Zipcar

Need a car without the long-term commitment? Zipcar lets you skip the rental office and pick up a ride by the hour or day. Fuel, insurance, and parking are all included, so you jump in and go. Hour-long blocks make quick errands simple, while day rates suit longer explorations. Reserve rides up to a year ahead or grab one on the fly via the app.

Its Manhattan hub sits right at 528 W 162nd St, New York, NY 10032 in Washington Heights—close to the George Washington Bridge and multiple subway lines. The neighborhood’s quiet streets and tree-lined blocks offer a more relaxed pace compared with midtown’s rush. Still, downtown is only 25 minutes away once you’re behind the wheel.

Call (866) 494-7227 to lock in a ride or adjust plans—changes can usually be made right up to pickup. Members scan the free-floating vehicles parked along curbs, unlock with the app, and drive off; no key exchanges required. Add a second driver online in seconds to split the driving on longer trips.

Before you head north, pop the address into your phone. The route shows curbside parking zones where Zipcars wait, plus real-time walk times from the nearest A or 1 train. Weekday mornings give the shortest walks and easiest pickups; late afternoons mean more cars in the pool.