Manage BookingTravel Tips

Baton Rouge Airport (BTR) Car Rental | Airport Van Rental

08/03/2025 – 08/06/2025

Why rent a car at Baton Rouge Airport

Ready to find the perfect rental at BTR? Enter your travel dates and pick-up time in the search form above. In seconds, we’ll compare deals across Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, National, and more, all located on-site at Baton Rouge Airport. Choose the vehicle that fits your needs, reserve it with no pre-payment required, and rest assured that you’ve got a great rate locked in. Most bookings come with penalty-free cancellation, so if your plans change, you’re covered. It’s the easiest way to secure a quality car or van at BTR, so you can hit the road without delay.

Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport (BTR) is your gateway to Louisiana’s capital city, and renting a car here is fast, affordable, and convenient. With Airport Van Rental, you can step off the plane and walk straight to the rental counter just past baggage claim. No need to wait for shuttles or trams, within minutes you’ll be in your car and on your way. We partner with all major rental companies at BTR to bring you low prices (starting around $29/day) on a wide range of vehicles, from economy cars for solo travelers to 12-passenger vans for groups. Plus, you’ll enjoy free cancellation, transparent pricing (no hidden fees), and friendly service that reflects Southern hospitality. Whether you’re here for an LSU game, a business trip, or a family visit, our BTR car rental deals help you save money and maximize your time in Baton Rouge.

Baton Rouge Airport Car Rental, Quick Info

  • Location: Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport (BTR), 6 miles north of Downtown Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA.
  • On-Site Rental Companies:Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, National (counters by baggage claim, cars in adjacent garage).
  • Vehicle Options: Economy & Compact cars (fuel-efficient, easy to park), Mid-size & Full-size sedans (comfortable for business travel), SUVs & Minivans (great for families or groups), 12–15 Passenger Vans (for teams or large groups), and Luxury vehicles.
  • Rates: Economy cars from ~$29–$40/day (off-peak); SUVs from ~$50/day; Minivans from ~$65/day. (Rates vary by season and availability, book early for the best price.)
  • Pick-Up Process:No shuttle needed. After landing, head to baggage claim and find rental counters just beyond. Staff will direct you to the rental car lot, a short walk from the terminal. you’ll be on the road quickly.
  • Drop-Off Process: Return vehicles to the same on-airport rental car lot. It’s just a brief walk back to the terminal but allow a few extra minutes to inspect the car and walk over. If you have an early flight, plan to fuel up the night before for a speedy drop-off.
  • Driving Away: Downtown Baton Rouge is about 15–20 minutes south via I-110. Louisiana State University (LSU) is ~10 miles away. New Orleans is ~80 miles southeast (1.5 hours) via I-10, an easy day trip or one-way rental away.

