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Car hire in Detroit with Hertz
Detroit is a city where plans can shift fast in a good but unpredictable way.
You might start with downtown landmarks and riverfront walks, then decide to spend the afternoon in Dearborn, or build a day trip out to Ann Arbor and still be back by dinner.
A car hire in Detroit makes that kind of mix-and-match itinerary far easier than trying to time every stop around fixed schedules.
Booking a car rental in Detroit through Hertz helps when you are:
- Carrying luggage for multi-stop stays
- Traveling with family and want simpler logistics
- Mixing city time with longer drives into Southeast Michigan
A practical way to plan is route first, vehicle second. For Downtown-heavy days, a compact or mid-size car is easier for garages and tight turns. During Cross-metro drives, a comfortable sedan keeps longer stretches relaxed. Car rental with Hertz makes it easy for you to get a vehicle that best suits your trip!
Pickup locations in Detroit
- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
- Detroit Metro Airport - Signature Support (Private Flights Only)
- Detroit- Belleville - Willow Run Av Flight (Private Flights Only)
Benefits from day one.
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Up to 10% discount applies to base rates in the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and Benelux. 5% applies for the rest of the world. The discount applies to the base rate quoted (excluding taxes and any other charges). It does not apply to affiliated rates or rates that are already discounted.
- Add your spouse as a second driver without an extra fee
- Earn points redeemable toward free rental days and upgrades
Points are earned on per day time and mileage charges only. Free rental days cover base rate (time and mileage) only. Taxes, optional extras and any other fees are excluded. One-car-class upgrade applies to Compact, Intermediate, Standard & Full-size rentals with a maximum upgrade to a Premium. Additional terms and exclusions apply
- Skip the counter and go straight to your car
You can skip the counter once your membership is activated after your first rental. Available at select locations only.
Benefits from day one.
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for free.
- Make travel feel golden with Hertz Gold+
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- Skip the line, choose your ride, and go
Skip the rental counter at selected locations – just head to your car and go. At selected US rental locations, you can also choose from a wider selection of cars, including exclusive vehicles for top-tier members.
- Earn points to redeem for free rental days
Earn free rental days with every booking. The more you rent, the faster you unlock elite status.* *Points are earned & redeemed on the base rental rate only. Taxes, fees, & options are excluded. Additional terms apply.
- Share the drive for free
Add your spouse or partner as an additional driver for free.
Driving Guide: Car Rental in Detroit
Parking Information
- The Kennedy Square Garage is an underground parking lot that holds up to 437 vehicles. It's a great spot to park in and explore downtown Detroit on foot, without changing parking spots at frequent intervals.
- The Greektown Garage in downtown Detroit, with over 1100 parking spots, is the perfect center to explore Detroit city life, with plenty of local eateries around. The facility is also equipped with electric vehicle charging and features disabled parking for easier access.
- The 150W Jefferson Avenue garage-style parking lot is the ideal base if you’re looking to explore the Detroit riverfront. The facility is equipped to hold 526 vehicles and has 24/7 accessibility for visitors.
Key Roads in Detroit
- Woodward Avenue (M-1) is the city’s most iconic artery. Connecting Pontiac to downtown Detroit, this is often referred to as Detroit’s Main Street and acts as a line between East and West Detroit.
- Michigan Avenue (US 12) is a historic corridor running southwest from downtown, useful for drives toward Dearborn and onward toward Ann Arbor.
- The Grand River Avenue (M-5) is a major northwest thoroughfare that helps connect downtown Detroit to neighborhoods and suburbs in that direction.
Electric Car Hire
If you want a quieter, greener way to tread through the most iconic parts of this city, Hertz electric car hire in Detroit is a practical fit.
Most Detroit itineraries naturally fall into longer stops, like a museum visit, a waterfront walk, or a shopping break, so you can charge your rental car while you are already parked and enjoying the day.
The easiest way to keep EV travel smooth is to plan charging around your schedule. Choose a charging spot near your hotel or a place you expect to spend a couple of hours, then continue the trip without overthinking it.
