National Car Hire
in Newark

On arrival at any terminal at Newark Liberty International Airport, your first step is to follow the overhead signs for the AirTrain. All car hire companies, including National, are located in a consolidated car rental centre. You will board the AirTrain and take it to Station P3. Once you exit the train at Station P3, you will see clear signs directing you to the National Car Rental counter to begin the pick-up process. The whole facility is well signposted to guide you from the AirTrain platform directly to the service desks.

After collecting your checked bags from baggage reclaim in Terminal A, look for signs directing you to the AirTrain. You will need to take an escalator or lift up to the AirTrain station platform. The ride is only a few minutes to Station P3, which is the stop for the car rental centre. The AirTrain is designed to accommodate travellers with luggage, making it a convenient and direct transfer. Once at Station P3, follow the signs for National to complete your rental paperwork and pick up your vehicle.

From Terminal C, after you’ve collected your luggage, it’s important to follow the signs specifically for the AirTrain, not for taxis, ride-shares, or buses. The car rental centre is in a separate location accessible only by the AirTrain. Head to the Terminal C AirTrain station and board a train towards Station P3. This dedicated train system helps you bypass other ground-transport congestion and arrive directly at the correct facility for your National car pick-up.

Yes, reaching the National Car Rental facility at EWR requires a ride on the airport’s AirTrain system. There are no separate shuttles for the car hire companies. Each terminal (A, B, and C) has its own clearly marked AirTrain station, accessible after you leave the security area. Simply follow the overhead airport signs for the AirTrain from baggage reclaim. Board the train and travel to the car rental centre, which is located at Station P3.

While times can vary, a reasonable expectation is 45 to 90 minutes from deplaning to driving off the lot. This accounts for walking to baggage reclaim, waiting for your luggage, then walking to and waiting for the AirTrain. The train ride to Station P3 is short, but you should also factor in possible queues at the rental counter and the time it takes to locate your vehicle in the garage. During peak travel periods, or if multiple flights arrive at once, the process can take longer, so it’s wise to build in some buffer time.

Late-night arrivals at EWR often mean fewer crowds, which can make navigating the airport easier. The signage for the AirTrain and the car rental centre at Station P3 remains well lit and clear. While the AirTrain may run slightly less frequently late at night, it operates 24/7. The main benefit of leaving late is much lighter traffic on the airport’s complex road system, making it simpler to follow your GPS onto major routes like the New Jersey Turnpike or US Route 1/9 without rush-hour congestion.

The most practical meeting point for a group is the baggage reclaim area for your specific flight. This lets everyone gather their belongings in one central spot before moving on. Once your whole party is together with all luggage, you can proceed as a group to the AirTrain station. Trying to meet at the car rental centre can be more chaotic, as it’s a busy environment with multiple counters and car parks. Meeting at baggage reclaim helps ensure no one gets lost on the way.

A good strategy is for the group to wait at baggage reclaim or a nearby pre-security seating area in the arrivals hall. These areas have space for luggage trolleys and provide seating. This allows the designated driver to travel light and move more quickly on the AirTrain to the car rental centre at Station P3. Once the driver has the car, they can coordinate a pick-up point at the terminal’s passenger pick-up kerb, which is far more comfortable than waiting in the rental garage.

After completing check-in at the National counter, staff will give you clear instructions on where to find your vehicle. For Emerald Club members, you can often proceed directly to the designated aisle to choose your car. The rental garage at EWR is well organised with large, clear signs indicating rows and vehicle classes. Pay close attention to the row number or area shown on your rental agreement, and don’t hesitate to ask an attendant in the garage for directions if needed.

Before you leave the rental area, do a thorough 360-degree walkaround of the vehicle. Use your phone to take a short video or photos of each side, paying special attention to any existing scratches, dents, or scuffs on the bumpers and doors. Check the windscreen for chips or cracks, and glance at all four tyres to ensure they look properly inflated. It’s also sensible to photograph the dashboard to document the starting mileage and fuel level. This creates your own record and provides peace of mind before you set off.

