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  • Best price guarantee - in the unlikely event you find a lower Hertz price, we'll refund the difference
  • No cancellation or amendment feesUp to two days before collecting your vehicle.
  • No hidden extras to pay - theft and damage cover included

Hertz Car Rental in Charlotte

Affectionately known as the Queen City, Charlotte is home to some of North Carolina’s most well-known attractions. From museums, retail outlets and fantastic restaurants to the iconic Charlotte Motor Speedway and the NASCAR Hall of Fame, Charlotte has built a reputation as one of the south-east’s best-loved locations for visitors.

Car rental in Charlotte is the perfect way to get the most out of your visit to this gem of North Carolina, visiting as many of its attractions as possible. Not only do you get to see the dynamic city from every angle, you’ll also be able to head further afield and explore other destinations across the state and beyond, including the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

You’ll find our collection points conveniently located around Charlotte, including at the airport, so it’s easy to collect your car as soon as you arrive. Browse our extensive range of vehicles online and reserve in advance.

Once you arrive, we aim to have you in your car and on the road without delay, allowing you to start your discovery of Charlotte.

Pickup Locations Charlotte

  • Charlotte - Independence HLE

    Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8:00AM-5:00PM, Sat 9:00AM-12:00PM, Sun Closed

    Address: 6141 East Independence Blvd

    Phone: (704) 566-3049

  • Charlotte - Wilson Air Center (Private Flights Only)

    Opening hours: Mon-Sun 7:00AM-10:00PM

    Address: 5400 Airport Drive

    Phone: (704) 359-0114

  • Charlotte - South Blvd HLE

    Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8:00AM-5:00PM, Sat 9:00AM-12:00PM, Sun Closed

    Address: 9218 South Blvd

    Phone: (704) 553-8989

  • Charlotte - Southpark Doubletree Hotel HLE

    Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8:00AM-6:00PM, Sat-Sun Closed.

    Address: 6300 Morrison Blvd

    Phone: (704) 362-4768

  • Charlotte - North Tryon HLE

    Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8:00AM-5:00PM, Sat 9:00AM-12:00PM, Sun Closed

    Address: 5010 North Tryon Street

    Phone: 704-509-1861

  • Charlotte Douglas International Airport

    Opening hours: Mon-Fri 6:00AM-01:00AM, Sat 6:00AM-12:00AM, Sun 6:00AM-01:00AM.

    Address: 5489 Josh Birmingham Parkway

    Phone: (704) 359-0114

Driving in and around Charlotte


As well as being the most prominent city in North Carolina, Charlotte is also just a short drive from the South Carolina border. Interstate 77 (I-77) and I-85 provide access to the entire eastern United States with relative ease.

I-77 runs from north to south through the city - follow this route north to the Virginia border or south towards Rock Hill and Columbia in South Carolina.

I-85 passes east to west through the north side of Charlotte. It provides connections to Greensboro to the east and allows traffic heading west to reach Atlanta, Georgia, around 400km away. Meanwhile, I-485 operates as a loop that encircles Charlotte, providing access to the airport, plus interstates and other routes out of the city.

If you’re driving in Charlotte, you might also use I-277 - a beltway that runs for around 6km, and provides access to the city’s most signposted attractions, including the Charlotte Convention Center, Mint Museum and NASCAR Hall of Fame.

As you would expect with any big city, traffic in Charlotte can get busy. especially during the morning and evening rush hours. If you’re planning to travel between 7.30am and 9am, or 4.30pm and 6.30pm, make sure you allow plenty of time for your journey and plan your route in advance. You’ll find lots of parking lots, garages and on-street parking meters around the city. Most metered spots are free of charge during evenings and weekends.

Road rules in Charlotte are similar to those found across the rest of the US. You’ll travel on the right-hand side of the road and follow speed limit signs. Speed limits in Charlotte range from 70 mph (113 km/h) on freeways to 35 mph (56 km/h) in built-up areas.

Car rental in Charlotte gets you the convenience and ease of access to many other destinations in and around North Carolina, should you want to venture out and see a little more of the state. The city of Durham is around 230km northeast via I-85, while state capital Raleigh is around 270km away via I-85 and I-40. You’ll reach the Great Smoky Mountains National Park by following US 74 west of Charlotte.

A quick guide to Charlotte


Rent a car in Charlotte and get ready to take in all the delights of this lively, modern city, exploring its historic heart. There are also some great road trips within easy reach, allowing you to experience North Carolina’s spectacular mountain scenery.

Uptown highlights

Many of Charlotte’s tourist highlights are found Uptown, in an area around Trade Street and Tyron Street.

The Levine Center for the Arts campus comprises a number of established art galleries and performance spaces. The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, with its striking exterior designed by Swiss architect Mario Botta, is home to an impressive collection of contemporary works by American artists, as well as pieces by European masters Dalí and Picasso.

Elsewhere on the campus, you’ll find the Harvey B Gantt Center for African-American Arts and Culture and the Mint Museum Uptown. A 48-hour pass gets you access to all three venues – plus, if you don’t have time to visit during the day, the museums host free after-hours events such as Bechtler By Night. 

Not far away from here, you’ll find the Levine Museum of the New South, one of the most comprehensive post-Civil War museums anywhere in the US. Discovery Place packs centuries of advancements into a science museum, with an IMAX Dome Theater and hands-on exhibits that will delight little ones.

Racing heritage

If you’re a NASCAR enthusiast, a short drive outside Charlotte to Concord and the hallowed Motor Speedway is an absolute must. This venue hosts the cream of the NASCAR racing calendar, attended by hundreds of thousands of fans every year, including the Coca Cola 600 and the NASCAR All-Star Race.

Take a behind-the-scenes tour and learn all about the role the Motor Speedway has played in motorsport since it opened in 1960. Not far away is the Hendrick Motorsports Complex, where you can view some of the team’s most famous cars and memorabilia, as well as seeing its experts at work.

Back in Uptown Charlotte, the NASCAR Hall of Fame is a great place to learn all about the history and heritage of the nation’s favourite motorsport. Here, you can seeiconic displays celebrating its most storied events.

Mountain views

As well as enjoying the delights of Uptown and the city, with Charlotte car rental you’ll be able to take a drive to see the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee.

Head for Bryson City to discover a friendly mountain town with unique stores and lodgings, and easy access to the 10km Lakeview Drive, with stunning views of Fontana Lake, as well as the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad.

In the surrounding area you can go kayaking on the Nantahala River or explore the Tsali trails, on foot as well as on horseback. With car rental in Charlotte, you’ll be able to set your own itinerary and make the most of your time in this spectacular part of the US.