What is the cheapest rental car found in California?

In the past two weeks, Cheapflights users have found many deals under C$ 57/day when booking a rental car in California. The best deal a user found was for C$ 28/day from MEXRENTACAR , booked on Aug. 10.

How much does it cost to rent a car in California for a week from Turo?

Turo offers rental cars in California for about C$ 410 per week on average.

Can I rent a car for a month in California?

The length of time you can book a rental for is subject to the inventory of the supplier. When renting a vehicle from California it should be possible to rent a car for a whole month if needed.

How much does it cost to rent a car in California for a month?

You can potentially save up to 84% on a month-long rental by booking with MEXRENTACAR . MEXRENTACAR is the cheapest rental company available within the next few months. Renting a car in California can cost you on average C$ 1,755 a month or C$ 59 a day. For extended stays in a location, this option will usually save you the most.

What are the car hire rental for popular cities in California?

Out of all the popular cities in California, Los Angeles is the cheapest city to rent a car in at just C$ 22/day. Renting a car in Los Angeles is 66% cheaper than renting one in San Francisco where the per day rate is around C$ 65. Other fairly inexpensive cities in California to get a rental car in are: Long Beach (C$ 34/day), Oakland (C$ 42/day), and San Diego (C$ 44/day). While these cities typically have cheaper prices than the rest of the country, travelers looking to rent a car in Los Angeles should expect to spend around C$ 22/day on their transportation. The most popular city to rent a car in California is Los Angeles.

Should I rent a car in the state of California?

Car rentals in California are a fantastic way to see everything this diverse state has to offer. You can explore Yosemite National Park and the many natural attractions in and around that area. Lake Tahoe is another popular destination. Then you can head south to Los Angeles or San Diego and hit the beach and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. California car rentals allow you to take these road trips on your own schedule and at your own pace, adding flexibility to your itinerary.

What is driving like in California?

Driving in California is pretty easy and safe. The roads are paved and in good condition across the state, and you will have plenty of scenic drives to take advantage of. The local drivers are quite friendly, especially in northern California and in the more rural areas. Los Angeles, though, is notorious for having horrible traffic, which can sometimes add hours to your commute time depending on the area and destination. With a bit of patience, though, driving across the state in California rental cars will be an easy and relaxed experience.

How old do you have to be to rent a car in the state of California?

You must be at least 21 years of age in order to get car rentals in California. Some car rental companies may restrict those under 25 from renting certain vehicle categories, like luxury vehicles. You also may be charged a daily young driver’s fee if you are under the age of 25. Aside from your driver's license, you will need a major credit card to put down the deposit and pay for the rental vehicle. Renters from outside the US will also need a valid passport and an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) if their license is not written in the Roman alphabet. Some rental agencies may also need proof of insurance, so be sure to check your chosen agency’s specific requirements before heading there to pick up your car rental.

Cheap Car Rentals in California | Deals From C$ 20/Day

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California car rentals in 2025

Most popular company	Ace
Most common car type	Intermediate
Average price per day	C$ 66
Cheapest price per day	C$ 20

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Popular car types in California

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There are currently 17,525 rental locations operating in California spread across 356 car rental agencies. In the past week, the cheapest car type to rent in California is small car at C$ 20 a day. Below are all the 8 car types available for renting in the area, along with estimated starting prices:

Economy

C$ 20+

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Compact

C$ 27+

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Intermediate

C$ 27+

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Standard

C$ 34+

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Full-size

C$ 35+

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SUV

C$ 54+

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Minivan

C$ 58+

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Full-size SUV

C$ 55+

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Premium

C$ 41+

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Luxury

C$ 50+

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Convertible

C$ 82+

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Pick-up truck

C$ 64+

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Premium SUV

C$ 54+

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Supplier choice

C$ 27+

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Compact SUV

C$ 32+

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Intermediate SUV

C$ 36+

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Standard SUV

C$ 42+

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Luxury SUV

C$ 66+

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Open-air all-terrain

C$ 78+

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Compare car rental deals in California by type

Here are the best California small car rental prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:

Here are the best California medium car rental prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:

