Iowa car rentals

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Recommended by KAYAK

Cheap car rentals in Iowa

Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.
Chevrolet Spark car
Chevrolet Spark
or similar Small
2
2
2/4
$32/day
View Deal
Nissan Versa car
Nissan Versa
or similar Small
4
2
2/4
$37/day
View Deal
Toyota Corolla car
Toyota Corolla
or similar Medium
5
3
2/4
$36/day
View Deal
Mazda Mazda6 car
Mazda Mazda6
or similar Medium
5
3
4-5
$52/day
View Deal
Toyota Camry car
Toyota Camry
or similar Large
5
2
4-5
$36/day
View Deal
Dodge Grand Caravan car
Dodge Grand Caravan
or similar Van
5
5
4-5
$61/day
View Deal
Jeep Grand Cherokee L car
Jeep Grand Cherokee L
or similar SUV
5
2
4-5
$68/day
View Deal
Toyota Crown car
Toyota Crown
or similar Large
5
5
4-5
$47/day
View Deal
Mercedes-Benz C-Class car
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
or similar Luxury
5
5
4-5
$52/day
View Deal
Mercedes-Benz SLC car
Mercedes-Benz SLC
or similar Convertible
5
5
2/4
$143/day
View Deal
RAM Pickup car
RAM Pickup
or similar Pickup truck
5
3
2/4
$50/day
View Deal
Acura RDX car
Acura RDX
or similar SUV
5
5
4-5
$73/day
View Deal
Class Special Car car
Class Special Car
or similar Category
5
5
2/4
$38/day
View Deal
Nissan Kicks car
Nissan Kicks
or similar SUV
4
2
4-5
$44/day
View Deal
Mazda CX-5 car
Mazda CX-5
or similar SUV
5
3
4-5
$47/day
View Deal
Jeep Patriot car
Jeep Patriot
or similar SUV
5
3
4-5
$48/day
View Deal
Best rates found by KAYAK users in the past 48 hours.
Useful Info

Good to know

Most popular agency

Payless

Most popular car type

Premium

Average price

$70/day

Good deal

$59/day

KAYAK’s insights & trends for Iowa car rentals

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

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

You should book your rental car in Iowa around 7 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.

What is the cheapest car rental company in Iowa?

In the past 72 hours, the cheapest rental cars were found at Payless ($30.28/day), Hertz ($32.31/day) and Enterprise Rent-A-Car ($32.42/day).

What is the most popular rental car in Iowa?

SUV rentals (Chevrolet Equinox or similar) are the most popular type of vehicle to rent in Iowa. SUV rentals in Iowa cost $94/day on average, though some users have found deals as low as $38/day.

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

The cheapest month to rent a car in Iowa is February at an average cost of $61/day. June is the most expensive month to rent a car in Iowa when prices are $83/day on average, which tends to be 17% above the yearly average rental price for Iowa.

What rental car company in Iowa has the most locations?

Enterprise Rent-A-Car operates 3 locations in Iowa, more than any other rental company.
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Top tips for renting a car in Iowa

  • For travelers who want to rent a car in the state of Iowa, it helps to research the area and the weather before deciding on your vehicle type. Iowa gets a lot of rain during the summer, and in the winter, you’ll see a lot of snow, as well as some freezing rain. A smart choice is to rent an SUV with four-wheel drive, since these drive much more safely in harsh weather. The larger SUV is also ideal for cross-country road trips, and Iowa is a quite large state.
  • Like many states, Iowa requires children to be seated in a proper booster seat. Infants up to one year must be secured in an infant seat, facing the rear of the car, and children over 20 pounds must be secured in a booster seat with shoulder and lap straps; these can be facing frontward or backward. Children eleven and older are required to always use a regular seat belt, but it’s recommended that children keep using booster-type seats for as long as possible. It is up to the driver to make sure that children are secure in the vehicle, and Iowa will issue fines for not following the law.
  • Some drivers visiting Iowa might like to know if it’s permissible to cross the border into neighboring states while using a rental car. Most agencies allow vehicles to cross state borders, but you might encounter higher fees and additional insurance needed for inter-state travel. Taking a car across a national border e.g. Mexico—will require higher insurance fees, and your overall rental rate might be higher also. Some car-rental companies will not allow larger vehicles like vans or specialty vehicles to cross borders. Before your trip, you should research these options and the policies of different car-rental companies.
  • Before renting a car in Iowa, it’s helpful to know the particulars of the area and the vehicle. If you rent an electric car, you should ask where charging stations are located throughout the state. Most companies will provide you with a map that shows locations for charging stations and other important information about the area.
  • 25% of our users found rental cars in Iowa for $59 or less
  • Standard rental cars in Iowa are around 51% cheaper than other car types, on average

