Car Rentals in Seattle, Washington

Driving in Seattle can be a tricky endeavor, since there are several factors that impact traffic—from an abundance of cyclists and pedestrians, to rainy weather, to public transportation vehicles, and rush hour, which typically run from a little after mid-afternoon into the early evening, as well as in the early mornings. While the city is very walkable and offers public transportation options, if you want to get the most out of your trip to the Pacific Northwest city, cheap car rentals in Seattle are critical, since they’ll grant you access to peripheral areas, like Puget Sound, Tacoma, and Bellevue, all of which are within a two-hour drive. There is also ample parking available in Seattle, making car rentals simple and cost-effective, especially if you’ve opted for an economy car rental.

While you may want to check with Seattle’s department of motor vehicles for any recent changes in traffic laws before your trip, there are a few standard traffic guidelines you will want to adhere to while driving car rentals in Seattle. For example, as with most of the U.S., individuals with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08% or higher are prohibited from operating a motor vehicle—there are heavy penalties for non-compliance with this law. There are also penalties for those who do not wear seatbelts, and parents should note that all children under the age of 13 must ride in the back seat, and children aged eight and younger must be strapped in using appropriate restraints. Many Seattle car rental companies offer children’s seats as an add-on. Seattle also has speed guidance requiring that drivers do not exceed speeds that are one-third lower than regular residential limits on unmarked residential (non-arterial) roadways, and less than half the national residential limit on unmarked arterial roadways. Using wireless devices, including hands-free devices, is illegal while driving in Seattle, so make sure not to call or text anyone while on the road. Pedestrians and cyclists always have the right of way, even when they are not in a marked crosswalk. On some freeways, you may see high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, which you can use if you have at least two people in the vehicle. It is always best to check with Seattle’s department of motor vehicles for recent law changes before picking up your rental vehicle.

Travelers who reserve car rentals in Seattle often like to cross the border and travel into Canada, as it is such a short drive away from the city. Almost all rental car companies will allow you to do this, but make sure to check with your specific company of choice beforehand. If you would like to drive Seattle car rentals across the border, you’ll need to have a few pieces of additional documentation with you. For example, you’re required to have a non-resident insurance card to go to Canada, which can usually be acquired directly through the rental car company. You’ll also need to make sure you have a passport. You may use a passport card from the United States, as this allows you to travel internationally by land.

When you book car rentals in Seattle, whether it be a passenger van rental, an economy car rental, or an electric car rental, you have a few different payment options. Most car rental locations in Seattle prefer that customers pay with a major credit card. Some branches do not accept debit cards or a prepaid charge card in person, but may accept them for making reservations online. You may also be able to pay for your rental with cash. Keep in mind that while you may be able to use alternative payments for the rental itself, some companies will still require you to use a credit card for the deposit. If you don’t pay with a credit card, you may be asked to provide some additional documentation when picking up your rental. It is usually best to contact the company ahead of time to verify which payment methods are accepted and what the exact process will be. If you do pay with a credit or debit card, make sure that it is in the same name as the individual who will be driving.

To rent a vehicle as an international traveler, even cheap car rentals in Seattle, you’ll be asked to provide the company with a few different things. Some companies will specifically ask for you to have an international driver’s license, while others will accept licenses from foreign countries if the key information is written in a Latin-based alphabet. If this is not the case, you may be able to provide a certified translation of the document. You will always want to have your passport on hand, as most companies will need to make a photocopy of this and keep it with your file. Most companies require customers to be at least 21 years old to rent a car. If you’re under the age of 25, you may also need to pay an underage driver’s fee.

Our data shows that for weekend car rental deals during October in Seattle, you can expect to pay around $70. A particularly good deal might be around $16, which is the lowest quote for Seattle we've seen so far. $55 is a normal deal for a week-long rental in Seattle, but for October it's not uncommon to see prices as low as $20, depending on your requirements.

Rental cars in Seattle from popular agencies such as Dollar, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, and Avis will generally offer free cancellation. While momondo does not have any control over cancellation policies for rental cars in Seattle, we can help you find the cheapest car to rent for your upcoming trip.

Most people will rent an Economy car when traveling to Seattle during the month of October. Its efficient gas mileage and ability to handle wet road conditions makes the economy car a go-to choice when precipitation averages 6.6″ and temperatures hover around 44.6 °F. Renting a Economy in Seattle will cost you $53/day on average.

Travelers who rent a car in Seattle should be aware that the city’s speed limit is 25 mph. Suburban speed limits around Seattle are generally 75 mph, whereas speed limits on highways are 75 mph. Keep in mind that speeds may change depending on what road you’re traveling on, so be on the lookout for posted signage.

At the moment, Budget has the Ford Explorer available for rent in Seattle for $67 per day on average. Keep in mind that availability for Ford Explorer rentals in Seattle can change quickly.

In September, Seattle usually gets 1.5″ of precipitation and has an average temperature of 60.8 °F. This information can be very helpful when looking at rental cars in Seattle as it can help you make the best decision.

Travelers looking to leave from Seattle on a road trip around Washington or the surrounding areas during the month of September should expect temperatures around 59 °F and about 1.5″ of possible rain through the month.

Prices for cars in Seattle are updated daily.

There are 61 operators available for cars in Seattle as of September 2023.

The minimum age for drivers varies by country, including Seattle. In numerous EU countries, drivers must be 18 years old. To rent a car overseas, you'll generally need to be at least 21, and if you're under 25, a young driver surcharge may be applied. We advise that you read the policy of your chosen rental company before making a reservation.

To rent a car in Seattle, all drivers must have a valid full driving license. If the license is written in a language other than the language of the country of rental, an International Driving Permit may be required to avoid the risk of potential fines. If you're renting a car abroad, you may also need to provide proof of return travel and accommodation information during your stay. We recommend that you verify with the specific rental company you're booking with.

You should book a car rental in Seattle using momondo because it is quick, free and easy to use and could save you money. momondo does the hard work of finding the rental car prices and policies, all you need to do is compare and choose what works best for your trip.

momondo enables you to find the best car rental deal in Seattle by providing useful filters to narrow your search. Filters include, but are not limited to: price, body type, rental company and specific policies that you may want.

Yes, whether it is for cars in Seattle or elsewhere, momondo allows you to filter specifically for policies that offer free cancellation.

Fair fuel policies are specifically available to select on momondo, allowing you to refine your search for rental cars in Seattle.

Enhanced cleaning services can be found on all car rental locations on momondo including Seattle.

Absolutely. You can specifically filter for rental car deals in Seattle with unlimited mileage on momondo.