Here are the best California large car rental prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:

Here are the best California SUV rental prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:

Here are the best California van rental prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:

Here are the best California luxury car rental prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:

Here are the best California convertible rental prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:

Chevrolet SparkC$ 20/day

A/C

Nissan LeafC$ 27/day

A/C

Chevrolet SparkC$ 30/day

A/C

Best car rental deals found in California

Chevrolet SparkC$ 20/day

A/C

Nissan LeafC$ 27/day

A/C

Mini CountrymanC$ 27/day

A/C

Cheapflights insights for California car rentals

Get relevant, data-driven information to help you rent a car in California, including pricing trends, ideal booking times, and more.

How far in advance should I rent a car in California?

To get the best deal on a rental car in California, book about 7 days before your trip. At that point, average daily prices are around C$ 58, which is about 11% cheaper than the typical rate.

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What is the cheapest rental car company in California?

In California, the most affordable rental car company right now is MEXRENTACAR , offering prices from just C$ 12.43/day over the past two weeks. Another budget-friendly choice is Ace, with rates starting at C$ 22.82/day.

What is the best car rental company in California?

Based on Cheapflights user feedback, the highest-rated car rental company in California is Hertz (rated 5.9/10 with 1,118 reviews). Alamo (rated 8.4/10 with 159 reviews) is also highly rated by our users.

Hertz

5.9

Alamo

8.4

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

7.5

Sixt

7.4

What is the cheapest month to rent a car in California?

Planning a car rental in California? February is the cheapest month, costing about C$ 59 per day. In contrast, July is the most expensive, with an average daily rate of C$ 81. Monthly average rental prices are listed below. Remember, prices can change based on when you book, the type of car, and availability.

January

C$ 61

February

C$ 59

March

C$ 63

April

C$ 70

May

C$ 72

June

C$ 74

July

C$ 81

August

C$ 75

September

C$ 71

October

C$ 71

November

C$ 71

December

C$ 77

What car do most people rent in California?

The most popular types of cars to rent in California are the following: SUV rentals (Chevrolet Equinox or similar), Standard rentals (Chevrolet Equinox or similar), and Luxury rentals (BMW X3 or similar).

Which car rental company has the most locations in California?

Enterprise Rent-A-Car has 103 locations throughout the area, more than any other company. Hertz has the second-highest number of locations in California at 80.

What are the car rental prices for popular cities in California?

If you're looking for the best car rental deals in California, start with Los Angeles, where rates average C$ 22/day. You can also find good prices in Long Beach (C$ 34/day), Oakland (C$ 42/day), and San Diego (C$ 44/day).

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Tips for renting a car in California

If you are going to California and getting a rental car with kids in tow, make sure you know the child seat laws for this state. Kids under the age of 8 years old and those shorter than 4’9” must be in an appropriate child seat or booster seat in the back of the car. If you need a seat for your child, you should request one in advance to make sure it is available on the day that you pick up your car, as most car rental companies have a limited number of child seats for rent.
The state of California has several toll roads, including the Antioch Bridge, State Route 241, State Route 133, and several others. If you know you will be using toll roads, you should ask your rental car provider if they offer a prepaid program for the rental car, since you are not the owner of the vehicle and the tolls can therefore not be traced back to you. Most of the toll roads accept both cash and card, but there are a few that only accept one or the other.
California borders Mexico, and some people getting car rentals in California may want to drive down to Mexico. If this is your case, you need to ask your rental car company before crossing the border in California car rentals. Some may allow you to do so, while others will not. Certain vehicle categories, such as luxury vehicles, may always be restricted from crossing the border. Crossing the border will also usually incur extra charges, paperwork, and insurance, so it is important to get all of this done before hitting the road.

Top rental agencies in California

Hertz

5.9

Fair

1118 reviews•80 locations

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Overview

Recent reviews

2.0

Poor|Mar 2024

Rape

6.0

Okay|Sep 2023

Unhelpful employee. We arrived 1:30 ahead of time to pick up the car and waited for it to be cleaned. We got the car very dirty!!!!

