You just landed at O'Hare. Your phone is blowing up with notifications, you’re tired, and honestly, you just want to get behind the wheel and get out of there. But if you’re looking for the ORD Hertz car rental desk inside the terminal, you’re going to be walking for a long time.
Basically, it isn't there.
Chicago O'Hare moved all its rental operations to a massive, centralized hub called the Multi-Modal Facility (MMF) a few years back. If you don't know the trick to getting there fast, you'll end up wandering around baggage claim like a lost tourist.
The MMF Reality Check
Most people assume "airport car rental" means the car is right outside the door. Nope. For ORD Hertz car rental, you have to hop on the Airport Transit System (ATS). It’s an automated train that runs 24/7.
Look for signs that say "Rental Cars" or "Train to Parking." You’ll find the stations on the upper levels of Terminals 1, 2, and 3. If you’re coming from the international terminal (Terminal 5), the ATS station is right there too. It’s a quick ride, usually about 5 to 10 minutes, but it feels longer when you've got three suitcases and a crying toddler.
The MMF address is technically 10255 W Zemke Blvd, but your GPS won't matter until you're actually in the car. Once the train stops at the MMF, you’ll see the Hertz counter. It’s huge. You can’t miss it.
Hours and Late Arrivals
The Hertz desk at O'Hare is generally open from 5:00 AM to 11:59 PM.
What happens if your flight is delayed and you land at 12:30 AM?
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Honestly, it can be a bit of a gamble. While the airport itself never sleeps, the specific rental counters do have closing times. However, Hertz is known for having staff stick around if they know a bunch of delayed flights are coming in. If you're a Gold Plus Rewards member, your name might already be on the board, and your keys might be waiting in the car even if the counter is "closed."
Why the Hertz Gold Counter is Your Best Friend
If you aren't a member of Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, you're doing it wrong. It’s free. Just sign up before you book.
At a high-volume hub like O'Hare, the regular line can be brutal. We’re talking 45 minutes of staring at the back of someone’s head while they argue about insurance.
Gold members get to skip that.
You walk past the line, look for your name on the big electronic board, see your stall number (like "Stall 204"), and walk straight to the car. The keys are already inside. You drive to the exit gate, show them your license, and you're gone.
Choosing Your Own Ride
Hertz Ultimate Choice is active at ORD. This is a game-changer. Instead of being assigned a specific Kia Sportage or Chevy Equinox, you go to the zone for your car class (like "Midsize" or "Five Star") and just... pick one.
- Want the blue one? Take it.
- Want the one with the sunroof? It’s yours.
- Found a car with lower mileage? Grab the keys.
It takes the "luck of the draw" out of the equation. Just make sure you booked at least a Midsize car to get access to the Choice zones. If you book the cheapest "Manager's Special" or a "Compact," you might be stuck with whatever they hand you.
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Driving Out of O'Hare (Without Getting Lost)
Leaving the ORD Hertz car rental lot is the part where people usually mess up their GPS. The MMF is located near Mannheim Road and Zemke Blvd.
When you exit the garage, you’ll likely want I-90 East to get to downtown Chicago.
Follow the signs for "I-190 E to Chicago." It’s about a 18-mile drive to the Loop. On a good day, it takes 25 minutes. On a Friday at 4:30 PM? Give it 90 minutes. I’m not joking. Chicago traffic is legendary for all the wrong reasons.
The Toll Situation
Illinois uses I-PASS. Most Hertz cars at O'Hare come with a transponder.
Pro Tip: Hertz will charge you a daily convenience fee (usually around $5.95) plus the cost of the tolls if you use their transponder. If you have your own E-ZPass from another state, it works in Illinois. Just make sure to add the rental’s license plate to your account so you don't get double-billed or fined.
Electric Vehicles at ORD
Hertz has been pushing EVs hard lately. You'll see plenty of Teslas and Polestars in the O'Hare lot.
If you rent one, remember that you need to return it with a certain charge level (usually 70% or 80%) unless you pay for the "Prepaid EV Recharge" option. There are EVgo charging stations nearby, including one at 24290 Valencia Blvd (wait, that's California—don't go there). For O'Hare, check the local apps like PlugShare. There is charging available within the MMF itself, but don't count on those being open when you're in a rush to catch a flight.
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Returning the Car
When you’re heading back, follow the signs for "Rental Car Return" as you approach the airport. Don’t just follow "All Terminals" or you’ll end up at the departures curb with no way to get the car back to the lot without doing a massive loop.
- Get onto Mannheim Road.
- Follow the MMF / Rental Car signs.
- Drive into the Hertz return lane.
- An attendant will scan you out, or you can use the drop box if it’s after hours.
After you drop the car, head upstairs and catch the ATS train back to your terminal. Give yourself an extra 20 minutes for this part. The train is reliable, but if there's a "mechanical issue," they switch to shuttle buses, and that takes forever.
What Most People Forget
Check the "hidden" spots. I can't tell you how many people leave iPads in the seatback pockets or sunglasses in the overhead console. Once you leave that lot and head to the terminal, getting back into that specific car to find your stuff is a nightmare.
Also, take a photo of your fuel gauge and the exterior of the car. It’s your insurance against "phantom" damage charges later.
Actionable Steps for Your Rental
To make your ORD Hertz car rental experience as smooth as possible, follow this checklist:
- Join Gold Plus Rewards at least 48 hours before your trip so your first rental qualifies for "Skip the Counter."
- Download the Hertz app to get real-time stall assignments as soon as you land.
- Check the ATS status on the O'Hare website or overhead monitors to see if trains are running or if you need to look for a shuttle bus.
- Keep your toll transponder in mind. If you have your own E-ZPass, bring it to save on the daily convenience fees.
- Reserve a Midsize or higher car class if you want to use the Ultimate Choice lot and pick your own vehicle.
Getting a car at O'Hare doesn't have to be a headache, but it does require knowing the layout of the MMF. Once you're on the ATS train, you're halfway there. Just remember to breathe, watch the signs, and keep your license handy at the exit gate.