KAYAK’s insights & trends for United States car hire
Check out the latest trends and booking tips to hire a car in the United States with confidence.
How far in advance should you book car hire in the United States?
You should book your car hire in the United States around 7 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.
What is the cheapest car hire company in the United States?
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest hire cars were found at CarQ (R8,72/day), Avis (R35,18/day), and Budget (R41,32/day).
What is the most popular car to hire in the United States?
Hires in the SUV category (GMC Yukon or similar) are the most popular option in the United States, costing R1 318/day on average. Some users have found deals as low as R1 188/day.
What is the cheapest month to hire a car in the United States?
The cheapest month to hire a car in the United States is January at an average cost of R794/day. July is the most expensive month to hire a car in the United States when prices are R1 170/day on average, which tends to be 1 917% above the yearly average hire price for the United States.
Which car hire company in the United States has the most locations?
Cargini operates 3 locations in the United States, more than any other car hire company.
United States car hire price comparison by vehicle type
Find the right car hire in the United States by comparing prices across vehicle types.
Small
Medium
Large
4x4
Van
Pickup truck
Luxury
Convertible
Small cars
R583 - R842
All Car Types
R948 - R1 292
How much does it cost to hire a small car in the United States?
How much does it cost to hire a medium car in the United States?
How much does it cost to hire a large car in the United States?
How much does it cost to hire an SUV in the United States?
How much does it cost to hire a van in the United States?
How much does it cost to hire a pickup truck in the United States?
How much does it cost to hire a luxury car in the United States?
How much does it cost to hire a convertible in the United States?
Small car hire in the United States typically costs around R774 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average R583 per day, which is about 25% less than the yearly average. Small cars are usually 34% cheaper than the average car hire in the United States, making them ideal for budget-conscious travellers.
Medium car hire in the United States typically costs around R1 107 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average R892 per day, which is about 20% less than the yearly average. Medium cars are usually 6% cheaper than the average car hire in the United States, offering a good balance of space and value.
Large car hire in the United States typically cost around R1 062 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average R870 per day, which is about 19% less than the yearly average. Large cars can be 10% cheaper than the average car hire in the United States, offering more comfort for longer trips at a reasonable price.
SUV hire in the United States typically costs around R1 187 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average R969 per day, which is about 19% less than the yearly average. SUVs are typically 2% more expensive than the average car hire in the United States but provide extra space and capability for groups or road trips.
Van hire in the United States typically costs around R1 765 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average R1 388 per day, which is about 22% less than the yearly average. Vans are typically 34% more expensive than the average car hire in the United States but are the best choice for families or groups needing maximum passenger capacity.
Pickup truck hire in the United States typically costs around R987 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average R644 per day, which is about 35% less than the yearly average. Pickup trucks are 16% cheaper than the average car hire in the United States, making them a practical choice for hauling gear or outdoor adventures.
Luxury car hire in the United States typically costs around R1 322 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average R1 104 per day, which is about 17% less than the yearly average. Luxury cars are typically 12% more expensive than the average car hire in the United States but deliver premium comfort and style for special occasions.
Convertible hire in the United States typically costs around R1 461 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average R1 239 per day, which is about 16% less than the yearly average. Convertibles are typically 20% more expensive than the average car hire in the United States but are perfect for scenic drives and warm-weather destinations.
Good to know
Most popular agency
Most popular car type
Average price
Good deal
Alamo
Medium
R961/day
R846/day
Top tips for hiring a car in the United States
Many travelers choose to rent a car in the United States, as it is the best mode of transport for covering short or long distances, allowing plenty of freedom and more flexibility to explore unique landscapes. There are plenty of iconic routes that serve as road trip destinations and allow drivers to visit several states, including the classic Route 66, the Pacific Coast Highway, the Oregon Trail, and the Eastern Seaboard.
When driving in the United States, it is important to note the rules around schools and school buses. Yellow warning lights often operate in school zones, requiring traffic to slow down. The law also states that when a school bus stops to pick up children and uses its red flashing lights, traffic traveling in both directions must stop until the bus has continued moving again.