2.0

Poor|Sep 2023

4 hours in the desert with a flat tire. Poor service and dangerous!

8.0

Very good|Sep 2023

Lady didn’t smile the whole time; we had an electric car and had no idea how to manage that; we brought the car over 12 hours before the time was up but still paid full price

2.0

Poor|Sep 2023

I asked for self fueling on return. I filled it up to the top of the tank and saw later I was charged for 6 gallons at 14$/gallon on my receipt. An absolute rip off ! never with Hertz again !

10.0

Wonderful|Sep 2023

Your customer service person who helped me with correcting my rental was awesome.

1 out of 373

Hertz Locations in California

Alamo

8.4

Very good

159 reviews•12 locations

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Overview

Recent reviews

10.0

Wonderful|Jan 2025

Great - easy in and out.

10.0

Wonderful|Sep 2024

Rami was lightning fast when i returned the car and gave me directions to the terminal. Excellent job!

10.0

Wonderful|Apr 2023

Every person I came in contact through out rental process was friendly and efficient. Car looked thoroughly cleaned. I would rent from Alamo again

2.0

Poor|Mar 2023

Alamo didn’t have the car I booked when we flew into Oakland airport at 8:30pm. We had booked a full sized suv 4 months prior and they had sold out . They advised us to come back the next day so we drive 2 hours to our already confirmed hotel and then the next morning 2 hours back to alamo only to be told that they didn’t have a full sized suv available because they were sold out. There were about 25 full sized SUV’s on their lot when they told us this but they said they were reserved for other customers who had booked full sized. Blew my mind. We turned in our car and went to Avis where they gave us a 4 runner for a fraction of what our full sized suv through Alamo had cost.

10.0

Wonderful|May 2022

When I picked up the car a little orientation to the car would be nice so I would know all the features and most importantly where is the gas tank door opener 😳. 😂

2.0

Poor|May 2022

Be prepared to spend 2x as much for your car than what’s quoted online.

1 out of 53

Alamo Locations in California

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

7.5

Good

335 reviews•103 locations

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Overview

Recent reviews

10.0

Wonderful|May 2025

Waiting time to pick up the car was too long. Around 30 min.

4.0

Mediocre|Jul 2023

Waited over an hour for the car which only to find out when we dropped off the car at another location was zipped tied together on the front bumper. The front desk staff tried their best to get us into a car as quickly was they could but it seems like their practices don’t fit the needs of the location

2.0

Poor|Apr 2023

Car choices don’t alert you that they are NOT where you requested. I asked for LAX pickup. It was an hour drive to that location. What a bait and switch. Will never use kayak for cars again

10.0

Wonderful|Apr 2023

It was a great experience picking up and dropping off. The car itself was a little finicky with the bluetooth/music not being accessible while driving but overall good! Everyone is always nice and efficient at the counter, Mitch was wonderful at checkout. Have used you all for many years and will continue to!

10.0

Wonderful|Mar 2023

The person at check in was extremely helpful.

10.0

Wonderful|Mar 2023

Well managed very efficient pick up and drop off Clean cars. Friendly and professional staff Best rental Company ever

1 out of 112

Enterprise Rent-A-Car Locations in California

Sixt

7.4

Good

345 reviews•15 locations

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Overview

Recent reviews

10.0

Wonderful|Jul 2023

great service, very friendly staff, we loved the upgraded car

2.0

Poor|Jul 2023

awful!

2.0

Poor|Jul 2023

Terrible experience checking in for the vehicle.

4.0

Mediocre|Apr 2023

Very little. Virtually everything could have been better.

4.0

Mediocre|Apr 2023

Need better vehicles.

10.0

Wonderful|Apr 2023

Got upgraded to BMW 430i, new and clean. Pickup and drop off were a breeze.

1 out of 115

Sixt Locations in California

Avis

6.2

Okay

495 reviews•51 locations

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Overview

Recent reviews

2.0

Poor|Sep 2023

When I arrived at LAX to pick up my car, I waited in line OVER 1.5 HOURS! Absolutely unacceptable and will never be using Avis again.

2.0

Poor|Sep 2023

We didn’t get the car that we pay for. The staff at San Francisco were very rude!

