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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 in Gainesville, Georgia. Compare prices and make reservations in one place. Check live rates from Enterprise, Hertz and other nearby suppliers, pick the vehicle that fits your trip and book in minutes so you can drive straight to Lake Lanier, Helen or the North Georgia mountains on your own schedule.
Gainesville has limited rental locations, as there is no major commercial airport of its own.
| Location | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Gainesville City Locations | • No airport fees • Convenient for those staying in Gainesville • Some offer pickup service |
• Limited hours (most open 8AM-5:30PM weekdays) • Smaller selection • Limited weekend hours |
| Lee Gilmer Memorial Airport | • Located in Gainesville • Convenient for private flights |
• Very limited rental services • General aviation only • Not served by commercial airlines |
| Atlanta Airport (ATL) | • Largest selection • 24/7 service • All major companies |
• 60 miles (97 km) from Gainesville • Airport fees add approximately 18% • Traffic when driving to Gainesville |
In Gainesville: Enterprise (Jesse Jewell Parkway), Hertz and possibly smaller local providers
Nearby Options: Additional locations in Flowery Branch, Buford or Cumming if Gainesville locations are fully booked
On average, car rentals in Gainesville cost around $72 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $22 per day.
Compare Gainesville city vs. ATL airport rates: local pickups skip the 18% airport fee and Atlanta traffic, but double-check inventory first.
Grab the Groome shuttle to Gainesville, then rent – the shuttle is about $45 one way and can save more than that in airport surcharges.
Shop nearby towns (Flowery Branch, Buford, Cumming); a 20-minute drive can uncover cheaper cars when Gainesville locations get booked out.
Visiting during summer lake crowds or fall leaf season? Make a free-cancellation booking early, then price-check again a week before arrival for last-minute drops.
| Area | Type | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Gainesville | Street | Free | Time limits in some areas |
| Downtown Gainesville | Public lots | Free | Several around the square |
| Gainesville Square | Parking deck | Free | Near courthouse |
| Shopping centers | Lot | Free | Plenty at retail areas |
| Lake Lanier parks | Park entrance | Fee required | Corps of Engineers recreation areas |
| State parks (nearby) | Park entrance | Fee required | Don Carter State Park, etc. |
Lake area roads: Watch for cyclists, especially on weekends
Mountain driving: Lower speed limits on curvy roads north of town
School zones: Strictly enforced throughout Hall County
Downtown square: One-way traffic pattern around historic courthouse
Move over law: Required when passing stopped emergency vehicles
Rural roads: Watch for farm vehicles in outlying areas
Rent a car to see:
Lake Lanier – parks, marinas, beaches
Helen – village, shops, tubing
Dahlonega – gold museum, wineries, town square
Amicalola Falls State Park – waterfall, trails, lodge
How do I get to Gainesville from Atlanta Airport if I don't want to rent there? Groome Transportation offers a shuttle between ATL and Gainesville for about $44 one-way. You should book a spot ahead of time. When you get to Gainesville, you can rent a car there.
What kind of car is best for driving in the North Georgia mountains? Any standard car can handle the paved mountain roads, but you'll find a car that has more power (like a mid-size car or SUV) is more comfortable on the steep hills. You only need 4WD/AWD in the rare case of winter snow or ice.
Is there anything special I should know about driving near Lake Lanier? You should watch for more traffic near places where you can get to the lake, especially on summer weekends. If you are pulling a boat, make sure you know the rules for the launch ramps and parking at the Corps of Engineers parks.
Can I rent a special or luxury car in Gainesville? You won't find a very big selection there. If you want a special car, we suggest you rent one in Atlanta or a larger suburb.
How hard is the drive from Gainesville to Atlanta during rush hour? In the morning, if you're driving into Atlanta, the trip can take an extra 30 minutes or more. The evening drive back to Gainesville usually adds 15 to 30 minutes. I-985 generally has less traffic than other roads leading to Atlanta.
Are there any good scenic drives near Gainesville? You can take several beautiful drives. Try GA-52 from Dahlonega to Amicalola Falls, US-129 north toward Blairsville (through mountain gaps) and roads around Lake Lanier like Lake Lanier Islands Parkway.
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