Car Rental Massachusetts

Electric car hire

Massachusetts is the kind of place where short drives unlock entirely different moods, so an electric car fits right in. You get a calm, quiet ride for Boston streets, then the same comfort on day trips out to coastal towns, small historic centers, or scenic countryside routes.

With an EV from Hertz, getting around feels refreshingly easy. Pick an electric option that matches your plan, enjoy smooth acceleration in stop-and-go traffic, and take the stress out of local driving.

If you’re booking car hire in Massachusetts through Hertz, you still get the flexibility of a standard rental, just with a more modern, lower-emission way to travel.

Charging points

Massachusetts has a solid spread of public EV charging across the state, with over 8,000 charging points available, so it’s usually easy to factor quick top-ups into your route planning. With the network continuing to grow, you will find even more places to plug in over time.

That makes hiring an EV through Hertz in Massachusetts a practical choice, whether you’re staying local around Boston and Cambridge or heading out on longer drives to Cape Cod, the North Shore, the Berkshires, or smaller historic towns along the way.

Congestion charges

If you’re planning a car rental in Massachusetts with Hertz, you will not find a statewide congestion charge for driving in Massachusetts cities. Instead, you may come across toll facilities on certain routes, especially in and around Greater Boston.

Massachusetts tolling is handled electronically on major tolled roads and tunnels, often through E-ZPass MA. In many cases, tolls can also be billed by license plate, and if you drive through without a transponder, the registered owner may receive a bill by mail.

If you expect to use tolled routes during your trip, it helps to check local toll rules and how toll charges will be handled under your Hertz rental agreement before you set off.

Key roads

• Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90 / “Mass Pike”): The state’s main east–west backbone, running from the New York border through Worcester and straight into Boston. It’s the go-to route for Berkshires day trips, Western Mass drives, and cross-state travel.
• Interstate 93 (I-93): The key north–south corridor for moving between Greater Boston and the North Shore / New Hampshire direction. In the metro area it cuts right through Boston (Central Artery) and is a primary commuter route.
• Route 128 (often concurrent with I-95 around Boston): Boston’s well-known inner beltway, widely used to loop around the city and connect major suburbs, business parks, and regional interchanges without driving through downtown.

Toll roads

• Tobin Memorial Bridge: A tolled Boston-area crossing that connects Charlestown and Chelsea, widely used for quick access between downtown routes and the northern side of the metro area.
• Ted Williams Tunnel: A tolled tunnel route linking Boston to Logan Airport/East Boston, helpful for airport runs and avoiding surface traffic when heading toward the waterfront side of the city.
• Sumner Tunnel (Boston Harbor): A tolled tunnel route between East Boston (Logan area) and downtown Boston, helpful for airport-side access and cutting under the harbor instead of using surface streets.

Driving Tips: When you are in Massachusetts

Massachusetts is straightforward to drive once you get used to Boston’s tighter streets, quick lane changes, and lots of rotaries. A few local basics can help you feel more confident, avoid common fines, and keep your trip with a car hire in Massachusetts running smoothly.

• Drive on the right, pass on the left. (Standard US rule, but lane discipline matters on busier highways.)
• Watch speed limits closely. Limited-access highways often range around 50–65 mph, and smaller highways can be 55 mph or lower.
• Buckle up every time. Massachusetts requires seat belts for drivers and passengers (or appropriate child restraints).
• Use your phone hands-free only. Holding or supporting a phone/electronic device while driving is prohibited.
• Right on red is usually allowed after a full stop, unless posted otherwise. Yield to traffic and pedestrians before turning.
• Tolls are cashless around Boston. EZDriveMA uses E-ZPass MA and Pay By Plate, so tolls may be billed electronically.
• Rotary rule suggests if you’re entering a rotary, yield to vehicles already inside.