California

Cheap Car Rentals in California from $14

This price is the cheapest per day rate found by a Cheapflights user in the last 48 hours by searching for a car rental in California with a pick-up date of 7/31 and drop-off date of 8/29. Fares are subject to change and may not be available at all agencies or on all dates of rental.
jue. 6/19
jue. 6/26
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California car rentals in 2025

Get helpful information to start your search for the perfect car rental in California. The average price data is based on the last 12 months and was last updated on junio 12, 2025.

Most popular company

MEXRENTACAR

Most common car type

Standard

Average price per day

$46

Cheapest price per day

$14

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 pickup truck 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 Aveo Sedan$14/day
2
5
M
A/C
Chevrolet Aveo Sedan
Mazda Mazda3$15/day
4
M
A/C
Mazda Mazda3
Hyundai i10$17/day
2
M
A/C
Hyundai i10

Best car rental deals found in California

Browse through a selection of recently found affordable car rental deals in California. Plan your trip with ease and find the perfect rental option for your needs. There are currently 8 rental car agencies in California with an average daily rate of $27. Data was last updated on junio 12, 2025.
Browse some of the deals we've come across on car rentals in the California region, including options close to Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego. If these deals don't appeal to you, check back very soon as they are being updated frequently.
Chevrolet Aveo Sedan$14/day
2
5
M
A/C
Chevrolet Aveo Sedan
Mazda Mazda3$15/day
4
M
A/C
Mazda Mazda3
Mercedes-Benz CLA$16/day
5
4
M
A/C
Mercedes-Benz CLA

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 $43, which is about 19% cheaper than the typical rate.

What is the cheapest rental car company in California?

Midway is currently the cheapest rental car company in California with deals as low as $8.10/day found in the past two weeks. Fox is another inexpensive option with rates as low as $12.25/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 6.0/10 with 1,205 reviews). Alamo (rated 8.4/10 with 187 reviews) is also highly rated by our users.

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

The cheapest month to rent a car in California is January where you can expect to pay $43/day on average. The most expensive month to rent a car in California is July ($61/day on average). The average daily rental price for each month is shown below. Keep in mind that prices will vary based on availability, when you book, and the type of car you rent.

January

$43

February

$44

March

$47

April

$49

May

$53

June

$56

July

$61

August

$58

September

$50

October

$52

November

$52

December

$58

What car do most people rent in California?

Intermediate rentals (Hyundai Elantra, for example) are the most popular in California. Compact (Kia Soul) and Mini (Chrysler Voyager) rentals are also often chosen by our users when visiting California.

Which car rental company has the most locations in California?

Enterprise Rent-A-Car has 112 locations throughout the area, more than any other company. Hertz has the second highest number of locations in California at 90.

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

Discover the price range for renting a car in popular cities across California, helping you budget and make informed decisions for your upcoming travel. There are 408 pickup locations in California to choose from. Price data has been averaged over the last 12 months and was last updated on junio 12, 2025.

If you're looking for the best car rental deals in California, start with Burbank, where rates average $14/day. You can also find good prices in Long Beach ($16/day), Hawthorne ($16/day), and Los Angeles ($19/day).

Top rental agencies in California

Explore the leading car rental agencies in California known for their outstanding service and extensive range of vehicles to choose from. There are currently 8 car rental companies in California. Reviews were last updated on junio 12, 2025.
Browse through some of the top rental car agencies in California, including pickup locations serving Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego. Browse through some of the top rental car agencies in California, including locations around Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego.

