Aluguel Carros Thrifty
Illinois

Once you have collected your luggage, follow the overhead signs in the terminal for the Airport Transit System (ATS) or Rental Car Center. All terminals are connected to a free shuttle bus service that takes you directly to the Multi-Modal Facility (MMF). The Thrifty counter is located inside this central building. The shuttle buses are clearly marked and run continuously, making the process straightforward for all arriving passengers.

From Terminal 5, the international terminal, the process is very direct. After clearing customs and collecting your bags, exit to the arrivals curb on the lower level. Look for the designated shuttle bus stops for the Rental Car Center. These buses provide frequent service directly to the Multi-Modal Facility where the Thrifty rental counters are located. This avoids any need to transfer or navigate the main airport train system.

While times can vary, a reasonable estimate for the entire process is between 60 to 90 minutes on a typical weekday. This accounts for deplaning, walking through the terminal, and waiting for any checked luggage. You should also factor in the shuttle bus ride to the rental car facility and the time it takes to complete your rental agreement at the counter. During peak travel seasons or holidays, it's wise to allow a little extra time.

A convenient and easy-to-find meeting point for your group is the baggage claim carousel assigned to your flight. This allows everyone to gather in one spot while waiting for luggage. Alternatively, you could meet at a designated area near the lower-level arrivals doors, just before the exits to ground transportation. Once your entire party is together, you can all proceed to the rental car shuttle as a group.

The most practical place for the group to wait with luggage is in the baggage claim area or at a seating area on the arrivals level. This keeps the group out of the main flow of traffic while the designated driver takes the shuttle to the rental car center. Once the driver has the car, they can coordinate via phone and drive to the departures level curb to pick up the rest of the party and the luggage.

After you complete your rental agreement at the Thrifty counter, the agent will provide you with clear instructions for finding your vehicle. Your rental documents will typically specify a zone, row, and stall number where your car is parked. The rental garage is well-lit and has large, clear signage directing you to the different sections. Simply follow these signs to locate your assigned spot efficiently.

Instead of stopping on the busy airport roads, a safer option is to drive a minute or two to a nearby commercial area. The roads surrounding the airport, such as Mannheim Road or Higgins Road, have numerous gas stations, coffee shops, and fast-food restaurants with large parking lots. Pulling into one of these lots provides a safe, calm environment to program your GPS, connect your phone to the car's system, and get situated before merging onto the highway.

The main challenge when leaving O'Hare is the immediate approach to the I-190 expressway, which quickly splits to major highways like I-294 and I-90. The most common point of confusion is needing to be in the correct lane very early for your intended direction, whether it's toward downtown Chicago, the northern or southern suburbs, or west toward Rockford. It's crucial to pay close attention to the large overhead signs as soon as you leave the rental facility.

The most direct and generally easiest route to follow from O'Hare to downtown Chicago is Interstate 90 East, also known as the Kennedy Expressway. After leaving the rental car facility, follow the signs for I-190 East, which will merge directly onto I-90 East. Continue following the signs for "Chicago Loop." While it can be busy, it's a straight shot into the heart of the city with fewer complex interchanges than other options.

The most efficient strategy is to drive directly to your hotel first. Use the hotel's main entrance or designated valet area to pull up and unload your passengers and luggage with the help of the bell staff. After your belongings are safely inside, you can then proceed to park the car. This avoids the stress of navigating busy city streets with a car full of bags and allows you to focus solely on finding your pre-arranged or hotel-recommended parking garage.

First-time visitors should be aware of streets like Wacker Drive, which have both upper and lower levels. GPS systems can sometimes get confused and may not specify which level you should be on. A good tip is to keep your navigation app in a map-view mode to visually confirm your position relative to the Chicago River. Pay close attention to physical street signs, which will often indicate "Upper" or "Lower," to ensure you're on the correct roadway for your destination.

Driving directly to Wrigley Field on a game day is generally not recommended due to heavy traffic and extremely limited, expensive parking. A much better plan is to use a parking reservation app to book a spot in advance at a private lot or garage in the Wrigleyville neighborhood. An alternative strategy is to park your rental car at a CTA 'L' train station in a nearby neighborhood, such as Irving Park or Addison on the Brown Line, and take the train for the final few stops.

The most convenient option is to use one of the large underground parking garages located directly beneath Millennium Park and Grant Park. The Millennium Park Garage and the Grant Park North Garage offer central access to the park's main attractions, including Cloud Gate (the "Bean") and Lurie Garden. From these garages, it's also an easy walk to the Art Institute of Chicago and other destinations along Michigan Avenue, making it an ideal base for exploring the area on foot.

For the most straightforward approach to Navy Pier, plan your route to use Lake Shore Drive and exit at Grand Avenue, heading east. To minimize traffic issues, it's best to visit on a weekday or arrive early in the day on weekends before the largest crowds gather. Navy Pier has its own dedicated parking garages, which are well-signed from the main approach roads. When leaving, following the signs back toward Lake Shore Drive is typically the most efficient way to exit the area.

