Car Rentals in San Diego, California

Are you looking for cheap car rental deals in San Diego, California? Search right here!

San Diego, CA
Jun 15 — Jun 22
Same drop-off
San Diego, CA
Thu 6/15
Noon
Thu 6/22
Noon

Deals from rental companies in 70,000+ locations.

Rental cars insight and trends in San Diego

Useful insights to help you book the perfect rental car in San Diego

What is the cheapest rental car agency in San Diego?

The cheapest rental cars in San Diego are generally found through Major Agency. When booking with Major Agency, you may be able to find rental car prices for as low as $7/day. The average price to rent a car in San Diego is $45/day.

What car rental company in San Diego has the most locations?

Enterprise Rent-A-Car has the most locations of any rental car company in San Diego, with 14 locations.

What car do most people rent in San Diego?

Most momondo users will rent the Kia Sportage in San Diego, though renting the Dodge Journey is a popular second choice according to our data. If you’re interested in renting the Kia Sportage, prices are $55 per day on average. Some users have found Kia Sportage rental deals in San Diego for as low as $23 per day. Dodge Journey rentals in San Diego are $66 per day on average, with some of the cheapest deals at $34 per day.

Best deals found for San Diego, California car rentals

Find great deals below on a variety of popular rental cars in San Diego, California
Chevrolet Impala
or similar Full-size
Up to 5 passengers

$16/day

13 Jun - 16 Jun
Chevrolet Impala
Ford Escape
or similar Compact SUV
Up to 4 passengers

$19/day

13 Jun - 20 Jun
Ford Escape
Nissan Pathfinder
or similar Standard SUV
Up to 5 passengers

$19/day

13 Jun - 20 Jun
Nissan Pathfinder
Toyota Corolla
or similar Compact
Up to 4 passengers

$22/day

13 Jun - 19 Jun
Toyota Corolla
Nissan Sentra
or similar Intermediate
Up to 5 passengers

$22/day

13 Jun - 19 Jun
Nissan Sentra
Hyundai Accent
or similar Compact
Up to 4 passengers

$23/day

13 Jun - 19 Jun
Hyundai Accent
Hyundai Avante
or similar Standard
Up to 5 passengers

$23/day

13 Jun - 19 Jun
Hyundai Avante
Chevrolet Spark
or similar Economy
Up to 2 passengers

$23/day

13 Jun - 19 Jun
Chevrolet Spark
Ford Fusion
or similar Intermediate
Up to 5 passengers

$23/day

13 Jun - 19 Jun
Ford Fusion

Important information about San Diego car rentals

San Diego is extensively recognized for its parks, warm climate, and home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the country. An overwhelming majority of tourists worldwide prefer booking a cheap car rental in San Diego to explore the significant attraction sights, such as the star of India, Petco Park, and others. You can never experience a dull day in San Diego since the city has magnificent weather that allows you to enjoy outdoor activities throughout the year. With an electric car rental in San Diego, you can explore the city's natural beauty and in a comfortable way.  Keep in mind that traffic gets congested during rush hour within the major roads, such as Highways 15, 56, and 805. However, there is ample parking in San Diego. Getting car rentals in San Diego is also easy as there are more than 10 car rental locations in the city.

Getting a San Diego car rentals will be determined by the kind of activities and the distance between one visiting destination to the other. There are numerous attraction sights in San Diego that, while they can be navigated by public transport, are so much more convenient to get to by car. Consider getting a luxury car rental in San Diego to explore other beautiful sceneries and outdoor activities in nearby towns, such as Oceanside. Oceanside has numerous outdoor activities, such as skydiving, whale watching tours, private vacation photography sessions, and others. You can also visit the top attraction sights in Oceanside, such as the Oceanside Pier, the California Surf Museum, and several others. Since these destinations are not walkable, you need an economy car rental or a passenger van rental to get there. There is adequate parking in San Diego, which is affordable and secure for your car rentals in San Diego.

