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 Wilmington with a pick-up date of 1/27 and drop-off date of 2/26. 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.
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Cheap car rentals in Wilmington
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Best rates found by KAYAK users in the past 48 hours.
KAYAK’s top tips for renting a car in Wilmington
When you visit the city of Wilmington either for business or vacation, you'll want to move around the city conveniently. From Philadelphia International airport, there are many attraction sites within 50 miles that you shouldn’t miss. There are public transportation options such as taxis and buses, yet, buses typically have designated routes, and taxis charge by mileage, so you'll probably end up paying more. This inconvenience and inflexibility signal that you might want to consider car rentals in Wilmington. With a rental car, you'll be able to visit the Philadelphia Museum of Arts or the Kimmel Center of Performing Arts, located only 9 miles (17min) away.
Philadelphia International Airport and Wilmington Airport are the two major airports in Wilmington, and both have several on-site car rental companies in designated places. These companies include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, Thrifty, and National. Most of these car rentals in Wilmington provide complimentary shuttle and pick-up services. After picking your luggage at Philadelphia International Airport, head over to Zone 9 from the exit terminal and get a shuttle to the offices of your chosen Wilmington car rental company.
Wilmington is a city with a high population rate and an even higher influx of vehicles. When driving on Wilmington roadways, be prepared for every form of traffic, human and motor vehicle. Most people in Wilmington love to cycle, and others prefer motorcycles to cars, meaning you’ll be sharing the highways with motorcyclists and bicyclists alike. Some pedestrians tend to jaywalk or text on their phones while walking. Exercise caution while on the road to avoid a catastrophic incident. Also, watch out for other drivers who may be negligent in observing traffic rules, as well as natural weather elements such as snow, mist, or rain that can make driving dangerous.
When it comes to traffic gridlocks, especially around rush hour, Wilmington is one of Delaware's most affected cities. Between 7am-9am and 4pm-6pm, most roadways experience traffic congestion. If you can't afford to be stuck in traffic for more than 30min, it’s advisable to use the roads when traffic is lowest, before and after rush hour. Similarly, avoid using Interstate 95 during critical hours and use GPS tracking while driving on unfamiliar roads.
Wilmington, DE, is well known as a banking and innovation center and is also considered to be the modern hub of its region. Opting for cheap car rentals in Wilmington will give you the flexibility of moving around easily and visiting the beautiful sceneries in and around Wilmington. Some of the places to visit and sites to see include Virginia Beach, located about 196 mi from Wilmington, or driving for a visit to Coastal Discovery Museum, located about 211 mi from the city center. You can also travel to The Oaks at Point South RV Resort located about 205 mi away or visit the Deep River Campground and RV Park located about 149 mi northwest of Wilmington.
Whether you are an experienced driver in Wilmington or not, observing safety while driving Wilmington car rentals is fundamental. Cases such as crowded intersections and roadways have greatly increased the chances of an accident occurring, which would lead to increased traffic snarl-ups and time wastage before the mess is cleared. Some of the roads you should be wary of include college road, which stretches about 4.3 mi between Wilshire Boulevard and Gordon Road. Other roads include the Randall Parkway and the South College Road intersections, Carolina Beach Road, Market and New Centre Drive, U.S. 17, and Highways 11 and 87.
There are several car rental locations in Wilmington, DE that will help you move around the city. You can get the Enterprise car rentals at Stonehaven, 100 Philadelphia Pike, and Colonial Heights. The Hertz car rentals are located next to Wawaset Park at 901 North Union Street, while Thrifty car rentals are based at 100 Mlk Junior Blvd. The National car rentals is located at 1000 S French St.
25% of our users found rental cars in Wilmington for $42 or less
Book your rental car in Wilmington at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
Compact rental cars in Wilmington are around 67% cheaper than other car types, on average
See more tips
FAQs about renting a car in Wilmington
What type of car is recommended for driving in Wilmington?
Given Wilmington's high influx of vehicles operating on major roadways, we recommend that an economy, a convertible, or any small car for smooth navigation around the city. Go for a minivan or an SUV if you travel as a group of more than five people.
What’s the speed limit in Wilmington?
Wilmington, like most Delaware cities, has a relatively low maximum speed limit. The state recommended speed limit is 65mph. Two-lane state roads have a speed limit of up to 50mph, and two-lane urban roads have a limit of 25mph.
Where are the best places to park in Wilmington?
There are several parking spots and garages in Downtown Wilmington where you can park your car any time of the day for as long as you wish. These parking services are provided by the Wilmington Parking Authority, Central Parking System, and Colonial Parking, which has spaces on different streets in Downtown Wilmington, approximately 15 miles from the airport. To use these parking services, you'll need to download the Park Mobile app, which customers use to pay for parking services. Parking costs around $1 per hour and around $12 per day.
How much does it cost to rent a car in Wilmington?
On average a rental car in Wilmington costs $49 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 Wilmington found in the last 2 weeks is $31.
What is the cheapest car rental company in Wilmington?
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest rental cars were found at Avis ($22/day), Budget ($23/day) and Thrifty ($23/day).
How much is gas price in Wilmington?
The average gas price in Wilmington 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 Wilmington?
Compact (Nissan Versa Note or similar) is the most frequently booked rental car type in Wilmington.
Which car rental companies are at Philadelphia airport (PHL)?
Car rental companies onsite at Philadelphia airport include Payless and Sixt.
Which car rental companies will pick you up at Philadelphia airport (PHL)?
Car rental companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from Philadelphia airport to off-airport locations include Payless, and Sixt.
How much does a Compact car rental cost in Wilmington?
A Compact car rental in Wilmington costs $32 per day, on average.
How much does a Standard car rental cost in Wilmington?
