You just landed at DTW. Maybe you’re here for a quick meeting in Dearborn, or perhaps you’re finally doing that long-overdue visit to the Henry Ford Museum. Either way, you need wheels. Hertz car rental Detroit airport is usually the first name that pops up in your search results. But honestly, navigating the rental car campus at Detroit Metro can be a bit of a headache if you don't know the layout.
The airport is huge. It’s a massive Delta hub with two terminals that feel like they’re in different zip codes. If you’re expecting to just walk across the street from baggage claim and hop into a Mustang, I’ve got some news for you. You've gotta take a shuttle. No way around it.
The Reality of Getting to the Hertz Counter at DTW
Let’s talk logistics. The Hertz facility isn't attached to the terminal. It’s located at 289 Lucas Drive, which is basically on the northeast edge of the airport grounds.
Whether you land at the McNamara Terminal (the long, sleek one with the red tram) or the Evans Terminal (the "Big Blue Deck" one), your first mission is finding the Ground Transportation Center. Look for the signs. They’re everywhere, but somehow easy to miss when you're tired.
At McNamara, you’ll head to the lower level, cross the internal roadway, and find the shuttle area. In the Evans Terminal, it’s located on the first floor of the parking garage. The shuttles run about every 10 to 15 minutes. Honestly, the wait feels longer in the winter when that Michigan wind starts whipping through the pickup area.
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What You Need to Know About Hours
Hertz at DTW is open late, but not quite 24/7 for the counter. They generally run from 5:30 AM to 1:30 AM.
- Arrivals: If your flight gets delayed and you land at 2:00 AM, you might be staring at a closed gate.
- Returns: You can return your car 24 hours a day. There's a drop box for keys. Just make sure you leave enough time for the shuttle to get you back to the terminal—usually 20 minutes to be safe.
Why Everyone Talks About Ultimate Choice
If you've ever rented from a small-town airport, you're used to a guy handing you a specific key. At hertz car rental Detroit airport, they use the "Ultimate Choice" program. This is basically a "choose your own adventure" for car nerds.
If you’re a Gold Plus Rewards member (which is free to join, by the way), you don’t even go to the counter. You look at the big electronic board, find your name, and it tells you a zone—like "Gold" or "President’s Circle." You walk to that row, pick any car you like with the keys already inside, and drive to the exit gate.
It’s great. Unless the lot is empty.
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Sometimes, during peak Tuesday morning business rushes, the "Gold" section looks like a picked-over clearance rack. You might want a mid-size sedan and end up with a bright orange Jeep because it’s the only thing left. On the flip side, I’ve seen people book a "Standard" car and walk away with a brand-new Infiniti because it was parked in the wrong row or they were overstocked on luxury models that day.
The Local Driving Scene: Tips for the Motor City
Driving in Detroit is... an experience. Once you pull out of the Hertz lot onto Lucas Drive, you’re minutes away from I-94 and I-275.
- The "Michigan Left": If you've never been here, this will confuse you. To turn left at many major intersections, you actually drive past the light, pull into a U-turn lane on the left, and then come back. It feels wrong the first three times you do it.
- Potholes: Michigan winters are brutal on the roads. Even though you’re in a rental, keep an eye out. A Detroit pothole can swallow a compact car whole.
- Speed: The speed limit on I-75 might say 70, but the local "flow of traffic" is often significantly higher. Stay in the right lane if you’re trying to navigate.
The "Hidden" Costs and Requirements
Hertz is pretty standard with their rules, but Detroit has some specifics. If you're under 25, prepare for the "Young Renter" fee. It’s usually around $19 to $30 a day extra.
They also accept debit cards, but they’re picky about it. You’ll need a round-trip flight itinerary to show them, and they’ll likely run a credit check and put a hold of about $500 on your account. If you have a credit card, just use it. It saves you the hassle.
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Fueling Up Before the Return
Don't wait until you're at the airport entrance to find gas. The stations right at the airport exit are famously overpriced. Head about two miles north or south into Romulus before you get to the airport perimeter. You’ll save about 40 cents a gallon.
Is It Worth It?
Hertz generally scores around an 8/10 at this location. Compared to the budget brands at DTW like Payless (which often has lines out the door), Hertz is efficient. The main complaints usually involve the shuttle wait times or the occasional "smoky" car.
If you're a frequent traveler, the Gold Plus status is the only way to go. Skipping that counter line when there are 40 people waiting is a feeling of pure power.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Trip:
- Join Gold Plus Rewards before you book. It's free and lets you skip the line at the DTW Hertz lot.
- Download the DTW Airport app. It tracks the shuttles so you aren't standing in the cold wondering if the bus is actually coming.
- Check your terminal. Delta and Air France are McNamara; everyone else (United, American, JetBlue, etc.) is Evans. This determines where you catch your shuttle.
- Inspect the tires. Because of Detroit's road conditions, do a quick lap around the car and check for bubbles in the sidewalls before you leave the lot.