Washington car hire

Driver's age: 26-65

Search hundreds of car hire sites at once for car hire deals in Washington

Here is why travellers choose KAYAK

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.

Car Rental Deals
Booking Insights
Car Rental Deals

Cheap car hire in Washington

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

Good to know

Most popular car type

Intermediate

KAYAK’s insights & trends for Washington car hire

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

How far in advance should you book car hire in Washington?

You should book your car hire in Washington around 7 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.

What is the cheapest month to hire a car in Washington?

The cheapest month to hire a car in Washington is November at an average cost of R687/day. July is the most expensive month to hire a car in Washington when prices are R1 483/day on average, which tends to be 2 546% above the yearly average hire price for Washington.

Which car hire company in Washington has the most locations?

Hertz operates 12 locations in Washington, more than any other car hire company.

Top tips for hiring a car in Washington

  • If you are traveling with children, it is important to check with your rental company about whether they will provide a car seat or you should bring your own, as Washington State has many child passenger restraint laws. Children under the age of two must be in a rear-facing car seat. Children between two and four years old must be in a car seat with a harness, and children four and older must ride in a booster seat until they are 4 feet 9 inches tall. Even then, children under the age of thirteen must ride in the backseat when practical. There are also “click it or ticket” laws in place, so make sure to buckle up whether you’re a child or an adult.
  • The weather varies greatly between the east and west sides of Washington State. The west side is more mild throughout the year, whereas the east side can experience both extreme heat in the summer and snowy winters. Keep this in mind as you plan your trip, as having a car with either air conditioning or all-wheel/four-wheel-drive can be incredibly important. Also, if you’ll be traversing between east and west sides during the winter months, make sure to check the mountain passes ahead of time, as they can be closed due to snow and poor conditions.
  • Because Washington State is bordered by Canada as well as two different states, depending on which part of the state you are renting from, make sure to check the rental policy about crossing state and country borders. Overall, it is fairly easy to drive a rental car from the US to Canada, but there are some things to look out for. You may need to let the rental company know ahead of time, and you may be required to have a Canadian non-resident insurance card, which is free to apply for. There may also be a more limited choice in cars, but these all vary by provider, so check ahead of time.

FAQs about hiring a car in Washington

  • Should I hire a car in Washington?

    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.

  • What is driving like in Washington?

    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.

  • How old do you have to be to hire a car in Washington?

    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.

  • How can I find car hires near me in Washington?

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

Car hire directory

  • enterprise

    Enterprise Rent-A-Car car hire locations in Washington

    23 Locations

  • hertz

    Hertz car hire locations in Washington

    16 Locations

  • budget

    Budget car hire locations in Washington

    12 Locations

  • thrifty

    Thrifty car hire locations in Washington

    12 Locations

  • avis

    Avis car hire locations in Washington

    11 Locations

  • national

    National car hire locations in Washington

    5 Locations

  • sunnycars

    Sunnycars car hire locations in Washington

    5 Locations

  • alamo

    Alamo car hire locations in Washington

    4 Locations

  • dollar

    Dollar car hire locations in Washington

    4 Locations

  • highriver

    High River Rentals car hire locations in Washington

    4 Locations

  • kyte

    Kyte car hire locations in Washington

    4 Locations

  • sixtrentacar

    Sixt car hire locations in Washington

    4 Locations

Car hire locations in Washington

Everything you need to know for your car hire in Washington

Complete your trip to Washington

Not what you’re looking for? Find thousands of other hotels, flights and car hire with KAYAK.