San Luis Obispo car hire

Driver's age: 26-65

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Cheap car hire in San Luis Obispo

Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.
Mini car
Mini
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Economy car
Economy
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Compact car
Compact
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Intermediate car
Intermediate
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Standard car
Standard
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Full-size car
Full-size
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Luxury car
Luxury
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People carrier car
People carrier
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Passenger van car
Passenger van
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SUV car
SUV
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Commercial car
Commercial
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Pick-up truck car
Pick-up truck
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Useful Info

Good to know

Most popular car type

Standard

KAYAK’s insights & trends for San Luis Obispo car hire

Check out the latest trends and booking tips to hire a car in San Luis Obispo with confidence.

How far in advance should you book car hire in San Luis Obispo?

You should book your car hire in San Luis Obispo around 82 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.

What is the best car hire company in San Luis Obispo?

Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car hire companies in San Luis Obispo are Avis (8.1, 35 reviews), Budget (7.1, 34 reviews), and Hertz (7.1, 8 reviews).
Avis
Avis
Rated 8.1/10
Budget
Budget
Rated 7.1/10
Hertz
Hertz
Rated 7.1/10
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Rated 5.9/10

What is the most popular car to hire in San Luis Obispo?

SUV cars (Chevrolet Suburban or similar) are the most popular type of vehicle to hire in San Luis Obispo. SUV cars in San Luis Obispo cost R1 929/day on average, though some users have found deals as low as R1 430/day.

What is the cheapest month to hire a car in San Luis Obispo?

The cheapest month to hire a car in San Luis Obispo is January at an average cost of R990/day. June is the most expensive month to hire a car in San Luis Obispo when prices are R1 242/day on average, which tends to be 1 901% above the yearly average hire price for San Luis Obispo.

Which car hire company in San Luis Obispo has the most locations?

Enterprise Rent-A-Car operates 4 locations in San Luis Obispo, more than any other car hire company.
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San Luis Obispo car hire experiences: the best tips from KAYAK users

Insights shared by verified travellers who hired a car in San Luis Obispo 
Learn how KAYAK collects reviews and tips from users.
Verified travelerAug 2023
Book way in advance for good rates
HingMay 2023
It’s a tiny airport and the car rental facility was east to navigate.

KAYAK’s top tips for hiring a car in San Luis Obispo

  • Renting a car in San Luis Obispo is a convenient and flexible means of visiting the city and getting a feel of the culture. Several airports are remotely far from the town center, such as the Santa Barbara Airport, approximately 75.8 miles away, and the Los Angeles International Airport, 158.9 miles away, thus it is more ideal and cheaper to opt for rental cars in San Luis Obispo. There are also several sandy beaches, hot springs, and beautiful landscapes located a few miles out of town, easily accessible using a personal vehicle.
  • Some of the car rentals in San Luis Obispo are conveniently situated at the San Luis Obispo County (SBP) Airport, including Enterprise, Avis, Hertz, and Easier, which can be found at the baggage claim area at the Car Rental Center with the cars parked around 260 feet from the terminal. Off-site rentals, such as Budget, can be accessed via the airport shuttle, which is located on the east side of the terminal and are cheaper than taxis.
  • Like other major cities, visitors are advised to be cautious while on the road and observe traffic rules. There are a few intersections in San Luis Obispo which are known to be hazard zones, especially to speeding drivers, such as the Santa Rosa and Foothill intersection and Los Osos Valley and Calle Joaquin intersection. There are also a few cases of distracted driving, as well as jaywalkers and cyclists who fail to observe traffic laws. While selecting a vehicle in one of the car rentals in San Luis Obispo, it advisable to get GPS to be able to navigate through unfamiliar roads.
  • The rush hour in San Luis Obispo is pretty short-lived, with commuters spending an average of around 15 to 20min on the road, but is usually extended on roads undergoing construction. Rush hour in the morning is usually between 7:30am and 8:30am when people are leaving for work and school, and picks back up at 6pm to 7pm when people are heading back home. Heavy rains are also known to extend commute times in San Luis Obispo.
  • Mini hire cars in San Luis Obispo are around 42% cheaper than other car types, on average

FAQs about hiring a car in San Luis Obispo

  • What type of car is recommended for driving in San Luis Obispo?

    There are several options to choose from at San Luis Obispo car rentals, depending on whether you’re considering a solo trip or planning to explore the Central Coast area as a group. Compact vehicles are recommended for when your visit to San Luis Obispo is concentrated in the town, while large SUVs are more ideal for large numbers of people and are a more comfortable option for those who visit the landscape in the outskirts of town.

  • What’s the speed limit in San Luis Obispo?

