Trusted Car Rentals at PVD: Welcome to AirportVanRental at T.F. Green Airport your trusted OTA for finding the best car rental deals in Rhode Island. We make it easy to compare offers from all the top brand so you won’t miss a great deal. Enjoy the convenience of free cancellation, no prepayment, and no hidden fees giving you total flexibility and peace of mind. Whether you’re flying into Providence for business or planning a coastal getaway to Newport, our wide selection of vehicles and transparent pricing help you hit the road with confidence.
T.F. Green Airport is the gateway to all of Rhode Island and nearby New England hotspots, and having a rental car here is by far the easiest way to get around. While Providence has some public transportation and commuter trains, nothing beats the convenience of your own set of wheels. With a car, you can drive from downtown Providence to Newport’s famous mansions in under an hour, or take a spontaneous detour to a coastal seafood shack whenever you like no fixed schedules or rideshare surge prices to worry about. Family trip or business travel, a rental gives you maximum flexibility: attend meetings across the state during the day, then drive out to Narragansett for a sunset beach stroll in the evening. Rhode Island may be small, but its attractions are spread out (think Providence, Newport, Block Island ferry terminals, and more), and many charming spots simply aren’t reachable by train. In short, renting a car at PVD lets you see more of Rhode Island on your own schedule, with comfort and ease from the moment you land.
Our T.F. Green Airport Car Rental Benefits
Top Car Rental Deals at PVD
We’ve got cheap car rental deals starting as low as $12/day at T.F. Green Airport. Here are a few example rates (prices vary by season and availability):
Rates above are illustrative, based on seasonal promotions actual prices may vary. Start a search to see current deals for your dates.
Driving in Rhode Island
Driving in Rhode Island is generally easy and scenic, letting you cover a lot of ground quickly (you can drive across the entire state in about an hour!). Here are some tips and things to know:
Roads & Traffic: The major artery is I-95, which runs through Providence and connects Rhode Island with Connecticut (to the south) and Massachusetts (to the north). Providence can have moderate traffic during weekday rush hours (early mornings ~7-9am and late afternoons ~4-6pm), especially on I-95 and I-195 near the city. Outside of those times, traffic flows well. Secondary highways like Route 4 and Route 1 take you to coastal areas. If you’re heading to Newport or the beaches on summer weekends, plan for some congestion those routes get busy on Saturdays and Sundays with beachgoers. It’s wise to start early to beat the crowds, or consider scenic back roads for a more leisurely drive.
Seasonal Considerations: Rhode Island experiences all four seasons. In summer, the weather is warm and perfect for cruising with the windows down just expect more cars on the road near tourist spots (e.g., Newport, Narragansett) and allow extra time to find parking at popular beaches. In winter, snow and ice can occasionally affect driving. Major roads are plowed quickly, but if there’s a snowstorm, you may need to drive slower and cautiously (and give yourself extra braking distance on slick streets). Keep an eye on weather forecasts; if a nor’easter blows in, you might delay travel for a few hours until roads are clear. Spring and fall are mild and less crowded fall foliage drives in late October can be stunning, especially if you venture just over the border into Massachusetts or Connecticut.
Tolls: Rhode Island has very few tolls. In fact, there are no toll highways in the state. The one exception is the Newport Pell Bridge on Route 138, which has a toll (around $4 each way for cars without an E-ZPass). If you plan to visit Newport (and you should it’s beautiful!), you’ll cross this bridge. Rental cars often come with an E-ZPass transponder or similar device. If you opt in to use it, you can breeze through the toll lane and the fee (plus a small rental transponder fee) will be added to your bill. Otherwise, you can pay the toll in cash at the booth. If you’re venturing beyond Rhode Island: neighboring Massachusetts uses electronic tolling on its turnpike and some bridges, and if you drive north to New Hampshire/Maine, there are a few toll plazas. It’s worth asking the rental counter about their toll policy but for mostly Rhode Island driving, tolls aren’t a big concern.
