Hertz Car Rental
Boston

After collecting your luggage, you will need to proceed to Boston Logan's consolidated Rental Car Center (RCC). This facility is located a short distance from the terminals and houses Hertz along with other rental agencies. To get there, exit the baggage claim area and follow the overhead signs for Ground Transportation and Rental Car Center. You will then board a complimentary blue and white shuttle bus that will take you directly to the RCC entrance, where the Hertz counter is located inside.

The pickup process for a Hertz rental is standardized across all terminals at Boston Logan (A, B, C, and E). No single terminal is significantly closer, as all passengers must use the shuttle bus system to reach the separate Rental Car Center. The path is consistent regardless of where you land: exit your terminal's baggage claim, locate the designated curbside stop for the Rental Car Center shuttle, and take the bus. This unified system ensures the experience is the same for all travelers.

The most efficient method is to use the airport's dedicated shuttle bus service to the Rental Car Center. After you've collected your bags, use a luggage cart to move everything to the designated shuttle bus stop outside your terminal. These buses are designed to accommodate travelers with luggage, often featuring dedicated storage racks. This eliminates the stress of trying to manage multiple bags while navigating through crowded areas, providing a direct and convenient transfer to the Hertz facility.

Arriving late at Boston Logan is generally a smooth process for rental car pickups. The airport is well-lit, and signage for the Rental Car Center remains clearly visible. The shuttle buses typically operate 24/7, although their frequency may be slightly reduced during off-peak hours. Once at the Rental Car Center, the Hertz counter will be staffed to handle late arrivals, and the garage is well-lit, allowing you to find your vehicle and get on your way safely.

On a typical weekday, it is wise to budget approximately 60 to 90 minutes from the moment you deplane to when you drive off the Hertz lot. This timeframe accounts for walking to and waiting at baggage claim, which can take around 30 minutes. The shuttle ride to the Rental Car Center and completing the rental process at the counter can add another 30 to 45 minutes, depending on how busy it is. Building this buffer into your schedule helps ensure a low-stress start to your trip.

The most practical and convenient meeting point is directly at the Hertz counter inside the Rental Car Center. Rather than trying to coordinate a meeting at a specific, and often crowded, terminal baggage claim, have each person follow the signs and take the shuttle bus from their arrival terminal. This allows everyone to converge at a single, less chaotic location, ensuring the entire group is present when it's time to finalize the rental agreement and pick up the vehicle.

Once you complete your rental agreement at the Hertz counter, your paperwork will typically indicate the specific zone, row, and stall number where your vehicle is parked. The garage at the Rental Car Center is clearly marked with large, color-coded signs for each section and row. Simply follow this signage to your designated area. This system is designed to be intuitive, helping you locate your car efficiently without confusion.

A great option is the airport's official Cell Phone Lot, located just a few minutes' drive from the Rental Car Center. This lot provides a safe, designated area where you can park for free for a short time. It's the perfect spot to pull over, adjust your mirrors and seating, enter your destination into your GPS, and arrange your belongings without the pressure of being in a busy traffic lane. From there, you can merge onto the main roads feeling prepared and organized.

Immediately upon exiting the Rental Car Center, you will face critical lane choices for major routes like the Sumner Tunnel (to downtown/I-93) and the Ted Williams Tunnel (to I-90/Mass Pike). The signage appears very quickly, so it's crucial to know which highway you need before you even start the car. Missing your intended lane can easily lead you in the wrong direction, so a moment of planning with your navigation app is highly recommended before you leave the garage.

For a straightforward drive to Back Bay, the best route is to take the Ted Williams Tunnel, which connects directly to I-90 West (the Mass Pike). Follow I-90 West for a short distance and take Exit 134 (formerly 22) for Prudential Center/Copley Square. This exit puts you right at the edge of the Back Bay neighborhood. This all-highway route is generally better signed and has fewer complex turns than trying to navigate the surface streets from the Sumner Tunnel.

A relatively simple route to Cambridge is to take the Sumner Tunnel towards I-93 North. After a very short distance on I-93, take the exit for Storrow Drive West. Storrow Drive runs along the Charles River and offers several exits that lead over bridges directly into Cambridge, such as the one for Government Center which leads to the Longfellow Bridge. This path helps you bypass some of the most congested downtown Boston intersections.

A low-stress driving route to the Fenway area is via the Ted Williams Tunnel to I-90 West (Mass Pike). Take the Prudential Center exit and follow local streets like Boylston Street or Commonwealth Avenue westward toward Fenway Park. As on-street parking is extremely scarce, visitors typically park in one of the large public parking garages in the area, such as those on Brookline Avenue or at the Landmark Center, which offer convenient access to the neighborhood.

