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Due to the congestion that can occur on the roads especially during rush hours, small compact vehicles are recommended for solo travelers or couples and are ideal for visiting local sights such as the Palo Alto Farmers Market. Large SUVs are recommended for larger groups of people and are more comfortable for visiting the outskirts of the city.
The speed limit at Palo Alto is set at 35mph on the general business district. Roads that connect local streets to heavy arterials usually known as collectors have a speed limit of 40mph. School zones operate with a speed limit of 25mph. Roads that have not been posted also have a set speed limit of 25mph.
There are several options available in the city of Palo Alto. Free parking is provided for visitors and customers in the downtown area, with 2h free parking on surface lots and 3h free parking in parking garages except designated areas, effective between 8am to 5pm on weekends. Visitors can also purchase all-day parking permits which are valid in all off-street parking lots and garages but are not valid for on-street parking spots.
On average a rental car in Palo Alto costs $47 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 Palo Alto found in the last 2 weeks is $27.
The average gas price in Palo Alto is $3.70 per gallon over the past 30 days. Filling up a gas tank costs between $44 and $59, depending on the car size.
Economy (Hyundai Accent or similar) is the most frequently booked rental car type in Palo Alto.
Take a look at our extensive car rental location map to find the best rental cars near you.
An Economy car rental in Palo Alto costs $24 per day, on average.
A Compact car rental in Palo Alto costs $26 per day, on average.
An Intermediate car rental in Palo Alto costs $30 per day, on average.
On average a rental car in Palo Alto costs $331 per week ($47 per day).
On average a rental car in Palo Alto costs $1,419 per month ($47 per day).
Most car rental providers in Palo Alto offer insurance but the level of protection can differ substantially. If you're unsure whether to get extra protection for your car rental in Palo Alto, check out KAYAK's car rental insurance guide.
KAYAK has deals for you to compare from 6 car rental agencies in Palo Alto.
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 Palo Alto so that you can compare car rental rates, reviews and pick-up and drop-off locations to find the best deal for you.
You can lower your car rental cost by sharing your vehicle with a few friends in Palo Alto. The arrangements are flexible and mutually agreeable. The city allows carpooling during designated hours for three-plus people. The city encourages this act for its benefits, including environmental preservation and fuel conservation. For more on their regulations and standards regarding carpooling, you can inquire with the rental company.
For the protection of both customers and employees, there are cheap car rentals that are also curbside. Curbside rentals ensure and promote social distancing while avoiding foot traffic by getting you quickly on your journey. The car rentals also offer car delivery at your convenience.
One location in Palo Alto
Locations in Palo Alto
4230 El Camino Real
+1 650 424 0684
Filters
Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Anonymous, Nov 2023
Intermediate SUV
2 locations in Palo Alto
Locations in Palo Alto
360 Oak Rd
+1 650 843 4990
814 San Antonio Rd
+1 650 843 4990
Filters
Show reviews that mention
Reviews
2.0 Poor
Anonymous, Oct 2023
Passenger van
9.6 Wonderful
Kathy, Aug 2020
Cons:
Not having to go to another store because the car they were suppose to have Waiting for me at their store Was not available10.0 Wonderful
Anonymous, Jul 2020
Pros:
Pick-up & drop-off were perfect! The site manager easily adjusted my pick-up time to match emerging changes in my travel plans.....and when one of our group developed a medical emergency which cancelled our trip outright, management re-did our One Way drop-off Weekly rate to become a 2 Day Local contract with no issues. The car was perfect and our travel would have been perfect as a result!10.0 Wonderful
Michael, Aug 2023
Minivan
8.0 Very good
Alex, Sep 2022
1.9 Poor
Anonymous, Jul 2021
5 locations in Palo Alto
Locations in Palo Alto
360 Oak Rd
+1 650 876 1866
360 Oak Road
+1 650 876 1866
625 El Camino Real
+1 650 617 0386
690 San Antonio Road
+1 650 493 0232
816 San Antonio Rd
+1 650 739 0370
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Show reviews that mention
Reviews
2.0 Poor
Anonymous, Nov 2021
2.0 Poor
Sander, May 2021
Cons:
The rental cars office closes at 12pm. We booked a rental at 12pm, but no one told us we have to be there exactly on time or earlier. We got to the rental station a bit after 12. Everything was closed, we had to get a rental somewhere else for a ridiculous expensive last minute price. You should tell püeople that the rental car station in Los Altos closes at 12pm5.2 Fair
Gabriel, Oct 2020
Cons:
Staff at Hertz Palo Alto were quite unhelpful. Among other things, they failed to provide minimum docs needed for drop-off.6.8 Okay
Marisa, Sep 2020
Pros:
The priceCons:
I spoke to Hertz at 8am and 1pm to confirm my reservation and let them know I would be picking the car up close to 5pm, and a guy called me at 3pm to tell me they do not have a car for me. I was irate. He was very easy going and basically said 'sorry, my hands are tied and there is nothing we can do.' I made this reservation a week in advance, and paid in advance to be sure I would have a car. This was unacceptable. I eventually was put in touch with the manager at this location and he found me a vehicle (mid size SUV, not full size) that I was able to pick-up at 5pm. Mani was helpful and he did find a vehicle, but this should not have happened. Mani said that he asked the 3rd party rep to shut-off reservations a week in advance because they were not going to have enough cars. They had 70 reservations and only 40 cars available. That's 30 people who had their days ruined due to the overbooking10.0 Wonderful
gita, Jul 2020
Pros:
Daniel was awesome. I didn’t realize this location closed early. When he going out I was going to be late he waited for me. The entire team at this location is 5 stars. They also found a larger and better car for. Will definitely rent again. Thanks again for an exceptional service.5.6 Fair
Anonymous, Mar 2020
Cons:
When I arrived to pick up the car, the attendant wasn't there. I had to wait 30 minutes and reschedule a client because that wait. And it's not the fault of the Hertz employee either - he had to get a car washed because apparently he's in charge of nearly literally every job - he's the only person working in that branch.One location in Palo Alto
Locations in Palo Alto
4230 El Camino Real
+1 650 493 8888
Filters
No reviews available
One location in Palo Alto
Locations in Palo Alto
816 San Antonio Road
+1 650 739 0370
Filters
No reviews available
One location in Palo Alto
Locations in Palo Alto
816 San Antonio Road
+1 650 739 0370
Filters
No reviews available
Most popular agency | Hertz |
---|---|
Most popular car type | Economy |
Average price | $47/day |
Good deal | $38/day |
Pick-up location | Palo Alto |
---|---|
Car types | Compact, Compact SUV, Economy, Full-size, Intermediate, Intermediate SUV, Luxury, Standard, Standard SUV, Supplier choice |
Rental locations | 8 |
Airport locations | 0 |
Popular agencies | Getaround, Hertz, Avis, Thrifty, Budget |