Question 1

Can I rent a car in Pennsylvania if I’m under 25?

Accepted Answer

Yes, most rental companies in Pennsylvania rent to drivers age 21 and over (18 in a few special cases like military rentals). However, if you’re under 25, you’ll almost always pay a “young driver fee.” This surcharge is typically around $25–$30 per day and applies to drivers 21–24 years old. Additionally, drivers under 25 may be restricted from renting certain vehicle classes (often luxury cars, premium SUVs, or 12-passenger vans). The good news is AirportVanRental displays these fees upfront, and some of our partners waive the under-25 fee in special cases (for example, members of certain organizations or for corporate contracts). Unfortunately, if you’re under 21, standard car rental isn’t available in PA except in unique circumstances (like some airport locations renting to 18+ with military or government orders). If you fall in that category, you might consider peer-to-peer car sharing, but for traditional rentals, 21 is the minimum. Always bring a valid driver’s license and a credit card in your name age aside, those are required. And one tip: if you’ll be 25 soon, compare the difference sometimes waiting until after your 25th birthday (if it’s feasible) can save a lot by avoiding the fee.

Question 2

What’s the best airport to fly into for visiting Pennsylvania and can I rent a car there?

Accepted Answer

Pennsylvania’s two major gateways are Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) in the east and Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) in the west. The best one depends on your itinerary. PHL is ideal if you plan to explore Philadelphia, Amish Country, the Poconos, or anywhere in eastern PA (it’s also only ~1.5 hours from New York City and 2.5 from Washington, D.C. by car). PIT is best for Pittsburgh, the Laurel Highlands, Lake Erie region, or generally western PA (Cleveland, Ohio is only 2 hours from PIT as well). Both airports have all major car rental companies on-site or via quick shuttle, and you can absolutely rent a car there in fact, airport locations often have the widest selection and longest hours. We offer a full range of vehicles at PHL and PIT, often at the best rates due to competition. Beyond those, Pennsylvania has medium-sized airports like Harrisburg (MDT), Lehigh Valley (ABE), Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AVP) and Erie (ERI) if your travels center on those regions, flying in and renting there can be convenient. We serve all these airports with rental options too. In summary, choose the airport closest to where you’ll spend the most time. And if price-shopping, check both PHL and Newark (EWR in New Jersey) for Philly trips, or PIT vs. Cleveland for Pittsburgh trips but factor in the drive if you go out-of-state. Renting a car is straightforward at any of these airports: after landing, follow signs to “Rental Cars,” and you’ll be on the road usually within 20-30 minutes of deplaning when you book with us.

Question 3

Is it difficult to drive in downtown Philadelphia or Pittsburgh for newcomers?

Accepted Answer

Driving in Pennsylvania’s cities can be a bit challenging at first, but with a little patience you’ll get the hang of it. Philadelphia: Center City is a grid, which helps, but it’s a dense urban environment. Streets like Market and Broad are big and busy, while Old City has narrow, colonial-era streets. Philly drivers are known to be aggressive but not unreasonable they simply expect you to go when it’s your turn and not hesitate. If you’re new, drive defensively and definitely use a GPS for guidance through all the one-way streets. Be prepared for pedestrians stepping out, double-parked delivery trucks on smaller streets, and some peculiar rules (for example, on many Philadelphia downtown streets, left turns are not permitted during rush hour signs will indicate this). It can be intimidating on day one, but many newcomers report that by day two or three, they’ve found their rhythm. Pittsburgh: The downtown (Golden Triangle) is compact but wedged between rivers and hills, so roads aren’t a perfect grid. You may encounter bridges and tunnels a famous local saying is “choose your lane before the tunnel” because traffic tends to bottle up as drivers shuffle lanes last-minute. Our advice: keep calm, follow signs for the route you need. Pittsburgh has lots of hills some streets are very steep with stop signs at the top (yes, your heart may flutter doing a hill start on a 20% grade street!). But major routes like Blvd of the Allies or Penn Ave are fairly straightforward. Both cities have parking challenges (see parking FAQ below), so you might plan to park and walk for intra-city exploring. In summary, it’s a little tricky at first but manageable. If you’re uneasy, consider timing your city driving during off-peak hours (mid-morning or early afternoon) when traffic is lighter, just to get comfortable. And note: Pennsylvania drivers do tend to be courteous about letting you merge if you signal so don’t be afraid to assertively but safely make your lane changes or turns. You’ve got this!

Question 4

What are my options for one-way car rentals within Pennsylvania or to nearby cities?

