EWR Airport Rental Car Guide Newark Liberty Airport

On-airport Car Rental at Newark Airport

Newark International Airport is sandwiched between Newark in Essex County and Elizabeth in Union County of New Jersey. The airport is located 2.9 miles south of Newark Downtown and is the third-largest hub for United Airlines, serving around 50 carriers. Renting a car is the most convenient way of seeing more of New England, including New York, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania, all of which are just a short hop from the airport.

To reach the car rental stations, known as Station P3 and Station P2, you'll need to take the AirTrain from the airport terminals. The good news is, the ride is free of cost. Car rental agencies like Alamo, Budget, and Dollar have their offices in Station P2, whereas in Station P3, you will find Enterprise, Hertz, Avis, and National. Some agencies, like Hertz, Alamo, Budget, Advantage and Thrifty, also provide pick-up services that take you to off-airport destinations from the Newark airport. 

Car Rental in Downtown Newark

Instead of spending time trying to match your schedule with the public transportation timetable, skip the hassle by renting a car in Newark. In downtown Newark, most agencies are pretty spread out. However, you'll find Enterprise Rent-a-Car and Avis offices around Market Street, one of the main arteries of the city. Although renting a full-size car would be around 50% cheaper than other car types, we recommend considering small and compact cars if you plan to stay within the city for a while as a lot of public parking spots are rather small. So, it makes sense why economy cars are the most frequently booked car rental type in Newark. In the winters, the city witnesses heavy snowfall so make sure that your car rental agency equips your vehicle with appropriate tires to avoid skidding.

As downtown Newark can get busy and finding a parking spot can be difficult, we recommend reserving a space in the parking garage nearest to you in advance through a mobile app such as SpotHero. On the NJ Turnpike and Garden State Parkway, the speed limit is 65 mph. However, in the downtown area, this drops to 30 mph. While driving through any residential area, you need to drive even more cautiously at 25-35 mph.

Driving in Newark

The rush hours are usually from 7 am to 9 am and 4 pm to 7 pm. At these hours, you should avoid getting on the Garden State Parkway or NJ Turnpike because these routes get the most congestion. However, NJ Turnpike is a fairly important highway that connects Newark to other cities and states, so it might not be completely avoidable. However, you can plan in advance by checking the traffic report before heading out to have a clearer picture of which routes are jammed and the alternative detours that you can take.

Some of the traffic laws to keep in mind while in New Jersey are:

● All drivers and passengers must wear seatbelts.

● You have to turn on the headlights 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise.

● If you are found guilty of drinking and driving, you will never be able to apply for a personalized license plate.

● You are required to remove all the snow and ice on your car during the winter months.

● Frowning at the police officer is illegal (yes, really!)

Car Rental Agencies in Newark

Newark car rental agencies offer different types of vehicles depending on the purpose you need them for. For instance, you can rent a minivan if you’re traveling with a large family, an SUV if you want to cut through the traffic, and or even a convertible luxury car to vacation in style. There are several companies to choose from, including Enterprise, Alamo, Economy, Dollar, Thrifty, Budget, Hertz, Advantage, and Avis. Avis and some other car rental agencies also provide long-term car rental services at pretty affordable rates if you plan to stay for a while.

Top Road Trips From Newark

If you are already in Newark, there's no excuse for you not to explore The Big Apple! Once you're in the big city, there's absolutely no shame in doing the most touristy thing possible and making a beeline to Times Square. It's arguably the "centre of the world" in many respects and a key player in the world's entertainment industry. Later on, drive down to Staten Island to see the world-famous neoclassical sculpture of the Statue of Liberty. Fun fact: it was built by the same architect that constructed the Eiffel Tower! In case you prefer to pass on the big city experience, and spend time in nature instead, a 3-hour drive north will take you to serene Lake George. Enjoy the sounds of the waves lapping at your feet or go on a sunset boat cruise.

Cape May is a small city located at the southern end of the Cape May Peninsula. Bring your kids to one of the beaches and watch them build sandcastles while you bask under the sun. If you are in for some marine mammal watching, there are whale watching or dolphin spotting cruises available. Once the afternoon sun gets toasty, duck indoors to explore the Cape May County Zoo along with your family to meet over 500 animals. Conclude the night with a glass or bottle of wine at the Willow Creek Winery. Cape May also hosts a variety of festivals throughout the year, including Jazz Festivals and Film Festivals.

We try not to overstate things if we can help it, but Fire Island is genuinely as exciting as it sounds. It is a beach lovers' paradise, consisting of 18 distinct communities, each with a charm of its own. One of them is Cherry Grove, a town famous for being a retreat for the LGBTQ community way before the gay rights movement. Fire Island offers innumerable activities, including sailing, boating, biking, clamming, swimming and surfing. Choose the action that excites you the most and enjoy the ultimate getaway. Fire Island is 2 hours 25 minutes' drive from Newark.

What other travelers are asking about renting a car in Newark

Q: Cost of renting a car in Newark?

A: The average cost to rent a car in Newark is just $68.30 USD per day.

Q: What’s the cheapest car rental in Newark?

A: Prices for car rentals in Newark can be as low as $58.26 USD when booking with our partners Enjoy Travel.

Q: What’s the minimum age to rent a car in Newark?

A: You must be at least 21 years old to rent a car in Newark, NJ.

Q: Can I have additional drivers on the rental agreement in Newark?

A: Yes, additional drivers can be added to your Newark car rental agreement at an extra cost.

Q: What’s the best car for getting around Newark?

A: Parking spaces in Newark can be tight, so it’s best to opt for a smaller vehicle such as a Nissan Versa or similar.