Portland, Maine Car Rental Deals – Save Big on Your Maine Coast Adventure

Portland Car Rental Quick Info:

• Available Vehicle Types: In Portland you’ll find everything from compact cars (easy for city parking) to family SUVs and minivans for road trips. Planning a coastal drive? Consider a convertible in summer to enjoy the ocean breeze. Heading to the mountains or visiting in winter? We offer SUVs and 4WD vehicles to tackle snow or unpaved roads. Whatever your plans, we have the right ride, sedans, luxury cars, passenger vans, ready for you.
• Lowest Rates: You can snag economy car rentals from about $27/day in Portland during off-peak times. Typical mid-size cars run $35–$50/day, and SUVs around $50–$65/day, depending on season. Summer (June–August) is Portland’s peak tourist season, so book early for the best prices. If you’re visiting in the quieter winter months, you’ll often find fantastic cheap rates on even larger vehicles.
• Pickup Locations: The most convenient spot to rent is Portland International Jetport (PWM), just a 10-minute drive from downtown, all major rental brands operate right at the airport. If you’re arriving by train or bus or just need a car in town, there are also downtown Portland rental offices (near the West End and Morrill’s Corner areas). We’ve got options for you, choose “Portland downtown” or “Portland Airport (PWM)” when searching to compare.
• One-Way Rentals: Need to drop off elsewhere? No problem. Many renters pick up in Portland and later drop the car in Boston (or vice versa), we support one-way trips with most companies. Maybe you’re doing a one-way coastal drive down to New York or a tour of New England, just select a different return location in our search and we’ll show you any applicable fees upfront.
• No Pre-Payment Required: When you book through AirportVanRental for Portland, most deals let you reserve without paying now. Lock in your car with a credit card and pay at pick-up. Plans changed? Most reservations come with free cancellation up to 48 hours before pick-up, so you’re not out of pocket if something comes up.

Why Rent a Car in Portland, Maine?

Portland is a walkable and lovely city, but if you want to truly experience all that southern Maine has to offer, a rental car is your key. Here’s why having a car in Portland can elevate your trip:

• Explore Beyond Downtown: Portland’s downtown and Old Port are great on foot, but many of the area’s highlights lie just outside the city center. With a car, you can easily reach Cape Elizabeth to see the iconic Portland Head Light (just 15 minutes away), or drive out to Freeport for some outlet shopping and a visit to L.L.Bean’s flagship store (20 minutes north). Beaches like Old Orchard Beach or Pine Point are a quick drive south, and without a car they’d be tough to get to. Having wheels means no schedule to worry about, you can catch the sunrise at a lighthouse or chase the sunset over a lake, then be back in Portland for dinner.
• Savor the Food & Breweries: Portland is renowned for its food scene and craft breweries spread across the city. A car lets you hop between neighborhoods, grab brunch on Munjoy Hill, lunch in the Arts District, and dinner in the Old Port. Want to tour breweries? Many like Allagash, Bissell Brothers, and Austin Street are in industrial parks on the city’s outskirts (in the Riverside area or outskirts of town). Driving there is much easier than trying to piece together short taxi/rideshare hops. (Just be sure to have a designated driver or sample responsibly if you’re doing a brewery tour by car!)
• Day Trips Galore: Portland is an excellent basecamp. In under two hours by car you can be in Boston, Massachusetts or up in the mountains of New Hampshire. Without a car, those spur-of-the-moment trips wouldn’t be feasible. With a rental, you could plan a day trip to Kennebunkport (45 min drive) for more coastal charm, or even a scenic drive up to Boothbay Harbor or Rockland to visit the Maine Botanical Gardens or the Farnsworth Art Museum and be back by night. Your itinerary becomes limitless, no train schedules, no tour buses, just your own pace.
• Flexibility for All Seasons: Maine’s weather can be unpredictable. If it rains on your beach day, pivot, hop in the car and drive to an indoor attraction like the Maine Maritime Museum in Bath. In the winter, if there’s fresh snow, you might decide to drive up to Shawnee Peak for impromptu skiing (about 1.5 hours away). A car gives you the freedom to adapt. Plus, with the trunk space, you can carry everything you need, from picnic blankets and beach chairs in summer to skis or shopping finds from Freeport’s outlets.
• Convenience for Families and Groups: Traveling with kids? A car is a lifesaver for carrying strollers, snacks, and making impromptu stops (for that emergency bathroom or ice cream break!). No lugging bags on public transit. If you have a group, piling into one vehicle can be far more cost-effective than multiple train tickets or rideshares. It also means everyone can experience things together, the scenic coastal route, the music you play on the drive, those become shared memories.