Accepted Answer

One-way rentals are very common, and we accommodate them. This means you can pick up a car in one Pennsylvania city and drop it off in another useful if you don’t want to loop back. For example, pick up in Philadelphia and drop off in Pittsburgh (or vice versa) is a popular intra-state one-way. Usually, one-ways within Pennsylvania have either no additional fee or a modest drop charge, depending on the company often it’s quite reasonable since it’s a within-state move. You could also do one-ways to neighboring states: e.g., Philadelphia to New York, Pittsburgh to Cleveland, Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. In these cases, there might be a higher drop fee (anywhere from $50 to a few hundred dollars) because the car needs to be repositioned by the company. Our booking system will automatically include any drop fees in your quote so you can decide if it’s worth it. Many travelers find one-way well worth it to avoid backtracking for instance, flying into Philly, doing a road trip west, and flying out of Pittsburgh. Just be sure to specify your intended drop-off location when searching so we can show you cars that allow it. A tip: major airport locations tend to allow one-way drops more easily than small town offices. Also, if planning an international one-way (dropping in Canada, for example, after visiting Niagara Falls), that narrows the options, but some companies do permit US to Canada drop-offs (usually with a steeper fee). We’ll clearly inform you of policies. In sum yes, you can rent one-way with AirportVanRental, and we make it transparent. No need to drive back just to return a car; enjoy the freedom to start here and end there as your adventure demands.

Question 5

How much is parking at popular Pennsylvania destinations (and any tips to save)?

Accepted Answer

Parking costs vary by location, but here’s a quick rundown of major spots: In Philadelphia, street parking downtown runs about $3 per hour; meters typically have a 2-hour limit (free overnight from 8pm to 8am in many areas, and free on Sundays for most meters). Garages in Center City cost around $30 for 24 hours (hotel valet can be $40–$55 per night). However, neighborhoods just outside downtown (University City, South Philly) may have cheaper or free street parking just watch for permit zones. One way to save in Philly is to use apps like SpotHero or ParkWhiz to book discounted garage spots in advance; sometimes you can snag $15–20/day rates a few blocks from major attractions. Also, the Independence Visitor Center garage (near Liberty Bell) has reasonable rates and is centrally located for sightseeing. In Pittsburgh, street meters downtown are about $1.50–$2/hour, and many are free after 6 PM and on Sundays. Parking garages downtown and in Oakland (university area) range $10–$20/day; Pittsburgh often has evening flat rates like $5 after 5 PM in some garages for theater or game nights. If you’re catching a Steelers or Pirates game, expect surge pricing in nearby lots (upwards of $30). A local tip: on the North Shore (near PNC Park/Heinz Field), parking lots by the casinos can be cheaper and you can walk or take the T (light rail) one stop into downtown for free. For other cities: Harrisburg downtown around the Capitol has garages ~$10/day; Hersheypark parking lot is $25 for the day (2025 rate) but includes in/out privileges and is essentially your only option there. Gettysburg street parking is cheap (25 cents/hr in many spots) and there are municipal lots $1/hr, plus many attractions have free parking lots. Amish Country generally free parking at farms and tourist sites, or a couple dollars at most. State College (Penn State) downtown meters ~$1/hr, and on football game days the campus parking turns into paid lots (reserve ahead for cheapest options). To save money, consider leaving your car at a hotel or park-and-ride and using public transit if you’ll be in a city core all day. For example, in Philly you might park at a SEPTA regional rail station in the suburbs for a couple bucks and take the train in. But if you need the convenience of your car, just budget for parking as part of the trip. We always suggest researching parking at your specific hotel or destination some offer discounts or validations. And never park in a clearly restricted spot (like a loading zone, hydrant, or resident-only block) Pennsylvania cities are quick to ticket/tow. In short, plan ahead and you can avoid parking headaches and unnecessary costs.

Question 6

What do I need to know about tolls if I’m renting a car in Pennsylvania (e.g., on the Turnpike or driving to other states)?

Accepted Answer

We touched on this in the driving tips, but to recap: Pennsylvania’s Turnpike system is cashless. That means if you drive through a toll point, there’s no stopping to pay it’ll either read an E-ZPass transponder in the car or take a photo of the license plate. As a renter, you have a few options: 1) Use your own E-ZPass if you have one from home and it’s compatible (any E-ZPass from any state works in PA), you can bring it. Most rental cars in PA do not have built-in transponders by default (some might, which you can usually disable). Simply suction-cup yours to the windshield and you’ll be charged tolls to your personal account (no rental fees). 2) Opt into the Rental’s Toll Program at the counter or in advance, you can choose their toll coverage. Typically, as mentioned, it’s a daily fee (~$3-$5 on days you actually incur a toll) plus the tolls themselves. If you’re going to hit multiple tolls (say you’re using the Turnpike a lot, or going through tolled bridges/tunnels around NYC or DC), this can pay off for convenience. 3) Pay via Toll-By-Plate do nothing special; the cameras will bill the rental company for your tolls, and the rental company will charge your credit card later. However, note the rental company usually adds a service fee per toll or per rental in this case (could be ~$15 per toll event, capped at maybe $90, varies by company). That can sting if you hit several toll points. We recommend either using your own transponder or the rental’s flat-fee program to avoid those à la carte fees. Specific quirks: driving from PA to New Jersey/New York bridges like the Ben Franklin (Philly to NJ) still accept cash going into NJ (no toll heading into PA). NJ Turnpike/Garden State Parkway have some cash lanes if you prefer, but if you accidentally go through an E-ZPass lane, it’ll trigger the Toll-By-Plate process. Heading south to Maryland/DC I-95 in Delaware has a cash toll plaza ($4), and Maryland tolls (like the Fort McHenry Tunnel in Baltimore or Susquehanna River bridge on I-95) are cashless or exact-change only now. Ohio Turnpike (I-76 west from PA) still has cash lanes. In summary, ask our customer service or at the counter for details about the car’s toll setup. And whatever you do, don’t tailgate through a toll plaza or try to evade a toll the systems are quite unforgiving, and violations could lead to hefty fines that will catch up via your rental contract. Better to just plan for toll costs as part of your trip. We provide info in your rental agreement on how to log in and see any toll charges after your rental as well, so no surprises weeks later.

