San Luis Obispo car hires from £38/day
This price is the cheapest per day rate found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a car hire in San Luis Obispo with a pick-up date of 25/4 and drop-off date of 29/4. Fares are subject to change and may not be available at all agencies or on all dates of hire. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
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San Luis Obispo car hire information
| Pick-up location | San Luis Obispo |
|---|---|
| Car types | Compact, Economy, Full-size, Intermediate, Intermediate SUV, People carrier, Standard, Standard SUV |
| Hire locations | 11 |
| Airport locations | 6 |
| Popular agencies | Avis, Budget |
Cheap car hire in San Luis Obispo
| Economy | £48/day |
| Compact | £38/day |
| Intermediate | £48/day |
| Standard | £87/day |
| Full-size | £87/day |
| People carrier | £122/day |
| Intermediate SUV | £50/day |
| Standard SUV | £61/day |
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.
- 25% of our users found a car hire in San Luis Obispo for £38 or less
- Book your car hire in San Luis Obispo at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
- Off-airport car hire locations in San Luis Obispo are around 1% cheaper than airport locations on average
San Luis Obispo car hire experiences: the best tips from KAYAK users
FAQs about car hire 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 much does it cost to hire a car in San Luis Obispo?
On average a car hire in San Luis Obispo costs £62 per day.
How much is the price of fuel in San Luis Obispo?
The average price of fuel in San Luis Obispo is £3.11 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a tank of fuel costs between £37 and £50, depending on the car size.
What is the most popular car hire in San Luis Obispo?
Economy (Hyundai Accent or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in San Luis Obispo.
Which car hire agencies are at County airport (SBP)?
The only car hire company onsite at County airport is Avis.
Which car hire companies will pick you up at County airport (SBP)?
The only car hire company that offers shuttle or pick-up services from County airport to off-airport locations is Avis.
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 an Economy car hire cost in San Luis Obispo?
An Economy car hire in San Luis Obispo costs £36 per day, on average.
What is the most popular car hire location in San Luis Obispo?
In San Luis Obispo, cars are most frequently hired at Avis 975 Airport Drive, Suite 8 (3 miles from city centre).
How much does a car hire in San Luis Obispo cost for a week?
On average a car hire in San Luis Obispo costs £434 per week (£62 per day).
How much does a car hire in San Luis Obispo cost for a month?
On average a car hire in San Luis Obispo costs £1,860 per month (£62 per day).
Should I get insurance when hiring a car in San Luis Obispo?
Most car hire providers in San Luis Obispo offer insurance but the level of protection can differ substantially. If you're unsure whether to get extra protection for your car hire in San Luis Obispo, check out KAYAK's car hire insurance guide.
San Luis Obispo car hire reviews and directory
Avis
8.1
Very Good
110 reviewsCleanliness
8.4
Comfort
8.6
Pick-up/Drop-off
8.2
Value for money
7.7
2 locations in San Luis Obispo
Locations in San Luis Obispo
333 Madonna Road
+1 805 595 1464
975 Airport Drive, Suite 8
+1 805 544 0630
Filters
Reviews
6.0 Okay
Mar 2024
10.0 Wonderful
Dec 2023
10.0 Wonderful
Apr 2021
Pros:
Staff was great. pickup and drop off 75 feet from luggage pickup.Cons:
everything was great2.0 Poor
Apr 2021
Pros:
Drop off was easy, but I was overcharged.Cons:
A cleaner, newer vehicle. The Elantra we received had 61,710 miles on it and was stained.10.0 Wonderful
Apr 2021
Pros:
Staff was grear. Car was an upgrade that was awesome!Cons:
Nothing10.0 Wonderful
Mar 2021
Cons:
Car had a very heavy smell of Fabreze. We needed to open all doors to air it out overnight.Budget
7.1
Good
144 reviewsCleanliness
7.6
Comfort
7.6
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.7
Value for money
7.2
2 locations in San Luis Obispo
Locations in San Luis Obispo
4554 Broad Street
+1 805 541 3977
975 Airport Drive, Suite 5
+1 805 541 2722
Filters
Reviews
2.0 Poor
Apr 2024
10.0 Wonderful
Apr 2024
6.0 Okay
May 2021
Cons:
Despite having a reservation, they didn't have a car ready for me when I arrived. I had to wait while they prepared the car and it was pretty dirty when I did receive it. As soon as I got into the car, the "needs maintenance" warning showed up on the dashboard.10.0 Wonderful
May 2021
Pros:
Leticia N. who works at San Luis Obispo Budget at Broad st. was awesome !! She was alone and the place was busy, she got all customers taking care of in a timely and professional manor... Neil Reali4.0 Mediocre
May 2021
Pros:
The price was about the only thing I likedCons:
The pick up was a nightmare. I had to cross the highway with a suitcase and no sidewalks. The directions to the pick up weren't clear at all. I walked around forever before I actually found the right building. Then my car wasn't ready. The whole process took an hour and a half.2.0 Poor
Apr 2021
Pros:
absolutely nothing.Cons:
everything. a terrible experienceHertz
7.6
Good
51 reviewsCleanliness
7.9
Comfort
7.8
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.7
Value for money
7.3
3 locations in San Luis Obispo
Locations in San Luis Obispo
4554 Broad Street Suite #130
+1 805 781 3385
4751 Aviadores Way
+1 805 781 3383
975 Airport Drive Ste.06
+1 805 781 3383
Filters
Reviews
4.0 Mediocre
Dec 2021
10.0 Wonderful
May 2021
Pros:
Staff was wonderful, easy to work with. Excellent experience4.0 Mediocre
May 2021
Cons:
There was no radio No way to hook up my phone to Bluetooth10.0 Wonderful
May 2021
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
Oct 2020
Cons:
Lady was horrible when I dropped off the car5.2 Fair
Sept 2020
Cons:
Customer service on drop off could have been betterEnterprise Rent-A-Car
6.8
Okay
53 reviewsCleanliness
7.2
Comfort
7.1
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.7
Value for money
6.3
3 locations in San Luis Obispo
Locations in San Luis Obispo
12318 Los Osos Valley Rd
+1 805 546 6270
2989 Broad Street
+1 805 546 6270
975 Airport Dr
+1 844 942 0338
Filters
Reviews
2.0 Poor
May 2021
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
Mar 2021
Pros:
They helped me out of a jam when Budget failed10.0 Wonderful
Jun 2020
Cons:
Carpet on drivers side had a worn hole under the gas pedal. Rubber mat would have been good5.2 Fair
Jun 2020
Cons:
Didn’t have the truck I reserved.2.0 Poor
Feb 2020
Cons:
Enterprise is the worst ever10.0 Wonderful
Oct 2019
Pros:
Staff very helpful and friendlyEasirent
4.6
Mediocre
No reviews available
One location in San Luis Obispo
Locations in San Luis Obispo
Filters
No reviews available
Car hire locations in or near San Luis Obispo
When to book a car hire in San Luis Obispo
Car hire insurance in San Luis Obispo
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) & Theft Protection Waiver
Some San Luis Obispo car providers already include Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Theft Protection Waiver into the hire price but not all of them. We recommend being aware of your coverage when hiring a car in San Luis Obispo.
Deductible
Keep in mind that car hire insurances often have a deductible clause, which is the amount you’ll have to pay if something happens during the time of your hire. If you want to avoid unwanted surprises, you should consider adding a non-deductible option to your San Luis Obispo car hire.