Ready to hit the road in Burlington? Use the search form above to find your ideal car. Enter your Burlington pick-up location (we serve all major points BTV Airport rental cars, downtown Burlington, etc.), select your dates, and let our system compare real-time deals from multiple car rental companies in the area. In seconds, you’ll see options for every need: compact cars for zipping through city streets, SUVs for family outings to the mountains, luxury vehicles if you’re arriving at that business meeting in style, even vans if you’ve got a group heading to the slopes. Booking is fast and secure. Most rentals in Burlington allow you to reserve now and pay later at pick-up, and include free cancellation if your plans change. In just a few clicks, you’ll lock in the ideal ride for your Burlington adventure. With a great rate confirmed, you can focus on mapping out your must-see stops perhaps a sunset at Waterfront Park, a drive to a craft brewery in Stowe, or a day trip to a nearby covered bridge knowing your transportation is sorted.
Introduction: Welcome to Burlington, Vermont’s vibrant “Queen City” perched on the shores of Lake Champlain. Having a rental car in Burlington means you can experience all sides of this city and the stunning landscapes beyond at your own pace. Burlington offers a unique blend of urban charm and outdoor beauty: one minute you’re enjoying farm-to-table dining and boutique shops on Church Street, the next you could be driving out to a mountain trail or a secluded beach along the lake. With a rental car, you’re free to explore every corner of Burlington and its beautiful surroundings on your schedule. This page is your complete guide to renting a car in Burlington, VT. We’ve packed it with money-saving deals, local driving intel, and trip ideas so you can hit the road with confidence. Whether you’re a visitor flying into Burlington Airport, a business traveler needing to get around town, or a local planning a weekend escape, we’ll help you find the perfect vehicle quickly and at a great price. Let’s get you on the road in Burlington stress-free and affordably!
Burlington has a compact, walkable downtown and a local bus system, but there’s a lot a car unlocks for you here. Depending on your plans, renting a car in Burlington can be a game-changer for convenience and exploration. Here are top reasons to consider getting your own set of wheels in Vermont’s largest city:
Of course, if you’re only staying in downtown Burlington and have no plans to roam, you might not need a car the entire time Burlington is very walkable, and you can use a taxi or rideshare for occasional trips. But for flexibility, comfort, and the full Vermont experience, many visitors find a car invaluable. (And locals rent from us too, for weekend getaways or when extra wheels are needed!) Read on for how we make renting in Burlington easy and advantageous.
Our Burlington Car Rental Benefits
Why choose AirportVanRental for your Burlington wheels? Simply put, we know Burlington and we leverage our local presence plus national network to give you unbeatable value. Here are some perks of booking your Burlington rental car with us:
Top Burlington Car Rental Deals
Pricing at Burlington locations can fluctuate with season and supply, but here are some example “from” rates to illustrate the deals you can find. These base rates are before taxes (~15%) and any applicable fees (e.g., airport fee if renting at BTV). Remember, our system will always show you the total price upfront. The examples assume pick-up in Burlington (either at the airport or downtown).
(Rates above exclude taxes/fees. Vermont’s busy season is fall foliage (late Sep to mid Oct) you may see rates tick up then, especially for SUVs/minivans, so book early for autumn trips. Conversely, mid-winter (except holidays) and early spring (“mud season”) often have great bargains. Always search your specific dates you might catch a limited-time promo. And remember, these examples are just a sample we offer everything from compact electrics to full-size pickups too!)
