Durham car rentals from $30/day

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 Durham with a pick-up date of 1/21 and drop-off date of 2/20. 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.

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Cheap car rentals in Durham

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Kia Rio car
Kia Rio
or similar SMALL
2
2
2/4
$30/day
Nissan Versa car
Nissan Versa
or similar SMALL
4
2
2/4
$32/day
Toyota Corolla car
Toyota Corolla
or similar MEDIUM
5
3
2/4
$32/day
Chevrolet Malibu car
Chevrolet Malibu
or similar LARGE
5
2
4-5
$34/day
Nissan Quest car
Nissan Quest
or similar VAN
5
5
4-5
$64/day
Chevrolet Tahoe car
Chevrolet Tahoe
or similar SUV
5
2
4-5
$68/day
Nissan Maxima car
Nissan Maxima
or similar LARGE
5
5
4-5
$52/day
Mercedes-Benz E-Class car
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
or similar LUXURY
5
5
4-5
$57/day
Chevrolet Suburban car
Chevrolet Suburban
or similar SUV
5
5
4-5
$84/day
Jeep Compass car
Jeep Compass
or similar SUV
4
2
4-5
$40/day
Nissan Rogue car
Nissan Rogue
or similar SUV
5
3
4-5
$44/day
Dodge Journey car
Dodge Journey
or similar SUV
5
3
4-5
$47/day
Best rates found by KAYAK users in the past 48 hours.

KAYAK’s top tips for renting a car in Durham

  • There’s plenty to explore in Durham, from the Museum of Life and Science in the north to the exciting city center, and it is all best reached by car. Rent a car for your time in Durham to gain an ultimate sense of freedom and to not be tied to public transport. Renting a car will also give you the chance to leave the city limits and discover the beauty of the adjoining Duke Forest or Lake Falls, which is about half an hour away by car.
  • Raleigh-Durham International Airport is about 14 miles south of Durham center and rental cars can be picked up from various onsite agencies. There are courtesy shuttle buses between the terminals and the rental car center at Zone 5 (T1) and Zone 18 (T2) and driving to Durham will take about twenty minutes via the I-40 W and NC-147 N.
  • The weather can be contribute to somewhat treacherous conditions in Durham, with regular thunderstorms in the summer and sleet in the winter. Drivers who are surprised by heavy rain showers or face icy roads due to the freezing rain should definitely adjust their speed and probably even stop where it is safe to do so and wait until the worst has passed.
  • Traffic increases in Durham during weekday rush hours. Morning peaks usually occur between 7 and 9 am, when inbound traffic on the I-40 can cause heavy congestions. Outbound traffic can be particularly severe between 5 and 7 pm, also mainly affecting the I-40. Try to avoid driving around during these peak times or take smaller country roads to avoid getting stuck in the interstate traffic.
  • Durham is surrounded by cities with numerous attractions. If you are in Durham, your best bet to exploring most, if not all, these attractions lies in renting a vehicle. Hiking fans can make their way to the Horseshoe Farm Nature Preserve in Wake Forest, which is approximately 32.3 miles away from Durham City Center. The Cocoon Gallery and Wine & Design are also great places to explore in Apex. They are about 24.2 and 23 miles away from Durham City center, respectively, taking you about 30min to get there. Therefore, cheap car rentals in Durham are ideal for travels outside the city.
  • Those arriving at Durham Railway Station and are looking to rent a vehicle can consider visiting any of the car rental agencies located there. These Durham car rentals are located close to the railway station so that passengers arriving can easily access them. In addition, you’ll not have to take taxis deeper into the city for you to find a rental company. Therefore, if you are arriving at the station, visit any car rental agencies, including Hertz, Thrifty, Enterprise, Alamo, Avis, and Dollar, among several others, to secure a rental vehicle choice. These rental cars are perfect for exploring what the city offers and convenient if you are expected to visit several destinations within a day.
  • You have to be careful with Durham roads because many are very synonymous and, in some cases, miles from each other. You can easily get confused if you are not alert. Chapel Hill Rd/St/Blvd is the most notorious. It stretches from Lakewood and the West End neighborhood to the Chapel Hill border through Shannon Plaza. The area is primarily commercial, with large numbers of businesses and restaurants. When lost or in doubt, just ask a local—using a map or GPS would help when navigating the city.
  • 25% of our users found rental cars in Durham for $34 or less
  • Book your rental car in Durham at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
  • Standard rental cars in Durham are around 64% cheaper than other car types, on average
See more tips

FAQs about renting a car in Durham

  • What type of car is recommended for driving in Durham?

