What type of car is recommended when driving in Wilmington?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer as to the type of car rental at Wilmington New Hanover County Airport recommended for driving in Wilmington city. We recommend a compact or economical car if you're looking for a budget-friendly option. These types of cars are typically very fuel-efficient, which is ideal for city driving. A SUV or minivan would be a good option to rent if you need a car that can accommodate a large family or group of friends. If you're looking for a luxury car, there are a number of high-end options that are well-suited for driving in Wilmington city. Also, if you’re looking for features that will make your driving experience easier, get cars with features such as automatic parking or adaptive cruise control.

Where are the best places to park in Wilmington?

In Wilmington, there are a few different options for parking. On and off-street metered parking is available in various locations throughout Wilmington. The city hosts around 975 metered parking lots, typically paid by the hour. Off-street public parking is also available in Wilmington. This parking is typically more affordable than metered parking. Several public parking lots are located on Market Street (115 Market Street) and 2nd Street (114 North 2nd Street). Other areas to access affordable parking include Wilmington Convention Center Parking Deck and River Place Parking Deck. Another option is to park at your hotel, where they will most likely provide customers with free parking.

What’s the speed limit in Wilmington?

The speed limit in Wilmington is 35 miles per hour unless otherwise posted. You will also find that Wilmington has a variety of speed limits depending on the location. Within the city, the speed limit is generally 25 mph unless posted otherwise. However, there are certain areas where the speed limit may be higher, such as on freeways or highways with 70 MPH. Additionally, the speed limit may be lower in school zones or areas with heavy pedestrian traffic. When driving outside incorporated municipalities, the speed limit is 55 MPH. Be sure to pay attention to the posted speed limit to avoid getting pulled over.

Which car rental companies will pick you up at Wilmington New Hanover County airport?

Car rental companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from Wilmington New Hanover County airport to off-airport locations include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Hertz, National, and Thrifty.

Car Rental at Wilmington New Hanover County airport from C$ 79/day

Driver's age: 25-65

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Car Rental Deals

Chevrolet Spark

or similar Small

4-5

C$ 79/day

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Kia Soul

or similar Small

4-5

C$ 81/day

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Toyota Corolla

or similar Medium

2/4

C$ 85/day

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Honda Accord

or similar Medium

4-5

C$ 100/day

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Chevrolet Malibu

or similar Large

4-5

C$ 91/day

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Chrysler Pacifica

or similar Van

4-5

C$ 116/day

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Class Full-size SUV

or similar SUV

4-5

C$ 231/day

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Class Premium Crossover

or similar Luxury

2/4

C$ 114/day

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Ford F-150

or similar Pickup Truck

2/4

C$ 127/day

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Class Special Car

or similar Category

2/4

C$ 83/day

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Nissan Juke

or similar SUV

4-5

C$ 95/day

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Class Intermediate SUV

or similar SUV

4-5

C$ 102/day

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Chevrolet Equinox

or similar SUV

4-5

C$ 102/day

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Booking Insights

KAYAK’s insights & trends for Wilmington New Hanover County Airport car rentals

Check out the latest trends and booking tips to rent a car in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport with confidence.

How far in advance should you book a rental car in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport?

You should book your rental car in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport around 0 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.

What is the most popular rental car in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport?

Rentals in the SUV category (GMC Yukon or similar) are the most popular option in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport, costing C$ 105/day on average. Some users have found deals as low as C$ 81/day.

What is the cheapest month to rent a car in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport?

The cheapest month to rent a car in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport is January at an average cost of C$ 66/day. July is the most expensive month to rent a car in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport when prices are C$ 84/day on average, which tends to be 18% above the yearly average rental price for Wilmington New Hanover County Airport.

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Wilmington New Hanover County Airport car rental price comparison by vehicle type

Find the right rental car in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport by comparing prices across vehicle types.

Small

Medium

Large

SUV

Van

Pickup Truck

Luxury

	Small cars	C$ 59 - C$ 96
	All Car Types	C$ 104 - C$ 153

How much does it cost to rent a small car in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport?