When driving through any of Boston's tunnels, such as the Sumner or Ted Williams, you should anticipate that your phone's GPS signal will be temporarily lost. It's a good practice to review the next one or two steps of your route before you enter the tunnel. Your navigation will resume upon exiting, but knowing your next turn in advance helps prevent sudden, stressful lane changes as soon as you emerge back into traffic.

In Boston-area rotaries (traffic circles), the key rule is to yield to vehicles already circulating within them. Use your turn signal to indicate which exit you plan to take. For visitors, rotaries like Leverett Circle near the Museum of Science can be particularly challenging due to multiple lanes and quick decisions. If you're unsure, it's perfectly acceptable to stay in the rotary and circle around again to get your bearings before exiting.

First-time visitors must know that Storrow Drive has several bridges with very low clearance; rental trucks, moving vans, and oversized vehicles are strictly forbidden and will get stuck. The road is curvy, lanes are narrow, and many exits are on the left-hand side with very little warning. It is essential to pay close attention to road signs and your GPS, as a missed exit can result in a lengthy detour.

Driving and parking within the North End itself is extremely difficult due to its narrow, one-way streets and resident-only parking. The most practical approach is to park in a nearby public garage and walk into the neighborhood. Garages around Haymarket, Faneuil Hall, or the Government Center Garage are excellent options, offering a central location just a short, pleasant stroll from the heart of the North End's historic sites and restaurants.

The most effective "park once" strategy is to use the Boston Common Garage. This large, underground facility is centrally located and places you directly at the start of the Freedom Trail. From this single parking spot, you can easily spend the entire day exploring the Common, the Public Garden, Beacon Hill, and much of the downtown portion of the Freedom Trail on foot. This strategy saves you the significant stress and expense of trying to find parking in multiple locations.

For navigating Boston's older, tighter parking garages and narrow historic streets, a compact or mid-size sedan is generally the most manageable choice. These vehicles offer a smaller turning radius and are easier to maneuver in confined spaces than larger SUVs or minivans. Choosing a more modest car size can significantly reduce the stress associated with parking in a city known for its challenging driving conditions.

One of the most common mistakes visitors make is getting into a designated tunnel lane when they intended to stay on surface streets, particularly around the I-93 and airport interchanges. Another frequent error is missing one of the sudden, often left-side exits on parkways like Storrow Drive. These issues often arise from relying too heavily on GPS audio cues without also reading the physical road signs, which are critical for navigating Boston's complex road network.

Weekday rush hour, generally from 7:00 to 9:30 AM and 3:30 to 6:30 PM, can easily double or even triple your travel time from Boston Logan into the city center. The routes most heavily impacted are the Sumner Tunnel and the I-93 corridor in both directions. If your flight arrives during these peak times, be prepared for significant delays and consider waiting for traffic to subside before picking up your rental car if your schedule allows.

For a simple day trip to Salem, taking Route 1A North from the airport area is often a direct and scenic option. Upon arriving in Salem, the most convenient plan is to head directly to the large public parking garage located next to the South Harbor Garage on Congress Street. This central location allows you to park once and easily explore the Peabody Essex Museum, the Salem Witch Trials Memorial, and other historic sites on foot.

The easiest route from Boston is to take Route 2 West, which leads you directly to the Lexington and Concord area. This road provides clear access to the key historical sites. Parking is generally straightforward, with well-marked lots available at the Minute Man National Historical Park visitor centers, the North Bridge, and near the Lexington Battle Green. This allows you to drive between the main points of interest with relative ease.

To avoid the infamous traffic backups onto Cape Cod, timing is everything. On a weekday, plan to leave Boston before 7 AM or after 10 AM to miss the worst of the morning commute. On a Friday or Saturday in the summer, your best bet is to be on the road by 6 AM at the latest. The return trip on a Sunday can be just as challenging, so consider leaving the Cape either very early in the morning or later in the evening.

The most direct drive to Newport, Rhode Island, is via I-93 South to Route 24 South, which takes you over the Sakonnet River and Claiborne Pell Newport Bridges. To keep parking simple upon arrival, head straight for the Newport Gateway Visitor Center on America's Cup Avenue. It has a large public parking garage where you can leave your car for the day and explore the historic downtown, wharves, and Cliff Walk on foot or by using the local trolley service.

A very manageable first leg for a trip to the White Mountains is to drive from Boston Logan to Concord, New Hampshire. This is a straight shot north on Interstate 93 and typically takes about 75-90 minutes without heavy traffic. Concord is a great place to stop for dinner or a break, breaking up the total drive. This allows you to get clear of Boston's traffic before continuing your journey into the heart of the mountains the next day.

During and after a snowfall in Boston, expect slower travel times as plows work to clear the main arteries. Visibility can be significantly reduced during a storm, so it's important to drive cautiously. One of the biggest challenges is parking, as snowbanks narrow the streets and reduce the number of available spots. Be prepared for tighter maneuvers and allow extra time to find parking, especially on residential streets.

