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Compare rental cars from top brands in Lancaster, Ohio with Road Genius. From small economy cars to premium SUVs and minivans, you'll find vehicles at low prices in convenient locations. Pick up your ride in downtown Lancaster on Columbus Street or land at Columbus Airport and cruise US-33 straight to Hocking Hills. Book early for the busy fall foliage season to lock in lower rates and the SUV you want for the region's winding rural roads.
Lancaster does not have a commercial airport. Visitors usually arrive via Columbus and then drive to Lancaster or rent directly from local offices in Lancaster.
| Location | Pros | Cons | Notes |
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| Lancaster City Locations |
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| Columbus Airport (CMH) |
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In Lancaster: Hertz and Enterprise have local offices.
Compare Lancaster city pickups vs. CMH airport: Local desks avoid airport surcharges and usually win on base rate. Still run a quote for CMH—during the October leaf-peeper rush the airport's bigger fleet can undercut sold-out city stock.
Tweak your dates: Starting Monday–Thursday or stretching to a 7-day "weekly" rate often costs less than a 3-4 day weekend rental.
Test round-trip vs. one-way: Fees for Lancaster → Columbus drop in some seasons. Price both options before you decide.
Skip the unnecessary upgrade: Compacts handle Lancaster streets and Hocking Hills parking lots just fine. Unless you truly need extra cargo space, pocket the SUV premium.
Downtown: Free street parking, though some spots have time limits
Public Lots: Several free public lots around downtown
Shopping Areas: Plenty of free spaces at River Valley Mall and shopping centers
Event Days: Special events at the fairgrounds may have dedicated paid spaces
Speed Limits:
School Zones: 20 mph when lights flashing
US-33: Major divided highway that has limited access points
Navigation: Downtown follows a grid pattern, while outlying areas have more winding roads
Rural Roads: Watch for farm equipment during planting and harvest seasons
Book a rental to drive to:
Hocking Hills State Park – caves, waterfalls
Buckeye Lake – lake recreation
Athens – Ohio University campus
Wayne National Forest – trail network
What type of vehicle is best for exploring Hocking Hills? We recommend an SUV or crossover for exploring Hocking Hills because you'll find some gravel parking areas and rural roads. Standard cars can get to all the main attractions, but a vehicle that sits higher off the ground will give you more options.
Are there any driving restrictions in Hocking Hills State Park? You can reach all the main attractions in Hocking Hills on paved or well-kept roads. Your rental agreement will usually let you drive on maintained gravel roads but will not allow off-road driving. You should stay on marked roads and in parking areas.
Is it possible to rent a car in Lancaster and return it in Columbus? Yes, you can usually arrange a one-way rental from Lancaster to Columbus through Enterprise or Hertz, since both companies have offices in these cities. When you book, check for any one-way fees. The rules can change and sometimes they waive the fees for returns inside Ohio.
How difficult is the drive to Hocking Hills for international visitors? To get to Hocking Hills, you will drive on rural two-lane roads that get curvy as you near the park. If you are visiting from another country, you should use a GPS for directions, drive carefully on curves and know that some roads don't have much of a shoulder. The drive is not too hard, but you need to pay attention.
When is the best time to visit Hocking Hills by car? You'll find less traffic if you visit on weekdays and during non-holiday times. The fall color season from early to mid-October has amazing views but also has the most traffic. If you visit in the winter, you'll see unique ice formations, but you'll need to be more careful on roads that might be slippery.
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