Driving in Portland, Maine: Parking, Traffic & Local Notes

Driving around Portland is relatively easy, but a few local insights can help:

• City Traffic: Portland isn’t a big city, so traffic jams are rare. Weekday rush hour (around 7:30–9 AM and 4–6 PM) can bring some slowdowns on I-295 through Portland and on the Casco Bay Bridge (connecting to South Portland). In summer, expect more cars on the road as tourists visit; Commercial Street along the waterfront can get busy especially when cruise ships are in port. Generally, driving in Portland is low-stress compared to larger cities, just watch for pedestrians in the Old Port and Downtown, as crosswalks are frequent and pedestrians have right of way.
• Parking in Portland: The city has plenty of parking options. On-street parking downtown is usually metered (check signs for hours, typically 9 AM, 6 PM). You can pay with coins or often via a smartphone app. If street parking is tight, look for one of the public garages, there’s one on Spring Street, one on Fore Street, and others dotted around the Old Port and Arts District. Garage rates are reasonable (around $3-5 for a couple of hours). The Old Port area streets are narrow and popular, so using a garage or lot can save time. In residential neighborhoods like the West End or Munjoy Hill, street parking is generally free but may have 1-2 hour limits on weekdays for non-residents. Also, note the winter parking ban: after significant snowfalls, the city may declare a ban (overnight) so plows can clear streets, cars need to be off marked emergency routes or you risk towing. If you’re visiting in snow season, garages often offer flat overnight rates during bans.
• Navigating: Portland’s street layout is a mix of grids and diagonals. Streets in the downtown peninsula can curve (High St, State St) and change names. A GPS is handy for first-timers. A few one-way streets downtown to note: Congress Street is one-way in parts, and Free Street and Spring Street run parallel as one-ways. Pay attention to signs to avoid wrong turns. Outside the downtown, roads are straightforward. If you venture onto the outskirts, you might encounter typical New England driving quirks, flashing yellow lights at some fire stations (treat as caution), and occasional rotaries (traffic circles) in South Portland or near the Maine Mall area. Just yield to cars already in a rotary.
• Fuel: There are plenty of gas stations around Portland. Prices in Maine are average for New England. If you’re returning a rental car to the airport, note that stations closest to PWM (on Congress St by the airport entrance) might be a tad pricier, you can save a few cents per gallon by filling up a couple miles away, say on Forest Avenue or near I-295 exits. Maine is mostly self-service for gas. In Maine, you pump first then pay inside at many older stations if not paying by card at the pump. Don’t forget to top off the tank before returning your car to avoid refueling fees.
• Tolls: Driving around greater Portland, you won’t encounter tolls except on the Maine Turnpike (I-95) if you go south or north beyond the city. For example, heading south toward New Hampshire/Boston, you’ll hit a toll booth in York. If you drive up I-95 past Freeport/Brunswick toward Augusta, there’s a toll booth at New Gloucester. Keep some small bills or change for these (typical toll ~$3). Portland’s other major highway, I-295, is toll-free. If you’re just sticking around town or along the coast to places like Cape Elizabeth, you won’t need to worry about tolls at all.
• Bridges: Portland is surrounded by water, and you may cross bridges: The Casco Bay Bridge to South Portland (no toll), the Fore River Parkway bridge heading to the airport, etc. All are free and short. Just be aware the Casco Bay Bridge occasionally opens for boat traffic (it’s a drawbridge), if you see cars stopped, you might have to wait a few minutes while a ship passes, especially in summer boating season. It doesn’t happen often, but it’s part of the local charm when it does.