    A 4-wheel-drive car is a wise choice for your stay in Durham, especially when winter conditions prevail. When exploring the countryside, a 4-wheel-drive car will provide some much-needed traction and offer a smooth and safe driving experience. For a pleasant city driving experience, a compact car is also a good decision to make parking and maneuvering around easier.

  • What’s the speed limit in Durham?

    Within the downtown area, 20 mph is usually the maximum, but always check for posted signs. Within the municipal limits, a maximum of 30 mph is permitted, while 55 mph is allowed on two-lane divided rural roads. Freeways have speed limits of between 55 and 60 mph. It is very important to adjust your speed to prevailing weather conditions as well.

  • Where are the best places to park in Durham?

    Drivers may park their rental cars on the street, but be aware that meters are in place and must be paid for. Most meters apply Monday through Friday from 8 am to 7 pm, and one hour costs around $1.50. Alternatively, there are parking lots and garages in and around downtown where cars can also be parked over a longer period of time, like the Durham Center Parking Deck, which has a daily fee of around $14.

  • How much does it cost to rent a car in Durham?

    On average a rental car in Durham costs $42 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 Durham found in the last 2 weeks is $31.

  • What is the cheapest car rental company in Durham?

    In the past 72 hours, the cheapest rental cars were found at Avis ($30/day), Budget ($31/day) and Thrifty ($32/day). In the last 72 hours the cheapest rental car price was found at Avis 1720 Guess Rd Ste 60 27701 (2 miles from city center).

  • How much is gas price in Durham?

    The average gas price in Durham 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 Durham?

    Standard (Class Commercial Truck or similar) is the most frequently booked rental car type in Durham.

  • Which car rental companies are at Raleigh-Durham airport (RDU)?

    The only car rental company onsite at Raleigh-Durham airport is Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

  • Which car rental companies will pick you up at Raleigh-Durham airport (RDU)?

    Car rental companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from Raleigh-Durham airport to off-airport locations include Dollar, Payless, and Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

  • How can I find car rentals near me in Durham?

    Take a look at our extensive car rental location map to find the best rental cars near you.

  • How much does a Standard car rental cost in Durham?

    A Standard car rental in Durham costs $29 per day, on average.

  • How much does a Compact car rental cost in Durham?

    A Compact car rental in Durham costs $73 per day, on average.

  • How much does an Intermediate car rental cost in Durham?

    An Intermediate car rental in Durham costs $47 per day, on average.

  • How much does it cost to rent a car for a week in Durham?

    On average a rental car in Durham costs $296 per week ($42 per day).

  • How much does it cost to rent a car long term for a month in Durham?

    On average a rental car in Durham costs $1,269 per month ($42 per day).

  • Should I get insurance when renting a car in Durham?

    Most car rental providers in Durham offer insurance but the level of protection can differ substantially. If you're unsure whether to get extra protection for your car rental in Durham, check out KAYAK's car rental insurance guide.

  • How many car agencies are operating in Durham?

    KAYAK has deals for you to compare from 6 car rental agencies in Durham.

  • What do I need to know before booking a car rental in Durham?

    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 Durham?

    KAYAK searches thousands of car rental agencies to provide you with offers from all car rental agencies operating in Durham so that you can compare car rental rates, reviews and pick-up and drop-off locations to find the best deal for you.

  • What happens if I council my Durham car reservation?

    Well, it depends on the terms of your agreement with the company. You may be eligible for your money back because most companies with prepaid bookings give a complete refund with no fees if you cancel before 24 hours of your pick-up day. Hertz, for instance, has no cancellation fees when you cancel your booking within two days of being made.

  • Are there toll roads in Durham?

    Yes, Durham City has a toll on Saddler Street within the city center. If you are driving cheap car rentals in Durham with the intent of accessing the World Heritage Site of Durham Cathedral as well as Durham Castle, note that you’ll have to use the toll road as it is the only public access road that leads you there.

See more FAQs

Durham car rental reviews and directory 
All ratings and reviews are collected from KAYAK users with a verified car rental booking. Learn how KAYAK collects reviews.