For travelers prioritizing easier parking and highway access, neighborhoods just outside the downtown core are excellent choices. Areas like Lincoln Park and Lakeview offer a mix of street parking and smaller garages while still providing great access to Lake Shore Drive. The West Loop is another strong option, with its proximity to the I-290 and I-90/94 expressways. Staying in a close-in suburb like Evanston or Oak Park also provides a less stressful parking environment with convenient transit or driving routes into the city.

A simple rule of thumb is to avoid arriving at O'Hare during peak weekday rush hours. If possible, schedule your flight to land so that you are leaving the airport between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM, or after 7:00 PM. This window typically allows you to miss the worst of the morning and evening commuter traffic on the Kennedy Expressway (I-90). Driving into the city during these off-peak times is generally a much smoother and less stressful experience.

Visitors are often surprised by the prevalence of red-light and speed-enforcement cameras, particularly in school and park zones. In the downtown Loop area, many intersections have specific "No Turn on Red" restrictions that are strictly enforced. Additionally, be mindful of dedicated bus lanes, which are reserved for public transit and emergency vehicles. Accidentally driving in these lanes can result in a fine, so it's important to pay close attention to road markings and signage.

The drive to these northwestern suburbs is quite straightforward from O'Hare. For Rosemont, which is adjacent to the airport, you will simply follow local roads like Mannheim Road or River Road. For Schaumburg, follow the signs from the rental facility to I-190 East, then take the exit for I-294 North toward Milwaukee. Shortly after, merge onto I-90 West toward Rockford. This route bypasses downtown Chicago entirely and is a direct drive to the Schaumburg area.

The best strategy for visiting Oak Park is to drive from O'Hare and park your car once for the day. There are several public parking garages located in the center of town, particularly near Lake Street and Harlem Avenue. From one of these central garages, the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio, Unity Temple, and the surrounding historic district with his other architectural examples are all within a pleasant and easily walkable radius. This approach avoids the need to find parking at each individual site.

For a simple trip to Indiana Dunes National Park, plan to go on a weekday to avoid the largest crowds. Take I-90 East (the Chicago Skyway) into Indiana, then follow signs for highways like US-12 or US-20, which run parallel to the park's shoreline. The key to a straightforward visit is to arrive early, ideally before 10:00 AM, to secure a spot at one of the main beach parking lots like West Beach or Porter Beach, as they can fill to capacity on busy days.

The drive to Milwaukee is a direct shot north on Interstate 94. To make it less stressful, try to leave Chicago after the morning rush hour, around 9:30 AM. Once you arrive in Milwaukee, a great plan is to park in one of the many structures in the Historic Third Ward neighborhood. This area is vibrant, walkable, and centrally located, providing easy access to the lakefront, the Milwaukee Public Market, and other downtown attractions without needing to move your car again.

Starved Rock is extremely popular, especially on weekends in the fall and summer. The main parking lots often fill up and close by 10:00 AM or even earlier. The simplest strategy is to visit on a weekday if your schedule allows. If you must go on a weekend, plan to arrive before 9:00 AM to secure a parking spot. The main entrance is located off of IL-178, and it's best to have an alternate park in mind, like nearby Matthiessen State Park, in case the lots are full.

A great way to begin a Route 66 journey from O'Hare is to first head to the suburb of Joliet. You can take I-294 South to I-55 South, which is a modern highway that runs parallel to the historic route. In Joliet, you can visit the Joliet Area Historical Museum and the Route 66 Welcome Center to get oriented. From there, you can start following the historic alignments of the road south toward Wilmington and Pontiac, which offer classic roadside attractions.

A compact or mid-size sedan is often the most practical choice for a Chicago trip. This vehicle class provides enough trunk space for luggage for two to four people while remaining maneuverable on crowded city streets. More importantly, a smaller vehicle will be much easier to park in the city's notoriously tight public parking garages and the occasional street spot. An SUV can be useful for larger groups, but be prepared for a more challenging parking experience.

The safest and most convenient place to install a car seat is in the assigned parking stall in the Thrifty rental garage after you have completed all your paperwork. This location is well-lit, covered from the elements, and away from the flow of active traffic. It allows you to take your time to ensure the seat is installed correctly and securely before you begin your drive. Trying to do this at the terminal curb would be much more stressful and less safe.

When traveling with several large suitcases, it's wise to inspect the vehicle's cargo area before you leave the lot. For maximum flexibility, look for an SUV or a crossover with a wide, flat cargo floor and seats that can be folded down if needed. While a large sedan has a deep trunk, the opening can be restrictive. An open, boxier layout in an SUV makes it much easier to arrange bulky luggage efficiently and ensure everything fits securely for your trip.