    The statutory speed limit in San Luis Obispo is set at 50mph. School zones have a set speed limit of between 15mph and 40mph at specific times of the day, while the speed limit in the business district is 25mph. There are also a couple of speed traps set up on Foothill Ave between Casa St and California Blvd, as well as Northbound Hwy 1, thus motorists are advised to drive with caution.

  • Where are the best places to park in San Luis Obispo?

    There are several parking options available while on your stay in San Luis Obispo. There are parking garages such as the City of San Luis Obispo Parking as well as the Marsh Street Parking Structure, which closes at around 6pm and provide 1h free parking on weekdays, 2h free parking on Saturdays, and all-day free parking on Sundays. The municipal lot on Marsh St provides free parking for up to 2h. Parking is free in Downtown San Luis Obispo.

  • How can I find car hires near me in San Luis Obispo?

    Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.

  • How much does a Standard car hire cost in San Luis Obispo?

    A Standard car hire in San Luis Obispo costs R1 406 per day, on average.

  • How much does an Intermediate car hire cost in San Luis Obispo?

    An Intermediate car hire in San Luis Obispo costs R884 per day, on average.

  • How much does an Economy car hire cost in San Luis Obispo?

    An Economy car hire in San Luis Obispo costs R1 318 per day, on average.

San Luis Obispo car rental reviews and directory

 
All ratings and reviews are collected from KAYAK users with a verified car hire booking. Learn how KAYAK collects reviews.

Avis

8,1

Very Good

Read 35 reviews

Cleanliness

8.3

Comfort

8.6

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.2

Value for money

7.7

2 locations in San Luis Obispo

Show locations

Locations in San Luis Obispo

333 Madonna Road

+1 805 595 1464

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday08:00 - 17:00
Sunday10:00 - 14:00

975 Airport Drive, Suite 8

+1 805 544 0630

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday08:00 - 17:00
Sunday08:00 - 17:00

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Show reviews that mention

Reviews

10,0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Mar 2025

Pick-up truck

KAYAK
The entire experience was wonderful. The front desk staff was fantastic to work with.

10,0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Sept 2024

Standard

KAYAK
Pro:Easy check in. Improvement: Needed to call earlier that they were closing right when we were going to pick up car. Did not realize they closed same time we were to pick up car.

10,0 Wonderful

Anonymous, May 2024

Intermediate

KAYAK
Just about perfect. Newer car, clean, no smells. Pickup & dropoff at 2 different airports, were quick and easy.

6,0 Okay

Anonymous, Mar 2024

Intermediate SUV

KAYAK
Didn’t receive receipt or email of final charges. Also was charged a $200 “deposit” in addition to rental charges. They are supposed to reverse the $200 “deposit” ???

10,0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Dec 2023

Compact

KAYAK
Pickup was fast, good, well maintained. Car. Paperwork was a minimum. Drop off was during a huge rainstorm at Santa Barbara airport. They were Avis reps outside who took care of just about everything. Couldn't have been better under the circumstances.

10,0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Apr 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

Staff was great. pickup and drop off 75 feet from luggage pickup.

Cons:

everything was great

1 out of 12

Budget

7,1

Good

Read 34 reviews

Cleanliness

7.5

Comfort

7.6

Pick-up/Drop-off

6.7

Value for money

7.3

2 locations in San Luis Obispo

Show locations

Locations in San Luis Obispo

4554 Broad Street

+1 805 541 3977

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday08:00 - 17:00

975 Airport Drive, Suite 5

+1 805 541 2722

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday08:00 - 17:00
Sunday08:00 - 17:00

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Reviews

6,0 Okay

Daniel, May 2025

Economy

KAYAK
I requested a child’s booster seat and when I made the reservation, it didn’t cost extra. It just showed my total cost with seat included free. When I arrived for pickup, they informed me that it was an additional $15 per day. This obviously is frustrating for a renter to find out at this point. Not cool

10,0 Wonderful

Elizabeth, Sept 2024

Intermediate

KAYAK
TOO NOTCH!

10,0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Jul 2024

Economy

KAYAK
The man at the desk was really pleasant and helpful and got me into a car quick , even unpgraded me to a wonderful orange Tacoma for minimal fee. He was kind and made it a great experience overall. Thank you to him.

10,0 Wonderful

Bob, Apr 2024

Economy

KAYAK
Easy and fast

2,0 Poor

Anonymous, Apr 2024

Economy

KAYAK
The location given to me by Kayak had been torn down. I had to call the 800 number to find the new office, and when I got there they were already closed. I cancelled the reservation and booked with Enterprise.

10,0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Apr 2024

Compact

KAYAK
Getting the car was fast, no pressure. Same with return. They were ready with paperwork at the airport counter, friendly, knowledgeable and courteous. The car was new, only 500 miles and very clean. Ran great. Easy to drive, keyless ignition. Too bad it didn't have automatic unlocking doors on approach. But all else was fine.