FAQs about renting a car in Iowa

  • Should I rent a car in Iowa?

    Iowa is the perfect state for traveling via rental car; the state boasts 12 scenic byways that allow you to avoid traffic and get around the area smoothly. The state’s roadway system is well organized and easy to access in every part of the state. Travel by rental car is the only way to truly see everything the state has to offer. You can organize a road trip to see places like Dunnings Springs Park, which has a spectacular waterfall. Another ideal benefit of using a rental car is that you can stop wherever or whenever you want to explore.

  • What is driving like in Iowa?

    Driving in Iowa is a wonderful way to see this quaint Midwest state. The state’s 12 scenic byways are convenient and easy to follow, and another positive about the state is that there are no toll roads. Driving in the country is relaxing, and you’ll generally find other motorists to be polite and helpful. There’s no need to be shy about asking for help if you find yourself lost. Speed limits vary from town to town, so pay attention to the signs. It’s best to use GPS, but the state has sensible road signs, and interstate exits are clearly marked. Iowa is definitely a road-trip state, so count on meeting other motorists during your stops.

  • How old do you have to be to rent a car in Iowa?

    Iowa has a graduated driver’s license (GDL) system that requires three steps to obtain a driver’s license. While this creates safer drivers, you still must be twenty one years old and have a valid driver’s license to rent a car in Iowa. Drivers ages twenty one to twenty five can expect to pay a young driver’s fee; this fee varies, but it could be a daily charge of up to around $25. Some companies might ask for other forms of identification if you pay with a debit card, so inquire about necessary documents before you rent a car.

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

    On average a rental car in Iowa costs $70 per day.

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

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

  • Where should I rent a car in Iowa?

    Based on car searches on KAYAK, the most popular cities to rent a car in Iowa are Des Moines (47% of total searches of users looking to rent a car in Iowa), Cedar Rapids (25%) and Davenport (5%).

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

    On average a rental car in Iowa costs $492 per week ($70 per day).

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

    On average a rental car in Iowa costs $2,110 per month ($70 per day).

Car rental directory

  • enterprise

    Enterprise Rent-A-Car car rental locations in Iowa

    29 Locations

  • hertz

    Hertz car rental locations in Iowa

    21 Locations

  • avis

    Avis car rental locations in Iowa

    10 Locations

  • budget

    Budget car rental locations in Iowa

    10 Locations

  • dollar

    Dollar car rental locations in Iowa

    9 Locations

  • thrifty

    Thrifty car rental locations in Iowa

    9 Locations

  • easirent

    Easirent car rental locations in Iowa

    7 Locations

  • vipcarsrec

    VIPCars Recommendation car rental locations in Iowa

    4 Locations

  • alamo

    Alamo car rental locations in Iowa

    3 Locations

  • national

    National car rental locations in Iowa

    3 Locations

  • sunnycars

    Sunnycars car rental locations in Iowa

    3 Locations

  • autoeurope

    AutoEurope car rental locations in Iowa

    2 Locations

Car rental locations in Iowa

Everything you need to know for your car rental in Iowa

Search for cheap rental cars in Iowa with KAYAK and rent a car that suits you best. KAYAK searches hundreds of travel sites to help you find and book the best rental car deal at car rental locations across Iowa.

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