Car Rental in Minnesota

Parking in Minnesota

• Energy Center Ramp in Minneapolis has approximately 574 spaces, giving drivers a downtown option for offices, hotels, and central city plans.
• The Minneapolis Club has space for approximately 400 vehicles in its attached covered ramp, useful for downtown dining, events, and business stops.
• Duluth Entertainment Convention Center has around 1,800 ramp and surface parking spaces, which can help with Canal Park, harbour events, and Lake Superior visits.

Electric car hire

Electric car hire in Minnesota is becoming a more practical choice as travellers look for cleaner ways to explore Minneapolis, Saint Paul, lake routes, and wider Midwest road trips. Hertz supports this shift with a broad EV rental range, giving visitors access to electric models with no tailpipe emissions for city drives and planned journeys.

Charging points

Minnesota has around 3,199 public electric charging ports, giving EV drivers more flexibility for city stays, airport pickups, lake routes, and selected interstate drives.

Congestion charges

Minnesota does not have a statewide congestion charge. Main extra costs are parking, airport fees, E-ZPass express lanes, and park entry fees.

Key roads

• MN-61: Best for Duluth, Lake Superior, North Shore towns, and scenic lake drives.
• MN-371: Useful for Brainerd, Nisswa, Gull Lake, and central lake-country routes.
• US-53: Connects Duluth, Virginia, International Falls, and northern Minnesota drives.

Toll roads

• I-394 E-ZPass Lanes: Useful for Minneapolis and western suburbs, with reversible lane rules to check before driving.
• I-35W E-ZPass Lanes: Helps with Burnsville, Minneapolis, Roseville, and Blaine commuter routes.
• I-35E E-ZPass Lanes: Covers Saint Paul to White Bear Lake, with operating hours that vary by direction.

Driving tips: When you are in Minnesota

• Check winter weather before longer drives, especially outside the Twin Cities.
• Leave more time for lake-country and North Shore routes during holiday periods.
• Use hands-free phone settings only, as Minnesota requires drivers to avoid holding phones while driving.

Best hotels in Minnesota

Hewing Hotel

300 Washington Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN

A North Loop hotel with warehouse-style design, dining nearby, and easy downtown access.

Saint Paul Hotel

350 Market Street, Saint Paul, MN

A classic downtown stay close to Rice Park, theatres, restaurants, and riverfront stops.

Fitger’s Inn

600 East Superior Street, Duluth, MN

A Lake Superior hotel suited to harbour walks, Canal Park, and North Shore drives.

Popular restaurants in Minnesota

Spoon and Stable

211 North 1st Street, Minneapolis

A North Loop restaurant known for refined seasonal cooking and a polished city dinner.

Meritage

410 Saint Peter Street, Saint Paul

A downtown Saint Paul restaurant offering French-style dining near theatres and hotels.

New Scenic Café

5461 North Shore Drive, Duluth

A North Shore dining stop with lake views, seasonal food, and road-trip appeal.

Best places to visit in Minnesota

Minnehaha Regional Park

4801 South Minnehaha Drive, Minneapolis

A city park with waterfalls, walking paths, picnic areas, and easy access from central Minneapolis.

Split Rock Lighthouse State Park

3713 Split Rock Lighthouse Road, Two Harbors

A North Shore landmark with lake views, trails, lighthouse history, and scenic drive value.

Itasca State Park

36750 Main Park Drive, Park Rapids

A northern Minnesota park where visitors can see the Mississippi headwaters, forests, and lake routes.

FAQs

1. What do I need to bring for a car rental in Minnesota?

At pickup, carry your driver's licence, passport or accepted ID, and a payment card in the main driver’s name. In case your licence is not in English or the Latin alphabet, carry an International Driving Permit alongside your national licence.

2. What are the age rules for car hire in Minnesota?

You may be able to hire a car in Minnesota if you are under 25, though additional fees and vehicle restrictions may apply.

3. What payment types are accepted?

A major credit card in the name of the main driver usually keeps collection simple, while debit card acceptance depends on the rental location.

4. Does the rental come with a full tank of fuel?

Check the fuel option listed on your reservation before return, as refill requirements can differ by booking.

5. What is Hertz’s cancellation policy in Minnesota?

Cancellation terms are linked to your rate type, especially whether the booking was prepaid or paid at pickup.