Hertz Car Rental
Chicago

Upon arriving at Terminal 5 and collecting your luggage, look for signs directing you to the airport shuttle buses for rental cars. These complimentary shuttles provide direct transportation from the terminal to the Multi-Modal Facility (MMF), where the Hertz counter is located. The buses run on a continuous loop, so the wait is typically short. Once you arrive at the MMF, you will find clear signage inside guiding you straight to the Hertz service desk to complete your pickup.

A convenient meeting point for groups arriving on separate flights is the baggage claim area of a central terminal, like Terminal 2. This location is easily accessible for passengers from other domestic terminals via the airport's pedestrian walkways. Once everyone has gathered their luggage and connected, your group can proceed together to the rental car shuttle bus stop outside. This strategy keeps everyone in one place before making the final trip to the Hertz pickup location.

The most direct route into downtown Chicago is taking I-190 East from the airport, which merges seamlessly into I-90 East, known as the Kennedy Expressway. To keep the drive simple, it's best to set your navigation before leaving the rental lot and stay in the main lanes, avoiding the reversible express lanes in the center. As you get closer to the city, your GPS will guide you to the appropriate exit for the Loop or River North. This path minimizes complex interchanges until you are much closer to your destination.

During weekday rush hours, typically from about 7-9 a.m. and 4-7 p.m., you should plan for the drive from O'Hare to a hotel in the Loop to take anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes. Traffic on the Kennedy Expressway (I-90/94) can become very congested, significantly extending the travel time compared to off-peak hours. It's always a good idea to check a real-time traffic app just before you depart the rental facility. This will give you the most accurate estimate and help you manage your schedule accordingly.

When heading to River North from O'Hare, the Ohio Street exit (Exit 50B) from the Kennedy Expressway is the most direct, but it can be tricky for first-time visitors. The exit ramp is on the left side of the expressway and can appear suddenly after a curve. It's wise to move into the left lanes well in advance as your GPS indicates the exit is approaching. Missing this exit often requires a complicated detour through congested downtown streets to get back on track.

To reach Wicker Park or Bucktown smoothly, take I-190 East to I-90 East, but plan to exit well before the downtown congestion begins. The key is to take the Division Street exit (Exit 49A) or the North Avenue exit (Exit 48B). These exits place you directly west of the neighborhoods, allowing you to use city streets like Damen or Milwaukee Avenue to navigate to your destination. This approach helps you bypass the most intense traffic that builds up closer to the Loop.

The Kennedy Expressway features reversible express lanes in the center, which change direction to accommodate rush-hour traffic flow. For visitors in a rental car, it's often simplest to avoid them entirely, as the entrances and exits can be confusing and require quick decisions. Additionally, the expressway often has lane splits, particularly as you approach downtown where I-90 and I-94 diverge. Paying close attention to overhead signs and your GPS is crucial to ensure you stay on the correct route for your destination.

After picking up your car, drive toward downtown on I-90 East and take the Washington Blvd exit (Exit 51C), then head east. Union Station is located on Canal Street, between Adams and Jackson. The area directly in front of the station is extremely congested, so a better plan is to arrange a pickup spot on a slightly less busy side street, like Clinton or Jefferson. Have your friends call you when their train has arrived and they are at the designated corner to make the pickup quick and efficient.

For the smoothest drive to McCormick Place from O'Hare, try to travel during off-peak hours, such as mid-morning (after 9:30 a.m.) or early afternoon (between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.). This allows you to avoid the worst of both morning and evening rush hours. The best route involves taking I-90 East toward the city and then transitioning to I-55 South (the Stevenson Expressway). Following the signs for McCormick Place from I-55 will lead you directly to the convention center's dedicated parking areas.

