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.
FAQs about renting 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.
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.
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.
On average a rental car in Iowa costs $37 per day.
Supplier choice (Class Special Car or similar) is the most frequently booked rental car type in Iowa.
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest rental cars were found at Dollar ($32/day), Avis ($33/day) and Enterprise ($43/day).
Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car rental companies in Iowa are Alamo (8.8, 187 reviews), Enterprise (8.3, 355 reviews), and Dollar (8.1, 64 reviews).
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 (22%) and Iowa City (6%).
On average a rental car in Iowa costs $495 per week ($71 per day).
On average a rental car in Iowa costs $2,121 per month ($71 per day).