KAYAK insights for Southern California car rentals
Get relevant, data-driven information to help you rent a car in Southern California, including pricing trends, ideal booking times, and more.
How far in advance should you book a rental car in Southern California?
You should book your rental car in Southern California around 7 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.
What is the most popular rental car in Southern California?
Rentals in the SUV category (Class Intermediate SUV or similar) are the most popular option in Southern California, costing 285 ﷼/day on average. Some users have found deals as low as 127 ﷼/day.
What is the cheapest month to rent a car in Southern California?
The cheapest month to rent a car in Southern California is January at an average cost of 154 ﷼/day. March is the most expensive month to rent a car in Southern California when prices are 218 ﷼/day on average, which tends to be 336% above the yearly average rental price for Southern California.
Southern California car rental price comparison by vehicle type
Find the right rental car in Southern California by comparing prices across vehicle types.
Small
Medium
Large
SUV
Van
Pickup truck
Luxury
Convertible
Small cars
77 ﷼ - 148 ﷼
All Car Types
203 ﷼ - 277 ﷼
How much does it cost to rent a small car in Southern California?
How much does it cost to rent a medium car in Southern California?
How much does it cost to rent a large car in Southern California?
How much does it cost to rent an SUV in Southern California?
How much does it cost to rent a van in Southern California?
How much does it cost to rent a pickup truck in Southern California?
How much does it cost to rent a luxury car in Southern California?
How much does it cost to rent a convertible in Southern California?
Small car rentals in Southern California typically cost around 127 ﷼ per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average 77 ﷼ per day which is about 40% less than the yearly average. Small cars are usually 47% cheaper than the average rental in Southern California, making them ideal for budget-conscious travelers.
Medium car rentals in Southern California typically cost around 245 ﷼ per day. The best time to book is September, when prices average 190 ﷼ per day which is about 23% less than the yearly average. Medium cars are usually 4% more expensive than the average rental in Southern California offering a good balance of space and value.
Large car rentals in Southern California typically cost around 210 ﷼ per day. The best time to book is September, when prices average 176 ﷼ per day which is about 17% less than the yearly average. Large cars can be 12% cheaper than the average rental in Southern California, offering more comfort for longer trips at a valuable price.
SUV rentals in Southern California typically cost around 222 ﷼ per day. The best time to book is September, when prices average 195 ﷼ per day which is about 13% less than the yearly average. SUVs can be 7% cheaper than the average rental in Southern California, providing extra space and capability for groups or road trips at a reasonable price.
Van rentals in Southern California typically cost around 367 ﷼ per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average 315 ﷼ per day which is about 15% less than the yearly average. Vans are typically 36% more expensive than the average rental in Southern California, but are the best choice for families or groups needing maximum passenger capacity.
Pickup truck rentals in Southern California typically cost around 220 ﷼ per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average 189 ﷼ per day which is about 15% less than the yearly average. Pickup trucks are 8% cheaper than the average rental in Southern California, a practical choice for hauling gear or outdoor adventures.
Luxury car rentals in Southern California typically cost around 299 ﷼ per day. The best time to book is September, when prices average 266 ﷼ per day which is about 12% less than the yearly average. Luxury cars are typically 21% more expensive than the average rental in Southern California, but deliver premium comfort and style for special occasions.
Convertible rentals in Southern California typically cost around 301 ﷼ per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average 241 ﷼ per day which is about 20% less than the yearly average. Convertibles are typically 22% more expensive than the average rental in Southern California, perfect for scenic drives and warm-weather destinations.
Good to know
Most popular agency
Most popular car type
Average price
Good deal
Dollar
Medium
185 ﷼/day
162 ﷼/day
Top tips for renting a car in Southern California
Southern California offers one of the finest travel destinations in America. Many people prefer traveling to Southern California in rental cars. Whereas renting a vehicle to tour Southern California is economical in the long run, you should prepare for your car rental in advance. Start by identifying the different car dealers near the places you want to visit. Check out the cars and identify which car model fits your Southern California tour. Go through the rental agreement with a suitable car rental dealer before committing yourself to a contract. Inspect the car thoroughly before embarking on your trip and ensure it doesn’t have any damages. Furthermore, fuel the car before starting your road trip, other than waiting for the dealer to fuel the car for you since they will include the gas in your rental car price.
