Car Rental Round Rock, TX

FAQs

What's the best way to handle Austin traffic from Round Rock?

You should plan your Austin trips outside of rush hour. Try to avoid southbound I-35 from 6:30-9 AM and northbound from 4-7 PM. You can use the SH-130 toll road to get to east Austin or the airport, as it usually has less traffic than I-35. I-35 doesn't have special HOV or express lanes right now, but you can use the managed lanes on MoPac (Loop 1) and other roads to save time. You can also get to many places in downtown Austin using the frontage road exits, which are often less crowded than the main highway lanes.

Do I need to pay for tolls when driving around Round Rock?

You'll find several toll roads in the Round Rock area, including SH-45 (east-west) and SH-130 (north-south, east of Round Rock). On these roads, you can only pay tolls electronically since they don't have cash booths. If you rent a car, it will probably have a toll transponder. The company will bill the tolls to your credit card and add a daily service fee (around $3.95-$9.99). You can take free alternate routes, but they might add a lot of travel time, especially if you're going to the airport or east Austin.

Is parking difficult to find in Round Rock?

You can find plenty of free parking all over Round Rock. In historic downtown, you can park for free on the street or in small lots, but some spots have 2-3 hour time limits during business hours. All the shopping centers, including Round Rock Premium Outlets and La Frontera, offer lots of free parking. You'll only have to pay for parking during events at Dell Diamond baseball stadium ($5-10) or for certain special events.

What type of vehicle is best for exploring Round Rock and surrounding areas?

A standard sedan will work fine for most Round Rock attractions and Austin day trips. If you plan to visit the Texas Hill Country, Lake Travis or other rural areas, you might prefer a small SUV. It can be more comfortable on rougher roads and gives you space for outdoor gear. If you visit in the summer, you'll want a car that has good air conditioning, no matter what type you choose.

How far in advance should I book a rental car in Round Rock?

Usually, you should book your rental car 2-3 weeks before your trip. However, if you're visiting during a major Austin event like SXSW in March, ACL Festival in October, Formula 1 races or UT football games, you should book 1-2 months ahead. This is because rental cars get hard to find and the prices go way up.

Are there any good day trips from Round Rock using a rental car?

You can easily take day trips from Round Rock because of its location. Popular options include: Austin (20-25 minutes) for city attractions; San Marcos (45 minutes) for outlet shopping and river activities; Fredericksburg (90 minutes) for German heritage and wineries; New Braunfels (60 minutes) for Schlitterbahn water park and Gruene Historic District and Lake Travis (40 minutes) for water recreation.

What's the parking situation in downtown Austin when visiting from Round Rock?

You'll find that parking in downtown Austin is harder and more expensive than in Round Rock. Parking garages usually charge $2-5 per hour or $10-25 for the whole day. If you park on the street, you have to pay a meter and the city strictly enforces the rules. It can also be hard to find an open spot. When you visit Austin, it's a good idea to park in a garage near your main destination. To avoid parking problems during special events, some people park at a MetroRail station north of Austin and take the train downtown.