In summary, if you’re used to driving in any small city or suburban area, Portland will be comfortable. The key difference is the incredible scenery around every corner, one minute you’re driving by the waterfront with ferries coming in, the next you’re passing historic brick buildings from the 1800s. Take your time, enjoy the relatively calm pace, and you’ll quickly see why having a car is the ideal way to experience Portland and its surroundings.

Road Trip Ideas from Portland, Maine

With your rental car, Portland becomes the perfect launch point for memorable road trips. Here are three suggested itineraries to get you exploring:

Coastal Maine to Acadia National Park
Distance: ~170 miles one-way from Portland to Bar Harbor (about 3–3.5 hours of driving without stops).
Route: Take I-295/I-95 north from Portland to Brunswick, then switch to US Route 1 northbound to enjoy the scenic coastal route through Maine’s MidCoast. Follow Route 1 all the way to Ellsworth, then ME-3 into Bar Harbor on Mount Desert Island. (For a faster return, you can take I-95 south from Bangor back to Portland).

Highlights: This drive strings together Maine’s coastal jewels. Start by popping into Freeport (20 minutes from Portland) for a quick stop at L.L.Bean’s 24-hour store, it’s a Maine institution. Continue to Rockland (about 1.5 hours from Portland) to visit the Maine Lighthouse Museum or grab fresh oysters on the half shell. Nearby Camden is postcard-pretty; if time permits, drive up Mount Battie (auto road) in Camden Hills State Park for an epic view of the harbor. As you drive through tiny villages like Belfast and Blue Hill, enjoy antique shops and perhaps a classic lobster shack lunch (you’ll see plenty of “Lobster Pound” signs, all good choices!). Once near Acadia National Park, nature takes center stage. Park the car and explore the Park Loop Road: check out Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, and make the summit drive up Cadillac Mountain for an unforgettable view of Frenchman Bay. Bar Harbor is the perfect end point, a lively town where you can enjoy popovers at Jordan Pond House or ice cream by the bay.

Tips: Start early to beat traffic on Route 1, especially in summer when it can bottleneck near Wiscasset (home of the famed Red’s Eats). If you’re doing this as a day trip, it’s a long day, consider an overnight in Bar Harbor or nearby to fully enjoy Acadia. For a shorter taste of MidCoast, you could turn around at Camden. Note that Acadia in peak season requires advance vehicle reservations for Cadillac Mountain sunrise (sunrise spots fill up quick!). Also, plan your gas stops; once past Camden, towns are smaller, fill up when you can. On the way back, if daylight allows, consider hopping on I-95 at Bangor to save time returning to Portland (about 3 hours via highway). This coastal drive is a must-do Maine experience, camera highly recommended!

2. White Mountains Getaway (New Hampshire)
Distance: ~150 miles round-trip (Portland to the White Mountains and back), roughly 2 hours each way depending on your route.
Route: From Portland, drive west on US-302 through the Sebago Lake region toward North Conway, New Hampshire. Alternatively, take ME-25 to NH-16 for a slightly different approach. Once in North Conway, you can continue on the famous Kancamagus Highway (NH-112) through the heart of the White Mountain National Forest. Loop back to Portland via Conway or via NH-16/I-95.

