Driver's licence
A valid, unexpired licence held for the minimum period the provider requires.
Chicago Car Rental
Lakefront driving, winter weather considerations and two major airport pickup points.
Chicago, Illinois
Renting a car in Chicago
Chicago has usable transit downtown, so rentals are most often picked up for trips beyond the city or for suburban stays. O'Hare and Midway both have on-site rental operations with different access routes.
Rental tip
Between November and March, ask what winter tyres or all-season equipment the vehicle carries.
Vehicle categories to compare
Search cars in ChicagoOn the map
Pickup areas in Chicago
A 3D view of the city with the areas travellers most often collect a car.
Marker positions are approximate and shown for orientation. The exact counter address is confirmed by the rental provider you select.
Questions
Chicago rental questions
Chicago has usable transit downtown, so rentals are most often picked up for trips beyond the city or for suburban stays.
Common pickup points include O'Hare International Airport (ORD), Midway Airport (MDW), The Loop and River North. Exact counter locations are set by the provider you select.
Lakefront driving, winter weather considerations and two major airport pickup points.
Between November and March, ask what winter tyres or all-season equipment the vehicle carries.
Before you travel
View Rental Requirements
Know before you rent
Requirements vary by rental provider, vehicle and location. Review the selected provider's terms before booking.
Age requirements
Minimum age and young-driver surcharges are set by the provider, state and vehicle class.
Payment cards
Most providers want a card in the main driver's name; debit card rules vary.
Security deposit
A hold is usually placed at pickup and released after the vehicle is returned.
Insurance
Check what your own policy or card already covers before adding provider cover.
Additional drivers
Extra drivers must be registered on the agreement and meet the same rules.
Identification
A passport or government photo ID is commonly requested alongside the licence.
International Driving Permit
Some providers ask non-US licence holders to carry an IDP with their licence.
Transparency
Clear information. Simple choices.
American Drive Rentals provides a convenient way to explore rental car options from participating providers. Before completing a booking, customers should review the selected provider's final pricing, availability, rental requirements and applicable policies.
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See size, transmission, fuel, luggage and mileage terms next to each other.
Review
Check what the class includes and which rental conditions you should confirm.
Continue
Complete the reservation with the provider you choose, under their terms.