Washington car hire

Renting a car in Washington State will be very beneficial, as the state is very large, but there is lots to see. There is not always good public transportation within or between cities, so renting a car will allow easy transport. A large draw of Washington State is the nature and mountains outside the cities, including Mt. Rainier, Mt. Saint Helens, and Olympic National Park, all of which are a couple hours’ drive from the city of Seattle. Even if you plan on staying within the city, renting a car can be useful because it’s a more efficient option than public transportation.

Speed limits in Washington State are typically slow within city limits, with 25 mph being the default speed unless otherwise posted. However, even state highways only reach 60 mph. Only on interstates will you be able to drive more quickly. Also be aware that Washington State has some of the worst road conditions in the US. Keep an eye out for potholes and be prepared for lots of traffic while driving on the west side of the state.

The minimum age to rent a car in Washington State is twenty one; however, drivers under the age of twenty five will incur a “young renter” fee. This surcharge can vary by company, so make sure to shop around if you are a young renter, and keep in mind that you may also be unable to rent certain classes of vehicles, such as SUVs or luxury vehicles. Other requirements for anyone renting a vehicle include insurance coverage and a valid driver’s license. If you are a foreign national, you will need to provide an international driver’s permit as well as another form of identification, such as a passport.

Full-size (Nissan Pathfinder or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Washington.

Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car hire companies in Washington are Dollar (8,4, 256 reviews), Alamo (8,4, 234 reviews), and Enterprise Rent-A-Car (7,9, 286 reviews).

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

Based on car searches on KAYAK, the most popular cities to hire a car in Washington are Seattle (33% of total searches of users looking to hire a car in Washington), SeaTac (33%) and Spokane (33%).