KAYAK’s insights & trends for Costa Mesa car rentals
Check out the latest trends and booking tips to rent a car in Costa Mesa with confidence.
How far in advance should you book a rental car in Costa Mesa?
You should book your rental car in Costa Mesa around 48 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.
What is the most popular rental car in Costa Mesa?
Rentals in the SUV category (Jeep Compass or similar) are the most popular option in Costa Mesa, costing ₱3,027/day on average. Some users have found deals as low as ₱1,786/day.
What is the cheapest month to rent a car in Costa Mesa?
The cheapest month to rent a car in Costa Mesa is September at an average cost of ₱2,251/day. July is the most expensive month to rent a car in Costa Mesa when prices are ₱3,314/day on average, which tends to be 20% above the yearly average rental price for Costa Mesa.
Costa Mesa car rental price comparison by vehicle type
Find the right rental car in Costa Mesa by comparing prices across vehicle types.
Small
Medium
Large
SUV
Van
Pickup truck
Luxury
Convertible
Small cars
₱1,688 - ₱2,938
All Car Types
₱3,230 - ₱4,098
How much does it cost to rent a small car in Costa Mesa?
How much does it cost to rent a medium car in Costa Mesa?
How much does it cost to rent a large car in Costa Mesa?
How much does it cost to rent an SUV in Costa Mesa?
How much does it cost to rent a van in Costa Mesa?
How much does it cost to rent a pickup truck in Costa Mesa?
How much does it cost to rent a luxury car in Costa Mesa?
How much does it cost to rent a convertible in Costa Mesa?
Small car rentals in Costa Mesa typically cost around ₱2,169 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average ₱1,688 per day which is about 23% less than the yearly average. Small cars are usually 42% cheaper than the average rental in Costa Mesa, making them ideal for budget-conscious travelers.
Medium car rentals in Costa Mesa typically cost around ₱2,925 per day. The best time to book is April, when prices average ₱2,063 per day which is about 30% less than the yearly average. Medium cars are usually 22% cheaper than the average rental in Costa Mesa, offering a good balance of space and value.
Large car rentals in Costa Mesa typically cost around ₱3,328 per day. The best time to book is April, when prices average ₱2,334 per day which is about 30% less than the yearly average. Large cars can be 11% cheaper than the average rental in Costa Mesa, offering more comfort for longer trips at a valuable price.
SUV rentals in Costa Mesa typically cost around ₱4,000 per day. The best time to book is November, when prices average ₱3,075 per day which is about 24% less than the yearly average. SUVs are typically 7% more expensive than the average rental in Costa Mesa, but provide extra space and capability for groups or road trips.
Van rentals in Costa Mesa typically cost around ₱5,884 per day. The best time to book is November, when prices average ₱3,063 per day which is about 48% less than the yearly average. Vans are typically 37% more expensive than the average rental in Costa Mesa, but are the best choice for families or groups needing maximum passenger capacity.
Pickup truck rentals in Costa Mesa typically cost around ₱3,969 per day. The best time to book is February, when prices average ₱3,063 per day which is about 23% less than the yearly average. Pickup trucks are typically 6% more expensive than the average rental in Costa Mesa, ideal for hauling gear or outdoor adventures.
Luxury car rentals in Costa Mesa typically cost around ₱4,783 per day. The best time to book is May, when prices average ₱3,084 per day which is about 36% less than the yearly average. Luxury cars are typically 22% more expensive than the average rental in Costa Mesa, but deliver premium comfort and style for special occasions.
Convertible rentals in Costa Mesa typically cost around ₱5,291 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average ₱3,501 per day which is about 34% less than the yearly average. Convertibles are typically 30% more expensive than the average rental in Costa Mesa, perfect for scenic drives and warm-weather destinations.
Good to know
Most popular car type
Small
KAYAK’s top tips for renting a car in Costa Mesa
You’ll want to consider a car rental in Costa Mesa to check out all that Orange County has to offer, as nearly all travel in Southern California is done by car. You can spend time in Newport Beach, walking around the harbor or lazing on the beach. Be sure to check out the first permanent settlement in the area at the Mission San Juan Capistrano, a little over a 20min drive away. Maybe Disneyland is on your agenda, and with your car rental, you’ll be just a 15min drive away. Take a drive up the coast along Highway 1 to Seal Beach in Long Beach or continue even further north to the epic Manhattan Beach boardwalk, just south of sunny Los Angeles. No matter what you want to do and see while you’re in Costa Mesa, your own set of wheels with your car rental in Costa Mesa will give you all the freedom and comfort you need.
There are plenty of airport options to get to Costa Mesa. The closest is the Santa Ana Airport which is a mere 4 miles away. If you’re flying into the Santa Ana Airport, there are a number of car rental companies that have on-site car rental services directly at the airport terminal, just outside baggage claim.
The main roadways in Costa Mesa include the I-5 and the scenic coastal route known as Highway 101. Two state routes, 73 and 55 also end in Costa Mesa, and the San Diego Freeway, I-405 also serves the city. Pedestrians and cyclists are not common in Costa Mesa, with the only exception being around Highway 101 which has some tourist shops and beach access. Drive more carefully around this highway as you may be sharing the road with cyclists or have a pedestrian suddenly cross the street without expecting it.
Traffic is notoriously congested during rush hour throughout this stretch of Southern California. If you’re heading north towards Los Angeles, expect the I-405 and the I-5 to be backed up starting from 7am until 9am. Heading south along those same freeways, it starts to get congested around 8am until 9am during the week and then again at 4pm to 6:30pm. During the weekend, heading south, especially during the summer, expect traffic to be heavy from 11am to 3:00pm.
Medium rental cars in Costa Mesa are around 60% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in Costa Mesa
What type of car is recommended for driving in Costa Mesa?
Since you will probably be doing a lot of freeway driving in Costa Mesa, we recommend you check out a compact or standard SUV for comfort and safety. It will also give you plenty of space to lug around your gear from beach to beach and maybe even try renting a surfboard if you’ve always dreamed about trying a new sport.
What’s the speed limit in Costa Mesa?
The maximum speed limit when driving on highways in California is usually 65mph. The maximum speed limit goes down to 55mph on two-lane highways. Within the city limits of Costa Mesa, particularly in residential areas and around schools, the speed limits drop to 25-35mph.
Where are the best places to park in Costa Mesa?
Parking is free and usually plentiful around Costa Mesa. The one exception would be along Highway 101 which might be more difficult, especially on the weekends and some posted areas which only permit one or 2h parking. There is a parking garage along the Main Street Promenade if you need long-term parking.
Which car rental companies are at Los Angeles airport (LAX)?
Which car rental companies will pick you up at Los Angeles airport (LAX)?
Car rental companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from Los Angeles airport to off-airport locations include Sixt, Avis, Europcar, Hertz, Thrifty, Alamo, and U-Save.
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