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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 Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC). Compare prices and make reservations in one place. Simple. Grab your keys from the counters by baggage claim, then roll onto I-390 for a quick 10-minute hop to downtown or a launch toward the Finger Lakes and Niagara Falls. Book early to lock in low airport rates and the vehicle type that fits Rochester's snowy winters or summer road-tripping.
| Company | Location | Hours | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alamo | Terminal, near baggage claim | Around 5am-1am daily | Counter in arrivals area |
| Avis | Terminal, near baggage claim | Around 5am-1:30am daily | Counter in arrivals area |
| Budget | Terminal, near baggage claim | Around 5am-1:30am daily | Counter in arrivals area |
| Dollar | Terminal, near baggage claim | Around 7am-11pm daily | Counter in arrivals area |
| Enterprise | Terminal, near baggage claim | Around 5am-1am daily | Counter in arrivals area |
| Hertz | Terminal, near baggage claim | Around 5am-1am daily | Counter in arrivals area |
| National | Terminal, near baggage claim | Around 5am-1am daily | Counter in arrivals area |
| Thrifty | Terminal, near baggage claim | Around 7am-11pm daily | Counter in arrivals area |
Facility Layout: All rental counters are located in the terminal near the baggage claim area. Rental vehicles are parked in a garage next to the terminal—no shuttle is needed. The entire process from leaving the plane to driving away is streamlined and efficient.
On average, car rentals at Greater Rochester Airport cost around $60 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $32 per day.
Compare airport vs downtown pickup: ROC tacks on an 11 % concession fee plus a daily facility charge. If you're staying in the city, a cheaper downtown rental plus a $20 rideshare from the terminal can beat the airport total.
Dodge price spikes around local events: Rates jump during Lilac Festival, Jazz Fest and college move-in/graduation (late Aug & May). Shifting your rental by a day or two can drop the price noticeably.
Only lock in early for summer & foliage season: June-Oct sees genuine sell-outs. Outside those months ROC prices often fall last-minute, so set alerts and rebook if a better deal pops up.
Check weekly vs daily math: At ROC seven days can cost less than five thanks to discounted weekly bundles—always run both options in the search.
Skip the toll gizmo if you're staying local: I-390, I-490 and city roads are toll-free. Declining the $6/day transponder is fine unless you plan big mileage on the I-90 Thruway.
Refuel on Brooks Ave or Chili Ave: Gas stations five minutes from the garage save you the sky-high rental company refill rate.
| Feature | Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nearby Toll Roads | NY State Thruway (I-90) | About 5-10 miles south of airport |
| Toll Collection | Cashless system (E-ZPass or Tolls By Mail) | No physical toll booths |
| Rental Toll Options | Rental transponders available; daily surcharge may apply | Consider if using I-90 extensively |
| Local Toll-Free Routes | I-390, I-490, I-590 | Major Rochester highways are toll-free |
Toll Management Strategies:
Book a car rental so you can easily:
Downtown Rochester – Strong Museum of Play, Rochester Museum & Science Center
Finger Lakes region – Canandaigua Lake, wineries
Niagara Falls – American Falls viewpoints, observation tower
Letchworth State Park – Genesee River gorge, waterfalls
Lake Ontario shoreline – Charlotte Beach, Lake Ontario Parkway vistas
Erie Canal towns – Pittsford, Fairport shops and cafés
How long does the rental pickup process take at ROC Airport?
Picking up your car usually takes 10-20 minutes, from the time you get to the counter to when you drive away. During busy times like late afternoon, evening and Sunday evening arrivals, it might take you 20-30 minutes. Because Rochester is a medium-sized airport, the rental staff works pretty fast.
Is there a shuttle to the rental car area at ROC Airport?
No, you won't need a shuttle. You can find all the rental counters inside the terminal near baggage claim. The rental cars are parked right next door in the garage, so you can easily walk to them. This makes the whole process easier than at airports with faraway rental lots.
What's the best strategy for returning a rental car when flying out of ROC?
You should plan for about 20 minutes to return the car. Just follow the signs for "Rental Car Return" in the parking garage. After you drop off the car, it's a short walk to the terminal. If you need to fill up the tank, you'll find gas stations on Brooks Avenue and Chili Avenue near the airport.
Can I pick up a rental car after a late-night arrival?
Most rental companies change their hours to match the flight schedules. For very late arrivals, however, you may need to make special plans. If your flight gets in late, you should call your rental company ahead of time to make sure the counter will be open or to arrange another way to get your car.
What's the most efficient route from ROC Airport to downtown Rochester?
The quickest way is to take I-390 North to I-490 East. The drive is about 6 miles (10 km) and usually takes 10-15 minutes, depending on traffic. You can also take local roads like Brooks Avenue to Mt. Hope Avenue, but these routes are usually slower.
Do I need an AWD vehicle if visiting Rochester in winter?
You don't absolutely need one, but we recommend you get a vehicle with All-Wheel Drive (AWD) from December through March. Rochester gets over 80 inches (203 cm) of snow a year on average, and lake-effect storms can make driving tricky. Crews keep the major roads in good shape, but an AWD vehicle gives you extra peace of mind, especially if you are not used to driving in the snow.
What are the options for driving to Niagara Falls from ROC Airport?
The fastest way to get there is to take I-390 North to I-490 West to I-90 West and then I-190 North. The drive takes about 1.5 hours. If you'd rather have a scenic drive, you can take the Lake Ontario State Parkway along the shoreline for part of the way. This adds about 30 minutes to your trip.
Are there any car rental discounts available for ROC Airport?
Yes, you can find a few ways to get a discount. Companies offer AAA member discounts, corporate rates and deals for people connected to a university (like the University of Rochester or RIT). Many rental companies also give you discounts through their loyalty programs, which are free to join. You can check the company websites or call them directly to ask what discounts they have.
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