KAYAK’s insights & trends for Southern California car rentals
Check out the latest trends and booking tips to rent a car in Southern California with confidence.
How far in advance should you book a rental car in Southern California?
You should book your rental car in Southern California around 7 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.
What is the most popular rental car in Southern California?
Rentals in the Medium category (Ford Mustang Mach-E or similar) are the most popular option in Southern California, costing $93/day on average. Some users have found deals as low as $22/day.
What is the cheapest month to rent a car in Southern California?
The cheapest month to rent a car in Southern California is January at an average cost of $41/day. July is the most expensive month to rent a car in Southern California when prices are $56/day on average, which tends to be 12% above the yearly average rental price for Southern California.
Southern California car rental price comparison by vehicle type
Find the right rental car in Southern California by comparing prices across vehicle types.
Small
Medium
Large
SUV
Van
Pickup truck
Luxury
Convertible
Small cars
$21 - $40
All Car Types
$55 - $78
How much does it cost to rent a small car in Southern California?
How much does it cost to rent a medium car in Southern California?
How much does it cost to rent a large car in Southern California?
How much does it cost to rent an SUV in Southern California?
How much does it cost to rent a van in Southern California?
How much does it cost to rent a pickup truck in Southern California?
How much does it cost to rent a luxury car in Southern California?
How much does it cost to rent a convertible in Southern California?
Small car rentals in Southern California typically cost around $33 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average $21 per day which is about 37% less than the yearly average. Small cars are usually 51% cheaper than the average rental in Southern California, making them ideal for budget-conscious travelers.
Medium car rentals in Southern California typically cost around $60 per day. The best time to book is June, when prices average $46 per day which is about 24% less than the yearly average. Medium cars are usually 11% cheaper than the average rental in Southern California, offering a good balance of space and value.
Large car rentals in Southern California typically cost around $55 per day. The best time to book is September, when prices average $46 per day which is about 17% less than the yearly average. Large cars can be 18% cheaper than the average rental in Southern California, offering more comfort for longer trips at a valuable price.
SUV rentals in Southern California typically cost around $60 per day. The best time to book is September, when prices average $51 per day which is about 15% less than the yearly average. SUVs can be 11% cheaper than the average rental in Southern California, providing extra space and capability for groups or road trips at a reasonable price.
Van rentals in Southern California typically cost around $128 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average $84 per day which is about 35% less than the yearly average. Vans are typically 48% more expensive than the average rental in Southern California, but are the best choice for families or groups needing maximum passenger capacity.
Pickup truck rentals in Southern California typically cost around $59 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average $50 per day which is about 16% less than the yearly average. Pickup trucks are 12% cheaper than the average rental in Southern California, a practical choice for hauling gear or outdoor adventures.
Luxury car rentals in Southern California typically cost around $82 per day. The best time to book is September, when prices average $73 per day which is about 11% less than the yearly average. Luxury cars are typically 19% more expensive than the average rental in Southern California, but deliver premium comfort and style for special occasions.
Convertible rentals in Southern California typically cost around $80 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average $65 per day which is about 19% less than the yearly average. Convertibles are typically 17% more expensive than the average rental in Southern California, perfect for scenic drives and warm-weather destinations.
Good to know
Most popular agency
Most popular car type
Average price
Good deal
Ace
Medium
$40/day
$30/day
Top tips for renting a car in Southern California
Southern California offers one of the finest travel destinations in America. Many people prefer traveling to Southern California in rental cars. Whereas renting a vehicle to tour Southern California is economical in the long run, you should prepare for your car rental in advance. Start by identifying the different car dealers near the places you want to visit. Check out the cars and identify which car model fits your Southern California tour. Go through the rental agreement with a suitable car rental dealer before committing yourself to a contract. Inspect the car thoroughly before embarking on your trip and ensure it doesn’t have any damages. Furthermore, fuel the car before starting your road trip, other than waiting for the dealer to fuel the car for you since they will include the gas in your rental car price.
