Check out the latest trends and booking tips to hire a car in California with confidence.
How far in advance should you book car hire in California?
You should book your car hire in California around 7 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.
What is the cheapest car hire company in California?
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest hire cars were found at Ace (£17.32/day), Fox (£23.07/day), and Hertz (£29.72/day).
What is the most popular car to hire in California?
Hires in the SUV category (Chevrolet Equinox or similar) are the most popular option in California, costing £45/day on average. Some users have found deals as low as £25/day.
What is the cheapest month to hire a car in California?
The cheapest month to hire a car in California is January at an average cost of £33/day. July is the most expensive month to hire a car in California when prices are £44/day on average, which tends to be 18% above the yearly average hire price for California.
Which car hire company in California has the most locations?
Avis operates 52 locations in California, more than any other car hire company.
California car hire price comparison by vehicle type
Find the right car hire in California by comparing prices across vehicle types.
Small
Medium
Large
SUV
Van
Pickup truck
Luxury
Convertible
Small cars
£15 - £31
All Car Types
£41 - £58
How much does it cost to hire a small car in California?
How much does it cost to hire a medium car in California?
How much does it cost to hire a large car in California?
How much does it cost to hire an SUV in California?
How much does it cost to hire a van in California?
How much does it cost to hire a pickup truck in California?
How much does it cost to hire a luxury car in California?
How much does it cost to hire a convertible in California?
Small car hire in California typically costs around £24 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average £15 per day, which is about 38% less than the yearly average. Small cars are usually 52% cheaper than the average car hire in California, making them ideal for budget-conscious travellers.
Medium car hire in California typically costs around £45 per day. The best time to book is June, when prices average £32 per day, which is about 29% less than the yearly average. Medium cars are usually 10% cheaper than the average car hire in California, offering a good balance of space and value.
Large car hire in California typically cost around £41 per day. The best time to book is September, when prices average £34 per day, which is about 18% less than the yearly average. Large cars can be 18% cheaper than the average car hire in California, offering more comfort for longer trips at a reasonable price.
SUV hire in California typically costs around £44 per day. The best time to book is September, when prices average £37 per day, which is about 16% less than the yearly average. SUVs can be 12% cheaper than the average car hire in California, providing extra space and capability for groups or road trips at a reasonable price.
Van hire in California typically costs around £95 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average £63 per day, which is about 34% less than the yearly average. Vans are typically 48% more expensive than the average car hire in California but are the best choice for families or groups needing maximum passenger capacity.
Pickup truck hire in California typically costs around £44 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average £38 per day, which is about 14% less than the yearly average. Pickup trucks are 12% cheaper than the average car hire in California, making them a practical choice for hauling gear or outdoor adventures.
Luxury car hire in California typically costs around £61 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average £55 per day, which is about 10% less than the yearly average. Luxury cars are typically 19% more expensive than the average car hire in California but deliver premium comfort and style for special occasions.
Convertible hire in California typically costs around £59 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average £48 per day, which is about 19% less than the yearly average. Convertibles are typically 16% more expensive than the average car hire in California but are perfect for scenic drives and warm-weather destinations.
Good to know
Most popular agency
Most popular car type
Average price
Good deal
Ace
Large
£41/day
£32/day
Top tips for hiring a car in California
All car hirers in California are required to produce a valid driver's licence with an expiration date that does not fall within the present hire period. You can also hire a car even if you don't have a licence issued by the US government. All you need to do is present a passport and either an international licence or your licence from Australia.
When two cars meet on a steep road and neither can pass, the car facing downhill is required to back up to let the other pass, since when backing up a slope, the car that is facing downhill has more control. When it comes to stop signs in California, they are more frequent than traffic lights. All motorists must come to a full stop at any stop sign.
If your blood alcohol level is 0.08% or more, you are not allowed to operate a motor vehicle in California. Also, you are only allowed to operate a cellphone while driving if you’re using a hands-free device or when you need to call for assistance in an emergency.
25% of our users found a car hire in California for £32 or less
FAQs about hiring a car in California
How much does it cost to hire a car in California?
On average a car hire in California costs £41 per day.
How can I find car hires near me in California?
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 California?
Based on car searches on KAYAK, the most popular cities to hire a car in California are Los Angeles (65% of total searches of users looking to hire a car in California), San Francisco (24%) and San Diego (4%).
How much does a car hire in California cost for a week?
On average a car hire in California costs £290 per week (£41 per day).
How much does a car hire in California cost for a month?
On average a car hire in California costs £1,243 per month (£41 per day).
Should I hire a car in California?
Given that California is quite large with numerous sprawling cities, hiring a car is a practical and economical way to get around the area. Even though the majority of large cities have their own public transportation networks, driving is still often faster and easier. Los Angeles, Sacramento and San Diego are a few cities in California that are best navigated with a vehicle. Having access to your own car can also come in handy, especially if you plan on visiting a more rural city or taking a road trip.
What is driving like in California?
California is typically warm and sunny. However, it’s at times rainy, which is a critical time to drive yourself around. When it's raining, go at a slower speed and make sure to utilise your windscreen wipers and headlights. Also, ensure that you have the appropriate tyre chains for your hire car's tyres if you plan to drive in the snow during winter. Try to stay in the right lane whenever you are on a road or freeway with numerous lanes, unless when overtaking. Remember that a left turn from one one-way street to another one-way street can only be made when the signal is red. Unless it’s clearly banned, you can usually turn right at a red light after stopping completely and checking for approaching traffic. You have to pre-pay for your petrol in California. If you are using a credit card, you’ll need to swipe your card at the pump to activate the pump. You’ll also be required to provide your postal code to prevent credit card fraud.
How old do you have to be to hire a car in California?
Most car hire companies require that you be at least 21 years old in order to hire a vehicle in California. If you’re between the ages of 21 and 24 and need to hire a car, you’ll likely pay a young hirer fee and may only be allowed to hire certain classes of vehicles.
Car hire directory
Enterprise Rent-A-Car car hire locations in California
255 Locations
Hertz car hire locations in California
181 Locations
Avis car hire locations in California
127 Locations
Budget car hire locations in California
126 Locations
Thrifty car hire locations in California
117 Locations
Dollar car hire locations in California
116 Locations
Sixt car hire locations in California
35 Locations
Midway car hire locations in California
31 Locations
National car hire locations in California
25 Locations
Eagle Rent A Car car hire locations in California
24 Locations
Easirent car hire locations in California
23 Locations
Sunnycars car hire locations in California
23 Locations
Car hire locations in California
Everything you need to know for your car hire in California
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