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District of Columbia car rentals

Driver's age: 26-65
Fri 26/4
Fri 3/5

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Cheap car hire in District of Columbia

Mini
Economy
Compact
Intermediate
Standard
Full-size
Luxury
People carrier
Passenger van
SUV
Commercial
Pick-up truck

Top tips for hiring a car in District of Columbia

  • Washington Dulles International Airport car rental is one of the most convenient places to rent a car in the District of Columbia. This is the principal point of entrance for foreign visitors to the city. The primary District of Columbia car rental companies having airport counters includes Hertz, Dollar, Enterprise, Alamo, Budget, and Avis. All these car rental counters are located in the Terminal Baggage Claim Area at Door 2 and 4, either Curb 2C or Curb 2D. For convenient booking, consider online booking by KAYAK which will save much time compared to physical booking.
  • The ease of using car rentals in the District of Columbia decreases dramatically during public holidays when the city hosts festivals such as Frozen Fest, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. During this period, the city receives many visitors from across the United States. As a result, significant traffic disruptions ensue. Several important roadways, including those north of Florida Avenue, Rock Creek Park Street, and west of North Capitol Street, experience considerable traffic. You will likely take longer than normal to reach your location with your rented car.
  • Driving a rental car in the District of Columbia during the rush hours that last from 7 to 9 in the morning and 4 to 6 in the evening is something that should be avoided. Most of the main roads heading to the city experience heavy traffic flow which might cause delays in reaching the final destination. When driving on congested routes like Interstate 495, the Anacostia Freeway, MacArthur Boulevard, and Connecticut Avenue, stay calm and drive cautiously. Many pedestrians and bicycles cross these streets without looking for approaching vehicles.
  • The type of rental car best for you will depend on the number of passengers and pieces of luggage you intend to transport inside the city. If you are traveling alone with two pieces of luggage, consider taking an Economy car. An intermediate SUV is an ideal option to rent if you are traveling with five persons and three pieces of luggage. Choose Luxury car rentals if you are traveling with five people and five pieces of luggage.
  • Book your rental car in District of Columbia at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
  • Intermediate rental cars in District of Columbia are around 18% cheaper than other car types, on average

FAQs about hiring a car in District of Columbia

  • What is the most popular car hire in District of Columbia?

    Intermediate (Nissan Versa or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in District of Columbia.

  • What is the best car hire company in District of Columbia?

    Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car hire companies in District of Columbia are Enterprise Rent-A-Car (7.7, 76 reviews), Sixt (6.7, 81 reviews), and Avis (6.5, 101 reviews).

  • How can I find car hires near me in District of Columbia?

    Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.

  • Should I rent a car in the District of Columbia?

    Booking car rentals in the District of Columbia gives you added convenience and flexibility when seeing the city's different attractions. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum is one of the places in the District of Columbia that you should not miss. Driving to this museum in your rented car from any District of Columbia car rental allows you to travel comfortably with your packed lunch and other personal stuff. The Metro System's public buses are another reliable and economical mode of transportation. The advantage of renting a car overtaking one of these buses is that the driver can choose their route and departure time.

  • What is driving like in the District of Columbia?

    When driving a car rental in the District of Columbia, it is essential to note the speed limits, which vary depending on the routes you are using. For instance, unless otherwise posted, the absolute speed limit in the District of Columbia is 55 mph on interstate highways and 25 mph on all other roadways. It is 15 mph in alleys. When school zone signs are blinking, this indicates that the road speed limit is 15 mph.

  • How old do you have to rent a car in the District of Columbia?

    To rent a car in the District of Columbia, you must be at least 21 years old. Before renting a car, most car rental businesses need drivers to have held their driver's license for more than a year. Furthermore, teenagers under 25 cannot rent certain vehicle classes, such as full-size SUVs, premium cars, and convertibles.

Car rental locations in District of Columbia

Car rental directory

  • free2move

    Free2Move car hire locations in District of Columbia

    13 Locations

  • enterprise

    Enterprise Rent-A-Car car hire locations in District of Columbia

    9 Locations

  • avis

    Avis car hire locations in District of Columbia

    6 Locations

  • budget

    Budget car hire locations in District of Columbia

    6 Locations

  • hertz

    Hertz car hire locations in District of Columbia

    6 Locations

  • national

    National car hire locations in District of Columbia

    3 Locations

  • alamo

    Alamo car hire locations in District of Columbia

    2 Locations

  • dollar

    Dollar car hire locations in District of Columbia

    2 Locations

  • elitarent

    Elita Rent A Car car hire locations in District of Columbia

    2 Locations

  • kyte

    Kyte car hire locations in District of Columbia

    2 Locations

  • sunnycars

    Sunnycars car hire locations in District of Columbia

    2 Locations

  • advance

    Advance Car And Truck Rental car hire locations in District of Columbia

    1 Location

Good to know

Most popular car type

Intermediate

When to book a rental car in District of Columbia

Average daily price per month
Car hire prices as pick-up date approaches