Ready to explore Wilmington and beyond? Use the search form above to find your ideal car rental in seconds. Enter your desired Wilmington pick-up location (we serve all major points, Wilmington/New Castle Airport (ILG), the Wilmington Amtrak Train Station, downtown rental offices, etc.), select your dates, and click “Search.” Our system will instantly compare real-time deals from multiple car rental companies in the Wilmington area. You’ll see options for every need, from compact cars perfect for city driving, to SUVs for family trips, luxury vehicles for business or leisure, even 12-passenger vans if you’ve got a group adventure in mind. Booking is fast and secure, with most rentals allowing “reserve now, pay later” at pick-up, plus free cancellation if your plans change. In just a few clicks, you can lock in the ideal ride for your Wilmington trip. With your wheels secured at a great rate, you can focus on mapping out your must-see stops, perhaps the scenic Brandywine Park, a drive to historic Dover, or a coastal trek to Cape Henlopen, knowing your transportation is sorted and savings maximized.
Introduction: Welcome to Wilmington, Delaware’s largest city known for historic charm, a revitalized riverfront, and easy access to East Coast attractions. Having a rental car in Wilmington means you can experience all sides of the First State at your own pace, from touring colonial landmarks in Old New Castle to indulging in tax-free shopping sprees at Christiana Mall. This page is your complete guide to securing an affordable Wilmington car rental with confidence. We’ve combined AirportVanRental’s best deals with local insider tips so you can book now and explore more. Whether you’re a visitor flying into nearby New Castle Airport (ILG), a business traveler with meetings around the Brandywine Valley, or a local planning a weekend beach escape, we’ll help you find the perfect vehicle quickly and at a great price. Get ready to hit the road in Wilmington, stress-free, affordably, and on your terms!
Pro Tip: Delaware has no sales tax. With a rental car, you can hop between malls and outlet centers (like the Tanger Outlets in Rehoboth Beach) and save big on shopping. Extra trunk space means you can stock up on goodies and souvenirs without worry!
Wilmington does have local buses and Amtrak service, but a car rental truly unlocks the best of Delaware and the surrounding region. Here are the top reasons a rental car is a game-changer for your Wilmington visit:
In short, renting a car in Wilmington unlocks the full potential of your trip. You’re not just limited to where the train or tour bus goes, you set the itinerary. From the rolling hills of northern Delaware to the sandy beaches downstate, a car lets you see it all at your own pace. Even locals rent cars here for road trips or when extra space is needed, so you’ll be in good company on the road.
Our Wilmington Car Rental Benefits (Why Book with AVR)
Why choose AirportVanRental for your Wilmington ride? Simply put, we specialize in making car rental easy, affordable, and transparent, and we’re an online travel agency that knows Delaware. Here are some perks and guarantees we offer when you book your Wilmington car rental with us:
Top Car Rental Deals in Wilmington, DE
To give you a quick idea of pricing, here are some popular rental car categories in Wilmington and typical starting rates:
Pricing Note: The “from” rates above are based on recent searches for short rentals (2-3 day) picking up in the Wilmington area (either ILG Airport or downtown) during the current off-peak season. Rates can vary with demand, expect higher prices in summer (especially late June–August when beach tourism peaks and college orientation season hits) and around major events (for example, NASCAR race weekend at Dover or big events at the Wilmington Riverfront). Conversely, you might snag even lower rates in winter or early spring. Always search with your exact dates and location to see up-to-date prices. We update these examples frequently to reflect current deals and seasonal specials.