Some car rental firms in Southern California allow car renters to use their travel insurance to pay for rental cars. Thus, you should check with a prospective car rental company as to whether they accept a travel insurance policy as an option for renting cars. Furthermore, check the car rental options the dealer will offer you courtesy of your travel insurance policy. Travelers with a comprehensive travel insurance policy have an advantage when booking and paying for rental cars. A comprehensive insurance plan, for instance, can pay for gas while driving a rental car in Southern California.
Driving in Southern California is different from driving in other places. The region has some of the country’s busiest roads. Hence, all drivers, and primarily rental drivers, should observe safety precautions to keep safe while driving on Southern California’s highways. For instance, while driving a rental car in Southern California, you should follow the recommended speed limit, always keep right, make correct lane changes, and maximize your visibility.
There are many car rental firms in Southern California offering their services. But no website offers more car rental options than KAYAK. Car rental drivers should take advantage of the KAYAK website to choose a car rental company. KAYAK will give you an originality boost by allowing you to select a car that offers better performance than your everyday car. You can then book a car directly through the KAYAK website.
25% of our users found rental cars in Southern California for $30 or less
Medium rental cars in Southern California are around 66% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in Southern California
Should I rent a car in Southern California?
Anyone driving to Southern California has several reasons for getting a rental car. Even if you already have a vehicle, renting a car to explore Southern California remains a brilliant idea for virtually every driver. A rental car will save your vehicle from wear and tear over time. Rental cars are also more comfortable since these vehicles are designed for long road trips. You can save gas while driving to some of California’s best destinations, including Santa Barbara, Long Beach, and Catalina Island.
What is driving like in Southern California?
Whether you want a long road trip or a short scenic drive, driving in Southern California is ultimately rewarding. You can experience fascinating scenes while driving in the region. You can have an incredible lifetime experience navigating the mountainous region as you drive to Southern California’s pristine beaches, such as Malibu and Long Beach. Driving in South California can be full of fun since you will encounter some of the region’s finest attractions. You can stop your rental car at various eateries and enjoy drinks and tasty Southern California dishes with your family.
How old do you have to be to rent a car in Southern California?
Every driver must be, at minimum, twenty one years old to rent a vehicle in Southern California. All drivers should provide proof of having requisite driving training before renting a car. Visiting drivers need to have a driving permit from their home state six months before driving to Southern California. Besides meeting the minimum driving age, renters should also present a valid driver’s license to their car rental dealers. Foreign drivers should also submit their non-US driving licenses to the authorities in Southern California.
How much does it cost to rent a car in Southern California?
On average a rental car in Southern California costs $44 per day.
How can I find car rentals near me in Southern California?
Based on car searches on KAYAK, the most popular cities to rent a car in Southern California are San Diego (57% of total searches of users looking to rent a car in Southern California), Santa Ana (13%) and Burbank (7%).
How much does it cost to rent a car for a week in Southern California?
On average a rental car in Southern California costs $308 per week ($44 per day).
How much does it cost to rent a car long term for a month in Southern California?
On average a rental car in Southern California costs $1,318 per month ($44 per day).
Car rental directory
Enterprise Rent-A-Car car rental locations in Southern California
75 Locations
Hertz car rental locations in Southern California
51 Locations
Budget car rental locations in Southern California
46 Locations
Avis car rental locations in Southern California
45 Locations
Dollar car rental locations in Southern California
34 Locations
Thrifty car rental locations in Southern California
28 Locations
Sixt car rental locations in Southern California
12 Locations
Sunnycars car rental locations in Southern California
11 Locations
Midway car rental locations in Southern California
10 Locations
National car rental locations in Southern California
9 Locations
Alamo car rental locations in Southern California
8 Locations
EZ Van car rental locations in Southern California
7 Locations
Car rental locations in Southern California
Everything you need to know for your car rental in Southern California
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