KAYAK’s insights & trends for California car rentals
Check out the latest trends and booking tips to rent a car in California with confidence.
How far in advance should you book a rental car in California?
You should book your rental car in California around 7 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.
What is the cheapest car rental company in California?
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest rental cars were found at Ace (₱22.73/day), Fox (₱26.36/day) and Thrifty (₱29.03/day).
What is the most popular rental car in California?
Rentals in the Medium category (Honda Civic or similar) are the most popular option in California, costing ₱3,021/day on average. Some users have found deals as low as ₱2,140/day.
What is the cheapest month to rent a car in California?
The cheapest month to rent a car in California is January at an average cost of ₱2,676/day. June is the most expensive month to rent a car in California when prices are ₱3,609/day on average, which tends to be 6,838% above the yearly average rental price for California.
Which car hire company in California has the most locations?
Avis operates 57 locations in California, more than any other rental company.
California car rental price comparison by vehicle type
Find the right rental car in California by comparing prices across vehicle types.
Small
Medium
Large
SUV
Van
Pickup truck
Luxury
Convertible
Small cars
₱1,292 - ₱2,462
All Car Types
₱3,430 - ₱5,029
How much does it cost to rent a small car in California?
How much does it cost to rent a medium car in California?
How much does it cost to rent a large car in California?
How much does it cost to rent an SUV in California?
How much does it cost to rent a van in California?
How much does it cost to rent a pickup truck in California?
How much does it cost to rent a luxury car in California?
How much does it cost to rent a convertible in California?
Small car rentals in California typically cost around ₱2,079 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average ₱1,292 per day which is about 38% less than the yearly average. Small cars are usually 52% cheaper than the average rental in California, making them ideal for budget-conscious travelers.
Medium car rentals in California typically cost around ₱4,067 per day. The best time to book is September, when prices average ₱3,016 per day which is about 26% less than the yearly average. Medium cars are usually 5% cheaper than the average rental in California, offering a good balance of space and value.
Large car rentals in California typically cost around ₱3,475 per day. The best time to book is September, when prices average ₱2,914 per day which is about 17% less than the yearly average. Large cars can be 19% cheaper than the average rental in California, offering more comfort for longer trips at a valuable price.
SUV rentals in California typically cost around ₱3,725 per day. The best time to book is September, when prices average ₱3,181 per day which is about 15% less than the yearly average. SUVs can be 13% cheaper than the average rental in California, providing extra space and capability for groups or road trips at a reasonable price.
Van rentals in California typically cost around ₱7,600 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average ₱5,233 per day which is about 32% less than the yearly average. Vans are typically 44% more expensive than the average rental in California, but are the best choice for families or groups needing maximum passenger capacity.
Pickup truck rentals in California typically cost around ₱3,658 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average ₱3,139 per day which is about 15% less than the yearly average. Pickup trucks are 15% cheaper than the average rental in California, a practical choice for hauling gear or outdoor adventures.
Luxury car rentals in California typically cost around ₱5,245 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average ₱4,556 per day which is about 14% less than the yearly average. Luxury cars are typically 19% more expensive than the average rental in California, but deliver premium comfort and style for special occasions.
Convertible rentals in California typically cost around ₱4,976 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average ₱4,001 per day which is about 20% less than the yearly average. Convertibles are typically 15% more expensive than the average rental in California, perfect for scenic drives and warm-weather destinations.
Good to know
Most popular agency
Most popular car type
Average price
Good deal
Ace
Small
₱3,224/day
₱2,728/day
Top tips for renting a car in California
All car hirers in California are required to produce a valid driver's licence with an expiration date that does not fall within the present hire period. You can also hire a car even if you don't have a licence issued by the US government. All you need to do is present a passport and either an international licence or your licence from Australia.
When two cars meet on a steep road and neither can pass, the car facing downhill is required to back up to let the other pass, since when backing up a slope, the car that is facing downhill has more control. When it comes to stop signs in California, they are more frequent than traffic lights. All motorists must come to a full stop at any stop sign.
If your blood alcohol level is 0.08% or more, you are not allowed to operate a motor vehicle in California. Also, you are only allowed to operate a cellphone while driving if you’re using a hands-free device or when you need to call for assistance in an emergency.
25% of our users found rental cars in California for ₱2,728 or less
Medium rental cars in California are around 36% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in California
How much does it cost to rent a car in California?
On average a rental car in California costs ₱3,224 per day.
Based on car searches on KAYAK, the most popular cities to rent a car in California are Los Angeles (75% of total searches of users looking to rent a car in California), San Francisco (11%) and Burbank (3%).
How much does it cost to rent a car for a week in California?
On average a rental car in California costs ₱22,566 per week (₱3,224 per day).
How much does it cost to rent a car long term for a month in California?
On average a rental car in California costs ₱96,711 per month (₱3,224 per day).
Should I hire a car in California?
Given that California is quite large with numerous sprawling cities, hiring a car is a practical and economical way to get around the area. Even though the majority of large cities have their own public transportation networks, driving is still often faster and easier. Los Angeles, Sacramento and San Diego are a few cities in California that are best navigated with a vehicle. Having access to your own car can also come in handy, especially if you plan on visiting a more rural city or taking a road trip.
What is driving like in California?
California is typically warm and sunny. However, it’s at times rainy, which is a critical time to drive yourself around. When it's raining, go at a slower speed and make sure to utilise your windscreen wipers and headlights. Also, ensure that you have the appropriate tyre chains for your hire car's tyres if you plan to drive in the snow during winter. Try to stay in the right lane whenever you are on a road or freeway with numerous lanes, unless when overtaking. Remember that a left turn from one one-way street to another one-way street can only be made when the signal is red. Unless it’s clearly banned, you can usually turn right at a red light after stopping completely and checking for approaching traffic. You have to pre-pay for your petrol in California. If you are using a credit card, you’ll need to swipe your card at the pump to activate the pump. You’ll also be required to provide your postal code to prevent credit card fraud.
How old do you have to be to hire a car in California?
Most car hire companies require that you be at least 21 years old in order to hire a vehicle in California. If you’re between the ages of 21 and 24 and need to hire a car, you’ll likely pay a young hirer fee and may only be allowed to hire certain classes of vehicles.
Car rental directory
Enterprise Rent-A-Car car rental locations in California
227 Locations
Hertz car rental locations in California
158 Locations
Avis car rental locations in California
115 Locations
Budget car rental locations in California
110 Locations
Dollar car rental locations in California
99 Locations
Thrifty car rental locations in California
94 Locations
Midway car rental locations in California
28 Locations
Sixt car rental locations in California
27 Locations
National car rental locations in California
23 Locations
Alamo car rental locations in California
20 Locations
Eagle Rent A Car car rental locations in California
20 Locations
Easirent car rental locations in California
19 Locations
Car rental locations in California
Everything you need to know for your car rental in California
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