2.0

Poor|Sep 2023

Even though I arrived after pick-up time, I was asked to wait 30 minutes for the car to be cleaned. No one ever told me when it was finished. When I wandered out to try and find my car by myself, I found a car that wasn't clear if it had been cleaned or not, due to powder in the interior and fingerprints & smudges all over the navigation screen. The windshield was also cracked but this wasn't mentioned & I had to spend time on the phone with customer service to make sure it would be noted on the rental, would be safe to drive, and wouldn't be held against me. Poor service (when any at present at all) throughout process. Would not use Avis again.

2.0

Poor|Sep 2023

First off it was Fox Enterprise. My experience was miserable. Why? Because the general car rental shuttle drops you at the majority of car rental counters. But not Fox. There is NO signage where to go or what to do. I got a quick go out those doors and another shuttle will pick you up. It was over 90 degrees, sunny and not clear where to wait. No phone # provided and no one else to ask I sat on a cement bench waiting, well over 30 min. Finally a Fox shuttle is driving by, I happened to notice and started waving, someone told the driver to stop as he pulls over. I'm beyond frustrated not knowing I had to go to another location but also not knowing if I was going to get picked up or any clear sense where to wait. Driver yells at me, 'what are you doing sitting there?' Ridiculous experience and so unnecessary. Put up some signs. Make it clear. Don't make me work this hard to get to your place and warm people that it will require a second shuttle and an extra hour to deal with you folks. Never again for Fox.

10.0

Wonderful|Aug 2023

Car was excellent and provided exactly what we needed during our trip. The drop-off was a tad difficult due to reasons outside of Avis' control (heavy traffic in drop-off location's area).

4.0

Mediocre|Jul 2023

Staff was good but car was dirty

1 out of 165

Avis Locations in California

Budget

6.2

Okay

859 reviews•51 locations

Check prices

Overview

Recent reviews

2.0

Poor|Jun 2024

I was very disappointed. I went to rental location and was told that my debit card could not be used for payment. I asked to use apple pay and that was a big fat no. I returned home and picked up a credit card and went back to rental location and they were closed at noon. The $26 I paid for insurance was not refunded. When I lift the location I should have been informed that they close at noon on Sunday, I told the customer service representative that I would be coming back with a credit card,

4.0

Mediocre|Feb 2024

The car had pet hair and I got sick.... Wasn't able to use the rental as I wanted .. allergies the whole time I was in

2.0

Poor|Aug 2023

They charged us double the price that was shown on Kayak. They just said we have to pay that amount otherwise we not gonna get a car. This was a big disaster and I will never rent again through Kayak and with Budget.

2.0

Poor|Aug 2023

Gave away my reservation without notice

2.0

Poor|Aug 2023

Nice vehicle. Didn't like the price,the upsale, , the lies,agent must get a commission for overselling to unsuspecting seniors..$294 for 1 day rental. That price should come with a driver.

6.0

Okay|Aug 2023

The rental vehicle itself has seen better days. In desperate need of some TLC.

1 out of 287

Budget Locations in California

Midway

6.2

Okay

489 reviews•11 locations

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Overview

Recent reviews

10.0

Wonderful|Mar 2025

Nothing

10.0

Wonderful|Dec 2024

Midway agents gave me an excellent service.

10.0

Wonderful|Sep 2024

Would like to thank mid way team for making my rental experience easy and smooth. I can't thank you enough for your professionalism, great Customer service and for providing a clean vehicle which made me feel as if I were on my own. Definitely deserve 5+ stars! Absolutely the best!

10.0

Wonderful|Sep 2024

The smoothing renting experience i had in LA

2.0

Poor|Aug 2024

We waited for more than 45 minutes to get the airport shuttle to Midway, and finally gave up and instead took the bus to Uber/Lyft and paid for a ride to Midway. Then we waited more than 1 hour in line to get to the counter. On the return, we couldn’t get the door for refueling open to gas up. We called and went to two separate gas stations after they called back. The their instructions didn’t work. Waiting for the shuttle bus was again problematic because it never came, so we ended up taking the shuttle from an adjoining hotel. Needless to say, we almost missed our flight home.

