EN
No booking fees. Free cancellation on most cars
Save by finding great deals and securing low price rentals
Road Genius makes it easy to find great car rental deals at Charlottesville (CHO) Airport. Compare rates and make reservations in one place. Grab your keys steps from baggage claim and reach downtown Charlottesville, the University of Virginia or Monticello in about 20 minutes. We scan big brands and local agencies alike so you can lock in low prices even during busy UVA events and fall foliage weekends.
| Location | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| CHO Airport Terminal | • Several major rental agencies on-site • Convenient counter location in baggage claim area • Cars parked short walking distance from terminal • Open for all scheduled flights |
• Limited selection of specialty vehicles • Higher rates than off-airport locations • Airport surcharges (approximately 10-15%) • Limited availability possible during peak periods |
| Charlottesville City Locations | • Often lower base rates • No airport fees • Multiple locations throughout city • Some offer pickup service |
• Transportation required from airport (taxi/rideshare) • Limited hours (usually 8 AM-6 PM weekdays) • Smaller selection at individual locations • May be closed or have limited hours on Sundays |
| UVA Area Rentals | • Convenient for university visitors • Access to university shuttle systems • May offer university-affiliated discounts |
• Limited vehicle selection • Possibly higher rates in locations near campus • Restricted parking in university areas |
On average, car rentals at Charlottesville Airport cost around $86 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $54 per day.
Compare airport vs. city branches: CHO adds roughly 10-15 % in airport fees. A quick rideshare into town often costs less than the surcharge if you're renting 3+ days, so run both options through the comparison tool.
Mind the UVA calendar: Graduation (May), move-in (August) and big football weekends sell out fleets and spike prices. Book 1-2 months ahead for those dates, but for normal weeks 2-3 weeks out is usually cheapest.
Tweak pickup and return days: Starting on a Wednesday or Saturday often skirts weekday business demand and drops the daily rate.
Check weekly pricing even for 5-6 days: Around Charlottesville a 7-day "weekend special" can beat five individual days, especially on economy cars.
| Area | Type | Hours | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Mall | Public garages | 24/7 | Paid hourly or daily rate | Market Street and Water Street garages most convenient |
| Downtown | Street parking | Varies | Free but time-limited | Two-hour limits in most areas; enforced Mon-Sat 8 AM-6 PM |
| University of Virginia | Visitor lots/garages | Varies | Paid hourly | Central Grounds Garage main visitor facility |
| Shopping centers | Lots | Center hours | Free | Abundant at Barracks Road, Stonefield and Fashion Square |
| Wineries | Designated lots | Business hours | Free | Most wineries have ample space for visitors |
Speed limits: 25 mph in city and residential areas, 35-45 mph on main arteries, 55-70 mph on highways
Key regulations:
Get a car so you can easily:
Monticello – Thomas Jefferson's estate
Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park – Blue Ridge overlooks, hiking trailheads
Virginia Wine Country – vineyards in Albemarle and Nelson counties
Downtown Charlottesville & University of Virginia – restaurants, university grounds
James Madison's Montpelier – presidential home, gardens
Richmond – Capitol building, museums
How far in advance should I reserve a rental car at CHO? Usually, booking 2–3 weeks ahead is enough. But for busy times, you should reserve your car 1–2 months in advance. Busy times include University of Virginia special events (graduation in May, move-in in August, homecoming and home football games), the fall foliage season in October or wine-festival weekends. During these events, rental companies can run out of cars.
How do I pick up my rental car at CHO? You'll find the rental counters in the baggage-claim area. After you finish the paperwork, most companies have their cars waiting in assigned spots in the short-term parking lot. The lot is a short walk from the terminal. The whole process takes about 15–20 minutes.
Are there gas stations near the airport for refilling before return? Yes, you can find several gas stations along US-29 within 1–3 miles (2–5 km) of the airport. The closest options are a Shell station and an Exxon at the Airport Road and US-29 intersection. You should fill up before returning the car to avoid the rental companies' high refueling fees.
What's the best vehicle for exploring Virginia wine country? A midsize car is fine for most wineries, which you can get to on paved roads. However, some rural wineries have gravel driveways or are in more remote areas. For these, a small SUV gives you better ground clearance and a more comfortable ride. During the winter or for exploring more remote Blue Ridge areas, you might want to get an SUV with all-wheel drive.
Can I return my rental to a different location than CHO? Yes, most major rental companies let you return the car to a different city, but they charge an extra fee for it. The fee is usually $50–$300, depending on the distance. Popular one-way trips are to Washington, D.C. airports, Richmond and Roanoke. This smaller airport might not have many cars available for one-way rentals, so you need to reserve your car well in advance.
How good is cell service for navigation around Charlottesville? You should have good cell service in Charlottesville and along major highways like US-29 and I-64. However, your signal can be spotty in rural areas, especially in the mountains and some parts of wine country. We suggest you download maps for offline use before you head into remote areas. You should also think about bringing printed directions to wineries or mountain destinations.
Is it difficult to drive on Skyline Drive or the Blue Ridge Parkway? These scenic roads are well-kept two-lane highways that have some curves and speed limits of 35–45 mph. You can drive on them in any standard car when the weather is good. In the winter, you may need tire chains or a vehicle with all-wheel drive. During the fall foliage season in October, you should expect heavy traffic and limited parking at overlooks, especially on weekends.
What should I know about parking at the University of Virginia? Visitor parking is limited and the university enforces the rules strictly. You'll find the main visitor parking garage, the Central Grounds Garage, on Emmet Street. For shorter visits, you can find some metered spaces on streets near the campus. Many university lots don't allow visitors to park during weekdays but are open to visitors after 5 PM and on weekends. During special events, the university might open additional lots and charge event-parking fees.
Are there any driving restrictions I should know about in Charlottesville? The Downtown Mall is for pedestrians only, so you can't drive there. The only exceptions are for delivery trucks during certain hours. The University of Virginia has many restricted parking zones and one-way streets. Some neighborhoods near UVA have permit-only parking at specific times. Be careful downtown, as Charlottesville has several one-way streets that can confuse first-time visitors.
Popular Countries
24/7 Support