If you plan a visit to San Diego, ensure you are familiar with the driving rules. When you are driving on a highway, stay in the right-hand lane, as the left-hand lane should only be used when passing other vehicles. If you are turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street, you are allowed to make a left-hand turn on a red light. Every time that you turn on your windshield wipers, you are also required to turn on your headlights. You may make a U-turn, even if it is over a double yellow line, as long as it is safe to do so. California law prohibits the use of handheld mobile phones while operating a motor vehicle unless it’s an emergency. It is mandatory to wear your seat belts while driving. Young children should use a booster seat. Ensure you observe the recommended speed limit for highways, interstate, and two-lane undivided roads. Also, use moderate speed while driving near a safety zone, such as a school or construction zone. If you are looking for rental cars in San Diego, it is good to check with the city's Department of Motor Vehicles for recent law changes.

Due to the area’s close proximity to the border, many visitors enjoy using car rentals in San Diego to travel to nearby cities in Mexico. Most rental car companies will typically allow you to drive to neighboring countries, but it’s always best to verify that this is allowed with your contract before embarking on your journey. To enter Mexico with a San Diego car rental, all travelers are legally obligated to have Mexican automobile liability insurance. Normally, you will be able to obtain this directly through your rental car company of choice. Beyond insurance, you will also need to have a government-issued driver’s license, as well as either a passport or passport card. Keep in mind that passport cards can only be used to travel to other countries by land.


San Diego, California car rental deals found on momondo

Find the rental car in San Diego that's right for you

Small Cars

$35 - $65

All Car Types

$66 - $92

The average price of a Small rental in San Diego, the United States is $44. The cheapest time to rent a Small in San Diego, the United States is in August. The price is 21% lower than the rest of the year at just $35 per day. A Small rental is typically 43% less expensive than the average rental car in San Diego. The average price of a vehicle rental in San Diego can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your rental car. Below are the best prices for San Diego Small rentals found on momondo in the past week.

The average price of a Medium rental in San Diego, the United States is $45. The cheapest time to rent a Medium in San Diego, the United States is in September. The price is 36% lower than the rest of the year at just $29 per day. A Medium rental is typically 42% less expensive than the average rental car in San Diego. The average price of a vehicle rental in San Diego can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your rental car. Below are the best prices for San Diego Medium rentals found on momondo in the past week.

The average price of a Large rental in San Diego, the United States is $76. The cheapest time to rent a Large in San Diego, the United States is in September. The price is 19% lower than the rest of the year at just $63 per day. A Large rental is typically 0% less expensive than the average rental car in San Diego. The average price of a vehicle rental in San Diego can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your rental car. Below are the best prices for San Diego Large rentals found on momondo in the past week.

The average price of a SUV rental in San Diego, the United States is $68. The cheapest time to rent a SUV in San Diego, the United States is in May. The price is 21% lower than the rest of the year at just $54 per day. A SUV rental is typically 12% less expensive than the average rental car in San Diego. The average price of a vehicle rental in San Diego can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your rental car. Below are the best prices for San Diego SUV rentals found on momondo in the past week.

The average price of a Van rental in San Diego, the United States is $86. The cheapest time to rent a Van in San Diego, the United States is in September. The price is 35% lower than the rest of the year at just $56 per day. A Van rental is typically 11% more expensive than the average rental car in San Diego. The average price of a vehicle rental in San Diego can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your rental car. Below are the best prices for San Diego Van rentals found on momondo in the past week.

The average price of a Pickup Truck rental in San Diego, the United States is $64. The cheapest time to rent a Pickup Truck in San Diego, the United States is in May. The price is 36% lower than the rest of the year at just $41 per day. A Pickup Truck rental is typically 17% less expensive than the average rental car in San Diego. The average price of a vehicle rental in San Diego can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your rental car.