The best place to install car seats is in your assigned parking space within the Hertz section of the Rental Car Center garage. This location is covered, protecting you from the weather, and it is out of the flow of active traffic. You can take as much time as you need to ensure the seats are installed safely and correctly before you even start the engine, making for a much more relaxed and secure beginning to your journey.

For bulky items, an SUV or a minivan is your best option. Before you leave the Hertz lot, check to see how the rear seats fold down. The ideal layout for long items like a ski bag is one where the seats fold completely flat, creating an uninterrupted cargo floor. For a bulky stroller, a vehicle with a tall, wide rear opening will make loading and unloading much easier throughout your trip.

Before you drive away, conduct a quick inspection of your rental. Do a walk-around to check for any pre-existing scratches or dings and ensure they are noted. Inside the car, turn on the headlights and test the windshield wipers to confirm they work properly. Finally, locate the USB ports and plug in your phone to make sure it charges, as you will likely rely on it for navigation.

To ensure your phone's navigation system will work seamlessly, you should verify the car's connectivity before leaving the parking stall. Use your own charging cable to plug your phone into the vehicle's primary USB port. If the car is equipped with the feature, the Apple CarPlay or Android Auto interface should automatically appear on the car's main display screen. If it doesn't, you can ask a Hertz representative for assistance before you head out.

To make a quick stop for supplies, use your navigation app to find a supermarket or pharmacy in a neighborhood adjacent to the airport, such as East Boston or Revere. Look for a location that is a few blocks off the main highway (Route 1A). This strategy allows you to easily exit, make your purchases, and then get back on the main road toward your destination without having to navigate the complex airport interchanges a second time.

It's best to plan your refueling stop for when you are within a 5-10 mile radius of the airport to ensure you return the car with a full tank. The most convenient gas stations are located along Route 1A in East Boston and the neighboring town of Revere. These stations are situated on the main thoroughfare leading directly to the airport entrance and are accustomed to serving rental car customers, making for a quick and efficient stop.

As you get close to the airport, begin looking for large overhead signs that specifically mention "Rental Car Center" or "Car Rental Return." These signs will appear alongside the signs for the different terminals. It's important to move into the designated lanes for the Rental Car Center early. Following these specific signs ensures you are routed directly to the return facility and not into the passenger drop-off loops for the terminals.

The most common mistake drivers make is continuing to follow the signs for "Departures" or a specific airline terminal instead of branching off toward the "Rental Car Return." The signage for the return facility is distinct, and missing that turn can put you in a confusing loop of terminal roadways. At night, be extra vigilant and reduce your speed to ensure you have enough time to read the signs and make the correct lane change.

The process is designed to be quite simple. First, follow the airport signs for "Departures" and proceed to the curb for your specific airline to drop off passengers and luggage. After they are safely on the curb, simply get back into the main airport roadway. From there, follow the signs that direct you to loop back around to the "Rental Car Return" entrance. This avoids leaving the airport complex and keeps the entire process streamlined.

After you have completed your return and gathered your belongings, you will use the same shuttle bus system you used upon arrival. The Rental Car Center has a designated bus lobby with clear signage indicating which bus goes to which terminals (A, B, C, and E). Board the appropriate complimentary shuttle for your airline, and it will drop you off directly at the departures level of your terminal.

For an early flight, two parts of the process can take longer than anticipated. First, you may have to wait a few minutes for the next shuttle bus to arrive at the Rental Car Center, and the ride itself can take 10-15 minutes with stops at other terminals. Second, the airline check-in and security lines inside the terminal can be at their longest during the early morning rush. It's wise to budget at least 30 extra minutes for the return and transit process alone.

If your first few days are dedicated to exploring walkable areas like the North End, Beacon Hill, and the Freedom Trail, the most practical plan is to delay your car rental. Navigating and parking in these areas is challenging and expensive. Use public transportation or rideshares for your city exploration, and then pick up your Hertz rental from the airport on the morning you plan to start your first day trip out of the city. This approach saves both money and hassle.

An excellent and stress-free meet-up spot is the airport's Cell Phone Lot. It is located just a minute or two from the Rental Car Center and is clearly marked. Both cars can easily drive there, park for free, and coordinate plans, set up navigation, or wait for the entire group to be ready. This is far more efficient than trying to find each other in the constant traffic flow of the terminal departure or arrival lanes.

If you experience a significant flight delay, the process should still be straightforward. Airport rental locations like Hertz at BOS are accustomed to delays and typically have extended hours to accommodate late-arriving flights. Your reservation is generally held for a period of time after your scheduled pickup. Simply proceed to the Rental Car Center via the shuttle as you normally would and head to the Hertz counter to retrieve your vehicle.