Planning to travel across the western USA? I recommend choosing a car rental in California from one of the car rental companies in Los Angeles. Although the rental costs aren’t significantly lower, flight tickets to Los Angeles usually are. Hence, planning a round trip with arrival and departure from Los Angeles proves to be more cost-effective. In the article, you’ll learn when car rental rates are at their highest and how you can lower them.
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Car Rental Costs in California
Never rent a car from the first company you encounter; doing so makes it hard to find the lowest rental price. It’s much better to compare several car rental agencies in California at once and select the most affordable or advantageous option. I have had good experiences with RentalCars.com, which compares offers from 200 rental companies simultaneously and guarantees the lowest rental prices.
You can compare rental rates using the following form. It factors in offers from dozens of different rental agencies and displays available vehicles of all categories.
How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Car in California?
- No Hidden Fees
The prices stated at the time of reservation are always final, providing a clear overview of your expenses. - Lowest Price Guarantee
If you find the same deal at a lower price elsewhere, RentalCars will refund the difference. - Cancellation Is Free of Charge
Most bookings can be cancelled or altered free of charge up to 48 hours before collection.
- No Hidden Fees
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How to Save on Car Rentals in California
Car rental rates in California vary significantly and depend on many factors. Prices also tend to change frequently.
🗓️ Booking Timeline
The timing of your booking affects the price. Based on my experience, I recommend booking a car about 1–2 months in advance, which should yield the lowest rates.
You can secure a good deal by choosing a rental company that offers free cancellation. This allows you to book in advance and cancel the reservation if your travel plans change. RentalCars offers this flexibility along with a price guarantee on car rentals.
⏳ Rental Duration and Timing
During peak season, typically summer vacation in California, demand at some car rental agencies can be so high that prices increase. The same usually applies around national holidays, when Americans travel to visit family. Conversely, rental costs may drop during periods of low demand.
Most rental companies charge by every 24-hour period. Ensure that the pickup time matches the drop-off time to avoid paying for an extra day unnecessarily. For example, picking up a car at 11 a.m. and returning it at noon would result in an extra day’s charge.
🗺️ Rental Location
Rental prices in California don’t differ much between cities. Generally, it’s better to pick up your car at an airport where there’s more competition among larger car rental agencies, often resulting in better rates.
In some cases, it may be worth renting from an airport location, even if the price is slightly higher, as you’ll save on transportation to and from the airport on the first and last days of your trip.
🏎️ Car Class
Smaller cars in the Economy class are usually the cheapest but may not provide sufficient comfort for longer road trips. They have limited space inside and in the trunk, which could be problematic if you have multiple suitcases. Larger cars in the Intermediate and Large categories offer greater comfort and typically cost only about 10% more.
SUVs, with their higher ground clearance, provide even better comfort for long road trips and are about 25% more expensive than Economy cars. The most appealing option is the Premium category, including convertibles, which are often twice as expensive as Economy cars.
Prices within each car class can fluctuate depending on the current stock at various branches. Occasionally, smaller cars are priced similarly to larger ones, and customers are sometimes offered free upgrades to a higher class.
The table below shows the lowest car rental prices in California for 24-hour rentals I was able to find. For a better price estimate, click the link and try a non-binding quote calculation.
Economy Class Intermediate Class SUV Convertible 
from $36 from $36 from $41 from $57 🔁 Update Price 🔁 Update Price 🔁 Update Price 🔁 Update Price 🔞 Driver’s Age
Drivers between the ages of 21 and 24 are subject to a daily fee of $16.00 to $37. The exact amount varies by rental company and is charged due to the higher risk of damage associated with younger drivers.
Some rental companies do not rent cars to drivers aged 18 to 21, while others charge up to double the regular fee.
☂️ Included Insurance
Car rentals in California generally include liability and collision coverage with zero driver liability. A friend of mine managed to break the rear window of a Ford Mustang, damage the roof mechanism, and “lose” the rear bumper, all within a week. Thanks to the zero-liability policy, she didn’t have to pay anything.
However, I strongly recommend reading the insurance terms carefully when renting a car. If any risks are not covered in the base price, consider purchasing additional insurance.
🛰️ Extra Equipment and Services
During the car rental process, you can purchase additional services and accessories. From personal experience, I recommend paying extra for a second or even third driver, allowing you to switch off behind the wheel. The fee varies by company but typically ranges between $13.00 and $15.00 per day. For example, Avis has capped this fee at $65 for the entire rental period.
If damage occurs while someone not listed on the contract is driving, the insurance will not cover it. If you’re traveling with children, it’s wise to rent a child safety seat or booster seat that matches the child’s age and size.
