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Finding a rental car in Poughkeepsie is easier with Road Genius. Compare prices from dozens of suppliers in New York with no reservation fees. Pick up your ride downtown by the train station or at nearby Stewart Airport to visit Hudson Valley wineries, state parks and Route 9 on your own schedule. Road Genius shows live deals on everything from fuel-efficient compacts to AWD SUVs for winter drives down the Taconic.
| Location | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Poughkeepsie City Rentals | • Lower base rates (no airport fees) • Convenient for visitors arriving by train • Located near downtown and Vassar College |
• Limited hours (business hours only) • Smaller vehicle selection • Limited after-hours service |
| Stewart International Airport (SWF) | • Major rental companies on-site • More vehicle options • Extended hours aligned to flight schedules |
• 35 miles (56 km) from Poughkeepsie (around 40-minute drive) • Airport concession fees (around 10%) • Transportation needed to/from Poughkeepsie |
| Westchester County Airport (HPN) | • More flight options than Stewart • Multiple rental companies available |
• 50 miles (80 km) from Poughkeepsie (around 1-hour drive) • Airport fees • Traffic can be heavy on I-684/Taconic Parkway |
On average, car rentals in Poughkeepsie cost around $113 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $29 per day.
Pick up in Poughkeepsie, not the airport. City depots skip the 10% airport concession fee and are steps from the Metro-North station—perfect if you're rolling in by train.
Shift your dates around peak spikes. Hudson Valley foliage (Sep-Oct) and college events send prices soaring. A Tuesday-to-Tuesday or winter-weekend rental can cost 30-40% less than those same days in October.
Check weekly vs daily pricing. On our site a 5-7-day "week" often beats a 4-day rental, so play with length—sometimes an extra day is cheaper.
Return to the same location. Staying within Poughkeepsie avoids one-way drop fees that pop up when you leave the car in NYC or another state.
| Area | Street Parking | Garages/Lots | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Poughkeepsie | • Metered spots (paid) • Some free spots with time limits |
• Municipal garages (Liberty St, Academy St) • Daily parking available |
• Meters enforced Mon-Fri 8 AM-6 PM • Read signs carefully for restrictions |
| Walkway Over the Hudson | • Limited street parking near entrances | • Dedicated lots on both sides | • Lots fill quickly on weekends and holidays • Consider the train station lot (paid) |
| Vassar College Area | • Limited street parking • Time restrictions |
• Visitor lots on campus • Time-limited parking |
• Check campus website for visitor parking • Special event procedures may differ |
| Marist College Area | • Very limited street parking | • Visitor lots require permit • Designated areas only |
• Follow campus regulations • Event parking may be directed to specific lots |
Watch for pedestrians, especially in college areas and downtown
Mid-Hudson Bridge: Eastbound toll only
Options for handling tolls:
Get a rental car to see:
Hyde Park – FDR Home, Vanderbilt Mansion, Culinary Institute of America
Rhinebeck – Dutchess County Fairgrounds, shops, restaurants
New Paltz – Mohonk Preserve, Minnewaska State Park, SUNY New Paltz campus
Beacon – Dia Beacon museum, Mount Beacon trails
Is it better to rent a car in Poughkeepsie or at an airport? If you arrive by train to Poughkeepsie, you'll find city rentals more convenient. If you're flying, Stewart Airport has the closest rental options. Rental places in the city often have lower base rates but they also have more limited hours and a smaller selection of cars. You should think about how you're arriving, your schedule and your budget when you decide.
Do I need an AWD vehicle when visiting Poughkeepsie? If you visit from April through October, a standard 2WD car will be fine for most trips. However, in the winter (November–March), we recommend an AWD/4WD car. You'll especially want one if you plan to drive on the Taconic Parkway or in the mountains during or after a snowfall.
How do I handle the tolls on the Mid-Hudson Bridge and other bridges? You only have to pay a toll on the Mid-Hudson Bridge when you're driving east. In 2024, you'll pay $1.65 if you use E-ZPass NY and $2.15 if you pay through Tolls By Mail. Most rental companies offer toll transponders for a daily fee plus the cost of tolls. If you don't get a transponder, cameras will read your license plate and bill the rental company. The company will then charge your credit card for the toll plus an extra fee.
Can I take a rental car on the Taconic State Parkway? Yes, you can take a rental car on the Taconic State Parkway. However, you can't drive commercial vehicles, trucks or trailers on it. The Taconic is a scenic route, but it can be challenging. It has limited shoulders and some exits don't let you get back on the parkway. Your GPS may not always give you accurate directions for the exits.
What's the best transportation option if I want to visit both Poughkeepsie and New York City? If you want to visit both places, here are a few options: 1) Rent a car in Poughkeepsie to explore the Hudson Valley. Then take the Metro-North train for day trips to NYC to avoid city parking costs. 2) Rent a car for the whole trip and park it at your NYC hotel. This is expensive but can be convenient. 3) Use the Metro-North train for travel between the cities. Then only rent a car for the days you need it in the Hudson Valley. The best choice for you depends on your plans and how much you're willing to pay for parking.
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