Santa Rosa car hire
Search hundreds of hire car sites at once for hire car deals in Santa Rosa
Save up to 42%Compare multiple travel sites with one search.
Free to useThere are no hidden charges or fees
Filter your dealsFilter by car type, brand and more. Instantly customise your results.
Book with flexibilityUse our "free cancellation" filter for maximum flexibility at no extra cost.
Santa Rosa car hire information
| Pick-up location | Santa Rosa |
|---|---|
| Car types | |
| Hire locations | 17 |
| Airport locations | 11 |
Cheap car hire in Santa Rosa
| Mini |
| Economy |
| Compact |
| Intermediate |
| Standard |
| Full-size |
| Luxury |
| People carrier |
| Passenger van |
| SUV |
| Commercial |
| Pick-up truck |
KAYAK’s top tips for hiring a car in Santa Rosa
- Car rentals in Santa Rosa will allow you greater access to the world-famous wine country of Napa Valley. With some of the most famous wineries in the world nearby, a rental car ensures you have reliable transportation to and from the rural areas where they are located. If you are hoping to visit nearby San Francisco, a Santa Rosa rental car gives you greater flexibility and allows you to explore more parts of the city from iconic perspectives, such as a drive down Lombard Street.
- The local airport for Santa Rosa is the Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport (STS), named after the creator of Peanuts who grew up in the area. On-site rental counters offer car rentals in Santa Rosa within the main terminal. The nearest major airport is Oakland International Airport (OAK), located about 65 miles away, which has a Rental Car Center shuttle to bring travelers between the terminals and their vehicles in the lots to the northwest of the airport.
- The city of Santa Rosa is spread out along Highway 101, which means that many of your travel directions will involve driving this iconic route. The highway is often crowded with commuters that make the daily pilgrimage to San Francisco, which makes for some challenging merges when the highway drops to only two lanes in each direction. If you are not comfortable with driving on a highway in unfamiliar territory, consider adjusting your directions to utilize major streets like Mendocino Avenue instead, and give yourself some extra time.
- The rush hour traffic of San Francisco and Oakland can impact Highway 101 and side streets in the event of delays from car accidents or construction. The San Francisco rush hour is typically from 7am to 9am and 4pm to 7pm. Within Santa Rosa, commuters can sometimes clog up Mendocino Avenue in an effort to avoid Highway 101, which can lead to even greater delays at the freeway on-ramps.
- Book your car hire in Santa Rosa at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
- Standard car hire in Santa Rosa are around -124% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about hiring a car in Santa Rosa
What type of car is recommended for driving in Santa Rosa?
With mild weather year-round and plenty of busy cities nearby, a smaller vehicle, such as an economy or compact car, will allow you to explore wine country and still take a day to visit San Francisco or Oakland. Especially due to the hilly, narrow streets of San Francisco, a smaller automatic-transmission vehicle is best for visitors expecting to spend time in the City by the Bay.
What’s the speed limit in Santa Rosa?
The speed limit for most city streets in Santa Rosa is 25mph, with a 55mph limit for Highway 101 when passing through city limits. Major streets, such as Mendocino Avenue and Santa Rosa Avenue, have higher speed limits of 35mph and 40mph, but can also become busy during rush hour.
Where are the best places to park in Santa Rosa?
You should plan to pay for parking in Santa Rosa if you are expecting to leave your vehicle for over 1h. Though parking is free for the first hour in several parking garages and lots, parking at "premier meters" in downtown Santa Rosa costs about $1.50 per hour with a maximum of 3h in one spot. Parking in downtown Santa Rosa is enforced from 9am to 6pm. There are "value meters" with a fee of about $1 per hour and a maximum of 4h, though these meters are located several blocks from the main destinations in the downtown area.
How much is the price of fuel in Santa Rosa?
The average price of fuel in Santa Rosa is R73,87 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a tank of fuel costs between R886 and R1 182, depending on the car size.
What is the most popular car hire in Santa Rosa?
Standard (Toyota Corolla or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Santa Rosa.
Which car hire agencies are at San Francisco airport (SFO)?
The only car hire company onsite at San Francisco airport is Thrifty.
Which car hire companies will pick you up at San Francisco airport (SFO)?
The only car hire company that offers shuttle or pick-up services from San Francisco airport to off-airport locations is Thrifty.
How can I find car hires near me in Santa Rosa?
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 Santa Rosa?
A Standard car hire in Santa Rosa costs R2 371 per day, on average.
How much does a Mini car hire cost in Santa Rosa?
A Mini car hire in Santa Rosa costs R1 057 per day, on average.
