or a major concert at the Amica Mutual Pavilion, expect significant traffic delays throughout downtown Providence. The areas around the I‑95, Route 6 and Route 10 interchanges will be particularly congested. It’s sensible to add at least 45 to 60 minutes to your expected travel time from Warwick and consider reserving a parking spot in a nearby car park online ahead of time if possible.

To simplify entering the Providence Place Mall car park, aim for the entrance located on Hayes Street. This entrance is generally less chaotic than the ones directly accessible from the motorway ramps or Francis Street. Using your sat‑nav to navigate specifically to the "Providence Place North Garage Entrance" on Hayes Street can provide a more direct and less confusing route, helping you avoid the complex junctions and turn lanes common in that area.

The most practical approach is to drive from Warwick into Providence and head toward the College Hill neighbourhood. While you might find metered street parking on Benefit Street or Waterman Street, these spots are highly coveted at weekends. A more reliable plan is to park in one of the paid public lots or car parks located on or just off North Main Street at the bottom of the hill, which leaves you with a short, scenic walk up to the museum entrance.

Under normal conditions the drive from the Warwick rental location to Roger Williams Park Zoo is quite short, typically taking only 15 to 20 minutes. However, you should budget extra time if travelling during weekday rush hours, as Elmwood Avenue and the I‑95 interchange near the park can get congested. On sunny weekends, especially during the summer, the roads immediately surrounding the park can also experience backups as visitors arrive.

A smart itinerary to minimise driving would be to start in Federal Hill, which is just west of the downtown core. After enjoying the Italian specialities there, you can drive across town to the east side. Park once in the Fox Point or Wayland Square area, as these two neighbourhoods are adjacent and easily walkable from one another, allowing you to explore both without having to move your car again.

The most straightforward drive to Bristol from Warwick is taking I‑95 North to I‑195 East, then following Route 114 South directly into town. If you are visiting during the famous Fourth of July celebration, be aware that road closures in and around the parade route start very early. The best plan is to arrive several hours ahead of time, park your car in a designated satellite lot or on a residential street well away from the town centre, and walk to the festivities.

For direct access to both attractions, the most popular place to park is within Colt State Park itself, which has several large, convenient car parks. The East Bay Bike Path runs directly through the park, making it an ideal starting point. Alternatively, you can find dedicated parking areas for the bike path in nearby towns like Bristol or Warren, which are also excellent places to begin your ride.

A day trip to Watch Hill and Westerly is very realistic, as the drive from Warwick is typically just under an hour via I‑95 and Route 78. However, the parking situation in the village of Watch Hill during the summer is extremely challenging, with very limited and expensive spots. A better strategy is to park at one of the larger state beach lots in Westerly, like Misquamicut, and then consider using a local shuttle or rideshare for the short trip into Watch Hill.

On a peak summer Saturday the drive from Warwick to Misquamicut can be slow, particularly on Route 1 South and the final local roads leading to the beach. Traffic often builds steadily throughout the morning. To secure a parking spot, it is highly advisable to arrive early, as the main state beach car parks can reach capacity and close to new arrivals as early as 10:00 or 10:30.

To manage traffic effectively, consider visiting Providence in the morning and then driving to Newport after the morning rush, around 10:00. When returning from Newport later in the day, aim to cross the Newport Pell and Jamestown Verrazzano bridges either before 15:00 to beat the afternoon rush, or wait until after 19:00 when commuter and beach traffic has subsided for a much smoother drive back.

For a first‑time driver, the most navigable and well‑marked route is to take I‑95 South from Warwick to Exit 9 for Route 4 South. Continue on Route 4 until it ends, then take the exit for Route 138 West. The university is located just a few miles down Route 138, and there are clear signs directing you to the campus, making it a very straightforward journey.

Wickford Village is very accommodating for visitors arriving by car. There is a large, free municipal car park conveniently located in the centre of the village, just behind the shops on Brown Street. Additionally, you will find plenty of free on‑street parking throughout the historic area. These options make it easy to park your car for several hours and explore the charming shops and waterfront on foot.

For a pleasant coastal drive, take Route 1A South from the Warwick area. This route, often called the Scenic 1A, runs parallel to the main Route 1 but stays closer to the Narragansett Bay shoreline. It will take you through historic villages like Wickford and Saunderstown before offering beautiful views as you approach Narragansett. While it has a slower pace than the motorway, it generally avoids the heavy stop‑and‑go traffic of more commercial roads.