Hertz

6.0
Okay
1205 reviews90 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

6.8

Comfort

6.7

Overall

5.9

Pick-up/drop-off

5.9

Value

6.1

Alamo

8.4
Very good
187 reviews14 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

8.7

Comfort

8.6

Overall

8.3

Pick-up/drop-off

8.4

Value

8.0

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

7.7
Good
418 reviews112 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

8.0

Comfort

7.9

Overall

7.7

Pick-up/drop-off

7.7

Value

7.6

Sixt

7.3
Good
357 reviews16 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

7.9

Comfort

7.9

Overall

7.3

Pick-up/drop-off

7.3

Value

7.2

Avis

6.3
Okay
549 reviews56 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

7.1

Comfort

7.1

Overall

6.3

Pick-up/drop-off

6.4

Value

6.4

Budget

6.3
Okay
981 reviews56 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

7.1

Comfort

7.1

Overall

6.3

Pick-up/drop-off

6.4

Value

6.3

Midway

6.2
Okay
492 reviews16 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

7.1

Comfort

6.8

Overall

6.2

Pick-up/drop-off

5.8

Value

6.7

Dollar

5.6
Fair
519 reviews48 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

6.8

Comfort

6.6

Overall

5.6

Pick-up/drop-off

5.5

Value

5.9

Car rental FAQs

Find answers to frequently asked questions about car rentals in California, including policies, requirements, and more. FAQs were last updated on junio 12, 2025.
  • What are the requirements to rent a car in California?

    If you want to use car rentals in California, you will need to be at least 21 years old. If you’re between ages 21 and 24 and looking for a cheap car rental in California, keep in mind that until age 25, you’ll be charged a daily fee on top of the cost of your rental vehicle. You’ll also need a valid driver’s license or photo ID which will not expire for the duration of your trip. Current temporary driver’s licenses may be accepted if presented with another government ID. Active U.S. military personnel may present a current military ID with an expired driver’s license as long as the names on both IDs match and they meet the requirements of their state’s military extension policy. If you’re visiting from outside the U.S., besides your country’s driver’s license, you may also be required to bring a passport and International Driver’s Permit. Specific ID requirements vary across different California car rentals, so you’ll want to review these before your trip. Credit or debit card payments will be accepted under most circumstances. If you’re under age 25, some car rentals will require a credit card rather than a debit card.

  • What are the rules for driving in California?

    Familiarity with local driving rules can make your car rentals in California an enjoyable experience. Drivers in the Golden State use the right side of the road. California uses posted speed limits, but it also relies on a Basic Speed Law which requires drivers to travel only as fast as road and weather conditions allow. Near schools or in business and housing areas, the speed limit is 25 mph (40 km/h). Intersections without stop signs and limited visibility in either direction have a speed limit of 15 mph (24 km/h). When near a public transit vehicle such as a trolley or bus, the limit is 10 mph (16 km/h). The speed on undivided two-lane highways is limited to 55 mph (89 km/h), but on interstate highways, the speed limit is as high as 70 mph (112 km/h). Seatbelts are required for all occupants. The state limits alcohol consumption for drivers to a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% for those age 21 and older. Please check the Department of Motor Vehicles for changes to these or other driving laws before selecting rental cars in California.

  • What type of car is recommended for driving in California?

    When selecting car rentals in California, you’ll want to be prepared for plenty of driving, as the state is very long. If you plan to spend a great deal of time on the road, select a fuel-efficient car or SUV for your California car rentals. Finding a cheap car rental in California is easy, as there are plenty of options. Choose an electric car rental for city driving with heavy, stop-and-go traffic. Select an economy car rental to reach your destination on a tighter budget. The Golden State’s milder climate and miles of Pacific coastline make travel by convertible an appealing option as well. You’ll find there are enough rental cars in California to suit any preference.

  • What is the cheapest rental car found in California?

    In the past two weeks, Cheapflights users have found many deals under $35/day when booking a rental car in California. The best deal a user found was for $11/day from MEXRENTACAR , booked on Jun. 8.

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

    Turo is a popular option for travelers looking for car rental in California. You can expect the average cost of rental car to be about $411 per week.

  • Can I rent a car for a month in California?

    Yes, cars are available to be rented out for an entire month in California.

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

    Prices can be as low as $1,761 if you consider booking with MEXRENTACAR . That price represents savings of 90% compared to the California average. The monthly cost of a car rental in California is on average $1,761 ($59/day).

Car rentals by fuel type in California

Browse car rentals by fuel type in California. Currently, Hybrid cars are the cheapest to rent in California. Deals were last updated on junio 12, 2025.

Browse through car rental deals by fuel type in California. There are currently 3 fuel types to choose from with Hybrid being the cheapest ($5+).

Electric

Electric

Gas/Diesel

Gas/Diesel

Hybrid

Hybrid

Traveling to a place near California?

Rent a car at California if you plan to visit one of these locations
Freeport
North Conway
Bath
Brunswick
Auburn
Conway
Lewiston

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