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Welcome to Delaware, the first state and a hidden gem for road trips! Although small, Delaware packs beaches, historic towns, and scenic byways into its borders. Having a rental car is the key to unlocking every corner, from the cobbled streets of New Castle to the sandy stretches of Cape Henlopen. This page is your complete guide to renting a car in Delaware. We’ve blended money-saving deals with local expertise so you can cruise the First State with confidence and keep your budget on track. Whether you’re traveling on business to Wilmington, planning a family beach vacation in Rehoboth, or just passing through on a Mid-Atlantic adventure, we’ll help you find the perfect car quickly, easily, and cheaply.
Why Rent a Car in Delaware?
Our Delaware Car Rental Advantages
Today’s Top Delaware Car Rental Deals
(Here are a few sample deals found in Delaware recently. Prices fluctuate, but these give a sense of the low rates you can snag. Search above for the latest offers.)
(Note: “From” rates are based on deals at major locations like Wilmington. Summer beach season and last-minute bookings can be higher. Always search for your exact dates and pickup spot to see current prices with taxes/fees.)
Driving in Delaware: Tips and Local Insights
Driving in Delaware is typically easy-going, but a few local tips can help make your trip even smoother:
Speed Limits & Laws: Delaware’s interstate speed limit is generally 65 mph (for example, on I-95 through Newark it’s 65, dropping to 55 near Wilmington). On smaller highways and rural roads, limits range 50–55 mph, and 25–35 in towns. Always keep an eye out for posted signs, especially when approaching town centers or school zones. Delaware strictly enforces seat belt use for drivers and all passengers. Also, handheld cell phone use while driving is illegal, you must use a hands-free device if you need to talk. Texting or emailing behind the wheel is banned, so stay focused on the road to avoid fines.
Tolls & E-ZPass: Delaware has a few tolled routes. If you drive the I-95 Delaware Turnpike near Newark, or DE-1 down to the beaches, you’ll encounter toll plazas. Tolls are about $4 each for I-95 and range ~$1–5 on DE-1 (depending on distance). You can pay cash at plazas, but many lanes are E-ZPass only. Rental cars do not automatically come with E-ZPass, but you can request a toll transponder from the rental company (usually for a small fee per day), or use your own if you brought one. If you go through an E-ZPass lane without a transponder, a photo toll will be charged to the car’s plate, the rental company will bill you later with an added admin fee. To avoid surprises, stick to cash lanes or plan ahead with a pass if you’ll hit multiple tolls. Also note: the Delaware Memorial Bridge (to New Jersey) collects a $5 toll only when leaving Delaware (eastbound). Heading into DE from NJ is free.
Traffic & Rush Hours: Delaware’s traffic is moderate compared to big cities. Wilmington and Newark see typical rush hour slowdowns on I-95 and routes like US-202 on weekday mornings (~7:00–9:00 AM) and evenings (~4:30–6:30 PM). If you’re driving through the Newark area on I-95 at rush hour, expect some stop-and-go near the toll plaza and exits for University of Delaware. In Dover, traffic is lighter, but US-13 through town can have congestion around shopping centers and Dover AFB during peak times. Summer beach traffic is another story: on Friday afternoons in summer, expect heavy southbound traffic on DE-1 and US-113 as folks head to the Delaware beaches. Sunday afternoons, the northbound side jams up with returning beachgoers. Plan around those times if possible (for example, drive up early Sunday or late evening) to avoid sitting in a seaside traffic jam.
Parking: Finding parking in Delaware is generally easy and inexpensive. In Wilmington, downtown and Riverfront areas have meters and parking garages; metered street parking is usually free after 6 PM and on Sundays. Garage rates downtown range around $5–10 for a few hours. If visiting Newark (Univ. of Delaware), there are municipal lots and street meters around Main Street that fill up during campus events, heed time limits to avoid tickets. At the beaches (Rehoboth, Lewes, Bethany), parking is more regulated. In Rehoboth Beach, from May 15 to Sep 15 you’ll need to feed meters or use the ParkMobile app ($3/hour in prime areas) or obtain a parking permit for residential streets. Arrive early on summer weekends for a spot, or use park-and-ride shuttles from outside town. Delaware State Parks (like Cape Henlopen or Lums Pond) charge an entry fee (~$5–10 per vehicle) which covers parking inside. Overall, always check signage, Delaware is good about posting parking rules, and fines for illegal parking or expired meters run about $20–30, which is easily avoided.
