Car Rental at Chicago Midway Airport MDW
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Cheapest car rental rates
Compact
Ford Focus or similar
$44.53 per day
Economy
Kia Rio or similar
$49.34 per day
Intermediate
Toyota Corolla or similar
$50.55 per day
Standard
Volkswagen Jetta or similar
$87.01 per day
Most popular car rental deals
Full-size
Chevrolet Malibu or similar
$88.46 per day
Premium
Nissan Maxima or similar
$102.39 per day
Luxury
Chrysler 300 or similar
$71.23 per day
Standard Elite SUV
Audi Q3 or similar
$107.51 per day
The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 12:16 PM on 5/18/25. Prices may vary based on the booking dates, length of rental, and car class.
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Travel information
Languages
English, Spanish
Currency
USD
Drive on
Right-hand side
Country code
+1
Average car rental price
$75 per day
Average car rental length
5 days
Speed limit within town
48 km/h or 30 mph
Speed limit out of town
88 - 112 km/h or 55 - 70 mph
Acceptable limit of BAC
0.08%
Average gas price
$1.08 per liter or $4.09 per gallon
Lowest gas price
$0.85 per liter or $3.22 per gallon
Highest gas price
$1.31 per liter or $4.96 per gallon
Airport travel guide
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) is Chicago’s, and the state of Illinois’s, second-busiest airport. Located about 10 miles from downtown Chicago, the airport primarily has service to domestic destinations along with some destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean. The airport is much smaller and slightly closer to downtown than Chicago’s other major airport, O’Hare.
Southwest Airlines comprises the overwhelming majority of commercial airline traffic at the airport with connections to destinations across the country.
Rental cars from all major companies are available at the Rental Car Center just north of the airport.
The airport doesn't only serve the city, but also many places worth visiting around Chicago.
Top international routes
- Cancun, Mexico
- Toronto, Canada
- Morellia, Mexico
- Guadalajara, Mexico
- Montego Bay, Jamaica
- Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Main airlines
Southwest Airlines has by far the most traffic at Chicago Midway with the airport being its largest focus city. In fact, about 95% of passengers using Midway fly with Southwest. Delta uses the airport for connections to Atlanta, Detroit, and Minneapolis/St. Paul.
Internationally, besides Southwest Airlines serving Cancun and destinations in the Caribbean, Porter Airlines serves Toronto and Volaris, a Mexican low-cost airline, serves a few Mexican cities.
Internationally, besides Southwest Airlines serving Cancun and destinations in the Caribbean, Porter Airlines serves Toronto and Volaris, a Mexican low-cost airline, serves a few Mexican cities.
Terminals
There is one terminal at Midway that is divided into three concourses: A, B, and C.
The top rental companies for domestic customers are Alamo, Dollar, and Thrifty. International renters can rent from National. Shuttles to the rental car center leave from Door 2 of the Lower Level about every 15 minutes all hours of the day and every day of the week.
The top rental companies for domestic customers are Alamo, Dollar, and Thrifty. International renters can rent from National. Shuttles to the rental car center leave from Door 2 of the Lower Level about every 15 minutes all hours of the day and every day of the week.
Location
Midway is roughly 10 miles southwest of downtown Chicago. The most direct route between the two is I-55. The time it takes to make the drive depending on traffic. At non-peak times, it can take only 20 minutes. During rush hour, it can take an hour or more. Plan your return to the airport accordingly.
Most popular types of rental car
- Convertibles - from $124 per day
- Large cars - from $48 per day
- Medium cars - from $45 per day
- Vans - from $139 per day
- Premium cars - from $60 per day
- Small cars - from $45 per day
- SUVs - from $52 per day
Car rental desks
The airport has a rental car facility located at 5150 W. 55th Street which is just north of the airport. Shuttles to the rental car center leave from door 2 of the Lower Level about every 15 minutes all hours of the day and every day of the week.
Services and facilities
Midway Airport has most of the services and facilities one would expect from a large domestic airport. The most notable benefit of the airport is that it is significantly smaller than O’Hare and can take less time to get through.
Just after the security checkpoint, there is the Central Market which has cafes, restaurants, and shops, some of which are open 24 hours. There are more cafes and restaurants in both concourses. There are no lounges at the airport, though.