Charging Points
Detroit’s public EV infrastructure is strong and evolving. Right now, there are over 2500 charging ports across 873 charging stations in and within 30 miles of the city (including Level 2 and DC fast charging).
This accessibility and growing demand for EV charging points is encouraging people to pick rental EV models over petrol-led ones.
Congestion Charges
There are no implemented congestion charges for driving a private vehicle in downtown Detroit.
Instead of a city-center pricing policy, Michigan is exploring broader Road Usage Charge (RUC) concepts through MDOT studies and pilot planning, which is aimed at long-term road funding and could be mileage-based, not a downtown-only traffic charge.
What you may pay instead (route-dependent): toll crossings, especially if your itinerary includes Canada. For example, the Detroit–Windsor Tunnel lists an auto toll of $9.00 USD (8.25 CAD) for travel from Detroit to Windsor (rates vary by direction and payment method).
Getting from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) to Oxford
If you’re planning a longer drive after pickup, Oxford is a good option for a road trip from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW). The journey takes around four hours by car, depending on traffic, and is mostly highway-based for much of the route.
Here’s a clearer way to follow it with your Hertz car rental:
- Get onto I-275 S from John D. Dingell Drive and Eureka Road.
- Continue on the main highway route and follow signs for your onward interstate connections.
- Join US-127 S and continue toward Oxford.
- Follow local roads to your final destination in Oxford.
Getting From Detroit to Dearborn
Dearborn is a smooth add-on drive if you’re pairing downtown time with a museum-heavy or family-friendly stop.
Here’s how you can reach it with your rental car:
- Start in downtown and head toward the southwest side of the city.
- A common approach is to use the M-10 N as a direct connector, especially if your day is centered around Dearborn’s main visitor areas.
- If you’re approaching a major complex or campus-style destination, follow posted signage and set up your lane position early to avoid last-second turns.
Treat Dearborn as a single-area block. Park once near your main stop, finish everything in that area, then drive back. Repositioning the car multiple times in a short radius usually wastes more time than it saves.
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A Quick Guide to Detroit
Shinola Hotel
1400 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226
A boutique downtown stay that puts you close to the main walking areas, with a design-forward feel and an easy base for short drives out to Midtown or the riverfront.
The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit
1114 Washington Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226
A historic downtown hotel in a landmark building, well-placed for theatre nights, stadium visits, and short, simple drives across the city when you do not want to over-plan.
Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center
Renaissance Center, 400 Renaissance Dr, Detroit, MI 48243
A riverfront base with quick access to downtown routes and the RiverWalk area, which suits trips where you want a central address and straightforward in-and-out driving.
Buddy’s Pizza (Downtown Detroit)
Madison Building, 1565 Broadway St, Detroit, MI 48226
An iconic, reliable, family-friendly stop for classic Detroit-style pizza, serving since 1946. It is a reliable pick when you want an easy meal between downtown sightseeing blocks without turning the stop into a long plan.
Lafayette Coney Island
118 W. Lafayette Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226
A quick, iconic Detroit bite that works well for a simple lunch stop. The menu is straightforward, service is fast, and it fits nicely into a busy day where you want to keep moving.
Avalon Cafe & Bakery
1049 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
A practical pick when you want breakfast, baked goods, or an easy mid-day reset. It’s well-suited to grab-and-go pacing before you head to the next stop.
Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA)
5200 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48202
A top Detroit stop for a few hours in Midtown, with enough range to work for first-timers and families. It’s a good anchor attraction when you want one main visit, then a short drive to your next neighbourhood.
Detroit International RiverWalk
1340 Atwater St, Detroit, MI 48207
A relaxed, walk-friendly stretch along the water that’s easy to slot into your day. It’s ideal when you want views, open space, and a lighter pace after heavier itinerary items.
Belle Isle Park
99 Pleasure Dr, Detroit, MI 48207
A big, scenic island park that works well when you want a longer outdoor block in the day. Plan this when you want a slower time, open views, and space to reset away from downtown streets.