Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority (EMT) manages the city’s transit buses, the downtown circulator, and the Bayliner Trolley that you can use to get around the city cheaply. Like in any other city, EMT facilities have the limitation of pre-decided routes and schedules that Erie car rentals help you break free from. Besides enjoying a luxury experience with car rentals in Erie, you’ll be able to explore the city as you wish. For instance, renting a car will allow you to visit key sites, such as the Erie Zoo, Presque Isle State Park, Asbury Woods, among other places within and further from the city. You can also rush to urgent meetings and take impromptu detours without the added stress of waiting to catch a certain bus and finding your way around the city on foot.
Erie International Airport is six miles from the central business district of Erie. For convenience, the car rental center is located on the airport’s premises. There are various Erie car rentals in the rental center, including Avis, Enterprise, Alamo, Budget, Hertz, Easirent, National, and Sunnycars. The rental representatives can be found at the counters near the boarding gate, where you’ll be given the rental car’s keys and proceed to pick the car at the baggage claim area. The aforementioned rental companies also provide shuttle buses that’ll pick you up at the terminal and take you to nearby off-airport locations.
Erie is common with jaywalking and cyclists who aren’t keen on following traffic rules, so be cautious when driving around. To maintain highway safety, the Department of Transport responsible for the city roads may restrict vehicles from using certain roads or temporally lower speed limits due to winter conditions. Always be vigilant for such restrictions. It’s challenging to drive in the winter, as the roads tend to be slippery and with limited visibility. When driving in such conditions, give trailers space, drive slowly, and pay attention to people.
During a normal workweek, rush hour in Erie begins at around 6:30am and peaks from around 7:30am to 8am. Congestion starts clearing slowly, and the traffic starts moving normally at around 8:30am. It then slows down again at around 5pm, comes to a standstill at around 6pm, starts moving by around 7pm, and clears around 7:30pm. To avoid wasting an hour or so in the traffic, leave earlier or wait until the traffic congestion clears after the peak hours. Avoid Interstate 90, the 1-79, and the freeways altogether during rush hours.
Whether going to Erie for a summer holiday or a business trip, this city has too much to explore. Erie car rentals offer an unmatched option to fulfill your desired commitments and attend different gateways inside and outside the city center timely. You don't have to don't get stranded searching for exclusive car rentals if you want to access Erie from Altoona or Exton rail stations. In these rail stations, you have unlimited options to choose exclusive cheap car rentals in Erie from Hertz, SIXT, Avis, and Europcar. The distance between Altoona rail station to Erie city center is 202 Miles and 3hr 45min drive using US-422 E or I-79 S highways. Exton rail station to Erie is 25 miles away, implying you need the utmost 39 minutes to drive downtown.
Cheap car rentals in Erie allow you to meet your goals and have enough time to visit different tourist destinations. For example, you can visit Erie maritime museum positioned at Presque Isle bay downtown, only 9 minutes’ drive through Holland St and Parade St. You can unwind your engaging business day by visiting Waldameer Park and water world located only 4 miles and 10 minutes’ drive from the city center. Niagara Falls isn't a place to miss while in Erie, and it's located 116.6 miles away, only 2hr drive through I-90E.
Erie hosts well-developed pedestrians-only streets to avoid road inconveniences caused by pedestrians to vehicles. As a driver, you are not expected to drive through these zones, and violating this traffic code can be fined no more than $25. Some of the pedestrian-only streets in Erie worth knowing about are the West 8th street corridor positioned between Greengarden Road and Pittsburgh Avenue. Erie Boulevard pedestrian zone is located on Westmoreland Avenue from East Fayette Street.
Book your rental car in Erie at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
Full-size rental cars in Erie are around 36% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in Erie
What type of car is recommended for driving in Erie?
Car rentals in Erie provide perfect ways to explore Erie. If you’re driving alone in the CDB, a compact or mid-range car will be just fine. If you want to travel and explore further away from the town, say, travel to places like Lake Erie, you may want to choose a 4WD vehicle.
What’s the speed limit in Erie?
Unless posted otherwise, drive below 25mph in nearly all Erie’s streets. For freeways and interstates under the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, the speed limits keep changing from place to place and at times temporarily lowered due to adverse winter weather conditions. For example, during winter, the speed limit of some portion of Interstates 79 and 80 may be dropped to 45mph.
Where are the best places to park in Erie?
Parking in Erie is hassle-free, and the charges are more reasonable. Erie Parking Authority manages all on-street maters, which are about 1400 distributed across the city. Costs range from around $0.25/20min to $0.25/h depending on location, further from the CBD being cheaper. The parking meters are programmed to accept either the American quarters or tokens. If they malfunction, you can pay online using a mobile application, MeterEZ.
How much is gas price in Erie?
The average gas price in Erie is C$ 4.71 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a gas tank costs between C$ 57 and C$ 75, depending on the car size.
What is the most popular rental car in Erie?
Compact (Nissan Versa or similar) is the most frequently booked rental car type in Erie.
A Compact car rental in Erie costs C$ 104 per day, on average.
How much does an Economy car rental cost in Erie?
An Economy car rental in Erie costs C$ 104 per day, on average.
How much does an Intermediate car rental cost in Erie?
An Intermediate car rental in Erie costs C$ 155 per day, on average.
Can I cancel, modify or extend my car rentals in Erie reservation?
Yes, you can cancel, extend, or modify your booking using the Erie car rental's phone, website, or mobile app, and often at no fee. There are also numerous locations for car rental outlets in this city, where you can drive through for cancellations, modifications, or extensions. In addition, car rental agencies like Alamo, Enterprise, and Budget have free cancellation policies.
Are there toll roads in Erie, Pennsylvania?
The most renowned toll road in Pennsylvania is PA Turnpike. To access Erie conveniently using this toll, use Route I-90. Toll pay is cashless, and you can only pay with an E-Z pass or by toll plate, which in most instances is organized by your chosen car rental provider.
Given a car with horrible perfume embedded in it and a leaky tire that had a nail in it. Had to delay trip after calling 800 number because they would only send roadside assistance after 7:30pm. Three thumbs down.
4.0 Mediocre
Anonymous, Sep 2022
I landed at Erie international in my private plane. I got a ride to the terminal. The Budget desk in the terminal was dark. I asked the adjacent rental desk attendant about where the Budget attendant might be and was told probably washing cars. I turned away and purple by chance saw a young woman hunched down behind the counter in the dark texting or playing a game on her phone. I got her attention. She was reluctant and sullen as I disturbed her. She said I didn’t have a reservation and she had no cars. I said I have my reservation number, she said my reservation was for the off site Budget rental dealer about 1/2 mile away. I had to walk there. As I arrived this same woman arrived at the Budget operation I had just walked to, driving a car. Not good customer service. She could have offered me a ride. She could have been more accommodating. The operation seems to be operating in survival mode. Will rent elsewhere on my next trip to Erie PA. Car was fine.
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