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Find competitive car rental prices in Portsmouth, VA with Road Genius. Check rates for SUVs, compact cars, passenger vans and reserve with no booking fees. Compare downtown Portsmouth deals with Norfolk International Airport pickups in a single search and view real-time availability from Enterprise, Hertz and other major brands. Drive through the Midtown or Downtown Tunnel to reach Norfolk, Virginia Beach or Colonial Williamsburg on your schedule.
Car Rental Locations & Options
Key Rental Locations and Options
| Location | Pros | Cons | Notes |
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| Portsmouth City Locations |
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| Norfolk International Airport (ORF) |
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| Chesapeake Locations |
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Car Rental Prices
How to pay less?
- Compare city vs airport pickups: Portsmouth or nearby Chesapeake branches skip the 10-20 % airport surcharge; a quick rideshare from ORF often still saves money.
- Tweak the calendar: Mid-week starts or a full 7-day booking can undercut 5–6 day prices. Always run a few date combos on the comparison site before locking in.
- Skip needless toll costs: Plan routes that use the free High Rise Bridge when possible and decline the daily toll transponder if you'll only hit the Downtown/Midtown tunnels once or twice.
- Book the smallest car that fits the crew: Flat roads and tight downtown parking mean a standard sedan is plenty—cheaper rate, cheaper gas.
- Return where you picked up: Keeping drop-off in Portsmouth/Hampton Roads avoids one-way fees that can wipe out any rate savings.
Car rental prices in Portsmouth, VA 2025/2026
Parking and Local Regulations
| Location | Rates | Other Things to Know |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Portsmouth | Metered street parking (variable rates) Middle Street Garage: hourly and daily rates apply | Free street parking on weekends and after 6 PM weekdays |
| Olde Towne | Limited free street parking Paid garages | Time restrictions on some streets |
| Portsmouth Naval Shipyard | Restricted access | Must have valid ID to enter |
| Shopping Centers | Free parking | Victory Crossing and other centers have plenty of space |
| Portsmouth Ferry Lot | Paid parking | For ferry to Norfolk waterfront |
- Standard Virginia rules: Drive on right, seat belts required
- Speed limits:
- Downtown and residential areas: 25 mph
- Major arteries (Frederick Blvd, High Street): 35-45 mph
- Highways (I-264, Western Freeway): 55-65 mph
- Downtown has many one-way streets. Follow GPS carefully
- Multiple tunnels require headlights on at all times when inside
- Right turn on red permitted after a complete stop unless signed otherwise
- No handheld phone use while driving
Why rent a car in Portsmouth
Get a rental car so you can drive to:
- Norfolk – Nauticus, Waterside District
- Virginia Beach – boardwalk, First Landing State Park
- Williamsburg – Colonial Williamsburg, Busch Gardens
- Suffolk – Great Dismal Swamp Refuge
- Richmond – museums, capitol
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
- Hampton, VA
- Lynchburg, VA
- Manassas, VA
- Midlothian, VA
- Newport News, VA
- Norfolk, 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 handle the tolls between Portsmouth and Norfolk?
If you plan to cross multiple times, you should ask your rental company about E-ZPass. If you don't have an E-ZPass, they bill tolls by your license plate at a higher rate. The rental company will then charge you for the tolls and add a processing fee. If you plan to stay only in Portsmouth, you can avoid tolls completely.
Are there any toll-free routes between Portsmouth and Norfolk?
There is no direct toll-free route. You can take the High Rise Bridge to Chesapeake and then I-64 to Norfolk as a toll-free alternative, but this adds about 10-15 minutes to the journey depending on traffic.
What's the best time to travel through the tunnels to avoid congestion?
You should avoid the Downtown and Midtown Tunnels during weekday rush hours (6-9 AM and 3-6 PM). You'll find lighter traffic during midday (10 AM-2 PM). On summer weekends, try to avoid eastbound tunnel traffic on Saturday mornings and westbound on Sunday afternoons.
Do I need to worry about bridge openings affecting my travel time?
Yes, several bridges in the area open for boats. The main one for Portsmouth visitors to know about is the High Rise Bridge. They usually schedule openings outside of rush hours, but you might still face a 15-20 minute delay. You can check local traffic apps for updates.
Is it difficult to drive in downtown Portsmouth?
Driving in downtown Portsmouth can be tricky for first-time visitors because of the many one-way streets. You should use a GPS to find your way and watch for people walking in the Olde Towne historic district. It's relatively easy to park, as you can find spots in multiple garages and on the street.
Can I take a ferry instead of driving between Portsmouth and Norfolk?
Yes, you can take the Elizabeth River Ferry between downtown Portsmouth and Norfolk. It's a great scenic option for people on foot, but it can't replace a car if you want to explore beyond the downtown areas. You could use it for a day trip to Norfolk's waterfront and leave your rental car parked in Portsmouth.
