Rental Car : Cheapest Car Rental in USA : Rent Your Car Now
To get the best car rental, book in advance to secure a better price and vehicle. Before you drive, inspect the car thoroughly, taking photos of any pre-existing damage, and check the fuel policy to avoid fees. Also, compare prices across different companies and locations, and decline unnecessary add-ons like extra insurance if you’re already covered.
Booking and reservations
- Book early: The earlier you book, the better the deal and the more likely you are to get the car you want.
- Compare prices: Check multiple rental company websites and use comparison sites to find the best rate.
- Consider location: Airport locations are often more convenient but can be more expensive. You may find cheaper rates at off-airport or downtown locations.
- Check for discounts: Look for discounts through memberships like AAA or airline partnerships.
- Read the fine print: Carefully review the terms and conditions, especially the cancellation policy and any potential fees for things like out-of-state or one-way rentals.
- Confirm your reservation: Reconfirm your booking a day or two before pickup, particularly during peak travel times.
Before you drive
- Inspect the car: Before leaving the lot, inspect the entire vehicle for any scratches, dents, or other damage, and take pictures or videos to document its condition.
- Know the fuel policy: Understand the fuel policy to avoid high refueling charges. Most companies require you to return the car with a full tank, but some offer prepaid options.
- Verify mileage: Check if unlimited mileage is included. If not, estimate your expected driving distance to see if a car with a mileage limit is still the best deal.
- Review the contract: Double-check the rental agreement for any extra costs not in your initial quote, like extra driver fees or taxes.
While driving
- Choose a fuel-efficient car: A smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicle can save you money on gas, which is especially important for long trips.
- Stick to one driver: If possible, have only one driver to avoid extra fees, especially if they are under 25.
- Prioritize comfort for long journeys: For long trips, a larger vehicle like an SUV or large sedan might be more comfortable.
- Know your insurance: Don’t feel pressured to buy extra insurance if you’re already covered through your personal auto policy or credit card. Have the details of your existing coverage handy.
- To rent a car, you’ll need a valid driver’s license and a major credit or debit card for the deposit. You should also book in advance, compare prices from different companies, and understand the fuel and insurance policies to avoid unexpected costs. When picking up the car, document its condition with photos and videos before driving away.
- Before you book
- Check requirements: Be at least 21 (with extra fees for under 25) and have a valid driver’s license. An International Driving Permit is recommended if your license isn’t in English.
- Shop around: Compare rates directly or use comparison sites to find the best deals.
- Book in advance: This is often cheaper and ensures availability.
- Check insurance: See if your personal auto insurance or credit card provides coverage, and consider declining the rental company’s upsell if you’re covered elsewhere.
- Inspect for extras: Bring your own child seats or GPS to avoid rental fees.
- At the rental counter
- Bring your documents: Have your driver’s license, the credit/debit card used for booking, and any other required IDs ready.
- Understand the fuel policy: Know the rules (e.g., full-to-empty) to avoid extra charges.
- Decline or accept add-ons: Carefully consider the rental company’s offers for extra insurance or equipment.
- Inspect the car: Before you leave, take photos or videos of any existing damage to the vehicle to protect yourself from false claims.
- Returning the car
- Follow the fuel policy: Refill the gas according to the rental agreement to avoid high refueling charges.
- Check for fees: Be aware of potential fees for extra mileage or late returns.
- Document the return: Get a final receipt and take a photo of the car when you return it, especially if you dropped it off at a different location than your pickup.
The Cheapest Way to Rent a Car: 10 Tips To Save
Rental car prices have far outpaced inflation. Still, there are tricks to save money on your next rental car.
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Updated May 28, 2025 2:41 p.m. PDT · 6 min read
Written by Kelsey Sheehy
Senior Writer
Co-written by Sally French
Lead Writer/Spokesperson
Car rental prices hit sky-high levels in July 2021. Luckily, car rental prices seem to have reached their top and continue to drop.
But even today, rental cars are far from cheap (and they’re far higher than pre-COVID rates). Inflation has been hitting almost every aspect of the economy, but it’s hit car rental prices even harder. Whereas average prices across all items for summer 2024 were up about 23% since before the pandemic, rental car prices in 2024 are up a much sharper 29%.
The good news is you don’t have to spend your entire vacation budget on rental cars.