On the other hand, renting a GPS device is unnecessary since you can easily use Google Maps on your phone. Similarly, mobile internet offered by rental companies is usually redundant. Instead, you can purchase mobile data through a service like Airalo.
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Affordable Car Rental Companies in California
Affordable car rental companies in California are usually located at airports, making it easy to pick up your vehicle without needing additional transportation into the city center. This eliminates extra costs for Uber or public transit.
◻️ Car Rental Companies at Los Angeles Airport
LAX is massive, so both major and minor car rental companies have representation there. Their counters are located outside the terminals in a separate building, accessible via purple shuttle buses labeled “Rental Car Shuttles.” Just follow the signs from the baggage claim area in the arrivals hall.
At LAX, you can rent vehicles from companies like Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Fox, Hertz, National, Sixt, Thrifty, and Zipcar.
◻️ Car Rental Companies at San Francisco Airport
All car rental companies at San Francisco Airport are housed in a dedicated building called the “Rental Car Center.” A fully automated AirTrain connects the arrivals hall to the rental center via the Blue Line, operating 24/7.
In the center’s fourth-floor lobby, you’ll find counters for Alamo, Enterprise, Sixt, Avis, Hertz, Budget, National, Thrifty, and Dollar.
Car Rental Company Rating 
Alamo Rent a Car 8.7/10 
Avis Car Rental 8.2/10 
Budget Car Rental 8.1/10 
Dollar Car Rental 8.3/10 
Enterprise Rent-A-Car 8.6/10 
Hertz Rent a Car 8.3/10 
National Car Rental 8.6/10 
SIXT Rent A Car 8.3/10 
Thrifty Car Rental 8.3/10 -
Tips for Road Trips in California
There’s probably no other place in the world that offers better conditions for road trips than California.
1️⃣ The Grand Loop of the Western USA
A grand loop covering over 1,243 mi will take you two to three weeks, guiding you through Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Las Vegas, during which you’ll experience the best that the western USA has to offer.
I’ve prepared a detailed itinerary for a road trip across the western USA, where you’ll see several national parks, the unmistakable Monument Valley, the natural wonder Horseshoe Bend, the Alcatraz prison, and the amusement park Universal Studios.
2️⃣ Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe, located on the border between California and Nevada, might be the most beautiful alpine lake in the USA. The crystal-clear lake is surrounded by mountains and famous ski resorts like Palisades Tahoe or Northstar, which offer plenty of fun for visitors in the winter months.
In the summer, Lake Tahoe is a great place for outdoor sports enthusiasts. You can kayak or paddleboard directly on the lake, and the surrounding mountains are perfect for hiking. A noteworthy trail is the 167 mi long Tahoe Rim Trail, which loops around the entire lake and offers stunning views. You may not be able to complete the whole trail, but are you brave enough to try at least part of it?
3️⃣ California National Parks
California, along with neighboring Nevada and Arizona, has so many national parks that it is practically impossible to visit them all on a single trip. Some of the most famous parks include Death Valley, Yosemite, Sequoia, and Grand Canyon.
Be sure to buy the America the Beautiful Pass, priced at $80, which allows everyone in your vehicle to visit all US national parks within 1 year without any restrictions. Near Las Vegas, you can also visit the Hoover Dam, where you can take a guided tour of its inner workings.
4️⃣ Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is a historic pier with a small amusement park, blending beach vibes with carnival rides. Don’t worry, it’s not just boring carousels and kiddie trains. The pier features several roller coasters, centrifuges, and a free-fall simulator. For me, the Beach Boardwalk is the symbol of summer.
The pier is located in the city of Santa Cruz, south of San Francisco. After paying the entrance fee, you can enjoy unlimited access to all the open attractions for the entire day.
5️⃣ Famous California Highways
In California, more than anywhere else, it’s true that the journey is the destination. Part of the route from Los Angeles to Las Vegas follows the historic Route 66, which winds through mountains and the famous Mojave Desert.
For the trip between Los Angeles and San Francisco, you can choose the Pacific Coast Highway, which, though significantly longer and slower than the inland route, offers spectacular ocean views nearly the entire way. Along the route, you can stop at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.
Car Rental in USA
- The Best Guide to Renting a Car in the USA (4 714 Words!)
- USA Driving Guide – Important Rules, Speed Limits & Signs
- USA Gas Stations – Filling Up, Fuel Types & Price Guide
- Automatic Car 101: Understanding Gearbox, Starting, and Parking
- How to Rent a Mustang Convertible in the USA (An Easy Guide)
- How to Rent a 7, 9, 12 or 15 Passenger Van (A Complete Guide)
