Car Hire Florida

Car hire in Florida makes exploring this popular state a breeze. You’ll find there’s a great road network right across Florida, providing access to all the region’s cities and resorts. The main interstate motorways are I-75 (down the west coast, ending in Miami) and the I-95 (down the east coast). The I-4 runs coast-to-coast across the Florida peninsula, from Tampa, through Orlando to Daytona.

There are many lesser-known routes too and you’re never far from a smooth stretch of straight four-lane highway. This makes it easy and relaxing to get around this vast state, wherever you need to be.

Check out this fantastic video to see what driving around in Florida really looks like.

Florida’s Turnpike is a 483-mile system of toll roads on which every vehicle will have to pay a fee generally based on the distance of the journey and the number of axles on the vehicle – you can find out more on the official Turnpike website. Other interstate highways with toll charges include the 1-75 between Miami and Naples, and the Bee Line Expressway between Orlando and Cape Canaveral.

The driving rules in Florida are similar to much of the rest of the USA. Drive on the right-hand side of the road and the car you hire will have a steering wheel and controls on the left. Children under the age of four or weighing less than 15kg must use a child car seat. Ensure everyone wears a seatbelt and use your headlights when your wipers are on. Always carry your driving license, registration document and insurance details in your vehicle.

The speed limit is 70mph on most multi-lane roads, although it can be dropped to 65mph on urban stretches. New arrivals should note that there is a minimum speed limit of 50mph in 70mph zones.

Whether it’s the unrivalled spread of world-famous attractions, the miles of golden sands or the Everglades’ gator-filled swamps, Florida’s abundance of treasures will see you visiting time and again.

Both the Gulf and Atlantic coasts are lined with impressive sandy beaches, peppered with vibrant restaurants, a bustling shopping scene, unique wildlife, and sprawling, constantly changing theme parks.

The buzz of the theme parks

Florida is the theme-park capital of the world, with some of the biggest on the planet clustered around Orlando and Kissimmee in the centre of the state. If you're visiting the state with your family, a trip to Disney World Resort is a must - spend the day exploring the park whilst meeting Mickey Mouse and all his friends too. For film buffs, head to Universal Resort and become part of the action on the Harry Potter and Transformer 3D adventure rides.

But to really get a taste of Orlando's theme parks, Busch Gardens is the perfect place for experiencing some of the craziest rides in the world. Fly through the air upside down on Montu, or if you’re a speed demon, brace yourself for the twists and turns of Kumba.

The beauty of southern Florida

As you drive around Florida in your hire car, you’ll discover that there's more than just glorious sunshine and theme park thrills to this state.

Head for the swampy Everglades National Park at the south-west tip of the peninsular – a famous watery wildlife refuge – and the Kennedy Space Centre – the home of America’s space program near the Atlantic coast.

The road linking the glamorous islands of the Florida Keys at the southern tip of the state is one of the most spectacular drives anywhere in the world. Miami’s South Beach area is a striking and much-photographed urban area, thanks to the restored, pastel-hued art-deco architecture along the palm-fringed promenade. Fort Lauderdale is renowned as an international centre for cruises but it also has such a network of waterways that locals call it ‘the Venice of America’.

If you’re keen on a road trip, a 14-hour drive would take you from Pensacola on the western edge of the ‘Panhandle’ that stretches across the top of the Gulf of Mexico and the Alabama border down to Key West at the end of the chain of exquisite islands at the southern tip.

Want to know more about life in the south is really like? Read this fun guide into what expect from the coastal city of Sarasota here.

Heading north

You'll be pleasantly surprised with northern Florida's offerings, with the likes of the Spanish colonial relic of St. Augustine, America’s oldest city, and the stunning beaches and the nature-filled waterways of Jacksonville all ready for you to explore

Some of America’s most famous beaches are here too, like Daytona and Panama City or, just west of Tampa, you’ll find Clearwater, aptly named for its serene waters and fine white sands. You may find your perfect bit of Florida is a simple wooden jetty on a quiet sandy beach or a seafood restaurant overlooking deep-sea fishing boats. Ford Meyers is ideal if you're a fan of golf, thanks to its vivid green courses.

With its golden beaches, fantastic attractions and beautiful scenery, the Sunshine State is the perfect place for an American adventure.

Hire a car in Florida to make sure you take in everything this state has to offer.