Stanford car rentals from $18/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 Stanford with a pick-up date of 2/24 and drop-off date of 3/26. 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.

KAYAK compares hundreds of rental car sites at once for car rental deals in Stanford, California

Here is why travelers choose KAYAK

Save up to 40%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.

Car Rental Deals
Booking Insights
Car Rental Deals

Cheap car rentals in Stanford

Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.
Chevrolet Spark car
Chevrolet Spark
or similar Small
2
2
4-5
$28/day
View Deal
Ford Focus car
Ford Focus
or similar Small
4
2
4-5
$28/day
View Deal
Volkswagen Jetta car
Volkswagen Jetta
or similar Medium
5
3
4-5
$24/day
View Deal
Chevrolet Malibu car
Chevrolet Malibu
or similar Large
5
2
4-5
$32/day
View Deal
Toyota Sienna car
Toyota Sienna
or similar Van
5
5
4-5
$24/day
View Deal
GMC Yukon car
GMC Yukon
or similar SUV
5
2
4-5
$74/day
View Deal
Fiat 500 car
Fiat 500
or similar Small
2
2
2-3
$18/day
View Deal
Honda Pilot car
Honda Pilot
or similar SUV
5
5
4-5
$21/day
View Deal
Jeep Patriot car
Jeep Patriot
or similar SUV
5
3
4-5
$20/day
View Deal
Mercedes-Benz GLC car
Mercedes-Benz GLC
or similar SUV
5
5
4-5
$20/day
View Deal
Ford Mustang car
Ford Mustang
or similar Luxury
5
5
2-3
$24/day
View Deal
Class Special Car car
Class Special Car
or similar Category
5
5
2/4
$27/day
View Deal
Nissan Rogue car
Nissan Rogue
or similar SUV
5
3
4-5
$42/day
View Deal
Best rates found by KAYAK users in the past 48 hours.
Booking Insights

Good to know

Most popular agency

Most popular car type

Average price

Good deal

Hertz
Medium
$26/day
$25/day

KAYAK’s insights & trends for Stanford car rentals

Check out the latest trends and booking tips to rent a car in Stanford with confidence.

How far in advance should you book a rental car in Stanford?

You should book your rental car in Stanford around 25 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.

What is the best rental car company in Stanford?

Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car rental companies in Stanford are Hertz (2.0, 9 reviews), Enterprise Rent-A-Car (1.9, 5 reviews), and Avis (6.3).

Hertz
Hertz
Rated 2.0/10
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Rated 1.9/10
Avis
Avis
Rated 6.3/10
Dollar
Dollar
Rated 5.3/10

What is the most popular rental car in Stanford?

Rentals in the Medium category (Kia Niro or similar) are the most popular option in Stanford, costing $89/day on average. Some users have found deals as low as $33/day.

What is the cheapest month to rent a car in Stanford?

The cheapest month to rent a car in Stanford is September at an average cost of $34/day. December is the most expensive month to rent a car in Stanford when prices are $65/day on average, which tends to be 47% above the yearly average rental price for Stanford.

What rental car company in Stanford has the most locations?

Hertz operates 4 locations in Stanford, more than any other rental company.

Find deals

KAYAK’s top tips for renting a car in Stanford

  • Securing car rentals in Stanford is an ideal way to see the small city that is essentially the campus of Stanford University. You can get around according to your own schedule, and you also have the freedom to travel around one of the most interesting parts of the country. Located near the southern end of the San Francisco Bay, Stanford is within easy driving distance of San Francisco, San Jose, and Sacramento. In Stanford car rentals, you can even take a scenic drive down the Pacific coast along US Highway 1.
  • Because it is located just a 45-minute drive to the north of Stanford, the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) makes an ideal location for securing Stanford car rentals. At SFO, you can conveniently pick up and then drop off your Stanford car rentals at the airport’s Rental Car Center. To access this consolidated facility, you can take the AirTrain Blue Line, SFO’s people mover system that operates 24/7, stopping frequently at every terminal on its way to the Rental Car Center.
  • Peak traffic times in Stanford, specifically on the Stanford campus, are between 88 am and 9 am, and then from 5 pm to 6 pm. Traffic tends to be particularly congested around Junipero Sierra Boulevard and Stanford Avenue, so those driving car rentals in Stanford should exercise caution and drive defensively if you use these roads. Also, the community of Stanford has a daytime population that is approximately double its nighttime population. So, driving around Stanford and parking becomes much easier and much less congested after 5 pm.
  • One of the biggest problems drivers of car rentals in Stanford will face is dealing with university event traffic. The start of a semester, graduation, Parents Weekend, and Homecoming are all portents of congested traffic that you should work to avoid or circumvent. There will also be traffic on days of Stanford home football games as well as other campus events. You can look up online or call the Office of Special Events and Protocol at Stanford to find out if there will be upcoming event traffic. You can also access a Stanford event calendar online to help you plan your travel around congested events.
  • 25% of our users found rental cars in Stanford for $25 or less
  • Medium rental cars in Stanford are around 81% cheaper than other car types, on average

