Eagle Rent A Car car rental locations in Washington
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Top tips for renting a car in Washington
If you are traveling with children, it is important to check with your rental company about whether they will provide a car seat or you should bring your own, as Washington State has many child passenger restraint laws. Children under the age of two must be in a rear-facing car seat. Children between two and four years old must be in a car seat with a harness, and children four and older must ride in a booster seat until they are 4 feet 9 inches tall. Even then, children under the age of thirteen must ride in the backseat when practical. There are also “click it or ticket” laws in place, so make sure to buckle up whether you’re a child or an adult.
The weather varies greatly between the east and west sides of Washington State. The west side is more mild throughout the year, whereas the east side can experience both extreme heat in the summer and snowy winters. Keep this in mind as you plan your trip, as having a car with either air conditioning or all-wheel/four-wheel-drive can be incredibly important. Also, if you’ll be traversing between east and west sides during the winter months, make sure to check the mountain passes ahead of time, as they can be closed due to snow and poor conditions.
Because Washington State is bordered by Canada as well as two different states, depending on which part of the state you are renting from, make sure to check the rental policy about crossing state and country borders. Overall, it is fairly easy to drive a rental car from the US to Canada, but there are some things to look out for. You may need to let the rental company know ahead of time, and you may be required to have a Canadian non-resident insurance card, which is free to apply for. There may also be a more limited choice in cars, but these all vary by provider, so check ahead of time.
FAQs about renting a car in Washington
Renting a car in Washington State will be very beneficial, as the state is very large, but there is lots to see. There is not always good public transportation within or between cities, so renting a car will allow easy transport. A large draw of Washington State is the nature and mountains outside the cities, including Mt. Rainier, Mt. Saint Helens, and Olympic National Park, all of which are a couple hours’ drive from the city of Seattle. Even if you plan on staying within the city, renting a car can be useful because it’s a more efficient option than public transportation.
Speed limits in Washington State are typically slow within city limits, with 25 mph being the default speed unless otherwise posted. However, even state highways only reach 60 mph. Only on interstates will you be able to drive more quickly. Also be aware that Washington State has some of the worst road conditions in the US. Keep an eye out for potholes and be prepared for lots of traffic while driving on the west side of the state.
The minimum age to rent a car in Washington State is twenty one; however, drivers under the age of twenty five will incur a “young renter” fee. This surcharge can vary by company, so make sure to shop around if you are a young renter, and keep in mind that you may also be unable to rent certain classes of vehicles, such as SUVs or luxury vehicles. Other requirements for anyone renting a vehicle include insurance coverage and a valid driver’s license. If you are a foreign national, you will need to provide an international driver’s permit as well as another form of identification, such as a passport.
On average a rental car in Washington costs $38 per day.
Economy (Hyundai Accent or similar) is the most frequently booked rental car type in Washington.
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest rental cars were found at Budget ($28/day), Avis ($30/day) and Sixt ($47/day).
Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car rental companies in Washington are Alamo (8.8, 1176 reviews), National (8.8, 112 reviews), and Enterprise (8.5, 1813 reviews).
Based on car searches on KAYAK, the most popular cities to rent a car in Washington are Seattle (71% of total searches of users looking to rent a car in Washington), SeaTac (12%) and Spokane (8%).
On average a rental car in Washington costs $584 per week ($83 per day).
On average a rental car in Washington costs $2,501 per month ($83 per day).