After you exit the Hertz rental lot, instead of immediately merging onto the busy highway, you can use a nearby cell phone lot or a commercial parking lot. The O'Hare Cell Phone Lot is a safe, designated area where you can pull over for a few minutes. Alternatively, there are several gas stations and fast-food restaurants just a short drive from the rental facility. These locations provide a safe space to park, adjust your mirrors, program your GPS, and get settled before starting your journey.

The drive from O'Hare to the Magnificent Mile area is generally straightforward via the Kennedy Expressway (I-90) to the Ohio Street exit. However, once you exit the highway, the final few blocks can be very slow-moving. Michigan Avenue itself is often heavily congested with buses, pedestrians, and delivery vehicles, making it a challenging spot for hotel drop-offs. Side streets like Rush, St. Clair, or Mies van der Rohe Way can also be busy but may offer slightly better opportunities to pull over for your hotel's entrance.

Before you arrive, it's a great idea to call your hotel and ask for the precise location of their valet entrance, as it's often on a side street rather than the main address. Inquire about the check-in process, such as whether you need to leave your keys and get a ticket before unloading luggage. Also, ask if there are any height restrictions for the garage if you've rented a larger vehicle like an SUV or van. Knowing these details ahead of time helps ensure a smooth, stress-free arrival.

Driving a larger vehicle in downtown Chicago requires extra awareness, especially when it comes to parking. Many of the city's older parking garages have low clearance heights and narrow, winding ramps that can be challenging for full-size SUVs or minivans. Before heading to a garage, it's wise to check its height restrictions online or through a parking app. When in doubt, choosing a newer, more modern garage or an open-air surface lot can prevent potential damage and a stressful parking experience.

When you arrive at your hotel in the Loop, the best strategy is to pull into the designated loading zone, even if it's brief. Put your hazard lights on and have one person from your party go inside to start the check-in process immediately. This signals to hotel staff that you are a guest arriving. They can often assist with luggage or direct you to the valet while you handle the check-in, making the process much more organized and efficient despite the limited space.

While Navy Pier has its own on-site parking garages, they can be congested and fill up quickly, especially on weekends. A less stressful alternative is to use one of the several large parking garages located a few blocks west of the pier, in the Streeterville neighborhood. Parking there and enjoying a short, scenic walk to the pier allows you to avoid the most intense vehicle and pedestrian traffic right at the entrance. You can often reserve a spot in these garages online in advance.

On a busy weekend, attempting to find street parking near Millennium Park is not recommended. The most reliable and convenient option is to park in one of the large underground garages located directly beneath the park or nearby Grant Park. The Millennium Park Garage, with entrances on Michigan Avenue and Columbus Drive, offers direct access to the park's main attractions. Booking your parking spot online ahead of time can often provide a better rate and guarantees you a space upon arrival.

To reach Museum Campus while avoiding the worst of Lake Shore Drive's traffic, consider using city streets for the final part of your journey. After taking I-55 toward the lake, exit at Martin Luther King Drive and follow signs for the campus, approaching from the west. Alternatively, if you are on Lake Shore Drive, stay in the right lane and be prepared for the 18th Street exit, which provides direct access. Traveling on a weekday morning, if possible, will also help you miss the heaviest weekend and event traffic.

A great plan for a theater night is to pre-book parking at a well-lit, secure garage within a few blocks of your venue using a parking app. Arrive in the area about 45-60 minutes before your show to allow for traffic and a relaxed walk to the theater. After the show, the area is generally busy with other theatergoers, making the walk back to your garage feel safe. Choosing a garage on a major street like Lake, Randolph, or Wabash can make for an easier exit from the downtown area.

On a game day, expect significant traffic congestion and numerous street closures in the blocks immediately surrounding Wrigley Field. Driving directly to the stadium is highly discouraged as parking is extremely limited and restricted. A better strategy is to park at a designated lot further away or use a commercial garage in a nearby neighborhood like Lakeview or Roscoe Village. From there, you can either walk or take a short ride-share or public transit to the ballpark, avoiding the worst of the gridlock.

