KAYAK’s insights & trends for Southern California car hire
Check out the latest trends and booking tips to hire a car in Southern California with confidence.
How far in advance should you book a rental car in Southern California?
You should book your rental car in Southern California around 7 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.
What is the most popular rental car in Southern California?
Hires in the SUV category (Nissan Pathfinder or similar) are the most popular option in Southern California, costing RM 300/day on average. Some users have found deals as low as RM 264/day.
What is the cheapest month to hire a car in Southern California?
The cheapest month to hire a car in Southern California is January at an average cost of RM 168/day. December is the most expensive month to hire a car in Southern California when prices are RM 227/day on average, which tends to be 361% above the yearly average hire price for Southern California.
Southern California car rental price comparison by vehicle type
Find the right rental car in Southern California by comparing prices across vehicle types.
Small
Medium
Large
SUV
Van
Pickup truck
Luxury
Convertible
Small cars
RM 85 - RM 163
All Car Types
RM 223 - RM 305
How much does it cost to hire a small car in Southern California?
How much does it cost to hire a medium car in Southern California?
How much does it cost to hire a large car in Southern California?
How much does it cost to hire an SUV in Southern California?
How much does it cost to hire a van in Southern California?
How much does it cost to hire a pickup truck in Southern California?
How much does it cost to hire a luxury car in Southern California?
How much does it cost to hire a convertible in Southern California?
Small car hire in Southern California typically costs around RM 138 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average RM 85 per day, which is about 39% less than the yearly average. Small cars are usually 48% cheaper than the average car hire in Southern California, making them ideal for budget-conscious travellers.
Medium car hire in Southern California typically costs around RM 270 per day. The best time to book is September, when prices average RM 207 per day, which is about 24% less than the yearly average. Medium cars are usually 4% more expensive than the average car hire in Southern California, offering a good balance of space and value.
Large car hire in Southern California typically cost around RM 231 per day. The best time to book is September, when prices average RM 193 per day, which is about 17% less than the yearly average. Large cars can be 12% cheaper than the average car hire in Southern California, offering more comfort for longer trips at a reasonable price.
SUV hire in Southern California typically costs around RM 247 per day. The best time to book is September, when prices average RM 212 per day, which is about 15% less than the yearly average. SUVs can be 6% cheaper than the average car hire in Southern California, providing extra space and capability for groups or road trips at a reasonable price.
Van hire in Southern California typically costs around RM 407 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average RM 347 per day, which is about 15% less than the yearly average. Vans are typically 36% more expensive than the average car hire in Southern California but are the best choice for families or groups needing maximum passenger capacity.
Pickup truck hire in Southern California typically costs around RM 242 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average RM 208 per day, which is about 15% less than the yearly average. Pickup trucks are 8% cheaper than the average car hire in Southern California, making them a practical choice for hauling gear or outdoor adventures.
Luxury car hire in Southern California typically costs around RM 327 per day. The best time to book is September, when prices average RM 293 per day, which is about 11% less than the yearly average. Luxury cars are typically 21% more expensive than the average car hire in Southern California but deliver premium comfort and style for special occasions.
Convertible hire in Southern California typically costs around RM 332 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average RM 265 per day, which is about 21% less than the yearly average. Convertibles are typically 22% more expensive than the average car hire in Southern California but are perfect for scenic drives and warm-weather destinations.
Good to know
Most popular agency
Most popular car type
Average price
Good deal
Ace
Small
RM 290/day
RM 250/day
Top tips for hiring a car in Southern California
Southern California offers one of the finest travel destinations in America. Many people prefer traveling to Southern California in rental cars. Whereas renting a vehicle to tour Southern California is economical in the long run, you should prepare for your car rental in advance. Start by identifying the different car dealers near the places you want to visit. Check out the cars and identify which car model fits your Southern California tour. Go through the rental agreement with a suitable car rental dealer before committing yourself to a contract. Inspect the car thoroughly before embarking on your trip and ensure it doesn’t have any damages. Furthermore, fuel the car before starting your road trip, other than waiting for the dealer to fuel the car for you since they will include the gas in your rental car price.