The roads immediately around the EWR rental facility are busy and not suitable for stopping. A sensible option is to head to a nearby petrol station or the car park of a large shopping centre, such as The Mills at Jersey Gardens, which is only a few minutes’ drive from the airport. These places provide a safe, out-of-the-way spot to programme your destination into the GPS, connect your phone to the car’s Bluetooth, and adjust seats and mirrors without the pressure of moving traffic. This quick stop can make the start of your drive much more relaxed.

The interchange connecting the airport to US Routes 1 & 9 and the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95) is notoriously complex. A common mistake for first-time drivers is misreading the "North" and "South" signs amidst multiple merging lanes. It’s easy to end up on the local lanes of US 1/9 when you meant to take the express lanes or the Turnpike. The best defence is to have your GPS running before you set off and listen carefully to turn-by-turn instructions, focusing on the route numbers rather than just city names on signs.

As you exit the car rental facility, watch closely for signs that specifically mention "I-95" and the distinctive New Jersey Turnpike logo. The initial airport roads will guide you towards US Routes 1 & 9 first. From there, you’ll see large green signs for the upcoming exits for I-95 North (towards New York City) and I-95 South (towards Philadelphia). Using your navigation app is strongly recommended, as it will tell you exactly which lane you need well ahead of the key exit ramps.

The most direct route from EWR to downtown Newark is typically via US Route 1/9 North. It’s a relatively short drive, but it involves city traffic. Follow signs for Route 21 (McCarter Highway), which runs through the heart of downtown. For short-term parking, the most reliable options are car parks attached to major hotels or public parking structures such as those near the Prudential Center. Using a parking app can help you find and compare garages in real time, which is often easier than hunting for limited on-street parking.

A straightforward route for first-timers is to take the New Jersey Turnpike Extension (I-78 East) from the airport. Follow the signs for Exit 14A-B-C towards Jersey City and Liberty State Park. This keeps you on a major road for most of the journey, avoiding Newark’s more complex local streets. As you get closer to Jersey City, your GPS will guide you onto local roads such as Grand Street or Columbus Drive to reach the waterfront. This approach minimises confusing merges until the very end.

To reach Hoboken, a good plan is to take the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95) North to Exit 16E towards the Lincoln Tunnel. Before you reach the tunnel itself, follow signs for Hoboken. This motorway-based route lets you avoid dense urban streets for as long as possible. Once you exit, your GPS will be essential for the final few blocks, as Hoboken is known for narrow one-way streets. Setting a specific car park address in your navigation app is the best way to avoid circling near the busy PATH station area.

Jughandles can confuse out-of-state drivers because to make a left turn on many major roads, you must first exit to the right. Your GPS will often say something like, "Take the jughandle for the U-turn." This means you’ll take a small curved ramp on your right that loops you around and positions you to cross the road or merge in the opposite direction. The key is to trust your navigation and anticipate that a left turn often starts with a right-hand exit.

When approaching a traffic circle or rotary in New Jersey, the basic rule is to give way to traffic already in the circle. Wait for a safe gap before entering. Once you’re in the circle, you have priority over vehicles waiting to enter. Use your indicator to show where you intend to exit. It’s crucial to pay close attention to approach signage, as it will tell you which lane you need for your exit.

On an event day, the drive from EWR to MetLife Stadium can involve heavy traffic, especially on the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95) North. It’s wise to leave much earlier than your GPS suggests. The stadium complex is large, so it’s important to enter the specific car park designation into your navigation app if you have a pre-paid pass. If not, follow the electronic signs and police directions as you approach, as they will guide you to available lots. Expect slow-moving queues both entering and exiting the car parks.

