Van Rental
Savannah

After you collect your luggage from the baggage claim area at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, look for the overhead signs directing you to the Rental Car Center. The Alamo counter is conveniently located within this dedicated facility, which is just a short walk from the main terminal building. Once you have completed your rental agreement at the counter, an agent will direct you to the adjacent parking garage where your vehicle will be waiting.

Arriving late at SAV is generally a smooth process for picking up your rental car. The walk from baggage claim to the Rental Car Center is indoors and well-lit, making it easy to navigate at any hour. The Alamo counter is located within this center, and staff are accustomed to assisting travelers from later flights. After completing your paperwork, you'll proceed to the nearby parking garage to locate your vehicle, which is also well-lit for your safety and convenience.

For a morning departure with checked bags, it's wise to plan your arrival at the Alamo return area at least two to two-and-a-half hours before your flight's scheduled departure time. This buffer accounts for the time needed to return the vehicle, complete the final inspection, and walk from the Rental Car Center back to the airline check-in counters. Factoring in potential morning traffic on the way to the airport and security line wait times will help ensure a stress-free travel day.

The most direct route from the airport to Historic Downtown Savannah is designed for easy navigation. Upon exiting the airport, you will follow signs for I-95 South for a very brief stretch before taking the exit for I-16 East. This interstate leads directly into the heart of the city. As you approach downtown, I-16 will end, and you can continue onto local streets like Montgomery Street or Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to access the historic squares and your accommodations.

Before you drive off the lot, take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the vehicle. Adjust your mirrors, seat, and steering wheel to a comfortable position. It's also a good idea to locate the controls for the headlights, windshield wipers, and climate control. A quick walk-around to note the vehicle's condition is standard practice, and you should also connect your phone to the car's system and set your initial GPS destination while you are still parked.

The vehicle pickup area at the SAV Rental Car Center is designed to accommodate travelers with luggage and families. The parking spaces in the garage typically provide enough room to open doors fully, making it easier to install car seats and load suitcases. You can comfortably organize your belongings and get everyone settled before starting your journey. The area is generally calm, allowing you to take your time without feeling rushed.

When setting up your GPS for downtown Savannah, using a 'walking' or 'bicycle' mode can sometimes reveal pedestrian-only lanes, so be sure to keep it in 'driving' mode. It's helpful to enable voice guidance so you can keep your eyes on the road and the unique traffic patterns around the squares. Some navigation apps have settings to avoid complex intersections, which can be useful. Previewing your route before you start driving can also give you a better sense of the turns ahead.

For convenient access to River Street, consider using one of the city-run parking garages, such as the Bryan Street Parking Garage or the Whitaker Street Parking Garage. These facilities offer ample space, are well-lit, and eliminate the stress of finding a spot on the street or navigating tight parallel parking spaces. From these garages, it's just a short, pleasant walk down to the waterfront, allowing you to explore the area on foot with peace of mind.

Navigating Savannah's historic squares requires a bit of extra attention. Traffic always flows counter-clockwise around the squares, similar to a roundabout, so you must yield to vehicles already circulating. It's best to know which street you need to exit onto before you enter the square. Driving slowly and using your turn signal early will help other drivers understand your intentions and make the experience much smoother for everyone.

While a larger SUV is great for family trips, it can be challenging in certain parts of the Historic District. Some of the smaller lanes, particularly those paved with cobblestones near the river, can be quite narrow. Additionally, older parking garages and some hotel valet areas may have tight turns and lower clearance. When booking accommodations, it's a good idea to inquire about their parking situation if you plan on renting a larger vehicle.

When checking into a hotel in the Historic District, it's helpful to call ahead to understand their specific unloading procedure. Many hotels have a designated, temporary pull-off area for check-in, even if it's just for a few minutes. Have your luggage ready to be unloaded quickly to keep traffic flowing. If using valet, they will provide clear instructions on where to leave your vehicle while you handle the check-in process inside.

For overnight parking in the Historic District, the most convenient and secure option is often a city-operated parking garage. These garages offer daily rates and allow you to leave your car for extended periods without worrying about street parking rules or time limits. Many hotels also have arrangements with nearby garages or offer their own parking facilities. This allows you to park your car once and explore the highly walkable downtown area on foot.

After leaving the airport, the area around Pooler Parkway is your best bet for a quick stop. This major road is just a few minutes from the airport and features numerous large grocery stores, supercenters, and pharmacies. You can easily exit I-95 at Pooler Parkway (Exit 104), grab everything you need for your stay, and then hop back on the interstate to continue to Savannah or Tybee Island. This approach avoids navigating unfamiliar city streets with a car full of luggage.