Driving in Wilmington & Delaware: What to Know
Driving in Delaware is generally straightforward and pleasant, you’ll enjoy relatively uncongested highways, scenic country roads, and of course small-town charm. That said, every area has its quirks. Here are key tips and local insights to help you navigate Wilmington and beyond with confidence:
Road Trip Ideas from Wilmington, DE
Wilmington isn’t just a great city to explore on its own, it’s also a perfect launching pad for road trips around the Mid-Atlantic. With your rental car, you have the freedom to embark on some memorable drives, from beaches to big cities, all within a few hours. Here are three exciting road trip ideas to consider, starting right from Wilmington:
Highlights: Head south from Wilmington on DE-1, and in about an hour you’ll reach Dover, Delaware’s capital. It’s worth a stop: check out the historic Green downtown and the Air Mobility Command Museum at Dover Air Force Base (free admission to see vintage planes and aviation history up close). Continue south to the coast, about another hour to Lewes. In Lewes, you’ll find Cape Henlopen State Park, where you can climb up an old WWII observation tower for panoramic ocean views or relax on a quieter beach (Cape Henlopen has great biking trails too). Just east of Lewes is the lively Rehoboth Beach, one of the most popular beach towns in Delaware. Stroll the classic boardwalk, grab some Thrashers french fries or saltwater taffy, and take a dip in the Atlantic. If you love shopping, don’t miss the Rehoboth Outlet Centers along Route 1, huge selection and remember, no sales tax! For a bit of nature, drive south to Bethany Beach or Fenwick Island for a more laid-back vibe, or even cross into Maryland to see the wild ponies at Assateague Island (an extra 45 minutes, but unforgettable if you have time).
Pro Tip: Summer traffic heading to the beaches can be intense. If you’re driving down Friday afternoon in summer, expect slowdowns on DE-1 approaching Dover and around Milford, leaving early in the morning or later in the evening helps. Once at the coast, many beach towns charge for parking near the beach, bring quarters or use the Parkmobile app (Rehoboth fills up fast, but there’s a park-and-ride shuttle as an alternative). On the way back, consider taking US-13 part of the way for a change of scenery, you’ll pass through small towns like Harrington and Smyrna and can stop at farm stands for fresh peaches or corn in season. Total drive time for this loop is about 4–5 hours (not counting stops), making it a full but fun day trip or a relaxing 2-3 day getaway with an overnight at the beach.
Highlights: Drive 30 miles north from Wilmington and you’re in the heart of Philadelphia. Park near the Old City (there are garages around Independence Hall) and spend the morning walking through American history, see the Liberty Bell, tour Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence was signed, and wander Elfreth’s Alley (the oldest residential street in America). Grab a classic Philly cheesesteak for lunch (Pat’s and Geno’s are famous, but locals love Jim’s or Dalessandro’s). By early afternoon, hop back in the car and head west toward the rolling farmlands of Lancaster County (about 1.5 hours from Philly via the PA Turnpike/I-76 or the scenic Route 30). You’ll know you’ve arrived in Amish Country when you start seeing horse-drawn buggies on the roads! In Lancaster County, visit the villages of Intercourse or Bird-in-Hand for Amish handicrafts, farmer’s markets, and perhaps a guided tour of an Amish farm. It’s like stepping back in time, many Amish still live without electricity and you can buy homemade jams, quilts, and pretzels from roadside stands. Don’t miss trying a slice of shoofly pie (a molasses specialty). As evening approaches, head back toward Wilmington (about 1.5–2 hours drive). If there’s time, you could stop at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA on your way home (just 30 minutes from Wilmington), at night they often have illuminated fountain shows or concerts in summer.
Pro Tip: Philadelphia’s traffic can be heavy. It’s best to arrive in the city either before 9 AM or after 10 AM to avoid the worst of rush hour on I-95. Once in Philly, you can park and use the Phlash tourist trolley or just walk to most attractions. In Lancaster County, remember that many Amish-owned businesses close by late afternoon and do not operate on Sundays, so plan accordingly. Keep an eye out for slow-moving buggies on rural roads, only pass when it’s safe and give them plenty of space (and a friendly wave!). This loop is doable in a long day, but if you have time, consider staying overnight on a farm B&B in Lancaster to fully soak in the peaceful country evening before returning to the city hustle.
