Car Rental in Los Angeles
LA is a driving city. Compare rental cars at LAX, Burbank, Long Beach or a neighborhood branch — then hit the Pacific Coast Highway.
Do you need a car in Los Angeles?
For most visitors, yes. Santa Monica, Hollywood, Downtown, the beaches and the canyons are far apart, and public transit doesn't reach much of the city quickly. A rental car also opens up Malibu, Palm Springs, Joshua Tree and the coast. LAX has the biggest selection, but Burbank and Long Beach are easier airports to drive away from.
Last reviewed . Rules vary by rental company — check your rental terms before you book.
Why rent a car in Los Angeles?
- LA is spread out, and trips between neighborhoods are long without a car.
- The Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu and Santa Barbara are made for driving.
- Joshua Tree, Palm Springs and San Diego are all within about three hours.
- Theme parks — Disneyland, Universal and Six Flags — are in different parts of the region.
Pickup and drop-off
At LAX, follow the Rental Car Shuttles signs on the arrivals (lower) level. LAX is moving rental companies into a consolidated rental car facility linked to the terminals by its Automated People Mover, so pickup arrangements are changing — your booking confirmation gives the current pickup point.
Hollywood Burbank (BUR) and Long Beach (LGB) are smaller, with shorter walks and easier traffic, and are worth pricing if they suit your flights.
City branches in Santa Monica, Hollywood and Downtown avoid airport fees if you don't need a car right away.
Rental companies in Los Angeles
Brands with counters at LAX. Which suppliers have cars — and at what price — changes by date, so the search shows the live list.
Which car to rent in Los Angeles
What affects the price of a car rental in Los Angeles
The search shows live prices for your dates. These are the things that move them.
- Summer and holiday weeks at LAX.
- Airport vs. city pickup — LAX fees apply to the whole rental.
- One-way rentals to Las Vegas, San Francisco or San Diego.
- Car class and rental length — weekly rates often cost less per day
- Driver age — drivers under 25 usually pay a daily surcharge
- Optional extras such as damage waivers, toll programs and child seats
Rental requirements
- A valid driver's license, held for at least a year at most companies. Visitors can usually rent on their home license; if it isn't in English, carry an International Driving Permit or official translation alongside it.
- Minimum age is 21 at most major companies, and drivers under 25 pay a daily young-driver surcharge. New York and Michigan require companies to rent to drivers from 18, with surcharges.
- A credit card in the main driver's name. Some locations accept debit cards with extra checks — often a return travel itinerary at airports, a larger deposit or a credit check.
- International renters should also bring a passport.
More detail: What Documents Do You Need to Rent a Car? · What Is the Minimum Age to Rent a Car in the USA? · Can You Rent a Car With a Debit Card? Rules & Tips · International Driving Permit (IDP) — Do You Need One and How to Get It
Insurance and deposit
- Collision and loss damage waivers (CDW/LDW) are optional. Before you accept one at the counter, check whether your own auto policy or a credit card benefit already covers rental cars — many do, with conditions.
- Liability cover varies by state and company. Supplemental liability (SLI) raises the limit and is worth considering if you don't have a personal auto policy, including as an international visitor.
- A security deposit is held on your card at pickup and released after the car is returned and checked. It can take several business days to disappear from your statement, and holds are larger on debit cards and premium cars.
More detail: Do You Need Insurance to Rent a Car? · What Is a Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)? · How Much Is a Rental Car Deposit? How Holds Work
Fuel policy and additional fees
- Most LA freeways are free. Express lanes on I-10 and I-110 require a FasTrak account, and the Orange County toll roads (SR 73, 133, 241 and 261) are cashless — the rental company's toll program or a one-time online payment covers them.
- Parking is the bigger cost: hotels, beach lots and Hollywood garages charge by the hour or day. Street-sweeping and permit-zone tickets are common, so read every sign.
- Full-to-full is usually the cheapest fuel policy: you collect the car full and return it full. Prepaid fuel only saves money if you return the tank nearly empty, and refueling charges on a car returned short are well above pump prices.
- Airport rentals include airport concession recovery fees and facility charges on top of the rate. State and local rental taxes apply everywhere.
- Other common extras: additional-driver fees, young-driver surcharges, toll-program charges, one-way drop fees, child seats and late-return charges. Read the rental terms before you pay so you know which charges are included and which are added at the counter.
More detail: Car Rental Fuel Policies Explained — Which One Should You Choose? · Hidden Car Rental Fees — The Complete Guide to What to Watch Out For · How are tolls and traffic fines handled? · Can someone else drive the car?
Driving in Los Angeles
- Plan around rush hour
- Weekday traffic peaks roughly 7–10am and 3–7pm. A 15-mile trip can take over an hour, so plan cross-town drives outside those times.
- Read parking signs carefully
- Stacked signs list street-cleaning days, permit zones and time limits. Tickets and tows are common in beach areas and Hollywood.
- Freeway names
- Locals use numbers with 'the' — 'the 405', 'the 10'. Your navigation app will use the numbers.
- Don't leave valuables in view
- Car break-ins happen at trailheads and beach lots. Keep bags in the trunk before you arrive, not after you park.
Road trips from Los Angeles
Malibu (via PCH)
~30 mi · ~45 min–1 hr
Beaches, cliffs and seafood shacks along Highway 1.
Santa Barbara
~95 mi · ~1.75–2 hr
Spanish-style downtown, wine tasting and coastal views.
Joshua Tree National Park
~130 mi · ~2.5 hr
Desert landscapes and dark skies; combine with Palm Springs.
San Diego
~120 mi · ~2–2.5 hr
Down I-5 past Orange County beaches.
Las Vegas
~270 mi · ~4–5 hr
Across the Mojave on I-15; Friday and Sunday traffic can add hours.
Distances are one-way and approximate; drive times assume normal traffic.
Los Angeles car rental guides
FAQ
Car Rental in Los Angeles — FAQs
Everything you need to know about renting a car
Compare Los Angeles car rental prices
Enter your dates to see which suppliers have cars in Los Angeles and compare what they cost.
More places to rent a car
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