A Standard car rental in Wilmington costs $38 per day, on average.
How much does an Economy car rental cost in Wilmington?
An Economy car rental in Wilmington costs $39 per day, on average.
What is the most popular rental car location in Wilmington?
In Wilmington, cars are most frequently rented at Enterprise Rent-A-Car 3915 Kirkwood Hwy (5 miles from city center).
How much does it cost to rent a car for a week in Wilmington?
On average a rental car in Wilmington costs $343 per week ($49 per day).
How much does it cost to rent a car long term for a month in Wilmington?
On average a rental car in Wilmington costs $1,470 per month ($49 per day).
Should I get insurance when renting a car in Wilmington?
Most car rental providers in Wilmington offer insurance but the level of protection can differ substantially. If you're unsure whether to get extra protection for your car rental in Wilmington, check out KAYAK's car rental insurance guide.
How many car agencies are operating in Wilmington?
KAYAK has deals for you to compare from 9 car rental agencies in Wilmington.
What do I need to know before booking a car rental in Wilmington?
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 Wilmington?
KAYAK searches thousands of car rental agencies to provide you with offers from all car rental agencies operating in Wilmington so that you can compare car rental rates, reviews and pick-up and drop-off locations to find the best deal for you.
Do I need insurance when renting a car in Wilmington, DE?
If you are planning to get cheap car rentals in Wilmington, DE, you will first need to have a valid driver’s license from your state of origin or country of origin. If you only possess an instructional permit or a learner’s permit, you cannot rent a car in Wilmington.
How do I pay to use the toll roads in Wilmington, DE?
If you are renting a car in Wilmington, DE, you should be aware that the city has toll roads with e-tolls and/or cash. The different car rental companies in the city such as Hertz, offer e-toll services for increased convenience when using the roads. The e-toll service sends the toll charge to the rental car company which then bills your credit card. These charges are normally higher since they carry a service charge. You can however opt for cash payments.
I was scheduled to have a regular size sedan. However, received a mini van upon arrival. Was suggested that I could wait for a sedan if / when one was going to be returned that same day.
3.6 Poor
Anonymous, Sep 2020
Cons:
Car was dirty, smelled strongly of weed. As a fix they put 6 air fresheners about the car. The combination of the weed and air fresheners was horrible.
6.8 Okay
JaQuanne, Aug 2020
Pros:
Car was clean.
Cons:
They didn’t have the car that I reserved.
10.0 Wonderful
Tom, May 2020
Pros:
Helpful staff
Cons:
If I could only afford such an awesome car!
8.0 Very good
Anonymous, Mar 2023
Standard SUV
Everything was good, except the car smelled like someone smoked in it heavily and they tried to take the smell away. The host was good and they rented me the car despite the fact that they were closed on my return date. Some rentals make you rent the car for 2 days since they are close pn Sunday. The car was clean and running well. They also gave me a free upgrade to a van.
I just was upset that a $200 deposit wasn’t mentioned beforehand it was a surprise to me but thankfully I had that some people won’t and that can mess up their plans
4.0 Mediocre
Anonymous, Jun 2022
Car had a heavy dose of Febreeze, but tobacco smoke was still noticeable. I had reserved a Kia Soul and was given a Toyota Tacoma. So much for good gas economy on a long trip. There was trash in the bed of the pickup when I took it. No assistance, just, here's the keys, the parking lot is two blocks away. Good luck. Probably never using them again, TBH.
8.0 Very good
April, Jul 2021
Pros:
,
Cons:
,
2.0 Poor
Anonymous, Jun 2021
Cons:
They should ban the practice of requiring a zero balanced electric bill and not accepting chime credit cards, keeps a lot of minorities from renting vehicles any longer, I was unable to rent a vehicle.
Horrible experience!! Avoid at all costs. Wanted to do a credit check in order to rent a vehicle and then also wanted to hold an additional $300!! Horrible facility as well that smelled of mold and the staff was extremely unprofessional.
2.0 Poor
Anonymous, Apr 2024
Pickup truck
I didn't know I couldn't pay with a debit card, no where stated that. Couldn't rent the truck and all plans for the day had to be canceled.
2.0 Poor
Anonymous, Jan 2023
Intermediate SUV
First car smelled like strong chemicals. Made me nauseated. Called the local place they claimed their system was down at 9a and couldn't switch out the car until 1p. Had to drive 45 minutes to switch out. When I did they gave me the worst car on the lot. Philadelphia Airport is worst. Rude workers, Dirty car, car making noises, scratches and a dent. Horrible.
Agent was professional and thorough. Good mileage.
Cons:
The car was not clean. There were bits of food in the console and the inside of the windshield was smeared. There was cleaning spray residue everywhere. I had alcohol wipes and cleaned for 1000 mile trip. Pick up time was long because of 1 agent and line. I reserved a Mazda "or similar". Learned belatedly Mazdas are never available. Manual was missing so never figured out how to set cruise control.
2.0 Poor
Michele, Feb 2021
Pros:
Nothiny
Cons:
Poor customer service car was not ready when promised had to wait over an hour and the staff was rude. Tried to change drop off because it was so bad and they wanted me to pay an additional $300 to change
2.0 Poor
Anonymous, Sep 2020
Cons:
They did not let me pick up my car
10.0 Wonderful
Anonymous, Sep 2020
Pros:
Easy drop off
2.0 Poor
Anonymous, Apr 2023
Minivan
They called right before they closed the evening before I was picking up the vehicle to say they didn’t have the vehicle I had reserved (a minivan). It took an hour to talk to an actual human who said no minivans were available in the entire area and that she was very sorry. Thank you, Enterprise, for helping me out of a real problem. I will never rent from Hertz again
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