This price is the cheapest per day rate found by a KAYAK user in the last 48 hours by searching for a car rental in Columbia with a pick-up date of 5/5 and drop-off date of 5/8. Fares are subject to change and may not be available at all agencies or on all dates of rental. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
Same drop-off
KAYAK compares hundreds of rental car sites at once for car rental deals in Columbia, Missouri
...and more
Here is why travelers choose KAYAK
Save up to 41%Compare multiple travel sites with one search.
Free to useThere are no hidden charges or fees.
Filter your dealsFilter by car type, brand and more. Instantly customise your results.
Book with flexibilityUse our "free cancellation" filter for maximum flexibility at no extra cost.
Cheap car rentals in Columbia
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.
Best rates found by KAYAK users in the past 48 hours.
KAYAK’s top tips for renting a car in Columbia
Columbia is halfway between Kansas City and St. Louis, which makes it a great gateway for exploring Missouri if you have a Columbia car rental. A set of wheels will allow you to head out to the Devil’s Icebox Trail for some hiking or check out the multiple recreation areas, like the Stephens Lake Park, the Columbia Cosmopolitan, the Eagle Bluffs, or the Shelter Gardens. You can also use your set of wheels to check out the campus of the University of Missouri and other colleges in the region. Take a drive out onto the scenic roads near the Missouri River Valley where the Ozark Mountains change into rolling plains and savannas.
If you are flying into Columbia, the closest airport is the Columbia Regional Airport. The car rental office is conveniently located within the main terminal. Simply proceed to the counters located just outside the baggage claim to retrieve your car rental in Columbia.
The two main freeways serving Columbia are the I-70 and the US 63. Within the city, there are two main highways, Route 763 and 740. Columbia is well known for the MKT Trail, which allows both pedestrian and cycling traffic across the city. If you’re driving around this trail, be sure to keep your eye out for pedestrians or cyclists with whom you might be sharing the road. Route B and the I-70 experience a great number of car crashes during the year, a reminder to drivers to be vigilant while driving these roadways. The Stadium Blvd is another tricky intersection where drivers should beware.
A large congregation of traffic occurs along the Stadium Blvd, particularly during the morning rush hour from 7am to 10am, and then again from 5pm to 7pm. Keep in mind that the city does get snow from December to March. If you’re here during the winter months, practice safe snow driving techniques by driving slowly, alertly and defensively. Allow for extra time on your trips and with your low-beam headlights turned on.
Whether traveling solo or with your family, you will always find cheap car rentals in Columbia Missouri for convenience, comfort, and flexibility. To get to Finger Lakes State Park, drive to the park, approximately 14 miles via US Hwy 63 S, and enjoy canoeing, fishing, and mountain biking. You can also visit neighboring towns such as Fulton and Jefferson. Fulton rests between St. Louis and Kansas City, approximately 21 miles from Columbia. Drive to Higbee, a much smaller neighboring town, about 33 miles from Columbia via State Hwy B and US Hwy 63 S. You can tour various places here, including Hilltop B&B, Woodsmen Distilling, and Moberly Rothwell Park.
You might experience heavy traffic while driving in Columbia, mostly between 6:45 am, and 9:30 am. It will then pick again when people leave work from 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm. If you find yourself on a local highway such as Interstate 26 or 77, or Webster Ave., you might want to be vigilant, maintain your lane, and avoid tailgating. Other areas where you may experience traffic congestion with your vehicle from cheap car rentals in Columbia include southbound Route 123 of the US-123 bridge over Georges Creek and I-26 EB, especially at Exits 97, 15A, and 76. If you can’t avoid traveling during peak hours, try using less congested and wider Columbian roads like Interstate 24, 75, and State Route 126.
Some of Columbia’s transportation infrastructure is prone to weather-related stressors, especially mirage from high temperatures between May to September and slippery roads from snow during the cold season between November to February. When driving in bad weather conditions, please be cautious, especially when driving on curvy and steep sloping roads and intersections.
25% of our users found rental cars in Columbia for $45 or less
Book your rental car in Columbia at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
Intermediate rental cars in Columbia are around 41% cheaper than other car types, on average
See more tips
FAQs about renting a car in Columbia
What type of car is recommended for driving in Columbia?
Most people choose a compact or standard car rental in Columbia, which makes it easy to get around and park, and saves on gas. Of course, if you know you will be spending a lot of time in the car you might want to choose a premium SUV for your comfort.
What’s the speed limit in Columbia?
Speed limits in Missouri depend considerably on what type of road you’re driving on. On freeways, the speed limit is 70mph and 65mph on expressways. On nearly all other roadways the speed limit is 60mph. The speed limit on residential streets in Columbia is 25mph unless posted otherwise. Always check the street signs to confirm the appropriate speed limit.
Where are the best places to park in Columbia?
Street parking in Columbia is metered from 9am to 7pm Monday to Saturday. On Sundays, evenings, and holidays the metered street parking is free and the rest of the time it costs $0.60 an hour unless you’re in the zone of the University of Missouri campus, then it costs $1 an hour. Parking can be paid for at the meter or by downloading the Parkmobile app. Otherwise, you can select one of the parking garages for longer-term parking, which are also free on the weekends. They are located at 8th and Walnut, 8th and Cherry, 6th and Cherry, 10th and Cherry, 5th and Walnut, and Short Street.
How much does it cost to rent a car in Columbia?
On average a rental car in Columbia costs $52 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 Columbia found in the last 2 weeks is $44.
How much is gas price in Columbia?