To minimise driving stress, take I‑95 North from Warwick toward Boston, then follow I‑93 North and connect to Route 128 North. Instead of driving directly into Salem's congested centre and searching for limited parking, consider parking at a nearby MBTA commuter rail station, such as Beverly or Lynn. From there, it's a short and relaxing train ride of one or two stops into the heart of Salem.

The key to a smooth drive to Cape Cod is timing your crossing of the Sagamore or Bourne bridges. On a peak summer weekend, especially a Friday or Saturday, you should aim to cross the bridges either very early in the morning (before 07:00) or later in the evening (after 20:00). Travelling mid‑week is always the best option for avoiding the significant backups that are common during prime arrival and departure times.

The drive to Mystic is quite smooth and direct. Simply take Interstate 95 South from Warwick for about 45 minutes. The exits for the Mystic Aquarium and Olde Mistick Village are clearly marked and located right off the motorway. Both attractions have large, dedicated car parks, making it very easy to get off the interstate and park your car without navigating complex local roads.

A good plan is to drive from Warwick to Mystic first, arriving in the morning to enjoy the attractions before the biggest crowds. Plan to leave Mystic for New Haven in the early afternoon, ideally between 13:00 and 15:00. This timing allows you to travel on I‑95 South after the lunchtime rush but before the heavy afternoon commuter traffic begins to build around the New Haven area.

Driving into central Boston can be stressful due to heavy traffic and expensive parking. A popular and much easier strategy for visitors from Rhode Island is to drive part of the way and then switch to public transport. You can take I‑95 North to a suburban MBTA station like Braintree on the Red Line or Riverside on the Green Line. Parking at these large commuter lots is affordable, and the train provides direct access to Boston's main attractions.

Yes, you can take a pleasant back‑road route to Newport. From Warwick you can use local roads like Route 117 and Post Road (Route 1) south through East Greenwich and North Kingstown. In Wickford, switch to Scenic Route 1A, which offers beautiful water views as you head toward the bridges to Jamestown and Newport. While this route is slower than the motorway, it is well signed and offers a more relaxed driving experience.

Drivers new to Rhode Island are often surprised by the short slip‑roads and quick merges on motorways like I‑95, which require you to get up to speed quickly. Additionally, the state has many older multi‑lane rotaries where the traffic patterns can be confusing. A common rule that differs from some other states is that you must give way to traffic already circulating within the rotary, so it's important to approach them with caution.

For immediate and easy access to groceries and other supplies, head to the shopping centres along Bald Hill Road (Route 2), just a few minutes' drive from the airport. This major commercial road is easy to navigate and features large plazas with major supermarkets, pharmacies and retail outlets. The entrances and exits to these shopping centres are straightforward, with ample parking, making it a stress‑free first stop.

Before leaving the rental lot for a night drive, take a moment to familiarise yourself with the car's essential controls. Locate the switches for the headlights, main beam and fog lights if fitted. It's also wise to adjust your rear‑view and side mirrors and know how to operate the windscreen wipers and demister, as coastal weather can bring unexpected fog or rain, and you'll want to be prepared.

A wonderful fall foliage loop is to head north‑west from Warwick toward the Scituate Reservoir. You can take smaller state roads like Route 116 and Route 102 through charming small towns and rural areas. This route offers classic New England scenery with rolling hills and colourful forests. You can easily loop back toward Warwick or extend the drive into the quiet corner of north‑eastern Connecticut for an even more extensive tour.

During winter weather, be especially cautious on bridges, overpasses and motorway ramps, as they freeze before other road surfaces. In Providence, the steep, winding roads on College Hill can become particularly slick and challenging. It's essential to adjust your driving by reducing your speed, increasing your following distance significantly, and allowing much more time for braking, especially when approaching junctions and downhill slopes.

An excellent and simple meeting point is the baggage claim area corresponding to the last person's arriving flight. This location is easy for everyone to find, offers seating, and keeps your group together indoors. Once everyone has arrived and collected their luggage, you can all proceed together up the skywalk that leads directly to the Hertz rental car centre.

The most efficient process is to first drive to the upper‑level "Departures" roadway in front of the main airport terminal. Here you can drop off all passengers and their luggage at the kerb right by the airline check‑in doors. After they are safely out of the car, the driver can then proceed alone to follow the signs for "Rental Car Return" without the added complexity of managing the group and their bags.

Even in the dark, the approach is well signed and lit. As you near the airport, follow the main roadway signs that specifically direct you to "Rental Car Return." These signs will guide you into a dedicated lane that leads directly to the entrance of the InterLink car park. For added confidence, setting your sat‑nav to T.F. Green Airport's rental car return will provide precise, turn‑by‑turn instructions right to the drop‑off point.