Find the perfect set of wheels for your Dallas–Fort Worth adventure. DFW is one of the busiest airports in the world, and we make renting a car here fast, easy, and affordable. With our service, you can compare offers from all-in-one go. Whether you’re headed to downtown Dallas for business, exploring Fort Worth’s Stockyards, or road-tripping across the Lone Star State, we’ve got you covered with a wide range of vehicles and deals as big as Texas.
Smooth Booking at DFW: Our user-friendly search allows you to reserve a car in seconds. Here’s how to get on the road quickly:
Why Book DFW Car Rentals with AirportVanRental?
Dallas/Fort Worth is a sprawling metroplex, having a car is practically essential. Here’s why booking through us gives you an edge:
Today’s Top DFW Car Rental Deals
**Rates are base prices and exclude taxes/fees. “From” pricing is based on recent bookings in the past 7 days. Hit “Search” to get the most accurate, up-to-the-minute quote for your travel dates.
Driving Tips for Dallas–Fort Worth Visitors
The DFW metroplex covers a huge area (Dallas and Fort Worth are about 30 miles apart, with dozens of cities in between). Here’s how to navigate North Texas like a pro:
Road Trip Ideas from Dallas/Fort Worth
The beauty of renting a car at DFW is you’re at the crossroads of many great road trips. Here are a few exciting routes to consider once you’ve got your vehicle:
Texas Two-Step: Dallas to Austin & San Antonio
Distance: ~200 miles to Austin (3 hours), then another 80 miles to San Antonio (1.5 hours).
Route: Head south on I-35E from Dallas, which merges back into I-35 past Waco. It’s a straight shot to Austin. After enjoying the Live Music Capital, continue on I-35 South to San Antonio. You can return to DFW via I-35 or make a loop via Houston for an epic Texas triangle.
Highlights: This trip hits some of Texas’s most iconic cities. Stop in Waco (about halfway to Austin), fans of Fixer Upper can check out Magnolia Market at the Silos, or visit the Dr Pepper Museum (Dr Pepper was invented in Waco!). In Austin, don’t miss the vibrant 6th Street nightlife, food truck scene, and a dip in Barton Springs Pool if it’s hot. The Texas State Capitol is a great free tour. Onward to San Antonio, where history and culture await, walk the famous River Walk for restaurants and shops, and of course, visit The Alamo for a dose of Texas revolutionary history. If you have extra time, theme park lovers can hit Six Flags Fiesta Texas or SeaWorld San Antonio. On the drive back, consider the scenic route via Hill Country: from San Antonio, take US-281 north toward Burnet, then TX-29 east to I-35, this will take you through rolling hills and quaint towns like Marble Falls.
Tips: I-35 between DFW and San Antonio can get congested, particularly through Austin, which has some of the worst traffic in Texas. Plan to pass through Austin in non-rush hours (mid-day or later in evening) if possible. There are some toll express lanes around Austin, they might be worth it to save time (your rental toll pass can be used here). Summer travelers, be ready for heat, all these cities can be 95°F+ in summer, so pack sunscreen and stay hydrated. One-way rental: you could fly back from San Antonio or Austin and drop the car there; we often have deals with low drop fees for intra-Texas one-ways. Also, keep an eye out for Buc-ee’s megagas stations on I-35 (there’s one in Temple), they are a road trip experience in themselves, with clean restrooms and tons of snacks.
Route 66 & Panhandle Adventure: DFW to Amarillo
Distance: ~365 miles (5.5–6 hours).
Route: Take US-287 northwest out of Fort Worth. This highway will carry you through North Texas ranchlands all the way to Amarillo. Alternatively, take I-35W up to Wichita Falls then merge onto US-287, both meet up. In Amarillo, you can briefly hop on Historic Route 66 or I-40 for local sights.
Highlights: This journey gives you a taste of Texas’s wide-open spaces. Along US-287, you’ll pass through classic small towns like Decatur, Wichita Falls (stop here for a leg stretch at Lucy Park by the Wichita River, or see the “world’s littlest skyscraper” downtown, a funny historical landmark). As you approach Amarillo, get ready for quirky Americana: just west of the city on I-40 is the famous Cadillac Ranch, 10 classic Cadillacs buried nose-down in a field, graffiti’d by visitors (bring a spray paint can to leave your mark!). In Amarillo itself, cruise down 6th Avenue for antique shops and a stretch of the original Route 66 vibes. And you can’t miss Big Texan Steak Ranch on I-40, home of the 72-oz steak challenge (it’s free if you can eat it all!). For natural beauty, venture 30 minutes south of Amarillo to Palo Duro Canyon State Park, the second-largest canyon in the U.S. (after the Grand Canyon). The park offers driving loops and short hikes with stunning red rock canyon views, and you can easily spend half a day there.
Tips: The drive to Amarillo is long and remote in stretches, ensure your gas tank is filled whenever you hit half-empty, as towns can be 50+ miles apart in some areas. US-287 is mostly two-lane each way and fairly fast, but watch for sudden speed limit drops in small towns (speed traps do exist!). Amarillo can be very windy; if you’re in a high-profile vehicle like an SUV or van, keep both hands on the wheel. Weather-wise, summers are hot but not humid, and winters can see light snow in the Panhandle, check forecasts if traveling in Dec/Jan. On your way back, if you’re up for a different route, you can loop through Lubbock (home of Buddy Holly and Texas Tech University) and then take US-84 to I-20 back to DFW, it adds some time but gives new scenery. Lastly, don’t forget to cue up some classic country or rock on your car stereo for that perfect road trip soundtrack while cruising Route 66 into Amarillo!