These 10 tricks will help you score a cheap rental car for your next road trip, whether it’s a quick weekend getaway or a cross-country odyssey.
1. Skip the airport
Renting at the airport is convenient when you’re flying into a new city. But that convenience can come at a premium, thanks to general price increases around demand, and other costs like airport surcharges.
These surcharges often come as fixed dollar figures, typically presented as a “Customer Facility Charge.” You might also find them as a percentage of your overall rental amount — and sometimes, you’ll owe both. These charges are typically several dollars a day, but can amount to a three-figure charge depending on the length of your trip.
A June 2024 NerdWallet study of more than 480 rental car prices taken from cities that host America’s 15 largest airports compared the price of a seven-night rental at eight major car rental companies from airport outposts versus the cost to rent at their nearby downtown counterparts.
NerdWallet found that seven-night car rentals for downtown locations were, on average, $86 cheaper than airport locations. That is, you can expect to spend about 18.4% more to rent a car at the airport compared to a downtown rental.
Price out rental locations in the city and compare to what you can get at the airport. Make sure you factor in the cost of a taxi or rideshare to and from your rental location if you rent at a location away from the airport.
2. Shop around online
Look at sites like Kayak, Priceline and Cheapcarrental.com to compare your options and narrow in on the best deal.
Then go directly to the car rental company’s site. You might find an even steeper discount that way, particularly with “Pay Now” options. Just keep in mind that rentals paid in advance are typically nonrefundable.
Even after you book, keep shopping. If you didn’t book a nonrefundable rental, you can cancel your reservation if you find a better price.
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3. Comparison shop between brands (the discount ones aren’t always cheapest)
Despite names like Dollar and Budget, those stereotypically-discount bands aren’t necessarily the cheapest.
NerdWallet’s 2024 rental car study found that Thrifty, Hertz and Enterprise Rent-A-Car ranked among the cheapest rental car companies. Whereas the average price for a seven-night rental from the most expensive brand, National, was $601, it was just $414 with Thrifty.
Do your own comparison shopping, but don’t assume the discount brands like Advantage, Payless and Dollar Rental offer a lower rate than big-name rental companies.
4. Leverage memberships
Have a Costco membership? Use it to save money on your next rental car.
“I find that Costco consistently beats full-price car rentals on online travel agencies,” says Clem Bason, CEO of the travel website goSEEK.com and formerly of Hotwire.com.
An added bonus: You can often add a driver for free.
AAA memberships are another great money-saving tool by providing discounts for Hertz rentals as well as no underage driver fees for AAA members ages 20 to 24.
Frequent-flyer programs also offer discounts on rental cars. American Airlines, for example, offers AAdvantage members 35% off Budget and Avis — but you need to rent from an airport.
5. Opt for economy cars
Economy cars are typically the cheapest, and therefore the most likely to be booked. You can use this to your advantage, says Brett Graff, a family finance expert and author of a syndicated column called The Home Economist.
“When renting a car, I reserve the smallest, most affordable vehicle possible, knowing there’s a chance it won’t be on the lot and I’ll get an upgrade,” Graff says.
Just don’t book something that’s too small for your party, or you could be stuck cramming five people plus luggage into a two-door coupe. Not exactly the cozy vacation you had in mind, is it?
6. Stick to one driver
Most rental car companies will charge you a fee to add an extra driver, which can often be more than $10 per day.
There are ways to dodge the fee, though. Some companies, such as Enterprise, waive the additional driver fee for a spouse or domestic partner, but you both need to have the same address on your driver’s licenses. Others, including National, waive the fee for spouses, partners and immediate family members if you enroll in their membership program.
You can also leverage other memberships, such as USAA, AARP, AAA or Costco to get a free additional driver with select rental car companies.
7. Use your own insurance
If you have a car, your primary insurance likely covers you when you rent a car. Carless millennials: Have your parents add you as a driver to their insurance. If you have a good driving record, it likely won’t cost any extra.
Many credit cards also include basic insurance coverage if you use the card to pay for your rental. So you can skip it and save what often amounts to about $30 a day on your rental. Some cards even offer more comprehensive coverage.
Renting overseas? You might be required to purchase insurance, even if you have coverage via your primary car insurance and/or your credit card. Build this into your budget.
8. Forgo the extras
Rental agents make more money if they sell you on the benefits of extras like roadside assistance, satellite radio and GPS navigation. You’ll save money if you resist their spiel.
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