How much does it cost to rent a medium car in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport?

How much does it cost to rent a large car in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport?

How much does it cost to rent an SUV in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport?

How much does it cost to rent a van in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport?

How much does it cost to rent a pickup truck in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport?

How much does it cost to rent a luxury car in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport?

Small car rentals in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport typically cost around C$ 76 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average C$ 59 per day, which is about 23% less than the yearly average. Small cars are usually 38% cheaper than the average rental in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport, making them ideal for budget-conscious travellers.

Medium car rentals in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport typically cost around C$ 111 per day. The best time to book is December, when prices average C$ 89 per day, which is about 20% less than the yearly average. Medium cars are usually 9% cheaper than the average rental in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport, offering a good balance of space and value.

Large car rentals in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport typically cost around C$ 122 per day. The best time to book is December, when prices average C$ 98 per day, which is about 20% less than the yearly average. Large cars are typically 1% more expensive than the average rental in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport but offer more comfort for longer trips.

SUV rentals in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport typically cost around C$ 117 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average C$ 96 per day, which is about 18% less than the yearly average. SUVs can be 4% cheaper than the average rental in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport, providing extra space and capability for groups or road trips at a reasonable price.

Van rentals in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport typically cost around C$ 222 per day. The best time to book is April, when prices average C$ 111 per day, which is about 50% less than the yearly average. Vans are typically 46% more expensive than the average rental in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport but are the best choice for families or groups needing maximum passenger capacity.

Pickup truck rentals in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport typically cost around C$ 111 per day. The best time to book is November, when prices average C$ 82 per day, which is about 27% less than the yearly average. Pickup trucks are 9% cheaper than the average rental in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport, making them a practical choice for hauling gear or outdoor adventures.

Luxury car rentals in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport typically cost around C$ 155 per day. The best time to book is February, when prices average C$ 114 per day, which is about 27% less than the yearly average. Luxury cars are typically 22% more expensive than the average rental in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport but deliver premium comfort and style for special occasions.

Most popular car type
Medium

Car rental in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport (ILM) is a convenient way to get around the city. You can choose the type of car you want, such as a luxury car, a smaller car, or a car with different features, such as GPS systems and sunroofs. To fully explore some areas like Fort Fisher, a car rental would help you explore the 288 acres of seashore and the 6 miles of protected shoreline. With your own set of wheels, you can take your trip to Fisher even further to the Fort Fisher State Historic Site.
Getting a car rental in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport is easy and convenient. The airport has one terminal and eight gates. The Wilmington New Hanover County Airport car rental companies include Hertz, Budget, Avis, etc, are located inside the terminal. Follow the signs that direct you to the Ground Transportation Building. Counters offering car rental services can be found right inside that structure. From the baggage claim, you will walk for around 5 to 10 minutes to the car rental counters.
Driving in Wilmington is generally easy and convenient. The city is well-connected and has a good network of roads. However, congestion can be a problem during peak hours. Parking can also be difficult to find, especially in the downtown area. When driving between sunset and sunrise or using your windshield wipers in inclement weather, you are required to turn on your headlights. Also, drivers must turn on their headlights when they can't see more than 400 feet ahead of them.
When operating a motor vehicle in Wilmington, drivers can make right turns at red lights after coming to a complete stop unless otherwise indicated by road signs. Turns to the left on a red light are prohibited. Avoid lane changes and increase your visibility by turning on your headlights when driving near construction sites. In addition, you should not talk on the phone or listen to the radio when driving in a work zone.
Book your rental car at Wilmington New Hanover County airport at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price

