After 9 p.m., rental cars are your only guaranteed exit
At Abilene Regional Airport’s Main Terminal, all rental car counters sit directly inside the small arrivals hall, about a 1–2 minute walk from baggage claim. This is the safest bet if your American Airlines flight from DFW lands late and you still have miles to cover toward towns like Sweetwater or Clyde. You skip any wait for scarce taxis and walk straight to the desk with your license and credit card.
Most rental desks track the flight schedule and typically open around the first departures of the morning and stay staffed until after the last evening arrival, often around 9–10 p.m., but hours shift with demand, so check your exact pick-up time when booking. Cars are parked on-site in a small lot just outside the terminal doors, so you’re usually loading your bags into the trunk within 10 minutes of exiting the plane. Returns work the same way: park in the marked rental row, lock up, and drop keys at the counter or a labeled after-hours box if your flight is at 6 a.m.
Daily base rates at ABI often run a bit higher than big-city airports, commonly starting around $60–$80 per day before taxes and fees, especially during local events at Abilene Christian University or Dyess Air Force Base. The tradeoff: you skip a $40–$60 one-way taxi or a 20–30 minute wait for a rideshare that might not even show. For longer drives out to places like Brownwood or Snyder, the cost usually balances out after a day or two.
Step-by-step: renting a car at ABI
- 1. Deplane into the Main Terminal and follow the “Baggage Claim/Rental Cars” signs; it’s roughly a 200–300 foot walk.
- 2. Grab your luggage from the single baggage carousel, then head 50–100 feet to the rental counters in the same area.
- 3. Present your driver’s license, credit card, and confirmation number; plan on 5–10 minutes for paperwork.
- 4. Get your keys and walk outside to the adjacent rental lot; your space number is on the jacket or contract.
- 5. Before leaving, set your phone’s map for your hotel or next town; cell service can thin out quickly on US-83 or US-84.
- 6. On return, follow airport signs for “Rental Car Return,” park in the marked area, note your mileage, and bring the keys inside or drop them in the after-hours box.
One tip: if your arrival time is close to closing, call the local ABI rental office number on your reservation at least 24 hours ahead so they note your flight and keep someone around if your inbound from DFW runs 30–45 minutes late.