Parking: In Providence and most Rhode Island towns, parking is relatively stress-free compared to big cities. Providence has plenty of parking garages and surface lots downtown (expect to pay around $15–$20 per day in a garage, or ~$2 per hour at meters on the street; meters are typically free after 6 or 9 PM and on Sundays/holidays). On residential streets, watch for permit signs, but many areas allow street parking for a couple hours. In Newport, parking can be trickier in the peak summer season the waterfront area gets crowded. There are municipal lots and garages in Newport; on a busy weekend, you might use a park-and-ride or a lot a bit outside the center and take a shuttle or walk in. Always check street signs, as some spots in Newport are resident-only. Other popular spots like Narragansett Beach or Providence’s Federal Hill have public parking lots that are usually affordable or free. Overall, you won’t struggle too much with parking in Rhode Island if you plan just a little.
Driving Etiquette & Regulations: Rhode Island drivers are used to tourists, especially in summer, so don’t worry just drive attentively and you’ll be fine. Rules of the road are standard for the U.S.: drive on the right-hand side, and seat belts are mandatory for all occupants. State law prohibits handheld cell phone use while driving (so use a hands-free device if you need to make a call). At traffic lights, you can turn right on red after a full stop, unless a sign specifically says “No Right on Red.” Always yield to pedestrians at crosswalks, especially in city centers like Providence or Newport’s Thames Street (lots of foot traffic there). Speed limits: generally 65 MPH on interstates (55 in some stretches closer to Providence), and 25–35 MPH on city streets unless posted otherwise. You’ll find Rhode Island’s roads well-marked with signs, and the state is compact it’s hard to get truly lost for long. If you do take a wrong turn, you’ll likely end up in a neighboring state within 30 minutes! Keep your GPS or phone map handy, and enjoy the drive there’s a lot of scenery packed into this small state.
Popular Road Trips from PVD
One of the best parts about renting a car is the freedom to take road trips. From T.F. Green Airport, you’re perfectly situated to explore not just Rhode Island but all of New England. Here are a few popular drives:
(Bonus: Looking for a longer adventure? PVD is also a convenient starting point for a New England fall foliage tour. You can drive from Rhode Island up through Massachusetts into Vermont or New Hampshire to see the autumn colors, then loop back a memorable trip made easy with a one-way rental or round-trip.)
Quick Reference: PVD Car Rental Quick Facts
Looking for more rental options? AirportVanRental covers deals beyond PVD check out our Rhode Island car rentals page for statewide offers and other pickup locations. We can also set you up with specialty vehicles; for example, if you have a big group, see our listings for vans (including 12-passenger van rentals). Wherever your New England travels take you, we’re here to help you find the perfect ride at the perfect price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not necessarily. If you have your own auto insurance policy or a credit card that provides rental car coverage, you typically do not have to buy the rental company’s insurance. All rentals include the state-required minimum liability coverage by default. However, if you don’t have any coverage, it’s wise to add insurance (such as a collision damage waiver) for peace of mind. AirportVanRental lets you easily compare insurance options during booking, so you can choose extra protection if needed or decline it if you’re already covered.
Good news Rhode Island has almost no toll roads. The only toll you might encounter is the Newport Bridge toll (about $4) if you visit Newport. If your rental car has a toll transponder (like E-ZPass) and you opt to use it, you can cruise through the electronic lane; the toll fee plus a small daily transponder charge will be billed to your credit card on file. If you don’t use a transponder, you can pay cash at the Newport Bridge toll booth, or if you accidentally go through an electronic toll elsewhere, the camera will register the plate and the bill will be sent to the rental company, who will then charge you (often with an admin fee). To avoid any hassle, ask the rental counter about their toll policy when you pick up the car. But in Rhode Island itself, you’re unlikely to face tolls. If you drive into other states like Massachusetts (which uses electronic tolling on the Mass Pike) or down to New York, consider activating the rental’s toll device for convenience, or plan a route without toll roads.
Most rental agencies provide a short grace period (around 29 minutes) if you’re running behind schedule. If you return the car later than that, you’ll likely be charged for extra time usually they’ll charge an hourly rate up to a certain point, and if you’re very late (several hours or more), it could incur an additional full day’s charge. If you realize you can’t make the agreed return time, it’s best to call the rental office at PVD and let them know. They may be able to extend your rental by a few hours (you’d pay for the extra time, but avoid any “late fee”). With AirportVanRental, you can also modify your reservation online or through our 24/7 support if your plans change, as long as it’s before the return time this flexibility can save you money versus just bringing the car back late. Bottom line: communicate and adjust if you need to, and you won’t have to worry about penalties for a late return.