Why rent a car in California?
California, the most populous state in the US, is a large and diverse state with many tourist attractions. From Hollywood and Disneyland to San Francisco, travelers from all over the world flock to a wealth of destinations.
The Pacific Coast beaches are a surfing mecca, the mountains of the Sierra Nevada a climber's paradise, and the vineyards of Nappa and Sonoma Valley a wine lover's dream.
Of course, it is almost essential to have a car to take it all in. Some of the best drives in the US (and perhaps the world) are to be found in the state. Chief among them is driving along the Pacific Highway overlooking the coast.
One-way Car Rentals in California
Here are the most popular one-way rental options for pickup in California and drop-off in another country:
- From California to Nevada - 342 offers from €38.97 per day
- From California to Arizona - 68 offers from €50.91 per day
- From California to Colorado - 125 offers from €78.77 per day
- From California to New York - 120 offers from €76.85 per day
- From California to Texas - 27 offers from €82.83 per day
Top ways to enter California
- Los Angeles Airport: The busiest in California, the second busiest in the US, and one of the largest in the world, LAX almost feels like a travel destination in its own right.
- San Diego Airport: Despite only having one runway, San Diego Airport manages to serve more than 20 million passengers annually.
- San Francisco Airport: The busiest airport in North California, it serves not only San Francisco but the larger Bay Area.
- By land: It is also possible to pick up a car in a neighboring state and then drive to California. Some large airports near California are Las Vegas Airport in Nevada, Phoenix Airport in Arizona, and Portland Airport in Oregon.
What is the cheapest city to rent a car..... in California?
- Los Angeles. One of the most famous cities on the planet, L.A. is packed with attractions and excitement. There are too many to list them all, but no trip would be complete without visiting Hollywood, Venice Beach, and at least one of the major film studios. Los Angeles is also home to LAX, the busiest airport in California.
- San Francisco. Most visitors associate San Francisco with the Golden Gate Bridge. While it might be the first thing that you see in the city (if you’re arriving from the north, anyway), it is only the beginning of things to see and do. Other attractions include famous neighborhoods like Fisherman’s Wharf, the Alcatraz prison, and the largest Chinatown in the U.S.
- San Diego. Located in the far southwestern part of the state, San Diego is another amazing city. Home to several famous beaches like Mission, Ocean, and Black Beaches, the city is also home to one of the best-preserved old towns on the U.S. Pacific Coast, as well as family-oriented attractions like the San Diego Zoo, often named among the best in the country.
Most popular rental car
The most popular rental car in California is the Nissan Versa, closely followed by the Hyundai Accent and the Hyundai Elantra.
Crossing borders
California borders Mexico, and a trip south of the border is a popular thing for those visiting San Diego. Most rental companies, however, do not allow their vehicles to be driven to Mexico, though. You could, however, rent a separate car on the Mexican side of the border.
While it's normal to think about including other states as part of a longer road trip, keep in mind that some rental companies only allow their cars to be driven to certain states. Midway, for example, only allows traveling to Nevada, Utah, and Arizona. The usual major rental companies (Alamo, Enterprise, Dollar, and Thrifty, for example) allow their cars to be taken to any state.
- Convertibles - from €69 per day
- Large cars - from €20 per day
- Medium cars - from €19 per day
- Vans - from €60 per day
- Premium cars - from €46 per day
- Small cars - from €37 per day
- SUVs - from €31 per day
Money-saving and other tips
You can do several things to get a good car rental deal in California:
- Compare rates of different rental car providers
- Book your rental car well in advance
- Plan your route before you go
- Know your fuel and mileage requirements
- Visit on the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting California is the cheapest in March when renting a car is about 21% cheaper than the yearly average and about 37% cheaper than renting a car in July.
What is the cheapest month to rent a car in California?
The cheapest month of the year to rent a car in California is January — when rental costs average €34.94 per day. This is 23% cheaper than the yearly average and 31% cheaper than renting a car in July (when prices average €50.41 per day).
This information can help you identify the low season. But these are only average numbers. How much your car rental will cost will depend on the type of vehicle you rent, how long you’ll rent it for, and how far ahead you book. Simply enter your dates in the form at the top of the page to see the exact prices.
| Rental Supplier | Model | Doors | Luggage | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FOX | Kia Sportage | 5 | 2 | SUVs |
| FOX | Toyota Corolla | 4 | 1 | Large cars |
| FOX | Hyundai Santa Fe | 5 | 2 | SUVs |
| FOX | Chrysler Pacifica | 5 | 2 | Vans |
| FOX | Nissan Altima | 4 | 2 | Large cars |
| FOX | Mitsubishi Mirage | 4 | 2 | Small cars |
| Dollar | Honda CR-V | 5 | 3 | SUVs |
| Alamo | Nissan Rogue | 5 | 3 | SUVs |
| FOX | Nissan Versa | 4 | 2 | Medium cars |
| Thrifty | Jeep Compass | 5 | 2 | SUVs |












1 Comments
Very informative for travelling.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for you....