Enterprise locations and hours in Chicago

Enterprise operates roughly 40 rental locations across Chicago and the surrounding area. Most are open seven days a week, though hours vary by branch — downtown and airport locations typically open earlier and close later than neighborhood sites. The two busiest locations are at O'Hare International Airport (Terminal 1, 3, and 5) and Midway Airport, both staffed around the clock.

You can find the full list of Chicago-area branches, their exact hours, and phone numbers on Enterprise's website by entering your zip code. Calling ahead is worth the two minutes if you need a specific vehicle type or have questions about your reservation — staff can confirm availability and flag any issues before you arrive.

Downtown locations cluster around the Loop and near major hotels. Neighborhood branches sit in Lincoln Park, Pilsen, Hyde Park, and along the North Shore. If you're renting at an airport, allow an extra 15 to 20 minutes beyond your usual car-rental time for shuttle rides from the terminal to the lot.

Key Takeaways

  • Enterprise has roughly 40 Chicago-area locations, with the largest at O'Hare and Midway airports, and most branches open seven days a week.
  • You will need a valid driver's license, proof of insurance or a credit card to purchase their coverage, and a major credit card to hold the reservation.
  • Rates vary by location, season, and how far in advance you book — reserving online typically costs less than walking in the same day.
  • Enterprise's damage waiver and liability coverage are optional add-ons; your personal auto insurance or credit card may already cover rental cars.
  • One-way rentals between Chicago locations cost extra and require advance notice, but returning to a different branch than where you picked up is usually possible.

What documents and payment methods you need

Bring your valid driver's license — Enterprise will not rent to anyone without one, and an expired license counts as invalid. You also need a major credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover) in your name to hold the reservation and pay at pickup. The card does not have to be the same one you used to book online.

Proof of insurance is the third piece. If you have an active auto insurance policy, bring the card or a printed declaration page showing your name, policy number, and coverage dates. If you do not have personal insurance, Enterprise will offer you their damage waiver and liability coverage at checkout — this is optional but common for renters without their own policy. A credit card with rental car coverage (many premium cards include this) can substitute for personal insurance, though you will need to show proof of that coverage.

Enterprise also asks for proof of your address — a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days works. If your address on your driver's license is current, you may not need a second document, but calling your local branch beforehand removes doubt.

How Chicago rental rates work and when to book

Enterprise's daily rates in Chicago range widely depending on vehicle class, location, and season. A compact car might rent for $35 to $60 per day in off-season (November through March), while the same car in summer or around holidays can jump to $70 to $120 per day. SUVs and larger vehicles cost more — typically 40 to 60 percent above compact rates. Airport locations charge higher rates than neighborhood branches for the same vehicle.

Booking online in advance almost always costs less than renting the same day or walking in without a reservation. Rates are lowest when you book 7 to 14 days ahead; booking more than a month out sometimes locks in a lower rate, but not always. Checking the price a few days before your rental date can reveal whether rates have dropped — if they have, you can often rebook at the new price and cancel the old reservation.

Weekly and monthly rates offer a discount per day compared to daily rates. If you need a car for seven days, the weekly rate is typically 15 to 25 percent cheaper than multiplying the daily rate by seven. Monthly rentals can be 30 to 40 percent cheaper per day than the daily rate, though this varies by location and season.

Insurance and damage coverage options

Enterprise offers three coverage add-ons at checkout: a damage waiver (sometimes called Loss Damage Waiver or LDW), liability coverage, and personal effects coverage. The damage waiver typically costs $15 to $25 per day and covers damage to the rental car itself — dents, scratches, broken windows, theft. Without it, you are liable for all damage, which can easily exceed $2,000 for major accidents.

Before you buy Enterprise's coverage, check what your personal auto insurance covers. Most policies extend to rental cars, though some exclude certain types of damage or have a high deductible. Call your insurance company or check your policy documents — the answer takes five minutes and can save you $100 or more on a week-long rental.

Credit cards often include rental car damage coverage as a cardholder benefit, usually for rentals paid with that card. American Express, Visa Signature, and Mastercard World Elite cards commonly include this. Read your card's benefits guide or call the issuer to confirm coverage limits and whether it applies to damage, theft, or both. If your card covers damage but not liability, you may want to buy Enterprise's liability add-on separately.

One-way rentals and returning to a different location

Returning your car to a different Enterprise location than where you picked it up is possible but costs extra. One-way fees within Chicago typically run $15 to $40 depending on the distance between branches. Returning to the airport from a neighborhood location usually costs $25 to $50. These fees are added to your final bill at return, not charged upfront.

If you know you will need a one-way rental, mention it when you book online or call ahead. Some branches have limited inventory for one-way returns, and staff can confirm whether your preferred return location has availability. During peak seasons (summer, holidays), one-way fees can be higher and some locations may not accept returns from certain branches.

Returning to the same location where you picked up avoids this fee entirely. If your plans change and you need to return elsewhere, call the branch where you rented as soon as you know — they can sometimes modify your reservation and lock in the one-way fee before you pick up the car.

Fuel, mileage, and late return policies

Enterprise rentals come with unlimited mileage in Chicago — you do not pay per mile driven. Fuel is your responsibility. You can return the car with any amount of gas in the tank, but if it is not full, Enterprise will charge you for a fill-up at their pump price, which is typically 20 to 40 percent higher than gas station prices. The cheapest option is to fill the tank yourself at a gas station near the return location before dropping off the car.

Late returns are charged at the daily rate for each 24-hour period (or partial period) the car is overdue. If you rent for one day and return it 25 hours late, you will be charged for two days. Some locations offer a grace period of 30 minutes to an hour, but do not count on it — call ahead if you think you will be late and ask whether your branch can extend your return time.

Tolls are your responsibility. If you drive on Chicago's tollways (I-90, I-94, or the Skyway), you will receive a bill from the Illinois Tollway or from Enterprise if they paid the toll on your behalf. Check your rental agreement for the toll policy — some credit cards and insurance policies cover tolls, others do not.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I rent from Enterprise if I am under 25?

Yes, but Enterprise charges an underage driver fee (typically $15 to $25 per day) for drivers under 25. You still need a valid driver's license and a credit card in your name. Some vehicle types may not be available to underage renters — call your local branch to confirm what cars they will rent to you.

What happens if I get into an accident with a rental car?

Call Enterprise when ready and report the accident, even if it is minor. Do not leave the scene. Take photos of the damage, get the other driver's information and insurance details, and file a police report if anyone was injured or damage is significant. Enterprise will assess the damage and either bill your damage waiver (if you purchased it) or bill your personal insurance. If you have neither, you will be liable for the full repair cost.

Can I extend my rental if I need the car longer?

Yes. Call the branch where you rented or use the Enterprise website or app to extend your reservation. Rates for the extension may differ from your original rate. Extending online or by phone is usually cheaper than waiting until return time to ask for an extension in person.

Do I need a reservation, or can I just walk in?

You can walk in, but availability is not may provide and walk-in rates are typically higher than advance bookings. Reserving online or by phone takes five minutes and locks in a lower rate. During busy seasons (summer, holidays, weekends), walk-ins may find no cars available at all.

What if my driver's license is suspended or expired?

Enterprise will not rent to you. Your license must be valid and not suspended. If your license is expired but you have a renewal notice showing your new license is in process, call your local branch — some locations may accept it, but this is not may provide.