Highlights: If you’re up for a taste of the Big Apple, Wilmington is only about 2.5 hours from New York City. Leave early (think 6 AM) and drive north on I-95 through New Jersey. You’ll traverse the New Jersey Turnpike, passing by cities like Newark and Jersey City before reaching the iconic Lincoln Tunnel into Manhattan (or take the Holland Tunnel or George Washington Bridge, depending on your downtown or uptown destination). Once in NYC, the day is yours: you could start in Lower Manhattan to see the Statue of Liberty (ferry from Battery Park) and the moving 9/11 Memorial, then head uptown. Park in a garage (it will be pricey, ~$30-40 for the day, but worth it to ditch the car in the city) somewhere near Midtown. From there, explore Times Square and Broadway, take a walk in Central Park, and maybe ascend the Empire State Building or Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center for a panoramic skyline view. NYC’s sights are endless: art at the Met, shopping on Fifth Avenue, authentic cuisines in Chinatown or Little Italy, pick your top targets and go for it. By evening, as city lights glitter, retrieve your car for the journey back to Wilmington. If you time it right, you can be leaving NYC after 7 PM when outbound traffic eases up. The drive back is straightforward down the Turnpike into Delaware (perhaps stop at the Molly Pitcher Service Area or Delaware Welcome Center rest stop to recharge).
Pro Tip: Driving in Manhattan isn’t for the faint of heart, expect congestion and aggressive drivers. Unless you’re very comfortable, it’s wise to park on the outskirts: one idea is to park in New Jersey (Jersey City or Hoboken) and take a PATH train or ferry into Manhattan to avoid city driving altogether. Alternatively, some travelers park at a Newark, NJ airport lot and train in. If you do drive into NYC, avoid arriving during weekday rush (7–10 AM) and departing during evening rush (4–7 PM). Also, have your tolls covered, the Lincoln/Holland Tunnels and NJ Turnpike tolls will rack up (around $16 for the tunnel into NYC, plus turnpike tolls), an E-ZPass can save time in toll lines. Despite the hassles, a day trip to NYC is truly magical, you can have breakfast in Wilmington and dinner in Times Square on the same day! Just plan for a long, rewarding day. Whether you catch a Broadway show or simply people-watch in Central Park, you’ll create memories to last a lifetime before cruising back to the calmer confines of Delaware.
These are just a few of the many road trips you can enjoy starting from Wilmington. Thanks to Delaware’s central location, you can be in five different states (DE, PA, NJ, MD, VA, even DC, which isn’t a state) within a 2-3 hour drive. Whether you’re into beaches, American history, city nightlife, or rural countryside, having a car lets you experience a bit of everything. So fuel up, grab your camera, and hit the road, adventure awaits around every corner of the Mid-Atlantic! Safe travels and enjoy the drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
The primary airport serving Wilmington is Wilmington-New Castle Airport (ILG), located just 5 miles south of downtown. It’s very convenient and much smaller than Philly’s airport, if you find a flight into ILG, it’s a great option and all major car rental companies (Avis, Budget, etc.) have vehicles available there. However, ILG has limited flights. Many travelers coming to northern Delaware use Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), which is about a 30-minute drive from Wilmington. PHL is a major airport with a wide choice of flights, and you can absolutely rent a car there and drive to Wilmington easily via I-95 south. (We offer great deals at PHL too if you choose that route.) In summary: if you fly directly into Wilmington (ILG), you’ll be on the road and in the city within minutes via a quick rental pick-up. If flying into PHL, plan for a short drive down to Wilmington, and enjoy the scenery crossing into Delaware, known as the “Home of Tax-Free Shopping” on the welcome sign!
