Cheap Car Rentals in San Diego from $17

The documentation you will need to rent a car in San Diego will vary depending on the rental company you use and the type of vehicle you choose. Generally, you will need to provide your valid driver’s license, a credit card for the deposit, and proof of insurance. You may also need to provide proof of residence, such as a utility bill or bank statement. If you are renting from a large company, you may also need to provide a valid passport or other forms of photo identification. Some companies may also require a valid visa or residence permit if you are not a U.S. citizen. If you are under the age of 25, you may also be subject to an additional fee and/or need to provide a valid credit card for additional age verification.

Drivers in San Diego tend to be very courteous and most locals will follow the rules of the road. One thing to be aware of is that the speed limits are strictly enforced and there is an abundance of speed traps. Additionally, San Diego drivers tend to be very cautious and are often slow to react to changing traffic patterns. It is important to remain patient and give other drivers plenty of time to react. In addition, drivers in San Diego often rely on the use of their car horns to indicate to other drivers that they are turning or merging into traffic. It is important to pay attention and be aware of this practice. Finally, San Diego drivers tend to be very respectful of pedestrians and cyclists and will often slow down or yield to them when necessary.

The most congested roads in San Diego are Interstate 5, Interstate 8, Interstate 15, and Highway 163. These roads are heavily congested during morning and evening rush hours, typically between 7 am and 9 am, as well as between 4 pm and 6 pm. If you will be driving on any of the above-mentioned roads, consider planning your trips around the rush hour periods to avoid getting stuck in traffic. Additionally, the roads leading to and from San Diego International Airport (SAN) experience heavy congestion during peak travel times. During the summer months, the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) often experiences heavy congestion due to the influx of tourists visiting the area. Additionally, the roads around downtown San Diego are often congested with commuters during the weekdays.

The age restriction for renting a car in San Diego varies depending on the car rental agency. Generally, the minimum age to rent a car in San Diego is 21 years. However, it is essential to note that drivers aged 21 and 24 may be subject to a young driver's fee. The young driver’s surcharge fee ranges from around $25 to $30, depending on the company. Some rental car companies have a higher minimum age restriction for different car categories. For instance, Budget does not allow drivers under 25 years to rent SUVs, Luxury cars, and vans.

If you have particular accessibility needs, several San Diego car rental companies offer accessible vehicle options that suit your needs. Enterprise, Hertz, Avis, and National are among the companies to consider. Hertz has an accessible program that includes vehicles with mobility aids, including hand controls, scooter vehicles, and wheelchair-accessible vans. Their reservation team also offers assistance during the rental process. National operates the National Accessibility Center, which provides support services to people with disabilities and accessible cars with spinner knobs, hand controls, and wheelchair-accessible vans.

Most car rental companies allow you to drive from San Diego to other states and regions. Enterprise, Budget, and Hertz usually allow travel outside of California as long as the state you're visiting offers a drop-off site. However, confirming your chosen rental car company's specific policies regarding out-of-state travel is critical. If you intend to drive to nearby countries, it is important to inquire about the rental company's cross-border travel restrictions and criteria. This may include having the relevant papers, such as a valid passport, visas, international driving insurance, and, if required, an international driving permit.

In the past two weeks, Cheapflights users have found many deals under $43/day when booking a rental car in San Diego. The best deal a user found was for $18/day from Turo, booked on Jun. 8.

From Payless you can rent a car in San Diego from about $274 per week on average.

Yes, you can rent a car for a month in San Diego. Check Cheapflights for the latest prices and car type availability.

Our recent data shows that Turo can potentially be 65% below the average car rental price in San Diego. Check prices and availability for Turo and save on this extended rental. The cost of renting a vehicle in San Diego is on average $1,175 a month or $39 a day. Search on Cheapflights for the most updated pricing and availability for your San Diego car rental.

$65 is typically the average cost for a rental car for the weekend in San Diego, though this could vary depending on the time of year. If you’re on a budget when traveling to San Diego, then opt for a Economy rental vehicle - these tend to be the most affordable on weekends. In the month of July, you can expect to find car rental prices on Cheapflights for as low as $57/day.