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Hertz car rental in Massachusetts

Massachusetts might be one of the smaller states, but it rarely feels that way behind the wheel. In under two hours, you can go from the cobblestone streets of Boston's North End to the sand dunes of Cape Cod, or swap city traffic for the quiet backroads of the Berkshires. Few states pack this much variety into such a short drive, and much of it is hard to reach without a car of your own.

That's exactly where a Hertz car rental in Massachusetts comes in. Pick up your car in Boston, Worcester, or right from Logan Airport, and the whole state is within reach. Head north to Salem for its 1692 witch trial history, drive out to Cape Cod for lighthouses and lobster rolls, or stay close to the city and still find neighborhoods and harbor views that most itineraries skip entirely.

With Hertz car hire in Massachusetts, you're not stuck waiting on the T or working around a tour bus schedule. Whether you decide to rent a car in Massachusetts for a weekend in Boston or a longer loop through New England, you choose the route, the stops, and the pace.

 
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Everything you need to know about hiring a car in Massachusetts

Parking in Massachusetts

  • Center Plaza Garage: Located at 75 Somerset Street in downtown Boston, Center Plaza Garage is an underground facility with over 575 parking spaces and electric vehicle charging. Its central location makes it convenient for drivers visiting Government Center, Beacon Hill and nearby downtown attractions.
  • Green Street Garage: Situated at 260 Green Street in Cambridge’s Central Square, this garage provides about 290 parking spaces. It is a useful option for drivers visiting Central Square, nearby restaurants and the surrounding Cambridge neighbourhoods.
  • Church Street West Lot: Located at 15 Federal Street in Salem, Church Street West Lot is an open-air facility with around 150 parking spaces and electric vehicle charging. Its central position makes it convenient for exploring downtown Salem and nearby historic attractions.

Electric car hire

Massachusetts' mix of dense cities and quieter coastal and rural stretches makes it a solid fit for going electric. Hertz offers EV models for rent if you'd rather skip the gas station altogether, whether you're sticking to Boston and Cambridge or driving out to Cape Cod, the Berkshires, or the North Shore.

New fast-charging sites continue to come online across the state, including planned upgrades along the Massachusetts Turnpike, making it easier to plan longer trips across Massachusetts with an EV.

Charging points

Charging isn't hard to find once you're on the road. The state has more than 8000 public charging stations, with Boston alone home to hundreds of them. Hence, when you rent an EV car with Hertz, topping up your vehicle is never a hassle.

Congestion charges

Massachusetts doesn't have a congestion charge. What it does have is an all-electronic tolling system, mostly concentrated around the Massachusetts Turnpike, the Boston Harbor tunnels, and the Tobin Bridge, and most local roads remain completely toll-free.

Key roads

  • Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90): the main east-west toll route connecting the New York border to Boston, running through Worcester and Springfield along the way.
  • Interstate 93 (I-93): the primary north-south freeway through Boston, connecting New Hampshire to the South Shore.
  • Route 128 (I-95): the beltway that circles Boston, useful for reaching the suburbs and connecting to other highways without driving through downtown.

Toll roads

  • Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90): a 138-mile toll road running the width of the state, tolled electronically
  • Maurice J. Tobin Memorial Bridge: connects Boston to Chelsea over the Mystic River, tolled southbound only.
  • Ted Williams Tunnel: connects South Boston to Logan Airport under Boston Harbor, part of the Big Dig tunnel system.

Driving tips: When you are in Massachusetts

  • Follow posted limits, generally up to 65 mph on highways and 30 to 40 mph on local roads.
  • You may turn right at a red light after stopping unless a sign specifically prohibits it.
  • Massachusetts uses rotaries; traffic already in the rotary has the right of way.
  • Keep your phone hands-free, as state law bans holding a phone while driving.
  • Check your Hertz rental's toll coverage before using the Mass Pike or Boston's tunnels, since there are no cash tollbooths left in the state.
  • Give pedestrians the right of way at marked crosswalks, strictly enforced in Boston and Cambridge.
  • Check your rental's winter readiness between November and April, particularly in central or western Massachusetts.

A quick guide to Massachusetts

Boston Harbor Hotel

70 Rowes Wharf, Boston

A waterfront hotel overlooking Boston Harbor, prized for its harbor views, on-site EV charging, and short walk to Faneuil Hall and the North End.

Chatham Bars Inn

297 Shore Rd, Chatham

An oceanfront resort on Cape Cod, known for its private beach, cottage-style rooms, and views over Chatham Harbor and Pleasant Bay.

Hawthorne Hotel

18 Washington Square W, Salem

A historic hotel overlooking Salem Common, prized for its central location across from the Salem Witch Museum and easy walk to the Peabody Essex Museum.

Union Oyster House

41-43 Union Street, Boston

America's oldest continuously operating restaurant, serving classic New England seafood in a Georgian-era building since 1826.

Neptune Oyster

63 Salem Street, Boston

A small North End raw bar known for its lobster rolls and fresh oysters, with no reservations and frequent lines out the door.

Kelly's Roast Beef

410 Revere Beach Boulevard, Revere

A Massachusetts institution since 1951, known for its roast beef sandwiches and lobster rolls, right across from Revere Beach.

Freedom Trail

Boston Common to Bunker Hill, Boston

A 2.5-mile red-brick trail connecting 16 historic Revolutionary War sites across downtown Boston, including the Old North Church and Paul Revere's House.

Salem Witch Museum

19 Washington Square N, Salem

A museum dedicated to the history of the 1692 Salem witch trials, using narration, lighting, and life-size figures to tell the story.

Cape Cod National Seashore

50 Nauset Road, Eastham

A 40-mile stretch of protected coastline on Cape Cod, known for its beaches, dunes, lighthouses, and the Salt Pond Visitor Center.

FAQs about car hire

Bring a valid physical driving licence and an accepted payment card in the main driver's name. Hertz may also request a passport or other identification. If your licence is not in English, carry an International Driving Permit alongside it.

Drivers generally need to be at least 20 years old. A young renter fee and restrictions on certain premium or specialist vehicles may apply to drivers aged 20 to 24.

Hertz accepts major credit cards and certain debit cards. Debit-card rentals may involve extra checks and cannot be used for prepaid rates or some premium vehicles, so a credit card is generally the simplest option.

Most Hertz vehicles are supplied with a full tank, although fuel is not included in the rental rate. You can return the car at the original fuel level, prepay for fuel, or allow Hertz to refuel it for an additional charge.

Pay Later bookings can generally be cancelled free of charge before collection. Prepaid bookings are free to cancel within 24 hours of booking, while later cancellations may carry a fee depending on how close they are to pickup.