Hertz Car Rental
in Portsmouth

The Hertz rental car counter at Portsmouth International Airport (PSM) is conveniently located right inside the main terminal building. After you collect your luggage from the baggage claim area, you will find the rental car desks clearly signed and easy to access. The vehicles are parked in a dedicated lot just a short walk from the terminal exit, so you won't need to take a shuttle. This streamlined setup makes the process of getting your keys and heading out on the road very efficient.

The most reliable way to ensure a smooth late-night pickup is to include your flight number and arrival time when you make your reservation. This allows the local Hertz staff to track your flight status and anticipate any delays. It is also a good practice to double-check the location's operating hours listed on your confirmation email. If your flight is significantly delayed, having your flight information on file helps the team prepare for your later arrival.

Portsmouth International Airport is smaller and generally more efficient than major hubs, so the process is typically quite fast. During peak travel times, such as summer weekends or holidays, you might expect the entire process to take around 30 to 45 minutes. This includes walking to the counter, completing the paperwork, and getting to your vehicle. To help speed things up, have your driver's license and reservation details ready when you approach the counter.

For the most straightforward drive, take Pease Boulevard from the airport terminal to the Portsmouth Traffic Circle. This route is well-marked and minimizes complex turns. At the traffic circle, follow the signs for US-1 Bypass South, which will lead you directly toward the downtown area. From there, you can easily access the main streets and public parking garages without navigating the tighter, historic side streets right away.

The drive from Portsmouth International Airport to Kittery is exceptionally straightforward and usually takes less than 15 minutes. You will simply head from the airport toward I-95 North. The primary crossing you'll encounter is the Piscataqua River Bridge, which takes you from New Hampshire directly into Maine. It's a major interstate bridge that is easy to navigate and offers a scenic, if brief, view of the river and naval shipyard.

The smoothest approach is to use your GPS to navigate to one of the city's main parking garages, like the Hanover Street Garage or Foundry Place Garage. Drivers often get turned around trying to navigate the maze of one-way streets and pedestrian-heavy areas directly within Market Square. By parking first, you can avoid the stress of searching for limited street parking and simply enjoy a short, pleasant walk to the waterfront, shops, and restaurants.

For visitors who want to park once and explore, the Hanover Street Garage and the Foundry Place Garage are the two best options. The Hanover Street Garage is located right in the heart of downtown, offering immediate access to Market Square and the waterfront. Foundry Place is slightly larger and just a few blocks away, providing an easy walk to all the main attractions while being simple to enter and exit from the main roads.

The best plan is to pull up to the hotel's main entrance, where there is often a temporary loading zone. It's wise to have one person stay with the vehicle while the other brings the luggage inside or gets assistance from the hotel staff. After quickly unloading your bags, you can then proceed directly to your hotel's designated parking area or a nearby public garage for overnight parking, avoiding the need to navigate narrow streets with all your luggage.

Driving and parking in downtown Portsmouth can be challenging during busy summer weekends. Traffic volume increases significantly, especially on roads leading to the waterfront and Market Square. Street parking becomes very scarce, so your best strategy is to head directly to a public parking garage. Arriving in the city earlier in the day, before the lunchtime rush, will give you a much better chance of finding a convenient spot without circling.

The historic core of downtown Portsmouth features a dense network of one-way streets that can be tricky for first-time visitors. It's highly recommended to use a GPS and pay close attention to street signs. The best approach is to identify your destination, such as a parking garage, and navigate directly there. Trying to drive around aimlessly to find street parking will likely lead to circling and frustration, so having a clear plan is key.

The most convenient place to park is the museum's dedicated visitor parking lot, located right on-site. You can access it via Hancock Street, and it is well-signed as you approach the museum grounds. Using this lot eliminates any need to search for street parking in the surrounding historic neighborhood. It allows you to park your rental car and immediately begin exploring the museum and its beautiful grounds with ease.

The easiest way is to drive to each town and park your car once in a central municipal lot or a designated all-day private lot. Both Ogunquit and Kennebunkport are very walkable, so you can explore the shops, beaches, and restaurants on foot. Trying to find street parking in the heart of these popular towns, especially during the summer, can be very difficult, so parking once and walking is the most stress-free strategy.