The rules on child car seat use in the United States also vary from state to state, but when in doubt, it is best to seat all kids under the age of 12 in an appropriate restraint system in the back of the car. Rental agencies can usually provide a range of different baby and child seats, with daily prices at around $14 with an agency such as Thrifty.
Most rental agencies allow their cars to be taken into any state in the continental United States, although it is always worth checking this in advance. Avis, for example, only allows cars rented in Texas to be driven within the state borders. Drivers wishing to visit the neighboring country of Mexico or Canada should also be sure to check the rental agency’s regulations before they rent a car in the United States. Some, such as Dollar, allow cross-border travel from certain locations only and impose an additional insurance charge of around $28 per day.
25% of our users found a car hire in United States for R846 or less
Small hire cars in United States are around 45% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about hiring a car in the United States
How much does it cost to hire a car in the United States?
On average a car hire in the United States costs R961 per day.
How can I find car hires near me in the United States?
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
Where should I hire a car in the United States?
Based on car searches on KAYAK, the most popular cities to hire a car in the United States are Orlando (13% of total searches of users looking to hire a car in the United States), Los Angeles (12%) and Long Beach (10%).
How much does it cost to hire a car for a week in the United States?
On average a car hire in the United States costs R6 724 per week (R961 per day).
How much does it cost to hire a car long term for a month in the United States?
On average a car hire in the United States costs R28 818 per month (R961 per day).
What is driving like in United States?
Driving in the United States is a straightforward experience, with many wide, well-maintained roads and good signage. Although drivers will occasionally come across a toll road (also known as a turnpike), most highways are free to use. Driving in the United States is on the right side, and most rental cars will have automatic transmissions.
How old do you have to be to hire a car in United States?
To rent a car in the United States, the minimum age is 21 years, although many agencies require the driver to be 25 years of age and to have possessed their license for at least one year. An International Driver’s Permit (IDP) is not required for drivers from most countries. Some agencies, such as Hertz, may charge a young driver fee of around $45 per day for drivers age 21 to 24.
How much does petrol cost in United States?
Petrol stations are plentiful in the United States, although when setting off on long drives across rural or desert regions, it is advised to make sure you have a full tank of gas. Most fuel stations are self-service, with pumps that pre-authorize your credit card and charge it with the amount you reach when you’re done refueling. Attendants are usually also available, if you would prefer to pay by cash or need assistance. Most cars run on petrol, which costs around $0.85 per liter or $3.20 per gallon (prices are commonly given by the gallon).
What are the speed limits in United States?
Speed limits vary from state to state in the United States, so it is important to always be aware of local signage. In general, the fastest roads are the interstates, which have a limit of about 60 to 75 mph. State roads can have speed limits ranging from 25 to 65 mph, while county roads also vary tremendously, anywhere from 15 to 55 mph. In built-up areas, speed limits tend to be around 25 to 35 mph, and sometimes slower in school zones.
Car hire directory
Enterprise Rent-A-Car car hire locations in the United States
4909 Locations
Hertz car hire locations in the United States
2469 Locations
Avis car hire locations in the United States
1548 Locations
Budget car hire locations in the United States
1512 Locations
Thrifty car hire locations in the United States
1079 Locations
Dollar car hire locations in the United States
1058 Locations
Easirent car hire locations in the United States
437 Locations
National car hire locations in the United States
377 Locations
Sunnycars car hire locations in the United States
367 Locations
Alamo car hire locations in the United States
278 Locations
VIPCars Recommendation car hire locations in the United States
260 Locations
Arow Enterprises Corp. car hire locations in the United States
194 Locations
Car hire locations in the United States
Everything you need to know for your car hire in the United States
The rates displayed include all taxes and fees for hire cars for the class listed and were found by KAYAK users in the last 48 hours. Offers are subject to change and may not be available on all car hires listed or dates of travel. Some hire car providers charge additional fees for other services (GPS, infant car seats, etc.). Please check the website of the respective hire car provider.
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