What type of car is recommended when driving in Wilmington?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer as to the type of car rental at Wilmington New Hanover County Airport recommended for driving in Wilmington city. We recommend a compact or economical car if you're looking for a budget-friendly option. These types of cars are typically very fuel-efficient, which is ideal for city driving. A SUV or minivan would be a good option to rent if you need a car that can accommodate a large family or group of friends. If you're looking for a luxury car, there are a number of high-end options that are well-suited for driving in Wilmington city. Also, if you’re looking for features that will make your driving experience easier, get cars with features such as automatic parking or adaptive cruise control.
Where are the best places to park in Wilmington?
In Wilmington, there are a few different options for parking. On and off-street metered parking is available in various locations throughout Wilmington. The city hosts around 975 metered parking lots, typically paid by the hour. Off-street public parking is also available in Wilmington. This parking is typically more affordable than metered parking. Several public parking lots are located on Market Street (115 Market Street) and 2nd Street (114 North 2nd Street). Other areas to access affordable parking include Wilmington Convention Center Parking Deck and River Place Parking Deck. Another option is to park at your hotel, where they will most likely provide customers with free parking.
What’s the speed limit in Wilmington?
The speed limit in Wilmington is 35 miles per hour unless otherwise posted. You will also find that Wilmington has a variety of speed limits depending on the location. Within the city, the speed limit is generally 25 mph unless posted otherwise. However, there are certain areas where the speed limit may be higher, such as on freeways or highways with 70 MPH. Additionally, the speed limit may be lower in school zones or areas with heavy pedestrian traffic. When driving outside incorporated municipalities, the speed limit is 55 MPH. Be sure to pay attention to the posted speed limit to avoid getting pulled over.
Which car rental companies will pick you up at Wilmington New Hanover County airport?
Car rental companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from Wilmington New Hanover County airport to off-airport locations include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Hertz, National, and Thrifty.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

9.8

Wonderful

Best rated

Cleanliness

9.6

Comfort

9.4

Pick-up/Drop-off

9.8

Value for money

8.9

One location in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport

Locations in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport

1740 Airport Blvd

+1 910 254 9503

Monday	08:00 - 21:00
Tuesday	08:00 - 21:00
Wednesday	08:00 - 21:00
Thursday	08:00 - 21:00
Friday	08:00 - 21:00
Saturday	08:00 - 21:00
Sunday	08:00 - 21:00

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Filters

Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

Adam, Aug 2025

Minivan

Easy to get a car, lot was close to the terminal, car was as expected. Easy retrieval and drop off.

10.0 Wonderful

Gabby, Jun 2024

Full-size

They were great. The car was a little small for how we are. But would rent again.

National

9.0

Wonderful

Cleanliness

10.0

Comfort

10.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

9.0

Value for money

8.0

One location in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport

Locations in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport

1740 Airport Blvd

+1 844 370 9815

Monday	08:00 - 23:59
Tuesday	08:00 - 23:59
Wednesday	08:00 - 23:59
Thursday	08:00 - 23:59
Friday	08:00 - 23:59
Saturday	08:00 - 23:59
Sunday	08:00 - 23:59

View deals

Hertz

8.8

Very good

Cleanliness

8.9

Comfort

9.3

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.4

Value for money

9.1

One location in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport

Locations in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport

1740 Airport Blvd

+1 910 399 3072

Monday	08:00 - 23:59
Tuesday	08:00 - 23:59
Wednesday	08:00 - 23:59
Thursday	08:00 - 23:59
Friday	08:00 - 23:59
Saturday	08:00 - 23:59
Sunday	08:00 - 23:59

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Filters

Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Jun 2026

Intermediate

Drop is a walk for older people

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Jan 2024

Compact

Octavia’s customer service

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Dec 2021

fast and easy and the car was very clean

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Dec 2021

I appreciated the speed and ease of renting from Hurts!

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Nov 2021

Drop off was quite a problem as they had no parking spots available as instructed to park the car in those spots and no one working at the time not couldn’t get any time of help on what to do over the phone either. That took a whole lot of extra minutes and we almost missed our flight. On top of that, I never got my receipt back after the opening hours so decided to call to make sure all was ok and they said the reservation number I had which was my hertz receipt number given by them wasn’t pulling up my information, was someone else. They couldn’t find my reservation with the number they provided me nor my drivers license nor my last name. Finally only by my credit card charge they found me but said it was a different reservation number than I had - which was my hertz receipt tho. And then they said it was still an open reservation as if I still had the car when I absolutely didn’t. So they still haven’t checked it out and finalized my rental. By 11pm I finally got the receipt email sent after calling them abs going through all that around 3pm and car was dropped off at 5am.

