Originally Posted by Ldnn1

Ok, what I would just add is that the roads around Golders Green can also be rather difficult. (In particular there’s one major junction north of it which is a nightmare especially for those not used to it. But looking at the map I think you’d avoid that coming from Hertz.) Anyway it’s all manageable, but you do need to pay attention. The North Circular isn’t particularly fun. Overall much of a muchness vs Marble Arch tbh where you’d basically just join the Westway, which is fairly straightforward albeit slow.

I’d say Heathrow may be an easier out-of-town choice for the direction you’re going, but airports always have their difficulties too.

‘YMMV’, as they say.

Edit to add: From Golders, Google maps will have you going via the North Circular and A40. But if you put to go via Aylesbury it’ll show you the M1 and A41 route which is arguably a slightly nicer one to drive.