Crossing Borders: DFW to Oklahoma Road Trip
Distance: ~210 miles to Oklahoma City (3 hours), plus optional extensions.
Route: Take I-35W north from Fort Worth, which merges into I-35 toward Oklahoma. You’ll cross the Red River into Oklahoma and continue to Oklahoma City. For an extended trip, you could loop east to Tulsa or northwest to Route 66 attractions in Oklahoma.
Highlights: This is a great add-on trip for those who want to check another state off the list. On the way to OKC, consider a pit stop in Gainesville, TX for the Frank Buck Zoo (a small but charming zoo) or at the WinStar World Casino just past the border in Thackerville, OK, it’s one of the largest casinos in the world, if you’re feeling lucky or just curious. In Oklahoma City, visit the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum (powerful and moving), take a stroll in Bricktown (a revitalized downtown district with a canal, eateries, and a minor league ballpark), or check out the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum for some old-west history. If you’re a Route 66 enthusiast, from OKC you can take historic Route 66 northeast toward Tulsa, seeing roadside gems like the Round Barn in Arcadia or POPS Soda Ranch (with a giant soda bottle sculpture and hundreds of soda flavors for sale). Tulsa itself has the fascinating Blue Dome Arts district and some cool art deco architecture.
Tips: Driving north, you’ll encounter toll plazas on I-35 in Oklahoma (the Turner Turnpike towards OKC). If your rental car has a toll tag, it may work there, or you can pay cash (have a few dollars on hand). Speed limits in Oklahoma may be slightly lower than Texas (usually 70-75 mph on the turnpike). Keep in mind that DFW to OKC is a common corridor for storms in spring; if traveling in April-May, stay weather-aware as this is Tornado Alley (rest stops or local radio will alert if any severe weather, not likely, but good to know). For one-way rental considerations: you could do DFW to OKC and drop the car at OKC airport, but dropping in a different state will have a higher fee. It’s usually more budget-friendly to make it a round trip. Lastly, note the Texas/OU football game happens annually (in Dallas), if you’re driving around that weekend (usually October), expect heavier traffic on I-35 between Dallas and Oklahoma as fans migrate, plan accordingly!
Quick DFW Rental Info
Frequently Asked Questions
Texas driving laws mostly align with general U.S. rules, but here are a few local points: 1) Texas is serious about seat belts, all occupants must wear one, front and back seat. 2) Texting and driving is illegal statewide (hands-free devices are allowed, but no handheld texting). 3) You might encounter frontage roads (parallel roads alongside highways), at some traffic lights, you’ll see a “Texas Left” system where to turn left you might first have to go right and loop around (especially around highway interchanges). Follow the signs and you’ll get it. 4) At 4-way stop signs, remember the right-of-way order: first come, first go; if two arrive at once, the one to the right goes first. Texans are generally courteous at 4-ways. 5) If driving in rural areas outside DFW, it’s common courtesy on two-lane roads to briefly move onto the shoulder to let faster cars pass (if it’s safe and a paved shoulder exists). You might notice locals doing this, it’s a Texas hospitality thing. 6) Watch your speed, highways can be 70+, but if it’s raining heavily, Texas law requires safe speeds (and in some areas, flashing 65 or 70 signs appear). Also, if you see a stopped emergency vehicle or tow truck on the roadside, Texas has a Move Over/Slow Down law, either vacate the lane next to them or slow down 20 mph below the limit. And one fun custom: you might get a friendly “Texas wave”, a little hand wave, if someone lets you in or you let them in. Feel free to return the gesture! Overall, drive safe, use common sense, and you’ll be fine on Texas roads.
Yes, the Dallas–Fort Worth area has several toll roads and managed toll lanes. Common ones include the Dallas North Tollway, President George Bush Turnpike, Sam Rayburn Tollway (121), Chisholm Trail Parkway, and others. These roads do not have cash booths; they use electronic tolling (either by TollTag or license plate). In a rental car, the simplest approach is to opt into the rental company’s toll program at pickup. This usually means the car is equipped with a TollTag or will have toll usage billed through the plate, and you agree to pay the tolls plus a convenience fee (varies by company, often ~$3-5 per day of use, capped at a max). Alternatively, you can go through tolls without opting in, you’ll still incur toll charges plus the rental company’s admin fee per toll (which could end up more expensive). If you’re just doing a quick trip and can avoid toll roads with a GPS, you may decline it. But honestly, DFW’s toll roads can save a lot of time, and the fees aren’t huge (a few dollars each). We present the toll policy for each company in your booking details so you know what to expect. One nice thing: if you do opt in, you can zip around in the TEXpress lanes and tollways worry-free, which can be a big time-saver during traffic.
Yes. The Rental Car Center itself is open 24/7, and the shuttle service to it runs continuously around the clock. Each rental agency inside typically has staff available at all hours (DFW is busy with flights at all times). In the wee hours (like 2 AM), some counters might not be fully staffed, but usually one agent handles multiple brands if needed. If you have a confirmed reservation for a late-night pickup, rest assured you’ll be able to get your car. Similarly, for very early returns, you can drop the keys in the return drop boxes if an attendant isn’t present, though usually there is staff 24/7. Always allow a bit of extra time if you’re returning at an odd hour, just in case you have to wait for a shuttle or an agent.