The most direct route is to take the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95) North to Exit 16W, which serves the Meadowlands Sports Complex where American Dream is located. Signage for the complex is very prominent from the motorway. For first-time visitors, the easiest parking entries are typically Decks A or B, as they’re often among the first you reach when following the main access roads. Using your GPS to navigate directly to "American Dream Parking Deck A" will provide the most straightforward turn-by-turn directions.

The best route from EWR is to take the New Jersey Turnpike Extension (I-78 East). Follow signs for Exit 14B, which is specifically designated for Liberty State Park. This leads you onto roads that take you into the park, minimising complicated city driving. Once inside, the most straightforward parking is the large paid lot near the historic Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal. This provides central access to the ferry terminal for the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, as well as the waterfront walkways.

A very practical plan is to drive to a PATH train station in Jersey City or Hoboken and park your hire car in a nearby garage for the day. Journal Square in Jersey City and the garages near the Hoboken Terminal offer ample parking and frequent, direct service into Manhattan. This approach helps you avoid the stress and expense of driving and parking in New York City. You can sightsee on foot or by subway, then return easily to your car in New Jersey at the end of the day.

To minimise stress, timing is crucial. The least chaotic times to drive into Manhattan are typically midday (between 10:00 and 14:00) or later in the evening after 20:00 on weekdays. Avoid morning and evening rush hours. Weekends can also be very busy, especially Saturday afternoons. Using a navigation app with real-time traffic is essential, as it can help you choose the tunnel with the shorter delay and guide you through the often-congested approach roads.

After exiting the Holland Tunnel into Manhattan, drivers heading to Brooklyn can get caught in confusing multi-lane junctions with aggressive city traffic. A common trap is being in the wrong lane for the Manhattan or Brooklyn Bridge entrances, which appear very quickly. An alternative, often less stressful route from EWR is to drive south on the NJ Turnpike, cross into Staten Island via the Goethals Bridge, then take the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge into Brooklyn. While longer in distance, this can help you avoid driving through the most chaotic parts of Lower Manhattan.

To avoid Manhattan traffic, the most reliable route is to take the New Jersey Turnpike south from the airport to the Goethals Bridge. This takes you across Staten Island to the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge into Brooklyn. From there, you can take the Belt Parkway or the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE) into Queens. Although it may look longer on a map, it’s often faster and far less stressful than navigating Manhattan tunnels and streets to reach the Queensboro Bridge or the Queens-Midtown Tunnel.

If you’re driving a large SUV or van, the key restriction is that commercial vehicles (which can sometimes include large passenger vans) are prohibited on many parkways in the region, such as the Garden State Parkway in northern New Jersey and most parkways in New York. These roads often have low stone-arch bridges that a larger vehicle won’t clear. To be safe, stick to routes designated as Interstates, US Routes, or Turnpikes. If in doubt, adjust your GPS settings to avoid parkways.

Many major routes leaving EWR, including the New Jersey Turnpike and bridges into New York, use all-electronic, cashless tolling. This means you won’t have the option to stop and pay cash. Instead, overhead gantries scan the vehicle’s number plate or a transponder. Your hire car is typically equipped for this system, and the rental company will explain how tolls are processed. The key is not to be surprised when you drive under these gantries at motorway speed; it’s the standard toll-collection method in the area.

Before you start driving, go into the settings or route options in your navigation app (such as Google Maps, Waze, or Apple Maps) and enable "Avoid tolls" or "Avoid toll roads". Do this before calculating the route. Be aware that this can significantly increase travel time and may route you via complex local streets with more traffic lights. For many destinations in the region, toll roads are the most efficient and direct option.

New Jersey is one of the few states where it’s illegal to pump your own petrol. When you pull into a petrol station, an attendant will come to your window and ask what fuel you want and how much. You stay in the car while they handle the entire process. While you can pay by card at the pump, you’ll hand it to the attendant to process. This full-service system is standard across the state and can be convenient, if surprising, for first-time visitors.