Question 7

Are there any unusual driving laws or local rules in Pennsylvania I should know about?

Accepted Answer

We’ve covered many in the driving tips, but here’s a quick list of notable ones and local customs:
•	Headlights & Wipers: It’s state law to turn your headlights on whenever your windshield wipers are in continuous or intermittent use for rain, snow, sleet, or mist. Essentially, if weather requires wipers, lights must be on (even in daytime). Also use headlights in posted dusk-to-dawn work zones even if it’s daylight. Police can ticket you for not complying (and they do enforce this).
•	Move Over Law: If you see an emergency vehicle, tow truck, or police pulled over on the side with lights flashing, Pennsylvania law requires you to move over to an adjacent lane if safe to do so, or if not, slow down significantly. This is for the safety of roadside workers. So, on a multi-lane highway, vacate the lane next to the stopped emergency vehicle.
•	4-Way Stop Etiquette: In smaller towns you’ll hit intersections with all-way stop signs. The rule: first vehicle to stop is first to go. If two arrive at same time, the one on the right goes first. If facing each other and one is turning, the one going straight has right of way. It’s fairly standard, but be sure to fully stop “rolling stops” (locally jokingly called a “Pennsylvania roll”) can get you pulled over by a keen officer, especially in suburban areas.
•	Alcohol: The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.08%. Pennsylvania has strict DUI penalties and occasional checkpoints. NEVER drink and drive. One unique thing: Pennsylvania still has some dry municipalities and very regulated liquor laws (beer distributors, state wine & spirits stores). But from a driving perspective, open container of alcohol in the vehicle is illegal for driver and passengers. So don’t let an open beer can ride around even if someone else is holding it you can be cited. Save the Yuengling for when you’re safely parked for the night!
•	Turnpike Service Plazas: Not a law, but a useful system on the PA Turnpike, you can only enter/exit at interchanges, but roughly every 30-50 miles there are service plazas on the highway itself with gas, food, restrooms. They’re very handy to take a break without leaving the toll road. Just watch the signs one every so often, if you miss it, next one could be 30 miles.
•	Snow Emergencies & Plow Trucks: In winter, cities like Philadelphia may declare a “snow emergency” in big storms meaning you cannot park on designated snow emergency routes (main arteries) so plows can get through (they’ll tow violators). Also, if you’re out driving during active snowfall, yield and give space to plow trucks and salt spreaders they often travel in tandem. It’s illegal to pass a plow truck that’s in the process of clearing and less safe anyway (the road ahead of them is worse than behind!).
•	Amish Areas Road Signs: In Lancaster and some rural areas, you might see a yellow road sign with a horse and buggy silhouette that warns of Amish buggies on the road. Take those signs seriously especially at night; buggies often have minimal lighting. Also watch for hand-drawn farm equipment on roads in those regions (like a slow tractor). They usually will pull over to let cars pass when they can give them time.
•	Child Car Seats: PA law requires children under 4 to be in an approved child safety seat, and ages 4-8 in a booster seat. Under 2 must be rear-facing seat. If you’re traveling with kids, you can rent car seats with your vehicle from us or bring your own. Police can stop you for children not properly restrained.
•	Left Lane Hanging: On highways, the left lane is for passing. Pennsylvania State Police have been known to ticket drivers for cruising in the passing lane and blocking traffic. So, after you pass someone, move back to the right. This isn’t just courtesy; it’s actually enforceable (though not super common to ticket unless it’s causing an issue).
Those are some key ones. Generally, driving in PA follows standard U.S. rules. If you’re ever unsure about a sign or law (say you see “No Turn on Red” then don’t turn on red there), err on the side of caution. Locals might have their habits, but as a visitor, sticking to the letter of the law is the safest bet. And if a cop does pull you over, do as anywhere: pull off safely to the side, turn off the engine, and wait with hands visible they’ll usually be understanding if you explain you’re from out of town and might give a warning if it was a minor infraction.

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