As usual, there are hotels just outside of the airport with free shuttle services in case you have an early morning flight and would like to return your car the previous evening.
Nearest gas station
There are multiple gas stations along S Cicero Avenue between I-55 and the airport. They are, however, overpriced. Unless you are just topping up before returning your rental car, it is best to fill up elsewhere. One alternative is a Mobil station just a half-mile past the rental center on W 55th St. Another option is to exit onto South Central Ave. where multiple stations with competitive prices can be found. From there it is easy to get to the Rental Car Center.
If coming from the south, you can stop at any station before you reach the airport.
Fact checked by
Megan Starr & Aram Vardanyan
Megan & Aram is a travel blog run by two friends that have been helping people travel the world since 2010. They have visited well over 100 countries together and share a special passion for lesser-known destinations, as well as the Nordics. Megan is currently based in Germany and Aram is based in Armenia. They run 4 destination-specific websites in addition to Megan & Aram.
Airport info
Chicago Midway Airport MDW
- IATA: MDW
- ICAO: KMDW
- Name: Chicago Airport Midway (MDW)
- Distance from city: 9 miles / 14.5 km
Top 4 locations near Chicago Midway Airport MDW
-
21.9 km / 13.6 miles away
-
25.2 km / 15.7 miles away
-
204.7 km / 127.2 miles away
-
232.1 km / 144.2 miles away
Map of car rental locations
When are car rental prices the lowest at Chicago Midway Airport MDW?
The cost of renting a car at Chicago Midway Airport MDW varies by season. The table and graph below can help you find the best time of year to save on a rental car.
Average rental costs per day at Chicago Midway Airport MDW
The cheapest month of the year to rent a car at Chicago Midway Airport MDW is February — when rental costs average $39.33 per day. This is 35% cheaper than the yearly average and 63% cheaper than renting a car in July (when prices average $107.46 per day).
This information can help you identify the low season. But these are only average numbers. How much your car rental will cost will depend on the type of vehicle you rent, how long you’ll rent it for, and how far ahead you book. Simply enter your dates in the form at the top of the page to see the exact prices.
This information can help you identify the low season. But these are only average numbers. How much your car rental will cost will depend on the type of vehicle you rent, how long you’ll rent it for, and how far ahead you book. Simply enter your dates in the form at the top of the page to see the exact prices.
For how long do renters keep their vehicles at Chicago Midway Airport MDW?
How long travelers keep their rental cars varies by the time of year: in May the average rental period is 8 days, while in December, the average rental period is only 3 days.
Average number of rental days at Chicago Midway Airport MDW
What is the most popular time of year to rent a car at Chicago Midway Airport MDW?
Based on how many users search for a car in at Chicago Midway Airport MDW, travelers are most likely to rent a car in February, while they are least likely to rent in in June.
Monthly searches at Chicago Midway Airport MDW by pick-up date relative to the average
Car rental information
| Popular suppliers | Dollar, Hertz, Enterprise, Alamo, Budget |
| Popular car categories | Large cars, SUVs, Medium cars, Small cars |
| Lowest price | $45 per day |
| Cheapest supplier | Dollar |
Most popular car models of rental suppliers
| Rental Supplier | Model | Doors | Luggage | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dollar | Mazda 3 | 2 | 2 | Large cars |
| Dollar | Honda CR-V | 5 | 3 | SUVs |
| Dollar | Ford Focus | 3 | 2 | Medium cars |
| Dollar | Volkswagen Jetta | 2 | 2 | Large cars |
| Dollar | Nissan Rogue | 5 | 3 | SUVs |
| Dollar | Chevrolet Malibu | 2 | 2 | Large cars |
| Dollar | Honda Civic | 4 | 2 | Large cars |
| Dollar | Mazda CX-5 | 5 | 3 | SUVs |
| Hertz | Nissan Rogue | 5 | 3 | SUVs |
| Dollar | Volkswagen Jetta | 4 | 2 | Large cars |
FAQ
Will I have to take a shuttle to get my rental car?
Yes, the Rental Car Center is located just north of the airport. You'll have to take a shuttle from door 2 of the Lower Level to reach it.