Seasonal Considerations: Delaware has four seasons, and while none are extreme, it’s worth planning for weather. Winter (Dec–Feb): Snow is infrequent but does occur a few times a year. If you’re visiting in winter, be prepared for occasional snow or ice, especially in January. Major roads are plowed and treated promptly, but smaller rural roads might remain slick. Give yourself extra travel time in snow, and consider renting an SUV if you plan to drive in bad weather (though most of the time a regular car is fine). Spring: can be rainy, April showers are common, so ensure your rental’s wipers work well and drive cautiously on wet roads. Summer: is peak travel season. It gets hot and humid (upper 80s to 90s °F). The heat can make your car quite warm if parked outside, use a sunshade and crack the windows if safely possible. Thunderstorms are common in late afternoons, and coastal storms can pop up; if a severe storm hits, it’s best to pull over in a safe place until heavy rain passes. Keep an eye on local weather if you have outdoor plans. Fall: is a fantastic time to drive around Delaware, mild weather and beautiful foliage, especially late October in northern Delaware’s wooded areas. One caution: watch for deer on country roads, particularly around dusk during the fall mating season. Delaware has a lot of wooded areas and farmland, so deer crossings can surprise drivers year-round, but are most active in fall. Stay alert on back roads at night and use high beams when you can. By following these tips and driving courteously, you’ll find Delaware an easy state to navigate by car.
Road Trip Ideas from Delaware
Delaware’s central location on the East Coast makes it a perfect springboard for road trips. Here are two itineraries that showcase the region’s history, scenery, and fun, all accessible with a Delaware car rental:
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Delaware has a few toll roads: the I-95 corridor through Newark has a toll plaza, SR-1 (toll road) runs north-south through the state with several toll points, and the US-301 expressway from the Maryland line toward Wilmington is also tolled (all electronic). To pay tolls, you have a couple of options: 1) Cash: On I-95 and SR-1, there are cash lanes, just slow down and pay the attendant or machine (keep some small bills handy, tolls are typically $1–4). 2) E-ZPass: If you have your own E-ZPass transponder, you can bring it and use it in the rental car (make sure it’s properly mounted so it reads). If not, the rental company can often rent you a transponder, but they might charge a daily fee ($3–5/day plus tolls). 3) Toll-by-plate: If you go through an electronic-only toll (like on US-301 or accidentally in an E-ZPass lane), cameras will capture the license plate. The toll will be billed to the rental car company, who will then charge your credit card on file, usually with an extra service fee (often $15 or more). To avoid those admin fees, it’s best to either pay cash where you can or opt into the rental’s toll program if you plan to hit many tolls. If you’re just doing a one-time toll, paying cash is simplest. Navigation apps (Google Maps, etc.) will usually alert you about toll roads on your route so you can be prepared.
Delaware winters are relatively mild. Snowfall is sporadic, you might encounter a few snowstorms between December and March, but significant accumulation usually melts within a day or two. The main roads (interstates and principal highways) are plowed and salted promptly when it snows. Unless you’re here during a major blizzard, a regular front-wheel drive car will suffice. If you are not used to driving in any snow or ice, you could rent an AWD/4x4 for extra confidence, but it’s generally not necessary. Just drive cautiously: leave extra distance between cars, brake gently to avoid skids, and if conditions are very bad, delay travel until roads are cleared. Also note, Delaware does not mandate snow tires or chains, in fact, roads are often cleared quickly enough that it’s not a big concern. Keep an eye on weather forecasts; if a severe winter storm is predicted, consider altering your schedule (many Delawareans simply stay off the roads during the few big snow events each year). The good news is that outside of winter storms, Delaware’s winter driving is easy, just cold. Make sure your rental’s heater and defrosters work and have an ice scraper (rental cars should provide one) to clear the windshield on frosty mornings.
Yes, virtually all standard rentals in Delaware include unlimited miles. This means you can drive as much as you want without worrying about extra mileage charges. Unlimited mileage is included on economy, compact, midsize, and full-size cars, and usually on SUVs and minivans too. Niche vehicle rentals (like exotic cars or moving trucks) might have limits, but those are rare. Always double-check your rental agreement, but if you book through our site, we prominently display if a deal has unlimited mileage (almost all do). This is great because you can take that day trip to D.C. or explore the entire Delmarva Peninsula without tallying miles. Just remember that while miles are free, gas is not, so you’ll still be paying for fuel used. But with Delaware’s small size, you might not use much gas at all unless you venture far out of state.