Driving in Burlington: Tips for City & Suburb
Driving in Burlington is famously described as… easygoing! The roads are in good shape, drivers are generally polite, and the city isn’t too large to intimidate. Still, with any city, there are local quirks. Here are essential Burlington driving tips and things to know:
Navigating Burlington’s Streets: Burlington isn’t a perfect grid like some cities it’s a colonial-era city with some winding and diagonal streets. Downtown in particular (around the Church Street Marketplace, Old North End, Hill Section) has a few one-ways and odd merges. Use a GPS or navigation app to help, but also pay attention to street signage since tall buildings (we have a few) can sometimes throw off GPS signals slightly. Key roads to know: Main Street runs east-west from the UVM campus down to the waterfront (it’s one of the main thoroughfares). Shelburne Road (US-7) runs south out of the city toward Shelburne and eventually Vergennes it’s our busiest commercial strip with lots of shops and restaurants, and it can have stop-and-go traffic at rush hour by South Burlington. North/South Willard Street acts as a “beltline” through residential areas on the east side of downtown note it has a fairly steep hill. Burlington’s waterfront area has several east-west streets that end at Lake Champlain if you’re trying to go north-south near the water, you’ll likely use Battery Street or North Avenue. Keep in mind that if you miss a turn, it’s easy to loop around the block; Burlington’s one-way system might make you go an extra few blocks, but you’ll get there. And sometimes taking the longer scenic way around (e.g., via Lakeside Ave along the South End) is more pleasant than cutting through city center traffic lights. Fortunately, nothing in Burlington is very far it’s about 15 minutes max from one end of the city to the other by car.
The “Big” Roundabout: Burlington proper doesn’t have large roundabouts, but just over the river in Winooski there is a multi-lane roundabout that connects Burlington, Winooski, and Colchester roads. If you find yourself heading that way (maybe driving to Malletts Bay or taking a shortcut to I-89 Exit 16), you’ll encounter the Winooski Circle. It’s well-marked with overhead signs: pick your lane based on whether you’ll exit the circle immediately or go around. If unfamiliar, go slow and follow the car in front of you (local drivers use it daily). Yield upon entry and be cautious of lane changes in the circle some folks realize late they need the outer lane to exit. It’s probably the trickiest intersection in the area, but it’s designed efficiently and keeps traffic moving. If you prefer to avoid it, you can stick to I-89 or other routes, but honestly it’s not too bad. Just remember our earlier roundabout rule: yield to the left, then go with the flow.
Burlington Drivers & Etiquette: Burlingtonians (and Vermonters in general) have a reputation for being courteous drivers. You’ll often see drivers wave to each other at 4-way stop intersections, allowing others to go even if they arrived second. It’s both endearing and sometimes a tad confusing (technically, the first to stop should go first but many practice a polite “you go ahead” wave if they see you hesitating). Don’t stress too much just make eye contact and communicate with a friendly gesture. Car horn usage is minimal here; if you hear a honk, it’s usually a light tap to alert someone the light turned green or a “hello” honk when passing a neighbor. Road rage is extremely rare. The concept of right of way is usually respected at 4-way stops (first come, first go, or yield to the driver on your right if arriving simultaneously), but as noted, people sometimes wave others on. The key is to be decisive once it’s your turn lingering too long confuses everyone. Burlington has a significant number of cyclists and skateboarders on the roads (especially around campus and downtown). Drivers are quite used to them; just give them space and check mirrors when turning. In winter, patience is the norm everyone is dealing with the elements, so if someone is going 20 mph in a snowstorm on a 35 road, don’t tailgate or rush them. Also, note that pedestrians often jaywalk in downtown on Church Street (pedestrian mall) side streets or near the waterfront. It’s the city vibe people cross where they please if traffic is light. Legally, you should yield to them to avoid any issue. And the famous Burlington left turn: not as notorious as the “Boston left,” but at some traffic lights, you’ll notice that if two opposing cars are both turning left, they might do the “left turn dance” on green each sneaking through at the start or end of the cycle. It’s generally fine and expected if done safely. Just don’t try to dash a left turn when there’s oncoming traffic speeding through only do it when it’s clearly safe or as the light turns yellow/red and oncoming cars have stopped (common at some longer lights like Main & South Prospect). In summary, drive defensively but kindly Burlington drivers do.