The streets that experience the most severe gridlock around the United Center are Madison Street directly in front of the arena and Damen Avenue to the east. These roads become extremely congested in the hour before an event starts and for about 45 minutes after it ends. To minimize frustration, consider arriving early and parking in one of the official lots west of the arena. When leaving, heading west on Madison before turning north or south can sometimes help you bypass the main bottleneck heading back toward downtown.

The most straightforward approach to Soldier Field is via Lake Shore Drive, exiting at 18th Street, which is specifically designed to lead traffic to the Museum Campus and stadium parking. Another good option is to take the Stevenson Expressway (I-55) and exit at Martin Luther King Drive, following it north. On event days, traffic personnel are usually present to direct cars. It's highly advisable to purchase a parking pass online in advance for one of the designated lots to simplify your arrival.

For a relaxed visit to Oak Park, the best strategy is to park your car once and explore the area on foot. There is a large public parking garage on Holley Court, right in the center of downtown Oak Park and a short walk from the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio. Once parked there, you can easily walk to the main historic district, shops, and restaurants. This avoids the need to search for limited street parking at each individual site you wish to visit.

The most reliable way to drive to the Museum of Science and Industry is by taking Lake Shore Drive south from downtown. Exit at 57th Street/Museum of Science and Industry, which leads you directly to the museum's entrance and its large underground parking garage. This route keeps you on major thoroughfares and avoids navigating the smaller, potentially restricted streets of the University of Chicago campus. Using the museum's official address in your GPS will guide you to the correct public access points.

A great route from O'Hare to Chinatown that bypasses the most hectic downtown interchanges is to take I-90 East and then merge onto I-90/94 Express. Continue south past the Loop and take the Cermak-Chinatown exit (Exit 53C). This exit places you right at the edge of the neighborhood, with easy access to the main parking structure on Wentworth Avenue or various street parking options. This path is more direct and avoids the complex exits and city traffic found further north.

The most straightforward route from O'Hare to Evanston is to take I-294 North (the Tri-State Tollway) toward Wisconsin. You will then exit onto Dempster Street East. Continue driving east on Dempster Street for several miles, which will take you directly into the heart of Evanston. This route allows you to bypass downtown Chicago traffic entirely. Once you are in Evanston, Sheridan Road is the main thoroughfare that runs along the lakefront and through the Northwestern University campus.

Chicago's construction season, typically running from spring through fall, can significantly impact travel times across the city. Major expressways like the Kennedy (I-90/94) and local streets are frequently subject to lane closures, detours, and resurfacing projects. Before leaving O'Hare, it is essential to check a real-time traffic app for the latest updates on construction delays. Allowing extra travel time, especially during peak hours, is the best way to manage expectations and avoid being late for your plans.

Visitors should be aware that Chicago has an extensive network of automated red-light and speed cameras, particularly near parks and schools. It's crucial to come to a complete stop before the white line at intersections and to strictly adhere to posted speed limits. These limits can drop suddenly in designated safety zones. Being mindful of your speed and cautious at intersections is the best way to ensure a smooth driving experience and avoid any unexpected citations during your trip.

When driving downtown, always be vigilant for cyclists, especially on streets with designated bike lanes, which are often painted green. The safest practice is to check your mirrors and blind spots thoroughly before turning or changing lanes, as cyclists can approach quickly. When turning right, be particularly careful not to cut across a bike lane. Always yield to cyclists and give them ample space, just as you would for any other vehicle on the road.

The simplest way to head north to Milwaukee is to exit the airport area and follow signs for I-190 East, as if you were going to Chicago. Very shortly after, take the exit for I-294 North (Tri-State Tollway) towards Wisconsin. This is a well-marked interchange that occurs before you get into heavy city-bound traffic. I-294 will eventually merge with I-94 North, providing a direct and continuous route all the way to Milwaukee with minimal complex interchanges.

