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Road Genius makes it easy to find great car rental deals in Waldorf, Maryland. Compare rates and book in one place. Pick up a car from Enterprise, Hertz, Budget or other major brands at Waldorf Town Center, along the US-301 corridor or at nearby Reagan National Airport and you'll be on the road to Washington DC, National Harbor or Chesapeake Bay in under an hour.

Car Rental Locations & Options

Map of campervan rental depots near 598154
Location Pros Cons
Waldorf Town Center
  • Convenient to hotels
  • No airport fees
  • Better rates than DC area
  • Limited hours (usually 8AM-6PM)
  • Smaller vehicle selection
  • Limited weekend hours
US-301 Corridor
  • Multiple rental companies
  • Good selection of vehicles
  • Easy highway access
  • Transportation needed to rental location
  • Busy traffic area
  • Limited after-hours service
Reagan National Airport (DCA)
  • 24/7 operations
  • Largest vehicle selection
  • Multiple companies to compare
  • 28 miles (45 km) from Waldorf
  • Airport surcharges
  • DC traffic when traveling to/from
Branch Avenue Metro
  • Metro accessible
  • Lower rates than airport
  • Easier access to DC
  • 12 miles (19 km) from Waldorf
  • Limited providers
  • Limited hours

Additional Notes:

  • Major providers in Waldorf include Enterprise, Hertz and Budget/Avis.
  • Limited transportation options to rental locations for those without a car.
  • Weekend availability can be limited; advance reservations recommended.

Car Rental Prices

How much does it cost to rent a car in Waldorf?

On average, car rentals in Waldorf cost around $68 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $24 per day.

How to pay less?
  • Pick up in Waldorf, not at DCA Town Center or US-301 branches skip airport surcharges and DC taxes, often cutting $15-30 a day.

  • Bounce between nearby locations when you search Branch Avenue Metro, Town Center, and US-301 can show different prices on the same day, so run them all before you book.

  • Aim for a full-week booking if you're staying 5+ days In Waldorf a 7-day rate frequently beats 5-6 individual days, especially outside peak summer and holiday weekends.

  • Travel off-peak when you can Rates drop in January–February and mid-week; moving pickup from Friday to Tuesday can mean an instant discount.

  • Downsize the car class Compact and standard sedans are plentiful here and usually run $10+ less per day than SUVs while handling US-301 just fine.

  • Sign up for the free loyalty programs before checkout They unlock Waldorf-only promo codes and the occasional free upgrade that won't show up in a public search.

Parking and Driving

Parking Option Rates Hours Tips
Shopping Centers (St. Charles Town Center) Free During business hours Plenty of spaces for shopping
Restaurant/Business Parking Free During business hours For customers only
Branch Avenue Metro Paid weekdays
Free weekends
4:30AM-midnight weekdays Good park-and-ride option for DC trips
DC Daily Parking Garages Daily rate Varies by garage More economical than hourly street parking

Local Driving Rules:

  • Charles County uses speed cameras, especially in school zones.
  • Right turn on red is allowed after a complete stop unless signed otherwise.
  • Maryland's Move Over Law requires drivers to change lanes or slow down when passing emergency vehicles.
  • Hands-free phone use only while driving is allowed; texting while driving is prohibited.

Seasonal Considerations:

  • Summer tourism creates increased traffic to Southern Maryland beaches on MD-4/MD-2.
  • Winter storms occasionally impact road conditions. Main arteries are cleared quickly.
  • DC cherry blossom season (late March to early April) increases northbound traffic.
Why rent a car in Waldorf

Rent a car to get to:

  • Washington DC – monuments, museums

  • National Harbor – shopping, dining, MGM Casino

  • Chesapeake Beach & North Beach – boardwalk, beaches, marina

  • Solomons Island – waterfront, restaurants, Calvert Marine Museum

  • Annapolis – State House, US Naval Academy, harbor

Driving Distances from Waldorf

FAQs

Is Waldorf a good base for exploring Washington DC? You'll find more affordable places to stay in Waldorf than in DC, and you can still get to the city in about 35 to 60 minutes depending on traffic. It's a good choice for visitors who like suburban areas and don't mind the drive into DC.

What's the best way to get to DC from Waldorf? If you don't want to drive into DC, you can use the Branch Avenue Metro station, about 12 miles (19 km) from Waldorf. It has park-and-ride lots for your car. If you do drive, the main routes are MD-5 to Branch Avenue or US-301 to MD-210, but you should expect heavy traffic during rush hour.

Are there any scenic drives from Waldorf worth taking? You can take several scenic drives from Waldorf. MD-224 to Nanjemoy gives you rural river views. MD-6 west toward Port Tobacco has historic sites and countryside. MD-4 to North Beach and Chesapeake Beach leads to the bay and waterfront towns.

How is parking in Waldorf? You can find plenty of free parking at most commercial centers in Waldorf. The St. Charles Towne Center mall and most shopping plazas along US-301 have large parking lots. Street parking is limited, but you can find it in some areas.

Are there any toll roads I should know about? You'll pay an electronic toll to cross the Nice–Middleton Bridge (US-301) into Virginia. The toll is currently about $6 for a regular car that has an E-ZPass. If you take I-95 to Northern Virginia, the Express Lanes have tolls that change based on traffic. Otherwise, most roads from Waldorf are free.

What should I know about driving to Southern Maryland beaches? MD-4 is the main road to get to Chesapeake Beach, North Beach and other places in Calvert County. You'll find more traffic on summer weekends, especially going south on Saturday mornings and north on Sunday afternoons. You should plan for extra travel time during these busy times.

Is winter driving difficult in the Waldorf area? Southern Maryland usually gets less snow than places to the north and west. Road crews clear the main highways like US-301 and MD-5 quickly after it snows. They may take longer to clear the side roads. If you visit in the winter, you should check the weather forecast and allow for extra travel time after a storm.