The average price of a Luxury rental in San Diego, the United States is $109. The cheapest time to rent a Luxury in San Diego, the United States is in July. The price is 18% lower than the rest of the year at just $90 per day. A Luxury rental is typically 30% more expensive than the average rental car in San Diego. The average price of a vehicle rental in San Diego can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your rental car.

The average price of a Convertible rental in San Diego, the United States is $111. The cheapest time to rent a Convertible in San Diego, the United States is in May. The price is 18% lower than the rest of the year at just $92 per day. A Convertible rental is typically 31% more expensive than the average rental car in San Diego. The average price of a vehicle rental in San Diego can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your rental car. Below are the best prices for San Diego Convertible rentals found on momondo in the past week.

Ford Focus
or similar Compact
Up to 4 passengers

$22/day

13 Jun - 19 Jun
Ford Focus
Toyota Corolla
or similar Compact
Up to 4 passengers

$23/day

13 Jun - 19 Jun
Toyota Corolla
Chevrolet Spark
or similar Economy
Up to 2 passengers

$23/day

13 Jun - 19 Jun
Chevrolet Spark

San Diego car rental directory

All major car rental suppliers in San Diego, California

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

6.1
Okay
325 reviews14 locations

Hertz

6.1
Okay
673 reviews13 locations

Avis

6.1
Okay
278 reviews11 locations

Budget

6.1
Okay
165 reviews11 locations

MEXRENTACAR

6.1
Okay
233 reviews4 locations

Ace

6.1
Okay
142 reviews3 locations

Dollar

6.1
Okay
220 reviews2 locations

Economy Rent a Car

6.1
Okay
85 reviews2 locations

Quick facts about car rentals in San Diego

Get the overview on great rental deals, popular car rental companies, and best car types for your visit in San Diego

Most Popular Agency

Pacific Rent A Car

Popular Car Types

Compact, Intermediate, SUV

Cheapest Rental Car

$17

Most Popular Model

Scion xB
The most popular San Diego car rental agency found on momondo this month is Pacific Rent A Car. Other top choices for car rental companies are Hertz and Payless
The following car types were offered at rental car companies in San Diego in the past 72 hours: Compact, Intermediate, SUV.
The lowest price for a rental car in San Diego is $17/day. For this area, you can expect average prices starting from $46/day.
The most popular car model to rent in San Diego in the past 7 days is the Scion xB. Our users also prefer the Hyundai Genesis as an alternative.

Find popular attractions close to your rental car pick-up

Visit these must-see attractions near popular rental car locations in San Diego

Nearby attractions:

Spanish Landing Park0.4 mi
MCRD San Diego Command Museum0.6 mi
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park1.6 mi
USS Midway Museum1.8 mi
InterContinental San Diego1.9 mi

Nearby attractions:

Birch Aquarium66.3 mi
La Jolla Cove66.6 mi
La Jolla Shores66.6 mi
Mission Beach71.8 mi
Belmont Park71.9 mi

Nearby attractions:

Birch Aquarium84.6 mi
La Jolla Shores85.0 mi
La Jolla Cove85.3 mi
Mission Beach90.8 mi
Belmont Park91.0 mi

Rent a car near one of these popular hotels in San Diego

Below are the most popular hotels in San Diego

Driving with a rental car in San Diego - FAQs

Learn everything there is to know about renting a car in San Diego so you can be properly prepared for your next trip

Our data shows that for weekend car rental deals during July in San Diego, you can expect to pay around $73. A particularly good deal might be around $23, which is the lowest quote for San Diego we've seen so far. Stretching your rental over seven days shifts the price range to about $20 to $61.

In most cases, there is no fee when you cancel your San Diego car rental. You can check to see whether or not your preferred car rental company in San Diego offers free cancellation when booking with momondo.


Car rentals at popular airports near San Diego

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Rental car types that are popular in San Diego

Rent any of these popular rental car types in San Diego

Explore more car rentals in California

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