Rush Hour & Traffic Patterns: Burlington’s rush hours are short and relatively mild. Weekday mornings inbound to the city run from about 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM you’ll see some congestion on Shelburne Road coming from the south and on Williston Road coming from the east (especially near I-89 Exit 14). Also, the rotary in Winooski gets busy with commuters around that time. Evenings outbound (4:00 PM to 6:00 PM) see the reverse: people leaving downtown for the suburbs or Essex. Friday afternoons in summer can be a bit heavier with everyone heading to Lake Champlain or campgrounds (expect a line of cars at the traffic lights on North Avenue heading toward the beaches, for example). If you have flexibility, avoid driving out of Burlington around 5 PM on weekdays grab an early dinner downtown and leave at 6:30 instead, and you’ll miss most of it. Even at its peak, “traffic” in Burlington might mean a 15-minute delay, nothing major. Weekend traffic is generally light except when a big event is happening e.g., University of Vermont move-in/out days (late August and mid-May) around the campus area, or a large concert/festival (like the Burlington Discover Jazz Festival or July 3rd fireworks) which can temporarily jam up downtown streets right after the event. During such events, consider walking or biking if you can, or parking a little further away and strolling in. Burlington loves its events, so embrace the pedestrian vibe at those times. Outside of Burlington, if you’re day-tripping, note that VT-100 can see tourist traffic jams near Stowe on peak foliage weekends, and US-4 in Killington/Woodstock gets slow after ski days end (4 PM) or during holiday weekends. Plan accordingly if you’re driving through those on your return to Burlington. A navigation app with traffic data (Google Maps, Waze) can be handy it will usually show a red line if there’s a delay and might suggest an alternate backroad (Vermont backroads are often beautiful detours anyway!). Generally, though, Burlington area traffic won’t eat into your itinerary too much it’s very manageable.
Parking in Burlington: As any local will tell you, parking in Burlington is fairly easy by city standards. On-street parking downtown is a mix of metered spaces (mostly 2-hour limits) and residential permit zones on side streets. Metered spots cost $1.50 per hour (some high-demand areas are $2) and are enforced Monday-Saturday 9 AM-9 PM (Sundays are free). You can pay via the Park Burlington app or coins/card at meters. If you’re just running into a café, note that many meters allow 15 minutes free by pressing a “quick visit” button a friendly feature! Burlington also has several public garages: the most convenient are the College Street Garage, Lakeview Garage (next to Hotel Vermont), and Marketplace Garage (near Church Street). These garages all offer the first 2 hours free, then about $1.50 per hour after, with a daily max around $8-10 (as of recent data). They are well-lit, reasonably clean, and have EV charging stations and bike parking too. If you’re spending an afternoon shopping or an evening dining and catching a show, garages are often your best bet no worry about feeding a meter or a ticket if you stay longer than planned. Pro tip: Marketplace Garage on South Winooski Ave has an entrance right into the Burlington Town Center (mall) and comes out a block from Church Street, very handy and usually has plenty of space except maybe during a festival. Waterfront parking: by the waterfront parks (Waterfront Park, Battery Park) there are a couple lots and meters those tend to fill up around sunset on nice days. There’s a Pease Lot and Lake Street lot near Waterfront Park; they charge a flat rate event parking fee during big events, otherwise hourly. If you can’t find a spot there, park up the hill in downtown and walk down the staircases to the waterfront (it’s a 5-10 minute pleasant walk). In residential neighborhoods (Old North End, South End, near campus), watch for signs about residential permits. Typically, one side of a street might be resident-only, the other side 2-hour for visitors during daytime. If you inadvertently park in a permit zone beyond the posted time, you could get a $50 ticket not the end of the world, but not fun. UVM campus lots are mostly permit-only on weekdays until 3:30 PM evenings and weekends some become public (check signs). One unique Burlington thing: in winter, after a snowstorm, the city may declare a parking ban night when that happens, street parking is prohibited overnight until the ban is lifted (so they can plow curb-to-curb). The city sets out flashing blue lights and blasts the info on local news and texts. If you’re parked overnight on a street during a ban, you risk towing (and Burlington tows promptly!). The good news: during a ban, the city garages are free to use for residents and visitors you can park in, say, Marketplace Garage overnight without charge and avoid a ticket/tow. So, if visiting in snowy season, keep an ear out for parking ban alerts especially if leaving your car on the street. Finally, don’t park in front of a fire hydrant (Vermont requires 10 feet clearance either side) that’s a quick tow. And never park blocking someone’s driveway (common sense, but worth stating). All in all, Burlington’s parking is user-friendly. If you find a spot along College Street or Bank Street, great; if not, garages are a sure thing. With the first 2 hours free in garages, many locals don’t even bother hunting for a meter they just pull into a garage for short errands. You’ll find parking more plentiful and cheaper than in most cities one of the perks of Burlington’s small size.