The rental garage itself is often the best place to get children settled. Find your assigned vehicle and use the space in the bay to install child seats and get everyone buckled in without feeling rushed. The garage is covered and relatively calm compared with the busy roads outside. If you need more space or time, you could drive to a nearby park or the far end of a shopping-centre car park a few minutes from the airport, then get organised before joining a major motorway.

A mid-size saloon or a compact SUV often offers the best balance for a mixed itinerary. These are comfortable and stable on the motorway for day trips, while still being manoeuvrable for narrow city streets and tight car parks in places like Hoboken or Jersey City. A full-size SUV can be challenging to park in urban areas, while a very small car may feel less substantial on busy interstates. Consider your group size and luggage needs when making the final choice.

If you have a lot of luggage, an SUV or a minivan is generally your best option. Before committing to a vehicle, open the rear hatch or boot to inspect the cargo space. Look for a deep, wide, square-shaped area, as that fits multiple large suitcases more efficiently than a shallow or irregular boot. For SUVs, check whether the parcel shelf/cargo cover is removable, as removing it can provide important extra vertical space. Taking a moment to test-fit your bags before you leave can prevent frustration later.

The biggest winter surprise for many visitors is the potential for black ice, especially on elevated ramps, bridges, and flyovers common around EWR interchanges. These surfaces freeze faster than ground-level roads and can be slippery even when other roads look clear. Visibility can also be reduced suddenly by salt spray from other vehicles. Increase your following distance, reduce speed, and avoid sudden braking or steering, particularly when transitioning between different road surfaces.

Several petrol stations are conveniently located along US Route 1/9, which runs parallel to the airport. When returning to EWR, set your GPS for a station on the southbound side of US 1/9 if you’re coming from the north, or the northbound side if coming from the south. This keeps the station on your side of the divided road. For example, there are multiple options in Elizabeth just south of the airport that allow a simple right turn in and an easy merge back towards the airport entrance without complicated manoeuvres.

As you approach the airport on any major road, start looking for signs that specifically say "Rental Car Return". These are separate from signs for "Departures" or "Arrivals". The rental return entrance is a dedicated ramp that diverts you away from the main terminal loop road. Entering "Newark Airport Rental Car Return" in your GPS is the most reliable method, as it will guide you to the correct exit. Don’t just follow signs for the terminals.

The process is straightforward. First, follow the main airport signs for "Departures" and your airline’s terminal. Pull up to the kerb and unload passengers and luggage. Once they’re safely on the pavement, rejoin the main airport roadway and follow the loop. As you come around, move into the correct lane early and follow signs for "Rental Car Return". This lets you complete the drop-off and then go directly to the return facility without leaving the airport road system.

It’s the reverse of your arrival. After returning the vehicle and completing check-out with National staff, walk from the garage into the car rental centre building. From there, follow signs to the AirTrain station at the same P3 Station where you arrived. Board the AirTrain and ride to your departure terminal (A, B, or C). This train system is the official and most efficient way to transfer from the rental facility to the airline check-in area.

Plan for about 20 to 30 minutes from the moment you drop off your keys to arriving at your departure terminal. This includes the walk from the return garage to the AirTrain station at P3, any wait for the next train, and the ride itself. The AirTrain stops at all terminals, so listen for the announcement for your terminal. It’s sensible to allow this extra buffer to avoid a last-minute rush to the gate.

For a long layover, a great option is The Mills at Jersey Gardens, a large outlet mall just minutes from the airport with very simple navigation. Another excellent choice is Newark’s Ironbound district, known for Portuguese and Brazilian restaurants, which is also a short, direct drive. Both are close enough to enjoy a few hours of shopping or a good meal and still return with plenty of time. They don’t require complicated motorways, making for a low-stress outing.

Car hire companies at major airports like EWR are very used to flight delays. The pick-up process is the same regardless of your arrival time. The best approach is to stay calm and follow the standard airport procedure: look for the overhead signs for the AirTrain, take it to Station P3, and proceed to the National counter. Having your reservation confirmation number readily available on your phone or printed can help speed things up once you reach the desk.