The average gas price in Columbia is $3.40 per gallon over the past 30 days. Filling up a gas tank costs between $41 and $54, depending on the car size.
What is the most popular rental car in Columbia?
Premium (Chrysler Pacifica or similar) is the most frequently booked rental car type in Columbia.
Which car rental companies are at Columbia Regional airport (COU)?
Car rental companies onsite at Columbia Regional airport include Hertz and National.
Which car rental companies will pick you up at Columbia Regional airport (COU)?
Car rental companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from Columbia Regional airport to off-airport locations include Hertz, and National.
How much does a Premium car rental cost in Columbia?
A Premium car rental in Columbia costs $97 per day, on average.
How much does an Intermediate car rental cost in Columbia?
An Intermediate car rental in Columbia costs $36 per day, on average.
How much does a Standard car rental cost in Columbia?
A Standard car rental in Columbia costs $74 per day, on average.
What is the most popular rental car location in Columbia?
In Columbia, cars are most frequently rented at Hertz 1905 Rangeline Street (1 miles from city center).
Should I get insurance when renting a car in Columbia?
Most car rental providers in Columbia offer insurance but the level of protection can differ substantially. If you're unsure whether to get extra protection for your car rental in Columbia, check out KAYAK's car rental insurance guide.
How many car agencies are operating in Columbia?
KAYAK has deals for you to compare from 9 car rental agencies in Columbia.
What do I need to know before booking a car rental in Columbia?
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!).
Why should I use KAYAK to rent a car in Columbia?
KAYAK searches thousands of car rental agencies to provide you with offers from all car rental agencies operating in Columbia so that you can compare car rental rates, reviews and pick-up and drop-off locations to find the best deal for you.
Is it safe to rent a car in Columbia?
Renting and driving a car on Colombian roads is safe. However, you must be a vigilant and confident driver to efficiently and successfully maneuver the local roads with ease. For example, Webster is two-way traffic with parallel parking on both sides. This road also consists of the 85 and CT2 bus lines. Given that this road passes through a heavy industrial area with busy pedestrians, loaded trucks, bikes, and other motorists tailgating each other, you need to stay focused and watch motorists around you closely.
Are there toll roads in Columbia?
Columbia, Missouri is a city with well-networked roads. You’ll find major highways such as 128, 12A, and 63. They are well interconnected with other roads of all categories. However, like any other big city, some of these roads may experience traffic snarl-ups from time to time. To enjoy a well-maintained road with less traffic, you can take Highway MM which has one toll booth at the Lake of the Ozarks Community Bridge.
There was no real instruction on how to drop off. The CID airport is small. When I first dropped off, there was no one at the counter. The car smelled of smoke.
8.8 Very good
Anonymous, Oct 2020
Pros:
Staff was very friendly and welcoming.
Cons:
No window washer fluid in the car and despite it being a non-smoking car, there was a lingering smell of old tobacco.
The process was very easy and the vehicle was marvelous. Thank you.
2.0 Poor
Anonymous, Jun 2024
Economy
I needed to rent a car and drop off in a different location. When I arrived, I was told unless I used a major credit card to rent, I had to bring the car back to its original location. The employee said the website shouldn’t have let me book at all, since I was using a Visa debit card and not a credit card. So, money wasted and time wasted. I ended up having to pay double to price to by hiring a Lyft driver to get my husband to the airport. I don’t understand the issue using the Visa debit card. I’ve always used that card to book rental cars and have had zero issues doing so. This was the first time I was rejected. It was super embarrassing and this policy is uncalled for.
10.0 Wonderful
Douglas, May 2021
Pros:
Staff was great to work with and pickup and dropoff were very easy and quick.
Cons:
The van could have been vacuumed a bit better but overall was very good.
2.0 Poor
Anonymous, Apr 2021
Cons:
Still haven’t been refunded
4.0 Mediocre
Anonymous, Apr 2021
Pros:
tried to charge more than what was quoted
Cons:
car inside was dirty
6.0 Okay
D, Jan 2021
Pros:
Andy (the girl at the rental office) was really nice.
Cons:
I prepaid for gas. I was dropping off in another state. He assured me there was enough gas in the car to get to my next destination. I told him the weather where I was going was very cold and snowy and would be going through some remote areas so I wanted to be sure. I ended up having to try to frantically try to find a gas station in an area that was pretty remote. I ended up having to travel several miles off the main road to get gas in a tiny town. It was very inconvenient and scary knowing I was almost out of gas. I had been looking for a gas station for over 80 miles and so I was almost on empty. Also the cushions were all stained. It looked like there had been multiple spills and no one had cleaned it up. It looked terrible.
The staff was easy to work with and pleasant. We had the vehicle reserved and the process was easy and quick. Nice vehicle was clean and well cared for made the trip nice. The return was just as easy and quick. Returned the keys to the associate and he printed the receipt and I was on my way. Would definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Helpfulness from electric to gas powered vehicle. I did not like that the wind shield and windows were spoted and not really clean.
2.0 Poor
Anonymous, Oct 2022
No one available when I came to pick up my car. No notice that they closed at noon on Saturday. No attempt to contact me to find out if I was on my way. No customer service at all. I had even called ahead to check with them about the situation. I like Hertz and have used them many times successfully before, but this location in Columbia, MO, was pitiful. Would never attempt to rent from them again. Cost me almost $100 in extra cab fare and wasted my time. I recommend using another company that might care about their customers.
This site uses cookies and other tracking technologies for essential, functional, analytical, and advertising purposes. By using the site, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and our Privacy Policy.
For more information about how we process your information, please see our Privacy Policy.
We value your privacy
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.
