Abilene Regional Airport (ABI) serves Abilene, Texas, a mid-size city in the Big Country region of West Texas known for its ranching heritage, Dyess Air Force Base, and role as a commercial hub for the surrounding plains. A rental car is the practical way to get around once you land, since Abilene's attractions and the wider region are spread across long, straight highways rather than a compact walkable core. The airport is a modest single-terminal facility a short drive from downtown, with rental desks operated by international and local companies rather than a single dominant brand, and pickup is usually quick given the airport's manageable size.
From ABI, downtown Abilene and its historic district are only a short drive away, while the wider Big Country region opens up along Interstate 20 and several state highways radiating out from the city. West Texas oil and gas country extends in most directions, dotted with pump jacks and, increasingly, wind farms whose turbines line the ridgelines along many of the region's rural roads. Abilene State Park and the man-made Lake Fort Phantom Hill both sit a manageable drive from the airport, offering an easy day trip for visitors with a few hours to spare between flights or meetings.
Driving is on the right throughout Texas, and the roads around Abilene are generally wide, well maintained, and lightly trafficked compared to bigger Texas metros, though summer heat and the occasional dust storm are worth planning around on longer rural drives. Distances between towns in this part of West Texas can be considerable, so it is worth topping up on fuel before heading out toward smaller surrounding communities, where stations are sparser. A comfortable sedan handles the flat, straight highways around Abilene without difficulty, making a rental car an easy and low-stress way to see this stretch of West Texas ranch country and its wide-open skies.