Get relevant, data-driven information to help you rent a car in Kentucky, including pricing trends, ideal booking times, and more.
How far in advance should you book a rental car in Kentucky?
You should book your rental car in Kentucky around 7 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.
What is the cheapest car rental company in Kentucky?
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest rental cars were found at Budget (21.19 ﷼/day), Hertz (26.75 ﷼/day) and Enterprise Rent-A-Car (37.27 ﷼/day).
What is the most popular rental car in Kentucky?
Rentals in the SUV category (Chevrolet Equinox or similar) are the most popular option in Kentucky, costing 286 ﷼/day on average. Some users have found deals as low as 220 ﷼/day.
What is the cheapest month to rent a car in Kentucky?
The cheapest month to rent a car in Kentucky is January at an average cost of 217 ﷼/day. June is the most expensive month to rent a car in Kentucky when prices are 298 ﷼/day on average, which tends to be 338% above the yearly average rental price for Kentucky.
Which car hire company in Kentucky has the most locations?
Avis operates 7 locations in Kentucky, more than any other rental company.
Kentucky car rental price comparison by vehicle type
Find the right rental car in Kentucky by comparing prices across vehicle types.
Small
Medium
Large
SUV
Van
Pickup truck
Luxury
Convertible
Small cars
142 ﷼ - 216 ﷼
All Car Types
232 ﷼ - 329 ﷼
How much does it cost to rent a small car in Kentucky?
How much does it cost to rent a medium car in Kentucky?
How much does it cost to rent a large car in Kentucky?
How much does it cost to rent an SUV in Kentucky?
How much does it cost to rent a van in Kentucky?
How much does it cost to rent a pickup truck in Kentucky?
How much does it cost to rent a luxury car in Kentucky?
How much does it cost to rent a convertible in Kentucky?
Small car rentals in Kentucky typically cost around 182 ﷼ per day. The best time to book is December, when prices average 142 ﷼ per day which is about 22% less than the yearly average. Small cars are usually 38% cheaper than the average rental in Kentucky, making them ideal for budget-conscious travelers.
Medium car rentals in Kentucky typically cost around 250 ﷼ per day. The best time to book is December, when prices average 208 ﷼ per day which is about 17% less than the yearly average. Medium cars are usually 15% cheaper than the average rental in Kentucky, offering a good balance of space and value.
Large car rentals in Kentucky typically cost around 266 ﷼ per day. The best time to book is December, when prices average 229 ﷼ per day which is about 14% less than the yearly average. Large cars can be 9% cheaper than the average rental in Kentucky, offering more comfort for longer trips at a valuable price.
SUV rentals in Kentucky typically cost around 271 ﷼ per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average 229 ﷼ per day which is about 16% less than the yearly average. SUVs can be 8% cheaper than the average rental in Kentucky, providing extra space and capability for groups or road trips at a reasonable price.
Van rentals in Kentucky typically cost around 375 ﷼ per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average 288 ﷼ per day which is about 24% less than the yearly average. Vans are typically 23% more expensive than the average rental in Kentucky, but are the best choice for families or groups needing maximum passenger capacity.
Pickup truck rentals in Kentucky typically cost around 259 ﷼ per day. The best time to book is February, when prices average 218 ﷼ per day which is about 16% less than the yearly average. Pickup trucks are 12% cheaper than the average rental in Kentucky, a practical choice for hauling gear or outdoor adventures.
Luxury car rentals in Kentucky typically cost around 439 ﷼ per day. The best time to book is February, when prices average 298 ﷼ per day which is about 33% less than the yearly average. Luxury cars are typically 34% more expensive than the average rental in Kentucky, but deliver premium comfort and style for special occasions.
Convertible rentals in Kentucky typically cost around 342 ﷼ per day. The best time to book is December, when prices average 295 ﷼ per day which is about 14% less than the yearly average. Convertibles are typically 15% more expensive than the average rental in Kentucky, perfect for scenic drives and warm-weather destinations.