Some car rental firms in Southern California allow car renters to use their travel insurance to pay for rental cars. Thus, you should check with a prospective car rental company as to whether they accept a travel insurance policy as an option for renting cars. Furthermore, check the car rental options the dealer will offer you courtesy of your travel insurance policy. Travelers with a comprehensive travel insurance policy have an advantage when booking and paying for rental cars. A comprehensive insurance plan, for instance, can pay for gas while driving a rental car in Southern California.
Driving in Southern California is different from driving in other places. The region has some of the country’s busiest roads. Hence, all drivers, and primarily rental drivers, should observe safety precautions to keep safe while driving on Southern California’s highways. For instance, while driving a rental car in Southern California, you should follow the recommended speed limit, always keep right, make correct lane changes, and maximize your visibility.
There are many car rental firms in Southern California offering their services. But no website offers more car rental options than KAYAK. Car rental drivers should take advantage of the KAYAK website to choose a car rental company. KAYAK will give you an originality boost by allowing you to select a car that offers better performance than your everyday car. You can then book a car directly through the KAYAK website.
25% of our users found rental cars in Southern California for RM 250 or less
Medium rental cars in Southern California are around 56% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about hiring a car in Southern California
Should I hire a car in Southern California?
Anyone driving to Southern California has several reasons for getting a rental car. Even if you already have a vehicle, renting a car to explore Southern California remains a brilliant idea for virtually every driver. A rental car will save your vehicle from wear and tear over time. Rental cars are also more comfortable since these vehicles are designed for long road trips. You can save gas while driving to some of California’s best destinations, including Santa Barbara, Long Beach, and Catalina Island.
What is driving like in Southern California?
Whether you want a long road trip or a short scenic drive, driving in Southern California is ultimately rewarding. You can experience fascinating scenes while driving in the region. You can have an incredible lifetime experience navigating the mountainous region as you drive to Southern California’s pristine beaches, such as Malibu and Long Beach. Driving in South California can be full of fun since you will encounter some of the region’s finest attractions. You can stop your rental car at various eateries and enjoy drinks and tasty Southern California dishes with your family.
How old do you have to be to hire a car in Southern California?
Every driver must be, at minimum, twenty one years old to rent a vehicle in Southern California. All drivers should provide proof of having requisite driving training before renting a car. Visiting drivers need to have a driving permit from their home state six months before driving to Southern California. Besides meeting the minimum driving age, renters should also present a valid driver’s license to their car rental dealers. Foreign drivers should also submit their non-US driving licenses to the authorities in Southern California.
How much does it cost to hire a car in Southern California?
On average a car hire in Southern California costs RM 290 per day.
How can I find car hires near me in Southern California?
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
Where should I hire a car in Southern California?
Based on car searches on KAYAK, the most popular cities to hire a car in Southern California are Los Angeles (92% of total searches of users looking to hire a car in Southern California) and Santa Barbara (8%).
How much does it cost to hire a car for a week in Southern California?
On average a car hire in Southern California costs RM 2,033 per week (RM 290 per day).
How much does it cost to hire a car long term for a month in Southern California?
On average a car hire in Southern California costs RM 8,712 per month (RM 290 per day).
Car rental directory
Enterprise Rent-A-Car car hire locations in Southern California
101 Locations
Hertz car hire locations in Southern California
73 Locations
Avis car hire locations in Southern California
56 Locations
Budget car hire locations in Southern California
55 Locations
Dollar car hire locations in Southern California
49 Locations
Thrifty car hire locations in Southern California
49 Locations
Midway car hire locations in Southern California
24 Locations
Sixt car hire locations in Southern California
21 Locations
Sunnycars car hire locations in Southern California
14 Locations
Alamo car hire locations in Southern California
13 Locations
Eagle Rent A Car car hire locations in Southern California
12 Locations
Rent-4-Less car hire locations in Southern California
12 Locations
Car rental locations in Southern California
Everything you need to know for your car rental in Southern California
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