10.0

Wonderful|May 2024

Everything was great

1 out of 163

Midway Locations in California

Dollar

5.4

Fair

459 reviews•43 locations

Check prices

Overview

Recent reviews

2.0

Poor|Feb 2025

It totally sucked. I checked ahead just to make sure that they rented if you only had a debit card. Their website assured that if you had two forms of ID iall rentals was approved. Well that was a total LIE. I drove all the way to the Mexico border ( CBX ) just for them to say...."We don't accept debt card only credit card for our rentals. That's our policy". I ended up be late for my 100 year old granddaughters funeral on the account that I had to find other options to travel to Flagstaff AZ.....all because I trusted in what their website stated. So how was my experience?....it sucked BIG TIME!

6.0

Okay|Feb 2024

Drop off super easy. Pick up took over 45 minutes. Need all counters open.

2.0

Poor|Sep 2023

Despite reserving and partially paying ahead of time, the wait to see someone at the counter was 2 hours, as Dollar and Thrifty combined made for a very long line of people. I don't think it's right that person's with reservations have to wait in the same line with people who don't have any reservations.

2.0

Poor|Sep 2023

They wouldn’t give me a car. They said it had to be traversed 24 hours in advanced but it let me book it online

2.0

Poor|Sep 2023

Waited 6 hours in a very hot building. I lost 2 days of vacation. I will never book a rental here again.

6.0

Okay|Sep 2023

I needed a car for 5 hrs. The quoted price by the agent on-site was way too higher than the online prices. Had to reserve a car online in order for the agent to get me a batter price. This in fact was the 2nd car I rented from dollar in last 2 weeks. First one was booked for 13 days and the agent tried his level best to up sell various additional products by giving wrong information.

1 out of 153

Dollar Locations in California

Car rental FAQs

Should I rent a car in the state of California?
Car rentals in California are a fantastic way to see everything this diverse state has to offer. You can explore Yosemite National Park and the many natural attractions in and around that area. Lake Tahoe is another popular destination. Then you can head south to Los Angeles or San Diego and hit the beach and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. California car rentals allow you to take these road trips on your own schedule and at your own pace, adding flexibility to your itinerary.
What is driving like in California?
Driving in California is pretty easy and safe. The roads are paved and in good condition across the state, and you will have plenty of scenic drives to take advantage of. The local drivers are quite friendly, especially in northern California and in the more rural areas. Los Angeles, though, is notorious for having horrible traffic, which can sometimes add hours to your commute time depending on the area and destination. With a bit of patience, though, driving across the state in California rental cars will be an easy and relaxed experience.
How old do you have to be to rent a car in the state of California?
You must be at least 21 years of age in order to get car rentals in California. Some car rental companies may restrict those under 25 from renting certain vehicle categories, like luxury vehicles. You also may be charged a daily young driver’s fee if you are under the age of 25. Aside from your driver's license, you will need a major credit card to put down the deposit and pay for the rental vehicle. Renters from outside the US will also need a valid passport and an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) if their license is not written in the Roman alphabet. Some rental agencies may also need proof of insurance, so be sure to check your chosen agency’s specific requirements before heading there to pick up your car rental.
What is the cheapest rental car found in California?
In the past two weeks, Cheapflights users have found many deals under C$ 57/day when booking a rental car in California. The best deal a user found was for C$ 28/day from MEXRENTACAR , booked on Aug. 10.
How much does it cost to rent a car in California for a week from Turo?
Turo offers rental cars in California for about C$ 410 per week on average.
Can I rent a car for a month in California?
The length of time you can book a rental for is subject to the inventory of the supplier. When renting a vehicle from California it should be possible to rent a car for a whole month if needed.
How much does it cost to rent a car in California for a month?
You can potentially save up to 84% on a month-long rental by booking with MEXRENTACAR . MEXRENTACAR is the cheapest rental company available within the next few months. Renting a car in California can cost you on average C$ 1,755 a month or C$ 59 a day. For extended stays in a location, this option will usually save you the most.