Some car rental firms in Southern California allow car renters to use their travel insurance to pay for rental cars. Thus, you should check with a prospective car rental company as to whether they accept a travel insurance policy as an option for renting cars. Furthermore, check the car rental options the dealer will offer you courtesy of your travel insurance policy. Travelers with a comprehensive travel insurance policy have an advantage when booking and paying for rental cars. A comprehensive insurance plan, for instance, can pay for gas while driving a rental car in Southern California.
Driving in Southern California is different from driving in other places. The region has some of the country’s busiest roads. Hence, all drivers, and primarily rental drivers, should observe safety precautions to keep safe while driving on Southern California’s highways. For instance, while driving a rental car in Southern California, you should follow the recommended speed limit, always keep right, make correct lane changes, and maximize your visibility.
There are many car rental firms in Southern California offering their services. But no website offers more car rental options than KAYAK. Car rental drivers should take advantage of the KAYAK website to choose a car rental company. KAYAK will give you an originality boost by allowing you to select a car that offers better performance than your everyday car. You can then book a car directly through the KAYAK website.
25% of our users found rental cars in Southern California for 162 ﷼ or less
Small rental cars in Southern California are around 51% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in Southern California
Should I hire a car in Southern California?
Anyone driving to Southern California has several reasons for getting a rental car. Even if you already have a vehicle, renting a car to explore Southern California remains a brilliant idea for virtually every driver. A rental car will save your vehicle from wear and tear over time. Rental cars are also more comfortable since these vehicles are designed for long road trips. You can save gas while driving to some of California’s best destinations, including Santa Barbara, Long Beach, and Catalina Island.
What is driving like in Southern California?
Whether you want a long road trip or a short scenic drive, driving in Southern California is ultimately rewarding. You can experience fascinating scenes while driving in the region. You can have an incredible lifetime experience navigating the mountainous region as you drive to Southern California’s pristine beaches, such as Malibu and Long Beach. Driving in South California can be full of fun since you will encounter some of the region’s finest attractions. You can stop your rental car at various eateries and enjoy drinks and tasty Southern California dishes with your family.
How old do you have to be to hire a car in Southern California?
Every driver must be, at minimum, twenty one years old to rent a vehicle in Southern California. All drivers should provide proof of having requisite driving training before renting a car. Visiting drivers need to have a driving permit from their home state six months before driving to Southern California. Besides meeting the minimum driving age, renters should also present a valid driver’s license to their car rental dealers. Foreign drivers should also submit their non-US driving licenses to the authorities in Southern California.
How much does it cost to rent a car in Southern California?
On average a rental car in Southern California costs 184 ﷼ per day.
How can I find car rentals near me in Southern California?
Based on car searches on KAYAK, the most popular cities to rent a car in Southern California are Los Angeles (85% of total searches of users looking to rent a car in Southern California) and Santa Monica (15%).
How much does it cost to rent a car for a week in Southern California?
On average a rental car in Southern California costs 1,290 ﷼ per week (184 ﷼ per day).
How much does it cost to rent a car long term for a month in Southern California?
On average a rental car in Southern California costs 5,530 ﷼ per month (184 ﷼ per day).
Car rental directory
Enterprise Rent-A-Car car rental locations in Southern California
94 Locations
Hertz car rental locations in Southern California
70 Locations
Dollar car rental locations in Southern California
47 Locations
Avis car rental locations in Southern California
46 Locations
Thrifty car rental locations in Southern California
46 Locations
Budget car rental locations in Southern California
44 Locations
Midway car rental locations in Southern California
20 Locations
Sixt car rental locations in Southern California
20 Locations
Sunnycars car rental locations in Southern California
13 Locations
Eagle Rent A Car car rental locations in Southern California
10 Locations
Alamo car rental locations in Southern California
9 Locations
Airport Van car rental locations in Southern California
8 Locations
Car rental locations in Southern California
Everything you need to know for your car rental in Southern California
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