1 out of 12

Hertz

7,1

Good

Read 8 reviews

Cleanliness

7.6

Comfort

7.6

Pick-up/Drop-off

7.1

Value for money

6.9

3 locations in San Luis Obispo

Show locations

Locations in San Luis Obispo

4554 Broad Street Suite #130

+1 805 781 3385

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00

4751 Aviadores Way

+1 805 781 3383

Monday09:00 - 21:30
Tuesday09:00 - 21:30
Wednesday09:00 - 21:30
Thursday09:00 - 21:30
Friday09:00 - 21:30
Saturday09:00 - 21:30
Sunday09:00 - 21:30

975 Airport Drive Ste.06

+1 805 781 3383

Monday09:00 - 21:30
Tuesday09:00 - 21:30
Wednesday09:00 - 21:30
Thursday09:00 - 21:30
Friday09:00 - 21:30
Saturday09:00 - 21:30
Sunday09:00 - 21:30

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Reviews

4,0 Mediocre

Anonymous, Dec 2021

KAYAK
United Dropped me in DC and I had to Rent a Car to Drive myself home to VA Beach. I requested a FULL SIZE Car and got a Little KIA. It didn't even have Electric Seats or a Rear Window Wiper. The Driver who took us from Airport to Avis was Very Rude and insisted on playing his Radio Loud even when I explained I needed to Make an Important Phone Call.

10,0 Wonderful

Terrie, May 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

Staff was wonderful, easy to work with. Excellent experience

4,0 Mediocre

Anonymous, May 2021

KAYAK

Cons:

There was no radio No way to hook up my phone to Bluetooth

10,0 Wonderful

Anonymous, May 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

Super helpful and friendly staff. Easy drop-off. Very clean and new car. Loved the car!

Cons:

Nothing. It was my first time renting a car and they made it so easy. You will remain my first choice should I need another rental car.

2,0 Poor

Anonymous, Oct 2020

KAYAK

Cons:

Lady was horrible when I dropped off the car

5,2 Fair

Anonymous, Sept 2020

KAYAK

Cons:

Customer service on drop off could have been better

1 out of 3

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

5,9

Fair

Read 8 reviews

Cleanliness

6.4

Comfort

5.9

Pick-up/Drop-off

6.1

Value for money

5.7

4 locations in San Luis Obispo

Locations in San Luis Obispo

12318 Los Osos Valley Rd

+1 805 546 6270

Monday00:00 - 00:00
Tuesday00:00 - 00:00
Wednesday00:00 - 00:00
Thursday00:00 - 00:00
Friday00:00 - 00:00
Saturday00:00 - 00:00
Sunday00:00 - 00:00

2989 Broad Street

+1 805 546 6270

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday00:00 - 00:00
Sunday00:00 - 00:00

975 Airport Dr

+1 844 942 0338

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday08:00 - 17:00
Sunday08:00 - 17:00

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

Opening times not available

Filters

Reviews

10,0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Dec 2024

Compact SUV

KAYAK
Great and easy collection, very helpful staff and easy drop off! Would use again for a rental car.

4,0 Mediocre

Anonymous, Nov 2024

Intermediate

KAYAK
When I went to pick up the car my credit card wasn't working when putting in the machine. The representative said he couldn't enter it manually. Finally it worked but almost had a heart attack if it didn't. Then on my on 2nd to last day the battery went bad had to call road side assistance and was told it would be a $55 charge. The AAA driver said it was the original battery and wouldn't hold a charge and probably would have to call the next morning. Fortunately I ran the car for about an hour and half and it did start the next day and the enterprise representative waived the fee.

2,0 Poor

Anonymous, Sept 2024

Compact

KAYAK
Car was not available upon arrival. No cars.

2,0 Poor

Anonymous, Jun 2024

Standard

KAYAK
No car available

2,0 Poor

Anonymous, May 2021

KAYAK

Cons:

We had a communication problem, I stated several times that I have my own Insurance, AAA and have additional coverage on my American Express Card. Very disappointed and I assure you that I will tell EVERYONE THAT I know not to use you guys!!!

10,0 Wonderful

Sharon, Mar 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

They helped me out of a jam when Budget failed

Easirent

4,6

Mediocre

One location in San Luis Obispo

Locations in San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo County Airport

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

152 travellers who hired a car in San Luis Obispo gave the car agency they used an average rating of 4.8

Car hire locations in or near San Luis Obispo

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Travelling to a place near San Luis Obispo?

Hire a car at San Luis Obispo if you plan to visit one of these locations
Cambria
Arroyo Grande

Everything you need to know for your car hire in San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo car hire information

Pick-up locationSan Luis Obispo
Car types
Hire locations12
Airport locations6

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