The drive from Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport to Tybee Island typically takes about 45 to 55 minutes in light traffic. However, during peak beach-traffic hours, especially on a summer weekend afternoon, you should plan for the journey to take anywhere from 75 to 90 minutes. The main bottleneck occurs on U.S. Highway 80, the only road onto the island, so it's wise to build extra time into your schedule if traveling during these popular times.

The primary challenge for first-time visitors driving to Tybee Island is the traffic congestion on U.S. Highway 80 as you approach the island. During peak times, traffic can back up significantly before the Lazaretto Creek Bridge. Once on the island, navigating the main thoroughfare, Butler Avenue, can be slow due to pedestrians and people looking for parking. It's helpful to have a general idea of where you plan to park before you arrive to minimize circling.

When planning a beach day on Tybee Island, it's practical to pack your rental car with the heaviest items, like coolers, loaded in first and toward the back. Lighter items such as chairs, umbrellas, and bags can be placed on top or in remaining spaces. Consider using collapsible coolers or reusable shopping bags to save space on the return trip. Having a designated bag for wet towels and swimsuits will also help keep the car clean and dry.

The Tybee Island Lighthouse has a dedicated parking lot for visitors located directly across the street from the entrance. While the lot can fill up during peak tourist season, spots usually become available with a little patience. The walking distance from the parking lot to the lighthouse ticket office and entrance is very short, just a few hundred feet. This makes it an accessible attraction for most visitors, even with children or those with limited mobility.

During major events like the St. Patrick's Day parade or on busy holiday weekends, expect significant traffic delays and numerous road closures in the Historic District. This can affect your travel time to and from the airport, so you should add at least 30-45 extra minutes to your driving schedule. Parking becomes extremely scarce, making it wise to park your car at your hotel or a garage and rely on walking or ride-sharing services for getting around downtown.

A practical plan for an evening out is to park in one of the centrally located city garages, like the Whitaker Street or Bryan Street garage. These are well-lit and secure, offering peace of mind while you enjoy your evening. Many ghost tours start in the central squares, and these garages are a reasonable walking distance from both the squares and River Street. This strategy allows you to park once and easily access the main evening attractions without a long, late-night walk back to your car.

To visit Bonaventure Cemetery smoothly, plan to go on a weekday morning when traffic is generally lighter. It's located east of the Historic District, so you can combine it with a visit to the Thunderbolt area or Wormsloe Historic Site. The route primarily uses larger roads like the Islands Expressway or Skidaway Road, which helps avoid dense residential traffic. After your visit, you can loop back toward downtown via a different route for a change of scenery.

Visiting Wormsloe Historic Site is very straightforward with a rental car. It's located on the Isle of Hope, a scenic drive from downtown Savannah. Arriving shortly after it opens in the morning can help you avoid crowds and capture the best photos of the famous oak-lined avenue. The site has a large, dedicated visitor parking lot just past the main gate, so parking is typically easy and convenient, with a short walk to the visitor center and trails.

Parking around Forsyth Park during busy times requires some patience, but spots can usually be found along the streets bordering the park, particularly Drayton Street and Whitaker Street. Many visitors find success by looking for spots a block or two away from the park in the surrounding residential neighborhoods. Be sure to carefully read all posted signs for any parking restrictions or time limits. Arriving earlier in the day generally increases your chances of finding a convenient spot.

Savannah's weather can change quickly, so it's smart to keep an umbrella and a light rain jacket in your rental car at all times. Plan your stops by grouping attractions that are close together to minimize time spent running through the rain. Consider using parking garages for downtown destinations, as they provide a dry place to get in and out of your vehicle. A rainy day can also be a great opportunity to visit indoor attractions like the Telfair Museums or take a scenic drive.

For a relaxing day trip to Beaufort, plan to leave Savannah in the morning, ideally before 9 a.m., to avoid the heaviest commuter traffic. The drive is a pleasant one, taking about an hour via US-17 North and SC-170. Once you arrive in Beaufort, park your car in the downtown marina parking lot. This central location is perfect for leaving your vehicle for the day while you explore the charming historic district, waterfront park, and shops entirely on foot.

The drive from Savannah to Charleston along US-17 offers several easy and interesting break points. The town of Beaufort, South Carolina, is a popular stop and only a short detour off the main highway. For a quicker break, the Old Sheldon Church Ruins are located just off Old Sheldon Church Road and provide a beautiful, historic spot to stretch your legs. Further north, the ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge offers scenic overlooks and short walking trails right near the route.

When driving around Savannah and the surrounding coastal areas, you will find that most major routes are toll-free. The Talmadge Memorial Bridge and the main roads to Tybee Island and Hilton Head Island do not have tolls. However, if your travels take you further into South Carolina, particularly around Hilton Head, you may encounter the Cross Island Parkway, which is a toll road. Most rental vehicles are equipped to handle electronic tolling for your convenience.

