Thanks everyone for the help!
To prevent obsessive stressing on the part of my husband, we left at about 10:15. We got gas and postcards in Senlis. Diesel indeed easy to find. We took A1 and then followed airport signs. Super busy on the roads/highways around the airport, but no big deal. Actually, the slow traffic made it extra easy to follow the signs for car return that were in French and English. It seemed like we were following signs forever but eventually and with little stress found car rental return down on a lower lever right next to Terminal 2. Located there was Sixt, Europcar, Avis, Hertz and others I can't remember. Car return with Europcar was pleasant. They looked at me with some amusement when I presented the gas receipt, dumped the floor mats, and video'd the car. "You are really, all good, Madame" (Yet, I still recommend saving the receipt and video before and after the rental.
No shuttle necessary! We walked to Terminal 2 (arrived at about 11:45), took the elevator up to arrivals and walked what seemed like forever to the Delta baggage drop. Delta lines were short, surrounding airlines very long. I would guess our lines were short because the Delta flights weren't leaving for a few hours.
Then the fun starts. CDG passport control had about half the booths manned. The line was long. People were freaking because they were going to miss flights. Some didn't allow 3 hours like they should have, some allowed what should have been adequate time. People late for flights were trying to cut thru people in line. Call me a pushover, or perhaps, kind, but if I'm not late, I let people thru. However, it was getting kind of nasty so we just ignored all the humanity.
Security lines were relatively short and staff was polite and helpful (It can be done, SeaTac!)
We got to our gate probably 45 minutes prior to boarding. My only gripe--I have a Delta Amex (15 years). I am enrolled in Skymiles (for like 35 years). And just, somehow, achieved Silver Medallion (which gets me next to nothing as far as I can see). Yet, we were supposed to board Main 3? This was a Delta flight. I asked the gate agent and she said none of that matters on international flights. We wanted to be sure to be able to stow our medium sized backpacks overhead, the flight full. Finally said, show your credit card and board with skypriority.
Quite stressfree. This was our first time returning our car in a large European city , let alone an airport. We thought it easier than many large U.S. airports.
@Daniel. This was about our 5th trip that included France. We love it (well, actually, we love most everywhere we go) We didn't spend a lot of time in France, we flew into Amsterdam and visited the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Mosel Germany and ended in France. We knew prices would be higher in those locations than places we've visited on our more recent travels, and they were. We've usually felt France was quite reasonable. Always have had great meals in France at every price point. Restaurant prices were higher than we were used to in Arras, Champagne area and Chantilly area. So, I'm not sure what your "moderate range" is. We always look for moderate, as well. We ate at places recommended by our BnB. I think some of her info may have been less than current. We ate at Le Jardin d'Hiver in Chantilly. It's located in a hotel. Food was excellent and we thought somewhat reasonably priced. What annoyed us was the pretentious staff, and the prices for beverages. My husband paid $9 for a small crappy beer and I chose an $8 rose.The tiny amount of rose was not good, and then we noted we were charged for the $12 glass of rose'. We didn't complain. I always appreciate the establishments that strive to provide a variety of beverage choices at a variety of prices. There is lots of great wine in France at reasonable prices. We know, we've been to most of the wine regions. At this restaurant, there were few choices, all expensive and no house wine.