Tips for Car Rentals at BTR Airport

  • Fast, Easy Pick-Up: Enjoy one of BTR’s biggest perks, quick on-site rentals. The rental counters are immediately past baggage claim, so you can collect luggage and get your keys in one go. The rental cars are housed in a garage right next to the terminal, meaning after paperwork you’ll simply walk a couple of minutes to pick up your vehicle. This saves you 15–20 minutes compared to larger airports that require shuttle rides, perfect for travelers on tight schedules.
  • Smooth Return & Refueling: When returning your car to BTR, follow signs for “Rental Car Return” as you approach the airport, the entrance is on-site, so it’s hard to miss. Fuel up within 5–10 miles of the airport to avoid refueling charges. There are convenient gas stations on major routes to the airport (e.g. along Airline Hwy and Plank Rd); prices are standard, with none of the gouging you might see at bigger airports. After dropping the car, the terminal is a quick walk, but give yourself a few extra minutes if you need to catch the airline check-in or if it’s raining (BTR’s garage is covered, keeping you dry in bad weather).
  • Plan for Baton Rouge Traffic: While getting around Baton Rouge by car is generally easy, be mindful of rush hour traffic. Weekday mornings 7:00–9:30 AM and afternoons 3:00–5:00 PM see congestion on main arteries. I-110 and I-10 near the Horace Wilkinson Bridge (Mississippi River bridge) can slow significantly during these times, as can parts of Airline Highway. If you’re driving to LSU or downtown during rush hour, build in extra time or consider using surface streets as alternates. Outside of rush hour, driving is a breeze, most attractions and business areas are 15–20 minutes from the airport.
  • Explore Louisiana with Unlimited Miles: All rentals booked through Airport Van Rental come with unlimited mileage, so feel free to explore beyond Baton Rouge. Popular nearby drives include New Orleans (~1.5 hours) for its French Quarter and jazz scene, or a scenic trip to Lafayette (~55 miles west) to experience Cajun country. One-way rentals are available if you plan to pick up your car at BTR and drop off elsewhere, just search your desired drop-off location and we’ll show options (a one-way fee may apply, but we disclose it upfront). Pro Tip: Driving from Baton Rouge to New Orleans on I-10 is straightforward, just be prepared for a small toll on the Causeway (if you take the Lake Pontchartrain route) or take the toll-free I-10 route through LaPlace.
  • Weather & Driving Conditions: Baton Rouge’s subtropical climate means hot summers and mild winters. In summer, always have water in the car and sun protection; use the car’s AC and be cautious of sudden heavy rain (thunderstorms can cause slick roads). In winter, snow/ice are extremely rare, so no special tires needed, just watch for rain. The city’s roads are mostly flat and in decent condition, but after heavy rains you might encounter minor flooding in low-lying areas, if you see water on the road, don’t drive through if it looks deep. Overall, driving here is similar to any mid-size U.S. city. Yield to pedestrians (especially around LSU campus where students cross streets), and note that Louisiana law prohibits handheld cell phone use while driving, use hands-free if you must make calls.

Frequently Asked Questions

Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport hosts five major rental brands on-site: Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, and National. All have counters immediately beyond the baggage claim area, and their rental lots are a short walk outside. When you book with Airport Van Rental, we’ll show you deals from all these providers so you can compare prices in one place. No matter which company you choose, you’ll pick up and drop off your car right at the airport for maximum convenience.

BTR Airport is roughly 6–7 miles north of Downtown Baton Rouge, about a 15 to 20-minute drive in normal traffic. The simplest route is to take I-110 South from the airport (which is accessed via Veterans Memorial Blvd). I-110 leads directly into the downtown area. If you’re heading to the LSU campus or Tiger Stadium, you’ll continue from I-110 onto I-10 eastbound for a short stretch and exit near the university, total drive about 20–25 minutes. The airport’s convenient location near these interstates makes navigation easy. Just be mindful of rush hour (as noted above), around 5 PM, the interstates can back up, so allow a little extra time if you’re catching a weeknight flight or driving into the city for an appointment. Overall, with a rental car you’ll find BTR to downtown is a quick and straightforward trip, far easier than any public transit option in this area.

Yes, but check the policy of your chosen rental company. Most majors (Avis, Budget, etc.) at BTR will accept a debit card (Visa/MasterCard) for payment if you have a ticketed return travel itinerary (proof of a departing flight) and meet their other requirements. Be aware that they will place a security hold on your bank account (often $200 above the rental cost) which will reduce your available funds until after the car is returned and the hold is released. Also, some agencies may run a credit check when using a debit instead of credit. Tip: If using a debit card, be sure it has your name on it (no prepaid gift cards) and have an extra form of ID handy. Using a credit card can be smoother, but debit is doable at BTR as long as you come prepared.

Absolutely. Many renters fly into Baton Rouge and out of New Orleans (or vice versa) to see more of Louisiana. When booking, just select a different drop-off location (e.g., New Orleans Airport MSY or a downtown New Orleans branch). Our system will display any applicable one-way fee upfront. Common routes like BTR to MSY often have reasonable or even waived one-way drop fees, especially during peak travel seasons when rental companies need cars moved between cities. The drive to New Orleans is only ~1.5 hours, and having a one-way rental gives you flexibility to explore en route (you could stop at plantations along the River Road or in Baton Rouge’s outskirts). Just make sure to return the car to the specified New Orleans location on time to avoid extra charges. One-way trips are a great way to turn a simple airport transfer into a mini road-trip adventure!

United States Car RentalCar TypesHelp CenterPrivacy PolicyTerms and Conditions
Airport Van Rental powered by Travantas