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Hertz car hire at O'Hare Airport
Landing at O’Hare is only half the battle; the real challenge is actually getting out of the airport. Downtown Chicago is about 18 miles away, and while you could jump on the Blue Line or call a ride-share, both options usually involve a lot of extra work. You’re either hauling bags through a crowded station or standing on a curb trying to find a specific pickup zone after a long flight.
Booking a Hertz car hire at Chicago O'Hare International Airport skips that friction. You just have to collect your keys and leave once you are ready. No fuss like train schedules and surge pricing surprises. A car rental O’Hare Airport pickup means your bags go into the trunk once, and you drive straight to your plans.
If your plans take you beyond one neighborhood, starting with the car saves time later. Car hire at O’Hare International Airport lets you move between downtown, the suburbs, and anywhere in between without backtracking.
With Hertz car rental at Chicago O'Hare International Airport, common drives look like this:
- Downtown Chicago is usually about 30 to 40 minutes by car, depending on traffic
- The Magnificent Mile and River North are in the same range
- Oak Brook and the western suburbs are around 30 to 45 minutes away
- Evanston and the northern lakeshore are roughly 35 to 50 minutes north
Best-Loved Car Brand
Infiniti QX60
The average price per day is calculated using Hertz car rental data from the previous week.
Average Daily Price
USD 165 /day
Top Deal
USD 103 /day
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Location Information
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Driving & quick guide
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Travel Guide
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FAQs
Pick-up locations information
O'Hare Airport
Mon-Sun 5:00AM-12:00AM
10255 West Zemke Blvd, Chicago, 60666, United States
**(Calls cost 7p per minute plus your phone company's access charge)
Driving in and around Chicago
Chicago has its way of making an impression long before you even see its dazzling skyline. When you rent a car at Chicago O’Hare International Airport, downtown is about 30 to 40 minutes away from you via I-90 or I-94 in normal traffic. And the route past the vast suburban sprawl gives you a peek into the city’s grandeur. Traffic can build on the Dan Ryan Expressway and around the Loop in the evenings and weekday peaks, so if you’re heading straight into the heart of the city, take with you a little extra time in hand.
Once you’re on the city’s grid of multi-lane streets and wide boulevards, you’ll find the layout intuitive, even as it shifts between historic neighbourhoods and modern districts. Urban speed limits usually hover around 30 mph, rising on express routes as you leave the core. Seatbelts are required for all occupants and hands-free phone use is recommended. Paid parking zones and metered streets are common near Millennium Park and Navy Pier, so if you hire a rental car for local exploring, plan ahead for parking. Beyond the central area, Lake Shore Drive gives one of the most scenic urban stretches, hugging Lake Michigan’s shoreline and offering skyline views and access to beaches and parks.
A quick guide to Seattle and beyond
Chicago is one of America’s great cities, a place where towering architecture, cultural riches and waterfront life coalesce along the lake and river. When you book a rental car from O’Hare, you can drive down these locations.
The Loop and riverfront
Begin downtown- where Millennium Park draws visitors to Cloud Gate and Crown Fountain, and stroll the Chicago Riverwalk for scenic paths, public art and waterfront dining. Nearby, Navy Pier combines family fun, rides and evening entertainment.
Iconic views and museums
For unforgettable panoramas, the Willis Tower Skydeck offers sweeping views over the city and lake. The Art Institute of Chicago showcases masterpieces from across eras, making it well worth your itinerary.
Beyond the core
With a car you can stretch your legs along Lake Shore Drive’s beaches, head north to Lincoln Park, or plan a road trip beginning here on classic Route 66. Booking a rental lets you shape your Chicago experience on your own terms.
What Cars Can I Hire at Chicago O’Hare International Airport?
Hertz car rental at Chicago O'Hare International Airport gives you options that match how you plan to use the car, whether that’s a direct drive into downtown Chicago, meetings across the city, or longer highway stretches beyond the urban core. It works well for simple airport-to-hotel transfers, but also suits trips where comfort and space matter more.
Vehicle availability can change by date and time, but these are the main categories of vehicles you can rent.
- Compact and economy cars: For straightforward city driving, easier parking, and short airport-to-downtown trips.
- Sedans: For a smoother ride, extra boot space, and longer highway stretches.
- SUVs: When you want a higher driving position and more room for passengers and luggage.
- MPVs: Suitable for families or small groups who need flexible seating and added space.
- Vans: Ideal for larger groups or bulkier luggage when one vehicle is more practical.
- Premium models: Executive-style sedans and higher-spec SUVs for business travel and added comfort.
Electric Car Rental at Chicago O’Hare International Airport
If you want a driving experience that’s quieter, smoother, and kinder to the air around you, renting an electric or hybrid vehicle at Chicago O'Hare International Airport is worth considering.
Hertz offers rental electric and hybrid cars right at the airport that let you leave the terminal with a car that’s easy to drive in both city traffic and on the highways that lead out of town.
Booking an electric rental car further becomes a smart option since the charging infrastructure around Chicago is expanding. The city is now home to dozens of public Level II stations and fast chargers near the airport and throughout the metro area, making it easier to keep your EV topped up on longer trips.
Also, choosing an electric rental car here helps lower tailpipe emissions during your trip and can make everyday driving feel more relaxed without changing how you plan your day.
Value Added Services (VAS) – Enhance your rental experience
When you book a Hertz car rental at Chicago O’Hare International Airport, you’re likely planning more than a short drive. It could be downtown traffic, client meetings across the city, or a longer stretch out to the suburbs. Either way, adding the right protection to your car hire booking makes a difference.
Hertz Value Added Services give you that flexibility. Some options are about peace of mind. Others are simply practical. All of them are designed to help you manage your Chicago airport car rental with fewer unexpected costs.
- SuperCover: Removes the excess and provides full protection against collision, theft, and damage.
- Theft Protection: Reduces your financial responsibility if the rental car is stolen.
- Hertz Premium Emergency Roadside Service (PERS): Fast roadside assistance if something goes wrong.
- Infant Seats: Safe, rear-facing seating for babies under one year old.
- Child Seats: Forward-facing seats for young children.
- High-Back Booster Seats: Added support and safety for older children.
- Collision Damage Waiver (CDW): Reduces your liability if the vehicle is damaged or lost.
It’s a simple way to customize your car hire in Chicago O’Hare so it fits your trip, not the other way around.
Explore Places Within 30 Miles of Chicago O’Hare International Airport
Art Institute of Chicago
19 miles from Chicago O’Hare Airport (approx)
3074 parking spots (approx)- 35 active charging points nearby (approx)
Open Wed-Mon 11 AM to 5 PM
Navy Pier
- 19 miles from Chicago O’Hare Airport (approx)
- 3059 parking spots (approx)
- 8 active charging points nearby (approx)
- Open daily 11 AM to 8 PM
Magnificent Mile
- 18 miles from Chicago O’Hare Airport (approx)
- 658 parking spots (approx)
- 5 active charging points nearby (approx)
- Open daily (hours vary by retailers)
Hertz Car Hire FAQs – O'Hare Airport
Can I get a car rental from Hertz directly at Chicago O’Hare International Airport?
Does Hertz offer one-way car rentals from Chicago O’Hare International Airport?
Can I modify or cancel my Chicago O’Hare Airport car rental reservation?
What are the requirements to rent at the Chicago O’Hare Airport branch?
Can I return my car to a different location than the one in my contract?
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