To avoid the heaviest outbound traffic for a trip to Indiana Dunes, plan to leave the Chicago area either before 2 p.m. on a Friday or early on a Saturday morning, before 8 a.m. The Chicago Skyway and I-90 East can become extremely congested with weekend getaway traffic, especially on Friday afternoons. An early departure ensures a much more pleasant and quicker drive, allowing you more time to enjoy the park. Returning on a Sunday, aim to leave the Dunes either before noon or after 7 p.m.

Starved Rock State Park is extremely popular, and parking can be a major challenge, especially on weekends and holidays. The main visitor center parking lot often fills to capacity by mid-morning. If the main lot is full, park staff will direct you to overflow lots, which may require a longer walk to the trailheads. To secure a good spot and avoid frustration, it is highly recommended to arrive very early in the morning, ideally before 9 a.m.

For a drive to Wisconsin Dells, take I-90 West from the Chicago area. A convenient and popular place for a rest stop is the Belvidere Oasis, located over the tollway near Rockford, which offers food, gas, and clean restrooms. On your return trip, try to time your re-entry into the Chicago area to avoid weekday rush hours. Approaching O'Hare after 7 p.m. on a weekday or during the mid-day on a weekend will generally provide the smoothest drive back to the city.

As you approach the airport, pay close attention to the large overhead signs and specifically follow the ones for “Rental Car Return.” This will guide you to a dedicated entrance for the Multi-Modal Facility (MMF), which is separate from the main terminal roadways for passenger drop-off and pickup. Ignoring the signs for “Arrivals” or “Departures” is key. The correct route will lead you directly into the structure where you can follow further signs for the Hertz return area.

After dropping your passengers at their departures terminal, stay in the outer lanes of the airport roadway system. As you loop around past the terminals, begin looking for signs that direct you to “Rental Car Return.” You will need to follow the airport loop until you see the exit for the Multi-Modal Facility (MMF). This route is designed to allow for easy transition from the passenger terminals to the rental car facility without having to exit and re-enter the main airport complex.

On a Monday morning, you should plan to return your rental car at least three hours before your flight's departure time, and even earlier for international flights. This accounts for potentially heavy traffic on the expressways leading to O'Hare, the time needed to complete the vehicle return process, and the shuttle ride back to your terminal. It also provides a comfortable buffer for getting through security, which can be particularly busy at the start of the work week.

The return process at O'Hare is centralized, making it simple regardless of your departure terminal. You will drop off your Hertz vehicle at the Multi-Modal Facility (MMF), the same location where you picked it up. From there, you will take the free Airport Transit System (ATS) train, also known as the people mover. The ATS has stops at all terminals (1, 2, 3, and 5), so you can easily get to your correct departure terminal after returning the car.

During severe winter weather, the Kennedy Expressway (I-90/94) can be particularly stressful due to high traffic volume and the potential for accidents that cause major delays. Elevated sections and bridges, like the Ohio Street feeder ramp, are especially prone to icing over and can be hazardous. Major city arteries like Lake Shore Drive are also challenging due to blowing snow and ice. In such conditions, allowing double your normal travel time and driving with extreme caution is essential.

After leaving the O'Hare rental facility, instead of heading directly to the expressway, use your GPS to navigate to nearby Mannheim Road or Higgins Road. These major surface streets run parallel to the airport and are lined with numerous gas stations, convenience stores, and fast-food restaurants. Making a stop here is very efficient, as you can quickly get what you need and then easily access the on-ramps for I-90 or I-294 to continue your journey.

The interchanges connecting I-90, I-294, and I-190 around O'Hare are major traffic hubs that become extremely congested during peak hours. When driving toward suburbs like Rosemont or Schaumburg, be prepared for slow-moving traffic and sudden backups, especially near the toll plazas and major exits. It's important to know your exit number in advance and move into the correct lane early. Using a GPS with real-time traffic can help you anticipate delays and, in some cases, suggest alternate local routes.