Alamo

8.8

Very good

Cleanliness

9.7

Comfort

9.1

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.8

Value for money

8.7

One location in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport

Locations in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport

1740 Airport Blvd

+1 844 370 9816

Monday	08:00 - 23:59
Tuesday	08:00 - 23:59
Wednesday	08:00 - 23:59
Thursday	08:00 - 23:59
Friday	08:00 - 23:59
Saturday	08:00 - 23:59
Sunday	08:00 - 23:59

Filters

Reviews

8.0 Very good

Adam, Aug 2026

Full-size

Staff was very friendly. Arrived while a large number of returns were happening, so had to wait a few minutes until the 'next one was ready'. Otherwise the car was great, clean, and a good value. Would continue renting from this Alamo.

10.0 Wonderful

Richard, Feb 2025

Minivan

The Service was great. Friendly, smooth and fast.

Avis

6.4

Okay

Cleanliness

7.0

Comfort

7.5

Pick-up/Drop-off

7.5

Value for money

6.7

One location in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport

Locations in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport

1740 Airport Boulevard

+1 910 763 1993

Monday	08:00 - 23:59
Tuesday	08:00 - 23:59
Wednesday	08:00 - 23:59
Thursday	08:00 - 23:59
Friday	08:00 - 23:59
Saturday	08:00 - 23:59
Sunday	08:00 - 23:59

Filters

Reviews

2.0 Poor

Emilie, Aug 2024

Full-size

They didn’t honor our reservation. Terrible.

8.0 Very good

Anonymous, Oct 2023

Premium SUV

Fast and convenient.

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Oct 2023

Compact

Avis stepped up after Dollar rental decided my clean drivers license couldn’t be scanned! Avis immediately provided a upgraded vehicle!

8.0 Very good

Anonymous, Sep 2023

Intermediate

Smooth transfer at 2nd site

Thrifty

6.0

Okay

Cleanliness

6.0

Comfort

6.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

6.0

Value for money

6.0

One location in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport

Locations in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport

1740 Airport Blvd

+1 910 343 1147

Monday	08:00 - 23:59
Tuesday	08:00 - 23:59
Wednesday	08:00 - 23:59
Thursday	08:00 - 23:59
Friday	08:00 - 23:59
Saturday	08:00 - 23:59
Sunday	08:00 - 23:59

Filters

Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Sep 2026

Supplier choice

Check in and out

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Nov 2024

Supplier choice

I noticed my reservation was for noon but I didn't arrive until 7:45pm so I updated my reservation through Thrifty but they denied it was updated. When I arrived, they informed me they cancelled my reservation because it was 8 hours earlier. Then they informed me they had no cars and walked away. They didn't try to help, they didn't offer no apology. They didn't care. I will never use Thrifty again.

2.0 Poor

Helga, Sep 2024

Supplier choice

Nothing, no good, no car! Disappointing. They wanted to see my passport even though I hv valid NC drivers license. Poor service and Unfriendly

Budget

5.4

Fair

Cleanliness

5.3

Comfort

6.3

Pick-up/Drop-off

5.9

Value for money

5.9

One location in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport

Locations in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport

1740 Airport Boulevard

+1 910 763 5646

Monday	08:00 - 23:59
Tuesday	08:00 - 23:59
Wednesday	08:00 - 23:59
Thursday	08:00 - 23:59
Friday	08:00 - 23:59
Saturday	08:00 - 23:59
Sunday	08:00 - 23:59

Filters

Reviews

4.0 Mediocre

Bubba, May 2026

Intermediate SUV

Rented a Dodge Hornetfir a two week Florida trip. The vehicle's electronics died on the 2nd day. We made it to our hotel in Orlando but Budget refused to come pick us up so we had no choice but to drive a vehicle with no dash instrumentation to one if their locations. Went to 2 Budget locations in Orlando that were recommended but Budget guest services & were refused a trade in. Finally had to drive to the Orlando Airport location & spent over 2 hours there getting a replacement & to top it off the 1ST replacement's rear hatch wouldn't work so we gad to go back to the desk & redo the paper work for a second time. Not impressed!

