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Economy | $36/day |
Compact | $36/day |
Intermediate | $37/day |
Standard | $40/day |
Full-size | $43/day |
Minivan | $74/day |
Premium | $57/day |
Intermediate SUV | $47/day |
Standard SUV | $60/day |
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.
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.
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.
On average a rental car in San Luis Obispo costs $66 per day. But prices differ between operators and you can save money through a price comparison of car rental deals from different agencies. The cheapest price for a car rental in San Luis Obispo found in the last 2 weeks is $46.
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest rental cars were found at Budget ($36/day), Avis ($39/day) and Enterprise Rent-A-Car ($45/day). In the last 72 hours the cheapest rental car price was found at Budget 4554 Broad Street 93401 (3 miles from city center).
The average gas price in San Luis Obispo is $3.82 per gallon over the past 30 days. Filling up a gas tank costs between $46 and $61, depending on the car size.
Luxury (Cadillac XTS or similar) is the most frequently booked rental car type in San Luis Obispo.
Car rental companies onsite at County airport include Budget, Avis, Hertz and Enterprise Rent-A-Car.
Car rental companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from County airport to off-airport locations include Budget, Avis, Hertz, and Enterprise Rent-A-Car.
Take a look at our extensive car rental location map to find the best rental cars near you.
A Luxury car rental in San Luis Obispo costs $47 per day, on average.
A Standard car rental in San Luis Obispo costs $50 per day, on average.
An Intermediate car rental in San Luis Obispo costs $50 per day, on average.
On average a rental car in San Luis Obispo costs $462 per week ($66 per day).
On average a rental car in San Luis Obispo costs $1,978 per month ($66 per day).
Most car rental 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 rental in San Luis Obispo, check out KAYAK's car rental insurance guide.
KAYAK has deals for you to compare from 5 car rental agencies in San Luis Obispo.
Finding the right price, understanding the add-ons and staying up to date with policy changes can be a challenge. That’s why KAYAK has produced the ultimate guide to renting a car to help you cut though the jargon and make the right choice for your rental car. Find tips and insights for how to book your rental, what car rental insurance you’ll need, how to deal with a car rental agency and what extra fees to expect (and avoid!).
KAYAK searches thousands of car rental agencies to provide you with offers from all car rental agencies operating in San Luis Obispo so that you can compare car rental rates, reviews and pick-up and drop-off locations to find the best deal for you.
While there are numerous high occupancy vehicle lanes in California, you will not find any while cruising in your vehicle from cheap car rentals in San Luis Obispo through the city. However, you are free to carpool in the city. Notably, a project aimed at adding HOV lanes on South Coast Highway 101, which passes through San Luis Obispo, is underway.
While California has numerous express lanes that charge a toll, San Luis Obispo doesn’t charge any fees for road usage. However, this doesn’t mean that you will find heavy traffic on the city’s roads. The highways are usually clear unless an event featuring road closure occurs. At all times, be sure to check on the road sign. Cameras monitor your driving, and the CHP may call for a fine.
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
10.0 Wonderful
May 2024
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:
Nothing2 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
10.0 Wonderful
Apr 2024
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.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
Sep 2020
Cons:
Customer service on drop off could have been better3 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
Jun 2024
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 everOne location in San Luis Obispo
Locations in San Luis Obispo
Filters
No reviews available
Pick-up location | San Luis Obispo |
---|---|
Car types | Compact, Economy, Full-size, Intermediate, Intermediate SUV, Minivan, Premium, Standard, Standard SUV |
Rental locations | 11 |
Airport locations | 6 |
Popular agencies | Budget, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Turo, Avis |