Cheap Car Rentals in Santa Maria, CA from $32
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 Santa Maria with a pick-up date of 11/24 and drop-off date of 12/1. Fares are subject to change and may not be available at all agencies or on all dates of rental.
Santa Maria, CA car rentals in 2026
Get helpful information to start your search for the perfect car rental in Santa Maria, CA. The average price data is based on the last 12 months and was last updated on November 11, 2026.
Most popular company | BUDGET |
|---|---|
Price of gas per gallon | $4.47 |
Average price per day | $126 |
Cheapest price per day | $32 |
Best car rental deals found in Santa Maria
Browse through a selection of recently found affordable car rental deals in Santa Maria, CA. Plan your trip with ease and find the perfect rental option for your needs. There are currently 6 rental car agencies in Santa Maria, CA with an average daily rate of $41. Data was last updated on November 11, 2026.
Cheapflights insights for Santa Maria car rentals
Get relevant, data-driven information to help you rent a car in Santa Maria, including pricing trends, ideal booking times, and more.
How far in advance should I rent a car in Santa Maria?
To get the best deal on a rental car in Santa Maria, book about 43 days before your trip. At that point, average daily prices are around $44, which is about 30% cheaper than the typical rate.
What is the best car rental company in Santa Maria?
Based on Cheapflights user feedback, the highest rated car rental company in Santa Maria is Budget (rated 7.2/10 with 4 reviews). Avis (rated 7.0/10 with 8 reviews) is also highly rated by our users.
What is the cheapest month to rent a car in Santa Maria?
The cheapest month to rent a car in Santa Maria is September where you can expect to pay $57/day on average. The most expensive month to rent a car in Santa Maria is November ($71/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
$61
February
$58
March
$61
April
$63
May
$62
June
$67
July
$62
August
$66
September
$57
October
$64
November
$71
December
$67
What car do most people rent in Santa Maria?
The most popular types of cars to rent in Santa Maria are the following: Economy rentals (Kia Rio or similar), Intermediate rentals (Hyundai Elantra or similar), and SUV rentals (Toyota RAV4 or similar).
Which car rental company has the most locations in Santa Maria?
Enterprise Rent-A-Car has 3 locations throughout the area, more than any other company. AutoEurope has the second highest number of locations in Santa Maria at 1.
Top rental agencies in Santa Maria, CA
Explore the leading car rental agencies in Santa Maria, CA known for their outstanding service and extensive range of vehicles to choose from. There are currently 6 car rental companies in Santa Maria, CA. Reviews were last updated on November 11, 2026.
Budget
Overview
Cleanliness
Comfort
Overall
Pick-up/drop-off
Value
View Budget Locations in Santa Maria
Avis
Overview
Cleanliness
Comfort
Overall
Pick-up/drop-off
Value
Recent reviews
View Avis Locations in Santa Maria
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Overview
Cleanliness
Comfort
Overall
Pick-up/drop-off
Value
View Enterprise Rent-A-Car Locations in Santa Maria
AutoEurope
View AutoEurope Locations in Santa Maria
Easirent
View Easirent Locations in Santa Maria
Hertz
View Hertz Locations in Santa Maria
Car rental FAQs
Find answers to frequently asked questions about car rentals in Santa Maria, CA, including policies, requirements, and more. FAQs were last updated on November 11, 2026.
What is the cheapest rental car found in Santa Maria?
In the past two weeks, Cheapflights users have found many deals under $126/day when booking a rental car in Santa Maria. The best deal a user found was for $51/day from Budget, booked on Nov. 7.
How much does it cost to rent a car in Santa Maria for a week from Budget?
From Budget you can rent a car in Santa Maria from about $443 per week on average.
Can I rent a car for a month in Santa Maria?
Yes, renting a vehicle in Santa Maria for a month is certainly possible.
How much does it cost to rent a car in Santa Maria for a month?
Prices can be as low as $1,898 if you consider booking with Budget. That price represents savings of 34% compared to the Santa Maria average. The monthly cost of a car rental in Santa Maria is on average $1,898 ($63/day).
How much is a car rental in Santa Maria for a weekend?
For a weekend car rental in Santa Maria, you can expect the average price to be around $51. Usually a Economy rental in Santa Maria is your cheapest weekend car rental option, though you should always check Cheapflights to see if there are other deals on alternative car rental types. If you do opt for renting a Economy for December, it will cost approximately $49 per day.
Car rentals by fuel type in Santa Maria, CA
Browse car rentals by fuel type in Santa Maria, CA. Currently, Electric cars are the cheapest to rent in Santa Maria, CA. Deals were last updated on November 11, 2026.
Browse through car rental deals by fuel type in Santa Maria, CA. There are currently 2 fuel types to choose from with Electric being the cheapest ($44+).
Electric
$44+
Hybrid
$49+