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Feb 2026

Supplier choice

Budget refused the reservation saying that it was not made a minimum of 24hrs in advance.

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Jan 2026

Compact SUV

The man working was horrible and not kind or helpful

6.0 Okay

Bill, Dec 2025

Supplier choice

Check in was quick and painless accept that there was only one customer agent. She was quick and efficient. The car was undesirable. It had been scratched down three panels on the left side and marked with permanent felt tip. The car was unwashed or vacuumed. The ride was loud and had a tire noise usuallly related to unbalanced wheels. I was not told about the damage before I went outside to the car. The return agent was good.

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Dec 2024

Intermediate

The person at front desk need more training.

8.0 Very good

Anonymous, Feb 2024

Intermediate

Location in terminal and desk person excellent. Ease of pick up and drop off very good. Honda CRV—poor, difficult to find instrumentation. E.g., parking brake; plug for cell phone GPS; mirror adjustment control; gas cap. Drivers seat difficult to adjust for comfort and road visibility.

Easirent

4.0

Mediocre

One location in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport

Locations in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport

Wilmington International Airport

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

U-Save

4.4

Mediocre

Cleanliness

5.5

Comfort

5.2

Pick-up/Drop-off

4.4

Value for money

4.7

One location in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport

Locations in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport

1740 Airport Blvd

+1 843 377 1220

Monday	08:00 - 23:59
Tuesday	08:00 - 23:59
Wednesday	08:00 - 23:59
Thursday	08:00 - 23:59
Friday	08:00 - 23:59
Saturday	08:00 - 23:59
Sunday	08:00 - 23:59

Filters

No reviews available

Baker Automotive Rentals

No score available yet

One location in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport

Locations in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport

Wilmington International Airport (ILM)

+1 910 218 2070

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

Dollar

No score available yet

One location in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport

Locations in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport

1740 Airport Blvd

+1 910 343 1147

Monday	08:00 - 23:59
Tuesday	08:00 - 23:59
Wednesday	08:00 - 23:59
Thursday	08:00 - 23:59
Friday	08:00 - 23:59
Saturday	08:00 - 23:59
Sunday	08:00 - 23:59

Filters

No reviews available

Sunnycars

No score available yet

One location in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport

Locations in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport

1740 Airport Blvd

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

VIPCars Recommendation

No score available yet

One location in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport

Locations in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport

1740 Airport Blvd #12, Wilmington, NC , USA

+1 914 368 0091

Monday	08:00 - 21:30
Tuesday	08:00 - 21:30
Wednesday	08:00 - 21:30
Thursday	08:00 - 21:30
Friday	08:00 - 21:30
Saturday	08:00 - 21:30
Sunday	08:00 - 21:30

Filters

No reviews available

88 travellers who rented a car in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport gave the car agency they used an average rating of 4.8

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KAYAK’s insights & trends for Wilmington New Hanover County Airport car rentals

How far in advance should you book a rental car in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport?

What is the most popular rental car in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport?

What is the cheapest month to rent a car in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport?

Wilmington New Hanover County Airport car rental price comparison by vehicle type

Find the right rental car in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport by comparing prices across vehicle types.

How much does it cost to rent a small car in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport?

How much does it cost to rent a medium car in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport?

How much does it cost to rent a large car in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport?

How much does it cost to rent an SUV in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport?

How much does it cost to rent a van in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport?

How much does it cost to rent a pickup truck in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport?

How much does it cost to rent a luxury car in Wilmington New Hanover County Airport?

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