FAQs about renting a car in Stanford

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

    On average a rental car in Stanford costs $26 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 Stanford found in the last 2 weeks is $26.

  • Which car rental companies are at San Francisco airport (SFO)?

    Car rental companies onsite at San Francisco airport include Sixt, Alamo, Thrifty, Dollar, Avis and Europcar.

  • Which car rental companies will pick you up at San Francisco airport (SFO)?

    Car rental companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from San Francisco airport to off-airport locations include Sixt, Alamo, Thrifty, Dollar, Avis, and Europcar.

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

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

  • How much does a Medium car rental cost in Stanford?

    A Medium car rental in Stanford costs $39 per day, on average.

  • How much does a Large car rental cost in Stanford?

    A Large car rental in Stanford costs $284 per day, on average.

  • How much does a Luxury car rental cost in Stanford?

    A Luxury car rental in Stanford costs $33 per day, on average.

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

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

  • How many car agencies are operating in Stanford?

    KAYAK has deals for you to compare from 2 car rental agencies in Stanford.

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

    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 Stanford?

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

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

    For those driving car rentals in Stanford, the type of vehicle you choose will very much depend on why you are there. If you are there for business, you may want to rent a luxury sedan to arrive at your appointments in style. If you are visiting friends, you might want a larger car, such as an SUV, to make driving with large groups of people easy. If you will be visiting Stanford on a Stanford University event weekend, you may want to rent as small a car as possible, such as a compact or an economy car, to make negotiating traffic and snagging parking easier.

  • What's the speed limit in Stanford?

    In Stanford on the campus of Stanford University, the speed limit is 20 mph in Escondido Village. The speed limit is 10 mph in any parking lot, parking structure, or Pedestrian Zone. At Serra Mall and The Oval, the speed limit is 15 mph. All other streets on campus grounds have a speed limit of 25 mph. The speed limit of Interstate 280, which skirts Stanford, is 70 mph.

  • Where are the best places to park in Stanford?

    In the city of Stanford on the Stanford campus, parking meters are in effect Monday through Friday from 8 am until 4 pm., except for holidays observed by Stanford University. Permit parking in Visitor Pay Lots, Green Zones, Time Limit Zones, and areas with resident permits is in effect Monday through Friday from 6 am to 4 pm. A visitor permit costs around $4.50 an hour. Parking is free on campus after 4 pm and on weekends, and after 6 pm at The Oval. A parking meter in Stanford costs around $1.50 an hour.

Stanford 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.

Hertz

2.0

Poor

Read 9 reviews

Cleanliness

8.0

Comfort

2.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

6.0

Value for money

2.0

4 locations in Stanford

Show locations

Locations in Stanford

360 Oak Rd

+1 650 876 1866

Monday09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday09:00 - 17:00
Thursday09:00 - 17:00
Friday09:00 - 17:00
Saturday09:00 - 17:00
Sunday09:00 - 17:00

360 Oak Road

+1 650 876 1866

Monday14:00 - 17:0009:00 - 17:00
Tuesday09:00 - 17:0014:00 - 17:00
Wednesday14:00 - 17:0009:00 - 17:00
Thursday14:00 - 17:0009:00 - 17:00
Friday14:00 - 17:0009:00 - 17:00
Saturday09:00 - 17:00

