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Finding a car rental in Hampton is easier with Road Genius. Compare prices from dozens of suppliers around Virginia with no booking fees. Pick up a cheap rental car downtown for lower rates or grab one at Newport News/Williamsburg (PHF) or Norfolk (ORF) airports and hit I-64 in minutes, giving you the freedom to visit Buckroe Beach, NASA Langley and Colonial Williamsburg on your own schedule.
Car Rental Locations & Options
Key Rental Locations and Options
| Location | Pros | Cons | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hampton City Locations |
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| Newport News/Williamsburg Airport (PHF) |
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| Norfolk International Airport (ORF) |
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Car Rental Prices
Low-cost rental tips
- Price out city vs airport pickups – Hampton storefronts on Mercury Blvd or Coliseum Dr skip the 10 % airport concession fee and are often 10-15 % cheaper. Add the cost of an Uber or hotel shuttle to see if the savings stick.
- Quote both airports anyway – ORF (Norfolk) sometimes beats tiny PHF on base rate even after the 25-30 min drive through the tunnel. Run both options side-by-side before you book.
- Summer crowds = higher rates – Visiting June-Aug, a festival weekend, or a Busch Gardens run? Lock in early. Off-season (Dec-Feb) you can gamble on last-minute discounts.
- Shift your pickup day – Starting on a Tuesday or Wednesday, or stretching to a full 7-day "weekly" plan, can undercut a 5-6 day Sat-to-Thurs rental. Always test a few date combos.
- Stay within Hampton Roads to dodge big one-way fees – Dropping in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, or Williamsburg usually costs little or nothing. Crossing state lines can add $100+.
Car rental prices in Hampton 2025/2026
Parking and Local Driving
| Location | Rates | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Hampton | Metered street parking (variable rates) Paid garages available | Settlers Landing Garage serves downtown area |
| Peninsula Town Center | Free parking | Large shopping center with plenty of spaces |
| Buckroe Beach | Free parking in lots Limited street parking | Gets crowded during summer weekends |
| Hampton Coliseum | Event parking fees vary | Large parking areas around the venue |
| Fort Monroe | Free parking in designated areas | Historic area with waterfront views |
- Standard Virginia rules: Drive on right, seat belts required
- Speed limits:
- Residential areas: 25 mph
- Major arteries (Mercury Blvd, Settlers Landing): 35-45 mph
- Highways (I-64): 55-65 mph
- Watch for pedestrians in downtown and near Hampton University
- HOV-2 restrictions on I-64 during rush hours (6-8 AM eastbound, 4-6 PM westbound)
- Right turn on red permitted after complete stop (unless signed otherwise)
- No handheld phone use while driving
Why rent a car in Hampton
Book a rental to see:
- Fort Monroe
- Buckroe Beach
- Colonial Williamsburg
- Busch Gardens Williamsburg
- Virginia Beach Oceanfront
Local Rental Locations
- Arlington, VA
- Car Rental Alexandria, VA
- Car Rental Norfolk International Airport (ORF)
- Car Rental Richmond International Airport (RIC)
- Charlottesville, VA
- Chesapeake, VA
- CHO Airport
- Fairfax, VA
- Falls Church, VA
- Fredericksburg, VA
- Lynchburg, VA
- Manassas, VA
- Midlothian, VA
- Newport News, VA
- Norfolk, VA
- Portsmouth, VA
- Richmond, VA
- ROA Airport
- Roanoke, VA
- Stafford, VA
- Sterling, VA
- Virginia
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Williamsburg, VA
- Winchester, VA
- Woodbridge, VA
FAQs
What's the best way to avoid Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT) traffic?
If you're driving between the Peninsula and south Hampton Roads, you can take the Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel (I-664) instead. It's a little longer, but it often has less traffic. You should also try to avoid the HRBT during rush hours (6-9 AM and 3-6 PM weekdays) and on summer weekend afternoons.
Do I need a car to visit Hampton?
Yes, we highly recommend you have a car. Hampton has a bus service and you can walk to some downtown spots, but most major attractions are spread out. You'll need a car to get to places like Fort Monroe, Buckroe Beach, the Air and Space Center and nearby cities.
Where can I park at Hampton beaches?
Buckroe Beach has free parking lots, but they fill up fast on summer weekends. You should get there early (before 10 AM) to find a spot. The beaches at Fort Monroe also have free parking, but it can be hard to find a space when it's busy.
Do I need an E-ZPass to drive around Hampton?
Hampton doesn't have any tolls, unlike Norfolk and Portsmouth. But if you plan to drive to South Hampton Roads a lot, you might find an E-ZPass useful for the express lanes and some tunnels there.
What kind of car should I drive in Hampton?
A standard sedan will work for most visitors. The area is flat, the roads are in good shape and finding a parking spot is usually easy. You don't need an SUV for the local roads, but one might be more comfortable if you're a family visiting many places.
Are there any driving rules I should know about in Hampton?
You should watch out for the HOV-2 restrictions on I-64 during rush hour (6-8 AM eastbound and 4-6 PM westbound). Also, you can't enter some parts of Langley Air Force Base and the NASA Langley Research Center.
What's the best way to get to Colonial Williamsburg from Hampton?
You can take I-64 West to exit 238 (Colonial Williamsburg). The drive takes about 30 minutes if there's no traffic. For a prettier drive, you can take the Colonial Parkway from Yorktown to Williamsburg. This route adds about 15 minutes but has beautiful views.