Before driving off, do a quick walk-around to check the tire condition and note any existing scratches or dings on the vehicle condition report. Inside the car, confirm that the headlights, brake lights, and turn signals are all functioning properly, as they are crucial for city driving. It's also a good idea to adjust your mirrors and seat for comfort and maximum visibility before you merge into the busy traffic leaving the airport.

Before you even put the car in drive, take a moment to plug your smartphone into the car's USB port. Verify that Apple CarPlay or Android Auto launches successfully on the vehicle's infotainment screen. Open your preferred navigation app and make sure it acquires a GPS signal. It's also a good idea to start a test route to confirm that you can hear the turn-by-turn audio directions through the car's speakers, ensuring a smooth start to your journey.

The Illinois Tollway system uses open-road tolling, meaning you drive under electronic gantries without stopping. When leaving O'Hare, nearly all major highway ramps will lead you directly onto a toll road. The I-190 exit road from the airport quickly feeds into I-294 (the Tri-State Tollway) and I-90 (the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway), both of which are major toll routes. It is very difficult to leave the airport area via highway without entering the toll system.

To avoid toll roads, you must proactively change the settings in your navigation app before you start your route. In apps like Google Maps, Waze, or Apple Maps, go into the route options or settings menu and select the "Avoid tolls" or "Avoid toll roads" feature. Be aware that choosing this option will likely result in a significantly longer drive time, as it will guide you along local surface streets instead of the more direct expressways.

Visitors are often surprised by how quickly road conditions can deteriorate during a snowstorm and the prevalence of black ice, especially on bridges and overpasses. Another unique Chicago winter challenge is street parking after a heavy snow. Many residents practice "dibs," using chairs, cones, or other objects to save a parking spot they've shoveled out. While not legally enforceable, it's a local custom that can make finding a spot in residential neighborhoods difficult.

In adverse weather, the Kennedy Expressway (I-90/94) is highly susceptible to major slowdowns due to increased accident frequency and reduced visibility. Certain low-lying sections are also prone to flooding during heavy rain. Lake Shore Drive is another route that can become treacherous during high winds and lake-effect snow, sometimes leading to closures. It's always wise to check a live traffic map before you depart from the airport during a weather event.

A simple and effective plan is to have both cars meet at a nearby gas station or fast-food restaurant just outside the airport property. There are several options with large, easy-to-access parking lots along Mannheim Road, which is the main road running alongside the west edge of O'Hare. This allows both drivers to exit the rental facility, get their bearings, and regroup in a low-stress environment before heading to the expressway together.

You will find a high concentration of convenient gas stations along Mannheim Road, which runs north-south just west of the airport terminals and rental car facility. These stations are easily accessible whether you are approaching the airport from the north, south, or west. There is also a gas station located right on airport property near the rental car return entrance, providing a last-minute option, though it can be busy at peak times.

As you drive toward the airport on I-190, pay close attention to the large overhead signs. You will need to move into the left-hand lanes as you get closer. The signs will explicitly direct traffic for "Rental Car Return" to a dedicated exit that separates you from the passenger drop-off and pick-up lanes for the terminals. Following these specific signs will guide you directly to the Multi-Modal Facility where Thrifty is located.

The process is designed to be fairly simple. First, follow the main airport signs for "All Terminals" and then "Departures." Drop off your passengers and luggage at the curb corresponding to your airline. After they are safely on their way, get back on the main airport loop road and immediately begin following the large, clear signs for "Rental Car Return." This will guide you on a separate roadway directly to the rental car facility without having to leave and re-enter the airport.

Once you have returned your vehicle and completed the check-in process at the Thrifty desk inside the Multi-Modal Facility, the next step is very straightforward. Simply follow the signs inside the building to the Airport Transit System (ATS) station. This free and fully automated train system runs 24/7 and will take you directly to Terminals 1, 2, and 3 for domestic flights, or Terminal 5 for international departures.

The process is nearly identical to a domestic departure, with just one key difference in your destination. After returning your car at the Multi-Modal Facility, you will board the Airport Transit System (ATS) shuttle train. Instead of getting off at one of the domestic terminals, you will simply stay on the train until you reach the final stop, which is Terminal 5, the international terminal. Be sure to allow a few extra minutes for the slightly longer train ride.

During a major event, the Kennedy Expressway (I-90/94), which is the primary route between downtown and O'Hare, will almost certainly experience significant bottlenecks and delays. The I-294 Tollway can also become heavily congested, especially if the event is in a suburb like Rosemont. It is highly advisable to check a live traffic app before you leave for the airport and allow at least 45 to 60 minutes of extra travel time to be safe.

A very practical and cost-effective plan is to wait to pick up your rental car until you actually need it. For the first part of your trip focused on downtown Chicago, you can rely on the city's excellent public transportation system and avoid daily parking hassles and expenses. When you're ready for your day trips, simply take the CTA Blue Line train from downtown directly back to the O'Hare station. From there, it's a short walk to the shuttle that takes you to the Thrifty rental counter.