Tolls & Driving Out of Town: As mentioned earlier, Vermont has no toll roads. If you do plan to drive out of state from Burlington: heading west to New York via the Champlain Bridge no toll there, it’s free. Driving north to Canada no toll, just the border check (ensure you have your passport!). Going east to New Hampshire no highway toll on I-89 or I-93 at the VT/NH border, but if you continue toward Manchester/Boston, you’ll hit a toll near Concord (either have some change or expect a license plate bill via the rental co.). South to Massachusetts entering MA on I-89/93 is free, but if you go toward Boston, the tunnels and Mass Pike use electronic tolls (as discussed, covered by rental’s plate or your E-ZPass). One thing to note when leaving Burlington: if you’re headed to Cape Cod or Maine on a summer Friday, traffic can be heavy once you get into Massachusetts or around Boston nothing to do with Burlington, but just a heads-up if planning a multi-state jaunt. Locally, the only quasi-toll you might do is a ferry ride: the Lake Champlain Ferry from Burlington or Charlotte across to New York charges a fee per car and passenger. It’s not a bridge toll per se, but if you decide to ferry across (a lovely experience on a clear day), bring a credit card or cash for the ferry fare (around $25-$30 for car+driver one-way, varies by route). It’s a fun alternative to driving around the lake. Also, be aware that some Canadian highways (like A-15 toward Montréal) have automatic photo radar obey their posted km/h speeds; if you speed and get a ticket by mail via the rental company, that’s not a toll but a fine (the rental co would charge your card with an added admin fee). So drive prudently in Quebec. Returning to Burlington: if you’ve been away in big-city traffic, you’ll appreciate the calm of Burlington’s streets even more. We’d recommend always leaving a little buffer in your schedule for the unexpected a farm tractor slowing traffic on a backroad, a quick detour to a scenic overlook, or just to find parking and walk but generally, Burlington driving is smooth sailing.
Alternate Transportation: Burlington does offer some alternative ways to get around, which can complement your rental car. The GMT buses have routes around town and to adjacent areas (e.g., the #11 bus goes from downtown to the airport, the #1/2 go to Winooski/Essex). If you want a break from driving or plan to sample the local craft brews (good idea not to drive after a Heady Topper or two!), you can bus or use Uber/Lyft within the city. Rideshares are available in Burlington, though not as saturated as in major cities wait times might be 5-15 minutes. There are also a few local taxi companies (Green Cab, etc.). For the very eco-friendly: Burlington is extremely bike-friendly you can rent a bike (or e-bike) and enjoy the beautiful Island Line Trail along the lake. Many downtown streets have bike lanes. If you cycle, just follow VT laws (ride with traffic, full stop at lights/signs). On the flip side, if you’ve rented a car and want to venture without it for a day: Lake Champlain Ferries can take you and even your car across the lake something to consider if you want a scenic mini-cruise (you could even park on the NY side and ferry as a foot passenger for a lake tour). Also, Amtrak now runs the Ethan Allen Express from Burlington to Middlebury, Rutland, and all the way to NYC daily. So one could, say, drop a car in Rutland and train back to Burlington (or vice versa) as part of a loop trip. But honestly, for most visitors, having a car covers 95% of needs. Alternate transit is a nice backup or break from driving. Burlington is small enough that you might park your car at your hotel and not use it for an evening while you walk the Church Street strip that’s normal. Just be mindful of any hotel parking fees (some downtown hotels charge ~$10-15/night for parking, while others in South Burlington are free). We encourage a mix: use the car when it’s optimal (day trips, errands), and stroll the town or bike when that’s more fun. It’s the best of both worlds.