Both beaches are easy to drive to, but parking is the main challenge. York Beach in Maine often feels a bit simpler as its main lots are clearly visible upon arrival, though they fill up fast. Hampton Beach in New Hampshire has more parking overall, including a large state park lot and metered street spots, but the area is more congested. For either destination on a summer weekend, arriving before 9:00 AM is essential for securing a parking space without a long search.

For a beautiful coastal drive, head south from Portsmouth on Route 1A through Rye and Hampton. There are numerous designated pull-offs and parking areas along Ocean Boulevard that offer fantastic, unobstructed views of the Atlantic, perfect for watching a sunrise. For sunset, consider the drive through New Castle on Route 1B, where you can find spots overlooking the Piscataqua River as the sun sets behind the city.

A day trip to Portland is very realistic and a popular choice for visitors. The drive is straightforward, taking about one hour each way via I-95 North. To make the most of your day, plan to leave Portsmouth by 9:00 AM to arrive before the city gets too busy. Heading back in the late afternoon or early evening will help you avoid the worst of the commuter traffic around both cities.

The most direct and easiest route for a first-time driver is to take the Spaulding Turnpike (NH Route 16) north from Portsmouth. This highway is a major, well-maintained road that leads directly into the heart of the White Mountains region, passing through cities like Rochester and continuing on to Conway. It is well-signed and avoids the smaller, winding back roads, making for a confident and scenic journey.

When driving north on the Spaulding Turnpike (NH-16), the most common slowdowns occur on weekends, especially during the summer and fall foliage seasons. Traffic can become congested around Rochester and again as you approach Conway, where the road narrows and passes through the town's busy commercial center. To avoid the worst of it, try to travel on a weekday or get an early start on a Saturday morning.

Fall foliage weekends dramatically increase traffic on all scenic routes heading north, particularly NH-16 towards the White Mountains. Expect significant slowdowns and allow for much more travel time than your GPS might estimate. Parking at popular trailheads, scenic overlooks, and in towns like North Conway becomes extremely limited. The best advice is to start your day as early as possible and have backup plans for destinations if parking lots are full.

For the best restaurant access, park your car in the Hanover Street or Foundry Place public garages. These locations put you within a short walking distance of the highest concentration of restaurants in the city, including those in Market Square, on Bow Street, and along the waterfront. This strategy allows you to enjoy an evening of dining without the stress of trying to find street parking near each individual restaurant in the city's compact and busy downtown.

The most convenient way to handle tolls on highways like I-95 and the Spaulding Turnpike is to use the electronic tolling system offered with your rental car. Most rental vehicles are equipped with a transponder that automatically pays the tolls as you drive through the express lanes. Be sure to ask the Hertz agent at the counter about their specific tolling program so you understand how it works before you leave the airport.

A great place to get organized is in one of the nearby shopping center parking lots just off Pease Boulevard, a minute or two from the airport exit. These large, open lots provide a safe space to pull over, adjust car seats, set up your navigation, and distribute snacks and drinks. This allows you to get everything settled in a low-stress environment before merging onto the highway for a longer journey.

The rental car lot at Portsmouth's airport is typically less crowded than those at major hubs, which naturally creates a more relaxed environment. To make loading even smoother, have one person from your party manage the luggage cart while the other finalizes the rental agreement at the counter. Once at the vehicle, you can take your time organizing your bags in the trunk and back seat without the pressure of a long line of cars waiting behind you.

In winter, road conditions can vary greatly, from perfectly clear and dry to snow-covered and icy. Major highways like I-95 and the Spaulding Turnpike are top priorities for snow removal and are usually in good condition shortly after a storm. However, secondary roads and city streets can remain slick, so it's important to drive with caution, allow for extra braking distance, and reduce your speed, especially at night.

During or after a snowstorm, the least stressful route to Boston is to stay on I-95 South for the entire journey. As a major interstate highway, it receives the highest priority for plowing and salting, making it the safest and most reliable option. While it has its share of merges, they are generally better managed in winter weather than the interchanges on smaller state highways, which may not be cleared as quickly.

The drive itself is straightforward on I-95 South, but traffic can make it tough. Without traffic, the trip takes about an hour. However, the worst slowdowns typically occur during weekday commuter hours, from about 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM heading south and from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM in both directions. To avoid the heaviest congestion, plan your drive for midday or later in the evening.