Highlights: In just an hour outside Portland, you’ll transition from sea level to mountain country. First stop: North Conway, a charming town known for outlet shops and its scenic railway station. This is also a gateway to Mount Washington, the tallest peak in the Northeast. If you’re up for an adventure (and it’s summer/fall), consider driving the Mount Washington Auto Road (about 30 min from North Conway), your rental car can make the climb on a clear day, just use low gear and caution (or take the guided van if you prefer). Back on the Kancamagus Highway, enjoy 34 miles of pure nature: outlook points like Sabbaday Falls and Rocky Gorge invite you to pull over and explore short trails. In autumn, this road is an explosion of fall colors, truly one of New England’s best foliage drives. There are picnic areas along the Swift River where you can stop for lunch. After crossing the Kanc, you’ll reach Lincoln, NH, from here, you can loop back. If you have more time, Lincoln is near Franconia Notch State Park, a quick drive through Franconia Notch on I-93 rewards you with views of the famed Old Man of the Mountain site (the rock profile is gone, but the spot is historic) and Echo Lake. Eventually, make your way back to Portland (from Lincoln you can take I-93 south to NH-25 east, or backtrack via North Conway to 302).

Tips: This trip gives you a taste of another state (New Hampshire) easily in a day. Keep in mind White Mountain weather can change fast, bring layers, especially if going up Mt. Washington (it’s cold up there even in summer). There are no gas stations on the Kancamagus Highway itself and very limited cell service, so fuel up in Conway or Lincoln. If traveling in winter, note that some smaller scenic roads might be closed or tricky, stick to main routes (and the Auto Road up Mt. Washington is closed in winter). For families, Story Land (a kid-friendly theme park) is right on US-302 in Glen, NH, a fun stop if you have little ones. All in all, this journey offers mountain vistas, fresh air, and a wonderful contrast to Portland’s coastal environment, all within a short drive.

3. Portland to Boston Coastal Route (Southern Maine into Massachusetts)
Distance: ~115 miles one-way from Portland to Boston, MA (around 2 hours via the highway, or 3+ hours if you meander along the coast).
Route: Head south on I-95 from Portland. For a scenic approach, detour off the highway in York, Maine and follow coastal Route 1A/1 through Ogunquit, Wells, and Kennebunkport. Rejoin I-95 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire to cross into Massachusetts, ending in Boston.

Highlights: This trip is a mix of charming seaside and city buzz. In southern Maine, stop at Cape Neddick to see the famous Nubble Light (York’s picturesque lighthouse perched on an islet). Ogunquit offers the Marginal Way cliff walk and a lovely beach if you fancy a stroll. Farther along, Kennebunkport is worth a stop for boutique shopping and to drive by Walker’s Point (summer home of former U.S. President Bush). Cross the Piscataqua River into Portsmouth, New Hampshire, a historic port city with a vibrant downtown, great for lunch or a coffee break. Once in Massachusetts, you might detour to Salem (famous for its 1692 witch trials and a wealth of maritime history) or head straight into Boston. Boston’s a world-class city packed with attractions (Freedom Trail, Faneuil Hall, Fenway Park, etc.). You can drop your rental car at our partner locations in Boston if you’re ending your journey there, or enjoy a day and drive back to Portland. The beauty of having a car is you can tailor the trip, stick to the coast for ocean views and small-town charm, then seamlessly transition to the urban excitement of Boston.

Tips: If you plan to return to Portland the same day, keep an eye on time, leaving Boston before the evening rush (which starts around 3:30–4 PM) will save you from heavy traffic on I-95 north. There are tolls on I-95 (Maine Turnpike and the NH/Mass stretch), have around $5–$10 cash ready or use E-ZPass if your rental has one. Parking in Boston can be pricey; consider using a parking garage near the outskirts or in Cambridge and using public transit to get around the city for the day. Alternatively, you could park at a “T” (subway) station outside downtown and ride in. Lastly, summer weekends mean lots of beachgoers on the Maine and NH coasts, heading out early will help beat beach traffic around Ogunquit and York. This road trip shows you how connected New England is, in just a short drive, you’ll cover three states, countless memories, and be back with plenty of stories (and maybe a car full of outlet shopping bags!).

From coastal Maine villages to the skyscrapers of Boston, having a car in Portland means adventure is always on the horizon. Whether you’re seeking nature, history, or city nightlife, you can get there from Portland with an easy drive. So pack some snacks, make a great playlist, and hit the road, there’s a lot to discover!