Can I take my rental car to Wisconsin or other states?
Most of the time, you are allowed to travel with the vehicle to the surrounding states. Some suppliers don't allow their cars to be taken out of state, though. Check the rental conditions before you book to be sure.
How old do I have to be to rent a car at Midway Airport?
You have to be at least 21, as in most of the rest of the country. If you are under 25, you'll have to pay a Young Driver Fee.
Can I return the car to O'Hare Airport?
It is possible to return the car to O'Hare Airport if you are flying out of it after your trip. You need to enter that as your drop-off location when searching, though — when you do this, any one-way fee will be included in the total costs. In no case should you try to return the car to a different airport than listed on your rental contract without contacting the supplier before doing so.
Car rental statistics
Highest-rated company
Alamo
8 / 10
Lowest-rated company
Dollar
7.2 / 10
Total rental companies
7
Average daily price
$75.13
Lowest daily price
$44.53
Total cars available
280
Top 7 suppliers at Chicago Midway Airport MDW in 2025
Alamo
+18449170959
5150 W 55th St, Chicago, IL 60638
$73 - $198
Working hours
Mon:
06:00 - 23:59
Tue:
06:00 - 23:59
Wed:
06:00 - 23:59
Thu:
06:00 - 23:59
Fri:
06:00 - 23:59
Sat:
06:00 - 23:59
Sun:
06:00 - 23:59
Hertz
+17737357272
5150 W 55th St, Chicago, IL 60638, United States
$73 - $198
Working hours
Mon:
06:00 - 23:59
Tue:
06:00 - 23:59
Wed:
06:00 - 23:59
Thu:
06:00 - 23:59
Fri:
06:00 - 23:59
Sat:
06:00 - 23:59
Sun:
06:00 - 23:59
Avis
+17739487001
Midway Airport, 5150 W 55th St,
Chicago, IL, 60638, United States
$49 - $147
Working hours
Mon:
06:00 - 01:30
Tue:
06:00 - 01:30
Wed:
06:00 - 01:30
Thu:
06:00 - 01:30
Fri:
06:00 - 01:30
Sat:
06:00 - 01:30
Sun:
06:00 - 01:30
+18449170960
5150 W 55th St, Chicago, IL 60638
$74 - $185
Working hours
Mon:
06:00 - 23:59
Tue:
06:00 - 23:59
Wed:
06:00 - 23:59
Thu:
06:00 - 23:59
Fri:
06:00 - 23:59
Sat:
06:00 - 23:59
Sun:
06:00 - 23:59
+18449170958
5150 W 55th St, Chicago, IL 60638
$75 - $201
Working hours
Mon:
06:00 - 23:59
Tue:
06:00 - 23:59
Wed:
06:00 - 23:59
Thu:
06:00 - 23:59
Fri:
06:00 - 23:59
Sat:
06:00 - 23:59
Sun:
06:00 - 23:59
Budget
+17739487002
Midway Airport, 5150 W 55th St,
Chicago, IL, 60638, United States
$49 - $199
Working hours
Mon:
06:00 - 01:30
Tue:
06:00 - 01:30
Wed:
06:00 - 01:30
Thu:
06:00 - 01:30
Fri:
06:00 - 01:30
Sat:
06:00 - 01:30
Sun:
06:00 - 01:30
7735856142
5150 W 55Th Street
$45 - $188
Working hours
Mon:
07:00 - 22:00
Tue:
07:00 - 22:00
Wed:
07:00 - 22:00
Thu:
07:00 - 22:00
Fri:
07:00 - 22:00
Sat:
07:00 - 22:00
Sun:
07:00 - 22:00
Awards
World Travel Tech Awards - World's Best Car Rental Booking Website 2023
World Travel Tech Awards - World's Best Car Rental Booking App 2023
Magellan Awards Gold Winner 2023
Travel & Hospitality Awards 2021
FT 1000: Europe's Fastest Growing Companies - Top 300 Companies 2021
FT 1000: Europe's Fastest Growing Companies - Top 100 Companies 2020
Uzakrota Travel Awards - World’s Leading Car Rental Website 2022
Trustpilot - Top 10 Car Rental Agencies
SimilarWeb - Top 50 Car Rental Websites
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