Car rentals in Madison, Wisconsin

Having a car rental in Madison is a perfect way to get around town to see the iconic spots like the Wisconsin State Capitol building or spending the day at the largest of the lakes in Madison, Lake Mendota. On the other hand, you’ll have access to worthwhile sights a bit further out of the city. If you’re interested in architecture, you shouldn’t miss going to the small town of Spring Green, just about an hour out of Madison, for the famous House on the Rock and Taliesin. If you’re up for a little hike, Indian Lake Park is a hidden gem about a half an hour drive from the city. When traveling in and out of Madison, you should probably avoid the Beltline Highway at peak hours, since its prone to traffic. Parking in the city isn’t an issue—there’s on-street parking as well as parking garages spread throughout Madison.

When getting a car rental in Wisconsin, you should know a few rules and tips that may be different from your state or country of origin. Blocking traffic is illegal in Wisconsin; make sure you leave enough room when passing intersections. There are lanes designated only for High Occupancy Vehicles. They are marked with a white diamond sign and indicate the number of passengers necessary to drive in that lane. In Wisconsin, you are considered under the influence with a blood-alcohol content of 0.08% or more. We recommend you don’t drink and drive and leave your Madison car rental behind if you’re considering drinking. Before driving your economy car rental or luxury car rental in Madison, it’s best you look up the department of motor vehicles in the city to get more information on any changes in traffic laws.

You are not allowed to get a rental car in Madison if you are under 21 years old. You will also have to pay an extra amount if you are under 25 years old. When picking up your vehicle, you will have to present a valid driver’s license. If you are visiting from out of the country, you won't be required to hold an International Driver’s Permit as long as your country’s driver’s license is in English.

For a weekend in January, the best deals in Madison start from around $28 up to around $72. For a one-week car rental, Madison prices in January average $59 with the best deals starting at $28.

Every rental car company in Madison has a different cancellation policy. At momondo, we will always disclose in the car rental search results whether or not an agency has a cancellation fee. Some of the top car rental companies in Madison include Hertz, Alamo, and Enterprise Rent-A-Car, so be sure to check if they offer free cancellation.

Madison experiences an average temperature of 23 °F and around 1.5″ of precipitation during the month of January. In order to be best prepared for your trip to Madison, you should rent an SUV. Renting an SUV will ensure that you can safely and easily make your way through the snowy and icy streets of Madison. Renting a SUV in Madison will cost you $67/day on average.

Madison’s speed limit is 25 mph when you are driving in the city. This speed limit might also apply to surrounding towns and neighborhoods. The suburban speed limit in Madison is 75 mph and the speed limit for highways is 75 mph. However, be sure to look for posted signage as these speeds may vary.

At the moment, Turo has the Lincoln MKZ available for rent in Madison for $60 per day on average. Keep in mind that availability for Lincoln MKZ rentals in Madison can change quickly.Keep in mind that Turo also has other Luxury rentals available if you're unable to book the Lincoln MKZ during your travel dates. Renting the Mercedes-Benz E-Class from Turo in Madison is also an option.

During the month of December the average temperature in Madison is 23 °F and the expected precipitation is 1.7″. This information is useful for travelers looking for a car rental in Madison.

If you’re looking for a Madison rental car for a road trip to the surrounding areas during the month of December it’s important to know that the rest of Wisconsin typically has a temperature of 24.8 °F and will usually expect 1.6″ of precipitation.

Prices for cars in Madison were last updated today.

The number of operators available for cars in Madison is 19 as of December 2023.

Age requirements for drivers vary depending on the country, including Madison. In several EU countries, drivers must be 18 years old. Generally, to rent a car overseas, you must be at least 21 years old, and if you're under 25, you may be charged a young driver surcharge. It's recommended that you review the policy of your preferred rental company before booking.

When renting a car in Madison, all drivers must present a full valid driving license. An International Driving Permit is required if the driving license is written in a language different to that of the country of rental and may be necessary to avoid the risk of potential fines. If you are renting abroad, you may also need to provide proof of return travel and accommodation information during your stay. We always recommend checking with the individual rental company you are booking with.