Yes, there are a few, but nothing too daunting. The major ones: I-95 (Delaware Turnpike) has a toll plaza near Newark, DE, it’s about $4 for passenger cars heading either north or south (no escaping this one if you use I-95 through Delaware). If you drive into New Jersey from Wilmington, you’ll likely cross the Delaware Memorial Bridge on I-295, which costs $5 (but only eastbound into NJ; it’s free coming back to Delaware). Heading south toward the Delaware beaches, DE Route 1 has several toll points (around $1–$2 each near Dover and Milford); it’s a faster route to the beach towns compared to US-13. All these tolls accept E-ZPass for quick passage. If you don’t have E-ZPass, you can pay cash at staffed lanes on Route 1 and the Delaware Memorial Bridge. On I-95, there are high-speed E-ZPass lanes, if you accidentally go through without paying, don’t panic; the rental car will get a bill via plate and charge you later. When you rent with us, we’ll provide info on how tolls will be handled. Typically, rental companies offer a toll program (for example, a flat daily fee around ~$4–$5 plus the toll costs) which might be convenient if you plan to drive through tolls frequently. If you’re just hitting one or two toll points, you might opt to pay cash or let the plate get read (just know an admin fee might be added). One more note: if you venture to New York City or DC on a road trip, those areas have some toll bridges and turnpikes as well, similar rules apply. In short, Delaware’s tolls are easy to manage, and with or without a transponder, you won’t have to stop at many tollbooths.
Wilmington itself is pretty manageable. It’s a mid-sized city, so you won’t face the extreme congestion or maze of one-ways that you might in bigger cities like Philly or New York. Most first-time visitors find driving in Wilmington straightforward after getting their bearings. Street signage is clear, and traffic is usually moderate outside of brief rush hours. If you’re sticking to Wilmington and immediate suburbs, it’s not hard at all, just watch out for the occasional weird intersection or short one-way street downtown (a GPS navigation app will be very helpful in those cases). The surrounding areas in Delaware include a mix of suburban roads, highways, and rural routes, generally low stress. The biggest adjustments might be: on highways like I-95, traffic moves fast (speed limit 65, but many drivers go 70+ when it’s clear), so be comfortable merging at speed. In rural areas, roads can be two-lane and unlit at night, so take it slow if you’re not familiar. If you’re mainly visiting Wilmington’s city attractions (like museums, restaurants, riverfront) and not venturing far, you could get by with rideshares or walking. But if you plan to explore beyond the city (highly recommended!), renting a car is definitely worth it and not difficult to handle. Many visitors actually comment that driving here is a breeze compared to larger cities, and the ability to spontaneously drive to a park or neighboring town is a huge plus. Our advice: take a little time to orient yourself when you pick up the car (we can provide a map or you can familiarize on Google Maps). Maybe start with a short drive around the block to get used to the vehicle and area. And remember, if you have any questions or get turned around, you can always give our local-savvy support team a call for a quick pointer. Overall, you’ve got this, Delaware roads are friendly to newcomers!
Parking in Wilmington is relatively easy and affordable. On weekdays, street parking downtown has meters (as mentioned, ~$1–2/hour) but many spots open up in evenings and weekends when parking is often free. For longer stays or overnight, Wilmington has several public parking garages: for example, the Market Street Garage or Riverfront Parking Lot near the aquarium. These typically charge around $8–$15 per day. If you’re visiting the Riverfront attractions (like the Christina Riverwalk, Blue Rocks stadium, or Iron Hill brewery), there are large lots along the riverfront that are free for up to 2 or 3 hours and plentiful in space. As for hotels: many downtown Wilmington hotels (Westin, DoubleTree, Sheraton Suites, etc.) offer on-site parking garages or lots. Some include parking in the room rate; others charge a nightly fee (maybe $10–$20, which is not bad compared to big cities). If having a car is key for you, you might consider staying just outside downtown, for instance, hotels near the Brandywine River or in the Concord Pike/202 area, these often have free parking and are a quick 5-10 minute drive into downtown. Another option: the suburban Christiana area (near the mall and I-95) has many hotels with free parking, and you’d be about a 15-minute drive from the city center. No matter where you stay, you’ll find that Wilmington is pretty car-friendly, traffic is light and parking doesn’t break the bank. One tip if you’re visiting in winter: if there’s a snowstorm, the city might declare a snow emergency which requires moving cars off certain streets for plowing (usually announced on local news or the city website). But if your hotel has a garage, you won’t need to worry about that. Overall, rest easy, compared to many destinations, Wilmington offers a hassle-free experience for drivers and plenty of spots to leave your car while you explore.