Good to know
Most popular car type
Medium
Top tips for renting a car in Kentucky
The state of Kentucky has unique terrain, and careful consideration should go into deciding the best car rental vehicle to choose when you visit the state. Kentucky has many hills and rocky terrain, so a good option is a full-size truck or SUV with four-wheel drive. This is especially true if your road trip includes outdoor adventures like fishing, hiking, and kayaking. Many mountainous trails cannot be reached with a traditional vehicle, but a smaller version of an SUV would probably be just right. It’s also worth noting that many small- and full-size vehicles include utility racks to easily transport sporting items.
Kentucky enforces child-restraint laws throughout the state, and this includes at all airports and car-rental agencies. Children up to one year old must be secured in an infant seat and positioned facing the rear of the vehicle. Children weighing 20 pounds or more can face the front but must have the proper strap system securing them. Older children ages eight to ten should still use booster seats with the proper straps and should remain in them if possible. Be sure to check your rental agency to make certain they provide child seats when you’re ready to rent a car.
Travelers renting a car in Kentucky may want to cross borders. Most car-rental agencies will allow travel to Canada or Mexico, but keep in mind there might be higher fees or additional insurance required. Most companies charge extra insurance to take a rental car into Mexico. Some companies don’t permit certain vehicles like specialty cars or full-size trucks to cross borders. Be sure to check for all the fees and procedures before taking your trip, and let the car agency know that you intend to cross the border.
When considering renting a car in Kentucky, it’s good to look carefully at the area you plan to explore to see if there are any toll roads. Most car-rental companies give you an option to get a toll pass card with the rental, so it’s a good idea if your trip is extensive. If you’re planning to camp in state parks, check on information like costs of entry and for costs of staying at a campsite or cabin. If you’re thinking about renting an electric car, ask the agency where charging stations are located throughout the state and whether they are available in the state parks or other remote areas.
Medium rental cars in Kentucky are around 14% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in Kentucky
Should I hire a car in Kentucky?
Kentucky is an ideal place to rent a car and plan a road trip, and a rental car will take you to destinations not accessible any other way. The Bourbon Trail is an excellent route to see by car, as it will showcase the beauty of Kentucky and and inform you about the state’s rich bourbon-making history. Kentucky has an organized road system that reaches all across the state, and although there are some tolls, these are easy to navigate and well organized.
What is driving like in Kentucky?
Driving in Kentucky is mostly laid-back and easygoing, and although not in the Deep South, the state still has its share of Southern charm. If you decide to explore the larger cities like Louisville, the driving style might change to a quicker pace, but folks are still friendly. The roads are well maintained, and the signs are clear and easy to read. The state has some challenging, hilly routes, so it’s best to pay attention to the signs. During the winters, Kentucky can get icy and can accumulate snow, so plan your trip carefully.
How old do you have to be to hire a car in Kentucky?
For car rentals in Kentucky, drivers must be twenty one years old and must present a current driver’s license. Keep in mind that drivers twenty one to tweny four will be charged a young driver surcharge, which is a daily fee that’s added to the rental agreement. When looking for a car, check with different agencies, because the young driver’s fee varies from place to place. To save money, designate an adult twenty five or older as the driver.
KAYAK and its partners wish to use cookies or similar technologies to store and/or access information on and about your device and process personal data such as your IP address, device identifiers etc., in order to improve your experience on the site, to analyze navigation, to offer and measure personalized advertising, and to facilitate sharing on social networks. We also allow the use of third-party cookies (including those from our advertising partners) on our sites.
By clicking 'Accept', you consent to your data being processed by 0 vendors on this web site for the purposes described in this notice. You can review the vendors and their individual processing purposes on the .
To review individual processing purposes and cookie categories, please click ’Select individual purposes’. You can review your choices and withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the ’Privacy Preferences’ link in the page side navigation.