Seasonal Considerations: Burlington, like all of Vermont, has four distinct seasons which can affect driving conditions and patterns. Winter (Dec–Feb): We’ve covered driving in snow if visiting in this season, build in extra time around storms and watch weather reports. Burlington crews clear main roads quickly, but side streets might stay snow-packed longer (which can be slippery). Also, winter brings early darkness (4:30 PM sunsets in deep winter), so aim to do countryside driving in daylight if you’re not comfortable at night with potential ice. On the plus side, winter roads are quiet no tourist traffic, and the views of snow-laden trees are magical on a sunny day. Spring (Mar–May): Early spring is “mud season.” Some unpaved roads (a lot in VT) get very soft a normal car can handle them slowly, but avoid any that are posted as “closed” or look truly mucky (you don’t want to get stuck axle-deep in mud towing a rental out of a backroad could be pricey). By late April/May, roads dry up and it’s smooth sailing, plus fewer visitors than summer/fall. Watch for frost heaves dips and bumps in the road caused by freeze-thaw cycles especially on secondary roads in spring; they often have warning signs (“Frost Heaves Ahead”). Slow down on those or risk a big jolt! Summer (Jun–Aug): Construction season. Vermont does a lot of roadwork in summer you might encounter orange cones and one-lane zones where they’re repaving or fixing bridges. Delays are usually brief (maybe 5 minutes at a flagger station). We list a 511 app/website for Vermont where you can see planned roadwork. But don’t sweat it even a detour in summer can lead you through a cute village or past a creemee stand. Also, stay alert for summer afternoon thunderstorms sudden heavy rain can cause localized ponding on roads; slow down in downpours to avoid hydroplaning. Fall (Sept–Nov): Leaf-peeping mania! This is Vermont’s showtime. Expect an influx of cars on rural scenic routes (especially weekends late Sep to mid Oct). If you’re driving popular roads (VT-100, the Kancamagus in NH, etc.), consider doing so early in the day to beat crowds. Watch out for leaf peeper drivers folks from out of state who may brake suddenly to look at colors or pull off at odd spots to snap photos. Give them space (and perhaps a pass if they’re going under the limit admiring views). Keep your own eyes on the road; pull over at designated areas to soak in views rather than crawling at 10 mph. Also, deer are very active in fall (it’s mating season). Dusk is prime deer-crossing time use high beams on quiet roads and scan edges for those telltale glowing eyes. Hitting a deer can ruin your trip (and car), so be vigilant especially on forested routes. In summary, each season has its driving charms and challenges plan and adapt, and you’ll be fine.
Emergency & Roadside: For any emergency in Burlington (or anywhere), dial 911. Burlington has its own police force covering the city, and the surrounding areas are covered by local or state police. Response times in the city are quick since it’s not very large. If you encounter a breakdown or flat tire, first get to a safe spot (parking lot or side of road well out of traffic). Then call your rental company’s roadside assistance number they’ll send help. In Burlington, you’re never far from a service station or tow company. If you lock your keys in the car (less common now with fob systems), you can also call the rental company or even a local locksmith; Burlington’s a small town and these things happen, they’ll get you sorted. For minor accidents, Burlington police will come make a report if needed Vermont law typically requires a report for any accident with significant damage or injury. Exchange information with the other driver regardless (insurance, license, plate). If it’s a serious crash, call 911 immediately and follow dispatcher instructions. On interstates, Vermont State Police handle accidents and can be reached via 911 or by using highway call boxes if available (on I-89 there are some call boxes at rest areas). For non-emergency assistance, you can reach Burlington PD’s non-emergency line (802-658-2704) or state police general (802-244-8727 for the Williston barracks that cover the Burlington area). But again, 911 is fine to call even if not life-or-death; they’ll direct the appropriate help and it’s better to err on safety. If you have a fender-bender in a parking lot and no one is hurt, you can also handle it through insurance without a police report (Vermont doesn’t require a report if damages appear under $3,000 and no injuries, as a guideline but check rental policy, and often it’s wise to have an official report for insurance clarity). Burlington is overall safe and help is nearby. One more note: keep your rental car locked and don’t leave valuables in plain sight Burlington is very low-crime, but petty car break-ins can happen anywhere. Use common sense (e.g., don’t leave a wallet on the dash while parked downtown) and you’ll be fine. Enjoy Burlington and drive safely!