Avis

Best rated

Cleanliness

7.7

Comfort

8.5

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.0

Value for money

7.3

One location in Durham

Show locations

Locations in Durham

1720 Guess Rd Ste 60

+1 919 286 0173

Monday08:00 - 18:00
Tuesday08:00 - 18:00
Wednesday08:00 - 18:00
Thursday08:00 - 18:00
Friday08:00 - 18:00
Saturday09:00 - 13:00
Sunday09:00 - 13:00

Filters

Show reviews that mention

Reviews

8.0 Very good

Rebecca, Oct 2022

KAYAK
Drop off in Charlotte Airport was awful. Attendants openly hostile and refusing to answer questions. Durham attendant was great.

8.0 Very good

Anonymous, Apr 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

It was easy.

Cons:

Being able to get Satellite Radio.

10.0 Wonderful

Joseph, Jan 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

Easy pick up and drop off

Cons:

Nothing

7.6 Good

Anonymous, Jun 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

Staff was friendly.

Cons:

Staff should have considered the delays I incurred in returning the car because of multiple protests in Virginia and NYC, as well as a curfew, all of which were out of my control.

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Mar 2023

Full-size SUV

KAYAK
I couldn't rent because I didn't have a credit card.

8.0 Very good

Anonymous, Nov 2022

KAYAK
Pre-Paid Toll Road Fee is an intentional rip off >>The only thing I was unhappy about with the Avis of Durham experience is that the Avis agents in this location successfully sold us on the $11.99/day fee to cover tolls that we'd encounter on our drive north to Philadelphia. They said that the alternative was to accumulate video-license-capture toll obligations that would be charged to our credit card as they came in - who knows when, how accurately, and how many $4/occurrence fees from Avis we would end up accumulating. It turned out that there were almost no toll roads between Durham, NC and Philadelphia, unless one elects to use the very overpriced express lanes, which I'm guessing that this prepaid toll service would not even have covered as these are optional "luxury" roadways. We ended up looking for tolls to pay, just to get some value from our $47.96 fee. With some effort, we found one $1.40 toll that, IF this prepaid toll paying system even works (I expect we'll be billed by the video system as well), may have been covered by our $47.96 expenditure.

1 out of 3

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Cleanliness

7.7

Comfort

8.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

7.6

Value for money

7.2

4 locations in Durham

Show locations

Locations in Durham

1606 Page Road Ext

+1 919 682 8720

Monday08:00 - 18:00
Tuesday08:00 - 18:00
Wednesday08:00 - 18:00
Thursday08:00 - 18:00
Friday08:00 - 18:00
Saturday08:00 - 18:00
Sunday00:00 - 00:00

3143 Hillsborough Rd

+1 919 309 1030

Monday08:00 - 18:00
Tuesday08:00 - 18:00
Wednesday08:00 - 18:00
Thursday08:00 - 18:00
Friday08:00 - 18:00
Saturday08:00 - 18:00
Sunday09:00 - 13:00

3648 Durham Chapel Hill Blvd

+1 919 490 6057

Monday08:00 - 18:00
Tuesday08:00 - 18:00
Wednesday08:00 - 18:00
Thursday08:00 - 18:00
Friday08:00 - 18:00
Saturday08:00 - 18:00
Sunday09:00 - 13:00

4504 N Roxboro St Ste A

+1 919 309 1030

Monday00:00 - 00:00
Tuesday00:00 - 00:00
Wednesday00:00 - 00:00
Thursday00:00 - 00:00
Friday00:00 - 00:00
Saturday00:00 - 00:00
Sunday00:00 - 00:00

Filters

Show reviews that mention

Reviews

8.0 Very good

John, Oct 2024

Economy

KAYAK
There were rental charges that were not disclosed in the quote. This is unacceptable.

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Jul 2024

Minivan

KAYAK
Extremely polite and professional.

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, May 2024

Compact SUV

KAYAK
Great, the staff at the Durham location were very nice, professional, patient and accommodating.

2.0 Poor

John, May 2021

KAYAK

Cons:

They didn't have cars available. I was on a wait list but was never contacted either way after that.