To avoid restricted stopping zones downtown, pay close attention to street signs, which clearly indicate loading zones, no-parking areas, and street sweeping times. When using GPS, be aware that it may not always account for temporary restrictions or the challenges of stopping on a narrow, one-way street. It's often best to navigate directly to a pre-determined parking garage or your hotel's designated unloading area rather than trying to stop spontaneously at a destination.

Coordinating one car for a group requires a bit of planning. Designate a central, easy-to-find meeting point for pickups and drop-offs, such as a specific corner of a square or a coffee shop. Establish a clear schedule the night before, so the day-trippers know when they need to have the car back for evening activities. Using a shared digital calendar and a group chat for real-time updates can help everyone stay on the same page and maximize their time.

To avoid traffic when heading to a venue outside Savannah, try to schedule your flight arrival for mid-day, between the morning and evening rush hours. The main pinch points are typically on I-95 and I-16 around commuter times. Before you leave the airport, check a real-time traffic app on your phone to see if there are any unexpected delays or accidents along your planned route. This allows you to make adjustments before you even get on the highway.

A common mistake visitors make is not getting into the correct lane early enough for the I-16 and I-95 interchange. The exits can come up quickly, so it's important to pay attention to the overhead signs well in advance. When leaving the airport for downtown, ensure you take I-16 East. When returning to the airport from downtown, you'll take I-16 West to I-95 North. Briefly reviewing the interchange on a map before you start your drive can prevent last-minute, stressful lane changes.

For a smooth trip with kids, install and adjust car seats while you're still in the rental garage at SAV. Keep a bag with snacks, drinks, and wipes easily accessible in the front passenger seat area rather than buried in the trunk. The route from the airport to downtown is relatively short, but the Pooler area, just minutes from the airport, offers numerous fast-food restaurants and convenience stores with easy on-and-off access from the highway for a quick break if needed.

A trip to the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge is an easy drive from downtown. You'll take US-17 North across the Talmadge Bridge into South Carolina, and the entrance is just a few miles down the road. The main attraction is the Laurel Hill Wildlife Drive, a four-mile loop of well-maintained dirt and gravel road that you drive your own car through. There are several designated pull-offs and small parking areas along the drive where you can stop to take photos or walk on short trails.

A great strategy is to 'cluster' your visits. Start with the neighborhoods furthest out, like the Isle of Hope (for Wormsloe) or Thunderbolt, where parking is plentiful. Then, drive to the Victorian District just south of Forsyth Park, find a single street parking spot, and explore that area and the park on foot. Finally, you can either walk into the more crowded Historic District or move your car one last time to a downtown garage for the remainder of the day.

The most effective strategy is to arrive downtown in the morning and head directly to a city-run parking garage, such as the Liberty Street or Robinson Garage. By parking in a central location, you secure a spot for the entire day at a reasonable rate. This allows you to leave your car and explore the entire Historic District, from Forsyth Park to River Street, on foot. You can then return to your car in the evening without the hassle of moving it or feeding a meter.

The Talmadge Memorial Bridge is a large, cable-stayed bridge on US-17 connecting downtown Savannah to Hutchinson Island and South Carolina. Driving over it is straightforward, but be prepared for the steep incline and potential for higher winds. It's a major artery, so allow for extra time during morning and evening commuter hours. When navigating, simply follow the signs for US-17 North to go to South Carolina or US-17 South to return to Savannah.

If you encounter an issue with your vehicle after leaving the airport, your first step should be to consult the rental agreement paperwork for the roadside assistance contact number. This service can help diagnose issues over the phone or dispatch help to your location. If a vehicle swap is necessary, the customer service team will direct you to the most convenient Alamo location to facilitate the exchange, ensuring you can get back to your trip with minimal disruption.

For a short trip combining downtown and the beach, picking up your car upon arrival at SAV is most efficient. You can head straight to Tybee Island for your beach time first. After your beach stay, drive to your downtown Savannah hotel, park the car in a garage, and explore the Historic District on foot for the remainder of your trip. This minimizes driving in downtown traffic and allows for a simple, direct drive from your hotel back to the airport for your departure.

The most convenient area to refuel before your return is along Pooler Parkway, which you can access from Exit 104 on I-95, just before the airport exit. This road has a high concentration of major gas stations, and it's easy to get back on the road toward the airport. Alternatively, there are several gas stations on Airways Avenue, the main road that leads directly into the airport terminal area, offering a final opportunity to top off the tank.

As you approach Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport on Airways Avenue, traffic can get congested. Stay in the left or middle lanes and look for the large, clear overhead signs that read 'Rental Car Return.' The entrance is a dedicated turn-off from the main airport loop, so it's important to watch for these signs well in advance. Following these specific signs will guide you directly to the correct entrance and prevent you from accidentally looping around the departures or arrivals curbs.