625 El Camino Real

+1 650 617 0386

Monday13:00 - 17:0008:00 - 12:00
Tuesday08:00 - 12:0013:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 12:0013:00 - 17:00
Thursday13:00 - 17:0008:00 - 12:00
Friday08:00 - 12:0013:00 - 17:00

816 San Antonio Rd

+1 650 739 0370

Monday08:00 - 12:00
Tuesday08:00 - 12:00
Wednesday08:00 - 12:00
Thursday08:00 - 12:00
Friday08:00 - 12:00

Filters

Reviews

8.0 Very good

Frank, Aug 2025

Minivan

KAYAK
I had some trouble with the card reading machine but the agent was able to show me another way to complete my transaction.

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Nov 2021

KAYAK
Staff member provided a vehicle that was a size smaller than what the reservation indicated, then lied about it when asked. I was eventually allowed to switch vehicles.

1 out of 3

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

1.9

Poor

Read 5 reviews

Cleanliness

1.9

Comfort

1.9

Pick-up/Drop-off

1.9

Value for money

1.9

2 locations in Stanford

Show locations

Locations in Stanford

2243 Old Middlefield Way

+1 650 843 4990

Monday08:00 - 12:00
Tuesday08:00 - 12:00
Wednesday08:00 - 12:00
Thursday08:00 - 12:00
Friday08:00 - 12:00
Saturday09:00 - 17:00
Sunday00:00 - 00:00

360 Oak Rd

+1 650 843 4990

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

Reviews

4.0 Mediocre

Anonymous, Feb 2025

Luxury

KAYAK
The email confirmation took me to an old address which is now a hertz. Thankfully a hertz worker was there while they were closed to directed me to the correct address almost a mile away. I had to walk there in unideal weather. Then the car I reserved was not available. I was also charged for a car seat which I did not use and was not provided to me.

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Oct 2023

Passenger van

KAYAK
ORDERED A 12 PASSENGER VAN FOR A GROUP OUTING, ORDERED CONFIRMED. AFTER SETTING EVERYTHING UP I GET A CALL THE NEXT DAY , SORRY WE DO NOT HAVE A VEHICLE FOR YOU, TAKE MY ORDER, CONFIRM MY ORDER, CANCEL MY ORDER "1 STAR"

1 out of 2

Avis

6.3

Okay

One location in Stanford

Show locations

Locations in Stanford

4230 El Camino Real

+1 650 493 8888

Monday08:00 - 12:00
Tuesday08:00 - 12:00
Wednesday08:00 - 12:00
Thursday08:00 - 12:00
Friday08:00 - 12:00
Saturday08:00 - 12:00
Sunday08:00 - 12:00

Filters

No reviews available

Dollar

5.3

Fair

One location in Stanford

Show locations

Locations in Stanford

816 San Antonio Road

+1 650 739 0370

Monday08:00 - 12:00
Tuesday08:00 - 12:00
Wednesday08:00 - 12:00
Thursday08:00 - 12:00
Friday08:00 - 12:00

Filters

No reviews available

Thrifty

5.3

Fair

One location in Stanford

Show locations

Locations in Stanford

816 San Antonio Road

+1 650 739 0370

Monday08:00 - 12:00
Tuesday08:00 - 12:00
Wednesday08:00 - 12:00
Thursday08:00 - 12:00
Friday08:00 - 12:00

Filters

No reviews available

Budget

No score available yet

One location in Stanford

Show locations

Locations in Stanford

4230 El Camino Real

+1 650 424 0684

Monday08:00 - 12:00
Tuesday08:00 - 12:00
Wednesday08:00 - 12:00
Thursday08:00 - 12:00
Friday08:00 - 12:00
Saturday08:00 - 12:00
Sunday08:00 - 12:00

Filters

Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

Tony, Nov 2023

Intermediate SUV

KAYAK
All good

1 out of 1

2 travelers who rented a car in Stanford gave the car agency they used an average rating of 5.8

Car rental locations in or near Stanford

Go to map view

Everything you need to know for your car rental in Stanford

Stanford car rental information

Pick-up locationStanford
Car typesSmall, SUV, Luxury, Van, Medium, Large
Rental locations3
Airport locations0
Popular agenciesTuro, Hertz