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Jul 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

Nothing - I showed up to pick up the truck and none was available. Enterprise did not attempt to contact me to let me know there were no vehicles available and did nothing to remedy the situation. I had to cancel me plans and reschedule for the following weekend with Alamo. I will never rent from Enterprise again from your site or any other site.

Cons:

Live up to their obligations and communicate and not leave their customers hanging.

2.8 Poor

Anonymous, Jul 2020

KAYAK

Cons:

The car was filthy and smelled of smoke even though it was a nine smoking car. The seats were super uncomfortable and there was a terrible squeak. The car needed to be retired as a rental.

1 out of 4

Budget

Cleanliness

6.6

Comfort

6.6

Pick-up/Drop-off

6.8

Value for money

7.3

One location in Durham

Show locations

Locations in Durham

1720 Guess Road Suite 60

+1 919 383 8240

Monday08:00 - 18:00
Tuesday08:00 - 18:00
Wednesday08:00 - 18:00
Thursday08:00 - 18:00
Friday08:00 - 18:00
Saturday09:00 - 13:00
Sunday09:00 - 13:00

Filters

Reviews

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Nov 2022

KAYAK
They need more people

4.0 Mediocre

Anonymous, Nov 2021

KAYAK
The selection was limited, the car wasn't clean, and the check-out wasn't seamless.

1 out of 1

Hertz

Cheapest deal
Most popular

Cleanliness

6.8

Comfort

6.8

Pick-up/Drop-off

6.8

Value for money

6.5

2 locations in Durham

Show locations

Locations in Durham

225 Kentington Drive

+1 919 897 2137

Monday09:00 - 13:00
Tuesday09:00 - 13:00
Wednesday09:00 - 13:00
Thursday09:00 - 13:00
Friday09:00 - 13:00

3601 Hillsborough Road

+1 919 309 0577

Monday09:00 - 13:00
Tuesday09:00 - 13:00
Wednesday09:00 - 13:00
Thursday09:00 - 13:00
Friday09:00 - 13:00

Filters

Reviews

4.0 Mediocre

Anonymous, Sep 2023

Supplier choice

KAYAK
I got an EV that was very close to being fully out of battery. I also didn’t want an EV and they should be more specific about the type if cars we would get.

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Aug 2023

Compact

KAYAK
good.

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Jul 2023

Intermediate

KAYAK
I have no complaints. Everyone was very professional and nice. And I will rent from you again thank you.

2.0 Poor

Arthur, Jun 2023

Intermediate

KAYAK
They refused to rent to me, purely by prejudice

4.0 Mediocre

Anonymous, Mar 2023

Economy

KAYAK
72.00 too much for 1 day of an old Nissan. Drove loud and hard, like a small tank. Was so glad to get my Honda back!

8.0 Very good

John, Feb 2023

Compact

KAYAK
The office felt under-staffed.

1 out of 3

Thrifty

6.7

Okay

One location in Durham

Show locations

Locations in Durham

3601 Hillsborough Road

+1 919 309 0577

Monday08:00 - 18:00
Tuesday08:00 - 18:00
Wednesday08:00 - 18:00
Thursday08:00 - 18:00
Friday08:00 - 18:00
Saturday09:00 - 13:00

Filters

No reviews available

Dollar

6.4

Okay

One location in Durham

Show locations

Locations in Durham

3601 Hillsborough Road

+1 919 309 0577

Monday08:00 - 18:00
Tuesday08:00 - 18:00
Wednesday08:00 - 18:00
Thursday08:00 - 18:00
Friday08:00 - 18:00
Saturday09:00 - 13:00

Filters

No reviews available

523 travelers who rented a car in Durham gave the car agency they used an average rating of 6.6

Car rental locations in or near Durham

Traveling to a place near Durham?

Rent a car at Durham if you plan to visit one of these locations
Selma

Good to know

Most popular agency

Turo

Most popular car type

Standard

Average price

$42/day

Good deal

$34/day

When to book a rental car in Durham

Average daily price per month
Rental car prices as pick-up date approaches

Everything you need to know for your car rental in Durham

Durham car rental information

Pick-up locationDurham
Car typesCompact, Compact SUV, Economy, Full-size, Full-size SUV, Intermediate, Intermediate SUV, Luxury, Minivan, Premium, Premium SUV, Standard SUV
Rental locations11
Airport locations0
Popular agenciesAvis, Dollar, Turo, Budget, Thrifty

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