Santa Rosa car rental reviews and directory
Hertz
6,0
Okay
117 reviewsCleanliness
6.4
Comfort
6.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.2
Value for money
5.8
2 locations in Santa Rosa
Locations in Santa Rosa
1089 Santa Rosa Avenue
+1 707 575 0440
2200 Airport Blvd
+1 707 202 6434
Filters
Reviews
4,0 Mediocre
Nov 2023
10,0 Wonderful
Oct 2023
2,0 Poor
Oct 2022
2,0 Poor
Dec 2021
2,0 Poor
Nov 2021
6,4 Okay
Nov 2020
Cons:
Kayak let me book a Hertz rental at Santa Rosa airport which does not have a hertz location. It’s been closed for a few months. I had to go to the Santa Rosa Avenue location instead. This caused a hiccup in my entire travel plans.Avis
8,0
Very Good
34 reviewsCleanliness
7.9
Comfort
8.3
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.7
Value for money
8.0
2 locations in Santa Rosa
Locations in Santa Rosa
2266 Airport Boulevard
+1 707 571 0465
976 Santa Rosa Avenue
+1 707 542 2687
Filters
Reviews
2,0 Poor
Oct 2022
10,0 Wonderful
Apr 2021
Pros:
The up grade do to my rental car not being there.Cons:
Nothing fast professional service6,0 Okay
May 2020
Pros:
Pickup and drop off were great; however, I for got to fuel up and it cost me $131.00 for a 1/2 a tank of gas. Can you help me with this loss?Cons:
What ever you do don't forget to fill the fuel tank, it will cost you ten times the amount to fill if the agency has to do it.6,0 Okay
Jul 2019
Cons:
I was told the car was in space 16 in the rental car lot. After 30 minutes of looking, and with the help of another Avis employee, I was told to look in the general car parking lot. Finally, I found it. Not happy!3,2 Poor
Feb 2018
Pros:
NothingCons:
I made a reservation for 5 pm for a location but even though i got the confirmation # they closed before i got there. On phone I've been told to go to airport location cuz the car is ready for me. Over there the guy didn't want to give me any car saying he doesn't have. After 1h fighting he gave me a smaller car for a bigger price. Just beautiful9,2 Wonderful
Feb 2018
Pros:
The service I received was so friendly and kind.Cons:
The signage indicating where the office was in the airport was not clear at all from outside of the building.Enterprise Rent-A-Car
7,7
Good
39 reviewsCleanliness
8.0
Comfort
8.2
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.6
Value for money
7.4
4 locations in Santa Rosa
Locations in Santa Rosa
1621 Cleveland Ave
+1 707 545 2888
2200 Airport Blvd
+1 707 570 3600
2979 Corby Ave
+1 707 579 5664
3155 Santa Rosa Ave
+1 707 536 0011
Filters
Reviews
10,0 Wonderful
Mar 2024
10,0 Wonderful
May 2021
Pros:
Great friendly professional efficient service.Cons:
Bit pricey but that's how it goes.4,0 Mediocre
May 2021
Pros:
Quick serviceCons:
I was given a half full tank but the paper work I received said full. I didn’t notice until I returned the car and the final invoice included a $67 fuel charge. Annoying as hell.4,0 Mediocre
May 2021
Pros:
Nothing,they did not valued my reservation. I wasted my time!Cons:
That I could've got the car that I reserved!2,0 Poor
Dec 2020
Pros:
The drop off was amazingCons:
everything else10,0 Wonderful
Oct 2020
Cons:
Great experience!Budget
7,2
Good
62 reviewsCleanliness
8.0
Comfort
7.6
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.3
Value for money
6.9
2 locations in Santa Rosa
Locations in Santa Rosa
2266 Airport Boulevard
+1 707 528 2195
976 Santa Rosa Avenue
+1 707 528 2964
Filters
Reviews
10,0 Wonderful
Dec 2023
2,0 Poor
Mar 2021
Pros:
the car was fine. no one was at the drop off location when I returned the car. now budget keeps calling saying i never returned the car. I did though. this is stupid.Cons:
customer service: i returned the car and now budget wont stop calling saying I never returned it. !! rediculous.8,0 Very Good
Mar 2021
Pros:
very good.8,0 Very Good
Oct 2019
Pros:
Quick, easy and as simple as it should be.Cons:
I spoke with the representative at STS and confirmed that there wasn’t a fee to drop the car in San Fran at a different location. I picked the car up and noon and told him we were escaping the fires and dropping the car off today. We go to San Fran a couple of hours later. The office had closed at 1pm and the valet at the hotel told me there was a $25-$35 charge?8,0 Very Good
Oct 2018
Pros:
The woman who helped me was very nice.9,6 Wonderful
Aug 2018
Pros:
I liked that it was easy to find, night drop was available.Cons:
Being late night drop off, would’ve made more sense to me a little better instructions about what papers are being dropped off. Also, a sensor had gone off about a brake light bulb that went out en route to my destination. No one was available to inform about this, so a space on the paper that gets turned in would be a good idea. I improvised and wrote it on the sideAce
6,3
Okay
30 reviewsCleanliness
5.7
Comfort
6.1
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.0
Value for money
6.3
One location in Santa Rosa
Locations in Santa Rosa
2200 Airport Blvd
+1 707 568 3387
Filters
Reviews
4,0 Mediocre
Feb 2024
2,0 Poor
Jan 2024
7,6 Good
Nov 2020
Pros:
Car was clean and in good conditionCons:
No sign about where to drop off keys and the number left at the desk went to voicemail from which we never heard back. Fortunately someone finally informed us the drop box was outside. The attendant from pickup may have told us but it would be helpful to have a sign at the desk.2,0 Poor
Oct 2020
Pros:
The guy I picked the car up from was friendly and helpful. I declined insurance and I appreciate that he did not push it.Cons:
However, the car reeked of cigarettes after about 3 miles down the road, so I assume they cleaned the interior to eliminate the smell but not the air filter. That was kinda gross but not that big of a deal. The big deal was after I returned the car. I returned it an hour earlier than the deadline stated on the contract, but then got an email with an invoice stating I owed $20 for a late fee and I'm still trying to figure that one out. On top of that I was quoted $75 online, but then that jumped up to $99 inexplicably when I picked it up. I will update this to a better score if they fix the inaccurate bill but so far I am pretty disappointed.10,0 Wonderful
Mar 2020
Pros:
Ana was wonderful and explained everything. Extremely easy rental. Even offered a refund if I needed to cancel since I cancelled my vacation due to the coronavirus lock down.10,0 Wonderful
Feb 2020
Pros:
Easy in and out. Mercedes was very helpful and made sure we got the car quickly.National
6,1
Okay
2 reviewsCleanliness
6.7
Comfort
6.9
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.9
Value for money
6.5
One location in Santa Rosa
Locations in Santa Rosa
2200 Airport Blvd
+1 707 570 3600
Filters
No reviews available
Sixt
7,4
Good
29 reviewsOne location in Santa Rosa
Locations in Santa Rosa
2200 Airport Boulevard
+1 707 523 1676
Filters
Reviews
4,4 Mediocre
Apr 2019
Cons:
The car was filthy and the seats were stained. It also smelled like smoke.4,8 Mediocre
Jun 2018
Cons:
Not letting the customer know that there is not a gas station near the airport. So I was charged $50 for a half tank of gas.7,2 Good
May 2018
Pros:
The car was fuel efficient and compact which helped a TON in the greater Bay Area for travels.Cons:
The older model rented to me (based on the pricepoint but not entirely clear from the internet description) is an automatic that drives like a manual shift. Very specific feature of the Smart Car and was a little annoying when trying to pull a hill-side along the 101. Also, with high winds on the Richmond Bridge, the car felt VERY UNSAFE. The wind gusts were about 40-50mph and the car was swaying and wobbling in the lane. Yes, I knew to drive at a reduced speed but the bridge is 9miles long and it was a scary wind shaking 9mile drive. Something I didn't factor in.10,0 Wonderful
Mar 2018
Pros:
The pickup and drop-off went very smoothly. The company was easy to work with and the car was very clean. This was my first time driving a smart car. It is more roomy and comfortable than I would have guessed. It doesn't have a lot of power, but it makes up for that in gas mileage. There were no issues with the car itself - it was in great shape. No complaints at all. I would definitely rent with Sixt again.10,0 Wonderful
Feb 2018
Pros:
Great customer service. Easy and conviennt8,0 Very Good
Jan 2018
Pros:
Gas mileage.Cons:
Wouldn't want to own a Ford Fusion. Steering wheel awkward width, uncomfortable in my hand.Easirent
4,6
Mediocre
No reviews available
One location in Santa Rosa
Locations in Santa Rosa
Filters
No reviews available
Ace Rent-a-Car
No score available yet
One location in Santa Rosa
Locations in Santa Rosa
Filters
No reviews available
Ace Rental Cars
No score available yet
One location in Santa Rosa
Locations in Santa Rosa
2200 Airport Blvd
+1 707 568 3387
Filters
No reviews available
Sunnycars
No score available yet
One location in Santa Rosa
Locations in Santa Rosa
Filters
No reviews available
Car hire locations in or near Santa Rosa
Good to know
Most popular car type | Standard |
|---|