For an early-morning flight, it's wise to plan on returning your rental car about two hours before your flight's departure time. The return process at PSM is usually very quick, but this buffer gives you ample time to refuel the car if needed, gather your luggage, and complete the drop-off. This leaves you with plenty of time to walk to the terminal, check in, and get through security without feeling rushed.

When leaving the airport after dark for the first time, take an extra minute in the well-lit rental car lot to familiarize yourself with the vehicle's controls, especially the headlights and wipers. Drive more slowly as you exit the airport complex, paying careful attention to road signs and lane markings. It's also a good idea to have your GPS route programmed and audible before you start driving so you can focus on the road.

A common mistake is underestimating the heavy summer traffic on Route 1, which can cause significant delays. Another is confusing Route 1 with the more scenic coastal road, Route 1A. For the best ocean views and access to beaches like Wallis Sands and Jenness Beach, be sure you are following signs for Route 1A. Relying solely on a GPS for the fastest route might keep you on the less scenic Route 1 inland.

To enjoy the scenic drive to New Castle, simply stay on the main road, which is Route 1B. This route, also known as Wentworth Road and Wild Rose Lane, makes a beautiful loop around the island. The key is to resist the urge to turn down the smaller, narrower side streets unless you have a specific destination there. Sticking to Route 1B will provide all the stunning coastal views without the risk of getting into a tight spot.

The simplest and most direct route is to take the Spaulding Turnpike (NH-16) North from the Portsmouth area. For Durham, you'll take Exit 6W, and for Dover, you'll use one of the subsequent exits. The primary traffic bottleneck tends to form around the Dover Toll Plaza during weekday morning and evening commutes. Traveling outside of these peak hours will usually ensure a much smoother drive.

The most straightforward driving route is I-95 South to I-95/Route 128 North, then taking Exit 44 for Route 114 East into Salem. To avoid the worst congestion, plan your trip for a weekday outside of October, as the city is extremely busy with Halloween tourism. Once you arrive in Salem, park your car in one of the downtown garages and explore the historic sites on foot to avoid traffic within the city itself.

During a major event, your best strategy is to park at the Foundry Place Garage. It's a large, modern facility located on the edge of the main downtown area, which makes for an easier exit when the event is over. By parking here, you can avoid the immediate gridlock that often forms on the smaller streets closer to Market Square, allowing for a quicker departure when you're ready to leave.

The most effective strategy is to go on a weekday, preferably in the morning, when the crowds are lightest. If you must visit on a weekend, arrive right when the stores open, typically around 10:00 AM. This will give you the best chance of finding a convenient parking spot in one of the main lots. Trying to find parking midday on a Saturday in the summer or during a holiday weekend can be extremely challenging.

For an easy and rewarding day trip, the towns of Kittery, York, and Ogunquit are your best bets. They are all located just a short drive north of Portsmouth along Route 1 or I-95. You can easily drive from one to the next, stopping for lobster rolls at a seafood shack in Kittery, visiting the Nubble Lighthouse in York, and walking the scenic Marginal Way in Ogunquit, all within a single, relaxed day.

In poor lighting or bad weather, use your phone's flashlight to thoroughly inspect the car's exterior. Pay close attention to the lower parts of the bumpers and along the doors, as these are common areas for scratches and dings. Make sure to also check the windshield for any chips or cracks. Before leaving the parking spot, quickly test the headlights, turn signals, and windshield wipers to ensure they are all functioning properly.

With a larger vehicle, the historic streets around Market Square, particularly Bow Street and Ceres Street along the waterfront, will feel the tightest. These narrow, often cobblestoned lanes require careful maneuvering. The ramps and parking spaces in the older Hanover Street Garage can also be a snug fit. When unloading curbside on main roads like Congress Street, be extra mindful of your vehicle's size in relation to passing traffic.

A highly efficient plan is to treat the trip in two separate legs. First, use Portsmouth as your base to explore north into coastal Maine, visiting towns like York and Kennebunkport. After you've enjoyed the Maine coast, return to Portsmouth and then make the direct, one-hour drive south on I-95 to Boston. This north-then-south approach prevents backtracking and keeps your daily driving times manageable and enjoyable.