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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 offers at Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA). Compare rates and book in one place. Simple. Steps from the gate, pick up your ride without a shuttle and hit I-581 toward downtown Roanoke, Virginia Tech or the Blue Ridge Parkway. See live prices from Avis, Budget, Hertz, Enterprise and other major brands and lock in a low rate in minutes.
| Feature | Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rental Counter Location | Near baggage claim in the compact terminal | Agencies include Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, National/Alamo |
| Operating Hours | Approximately 6-7 AM until the last flight (around 11 PM) | Late arrivals should confirm arrangements in advance |
| Car Pickup Location | Adjacent parking lot just outside the terminal | No shuttle needed - short walk to vehicles |
| Pickup Process | Complete paperwork at counter, then walk to car lot | Lines rarely long due to staggered flight arrivals |
| Return Location | Same parking lot - follow "Rental Car Return" signs | Easy returns - park and bring keys inside |
On average, car rentals at Roanoke Airport cost around $75 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $36 per day.
Compare airport vs city desks: ROA's airport surcharge is mild but downtown Roanoke or Salem counters can still undercut it. Check both spots before you commit.
Leaf-peeper alert: October rates jump for fall foliage drives. Lock in early for that month; in January or February you can sometimes book the night before and pay half.
Pick up Tue–Wed, drop Sun–Mon: mid-week rentals dodge the weekend spike tied to Virginia Tech games and lake getaways.
Go small, save big: Blue Ridge Parkway is fully paved. A compact or midsize costs less up front and sips less gas than an SUV you don't really need.
| Type | Location | Rates | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short-Term | Adjacent to terminal | Hourly rates | Most convenient for quick pickup/dropoff |
| Long-Term | Main lot | Daily rates | For travelers leaving personal vehicles |
Get a car to easily:
Downtown Roanoke – museums, Market Square dining
Salem – baseball stadium, Main Street shops
Blacksburg & Virginia Tech – campus, sports venues
Blue Ridge Parkway (Adney Gap access) – overlooks, trailheads
How early should I arrive to return my rental car before my flight?
ROA is a small airport, so arriving 60–90 minutes before your domestic flight should be enough time. Returning your car is fast, usually taking 5–10 minutes.
Are there fees for after-hours returns?
Most rental companies let you return a car after hours using a key drop. They usually don't charge an extra fee for this, but you should take photos of the car for your records if the counter is closed.
Can I get picked up at my hotel instead of the airport?
Enterprise may be able to pick you up from hotels in the Roanoke area. You should contact them directly to arrange this service. Whether they can do this depends on your location and their availability.
Does ROA offer one-way rentals to Washington DC or other cities?
Yes, you can rent a car for a one-way trip, but the rental company may charge you an extra drop-off fee. Popular trips include driving the Blue Ridge Parkway to Charlottesville or heading to Washington DC airports.
What happens if my flight is canceled or significantly delayed?
You should contact your rental company right away. ROA is a smaller airport that has fewer cars available, so the company needs to know about your schedule change to hold a car for you.
Do I need an SUV or special vehicle for driving in the Blue Ridge Mountains?
A regular car is fine for standard roads like the Blue Ridge Parkway. If you are traveling in winter or plan to drive on unpaved forest roads, you should consider an SUV so you have more ground clearance.
Can I find automatic transmission vehicles at ROA?
Yes, almost every rental car in the United States, including at ROA, has an automatic transmission. Rental companies in America rarely have cars with manual transmissions.
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