Washington, D.C. car rentals from $24/day
This price is the cheapest per day rate found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a car rental in Washington, D.C. with a pick-up date of 5/19 and drop-off date of 6/19. Fares are subject to change and may not be available at all agencies or on all dates of rental. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
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Washington, D.C. car rental information
| Pick-up location | Washington, D.C. |
|---|---|
| Car types | Compact, Compact SUV, Economy, Full-size SUV, Intermediate, Intermediate SUV, Luxury, Minivan, Premium, Premium SUV, Standard, Standard SUV, Supplier choice |
| Rental locations | 58 |
| Airport locations | 8 |
| Popular agencies | Turo, Avis |
Cheap car rentals in Washington, D.C.
| Economy | $26/day |
| Compact | $31/day |
| Intermediate | $30/day |
| Standard | $25/day |
| Minivan | $39/day |
| Full-size SUV | $34/day |
| Premium | $34/day |
| Luxury | $52/day |
| Premium SUV | $43/day |
| Supplier choice | $24/day |
| Compact SUV | $26/day |
| Standard SUV | $29/day |
| Intermediate SUV | $34/day |
KAYAK’s top tips for renting a car in Washington, D.C.
- Familiarize yourself with the driving laws of Washington DC before taking off in Washington DC car rentals. Its illegal to operate your rental with a BAC of over 0.08%. All occupants in the rental must wear a seat belt at all times. If you have children under four years in the vehicle, ensure they are secured to an appropriate booster or child seat at the rear seat. Moreover, ensure you yield right-of-way whenever you hear an emergency vehicle like a police car or ambulance approaching. Turn on your headlights 30 minutes before sunset and off 30 minutes before sunrise.
- If you’re in Washington DC during the winter, rent a four-wheel-drive fit for the snowy terrain. Expect dark skies and ice as temperatures tend to drop very low. Moreover, ensure your vehicle always has a brush to remove ice from your windows and non-freezing washer fluid. Drive slowly during the winter. Always have your headlights on due to the poor visibility when it’s snowing. On the other hand, a convertible is ideal during summer as it allows you to enjoy open-air drives under the warm DC sunshine. However, congestion is worse in the summer due to the flocking in of tourists to the city. So avoid roads prone to congestion, especially around the White House.
- The rental car center at Reagan National Airport is at National Avenue Garage A. You can walk from Terminals A and B, which takes about 10 minutes and from Terminal C, which takes around 15 minutes. Follow the car rental signage to Terminal Parking Garage A. Rental booths of companies providing cheap car rentals in Washington DC like Avis and Enterprise are on the first floor of garage A. The rental pick-up location is on the second level. At Washington Dulles International Airport, rental providers like Avis, Budget, and Enterprise offer curbside shuttle services at 2C and 2D. They also offer shuttles to the pick-up location, which is 5min from the Main Terminal.
- Travelers flying into Washington, D.C. will want to consider renting a car, as cars offer the best access to many of the popular sites and day trips around D.C. For instance, FedExField, home to the Washington Redskins, takes over an hour to get to on public transportation, but only takes 30 minutes in a car. Popular tourist spots such as Shenandoah National Park and Mount Vernon are also easily reached in a rental car.
- Fortunately for would-be rental car drivers with flights to Washington, D.C., all of the airports in the greater metropolitan area have easily accessible rental car centers. In Washington Dulles Airport, shuttles outside of the Baggage Claim Area will take travelers to the rental lot, while at Reagan National Airport, travelers will find the rental shuttle outside of Door 4 on the ticketing level.
- Rush hour is no joke in Washington, D.C. and travelers should plan accordingly. Morning rush hour lasts from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and evening rush hour lasts from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. During those times, Key Bridge, Southeast Freeway, Chain Bridge, and New York Avenue should all be avoided as they number among the most congested spots in D.C.
- Visitors to Washington, D.C. should be prepared to deal with the city’s famed traffic circles. Traffic circles such as Dupont Circle, Logan Circle, and Thomas Circle are notoriously difficult to navigate for first-time visitors, but with a bit of pre-planning and appropriate route planning, they should be no problem.
- 25% of our users found rental cars in Washington, D.C. for $45 or less
- Book your rental car in Washington, D.C. at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
- Off-airport rental car locations in Washington, D.C. are around 1% more expensive than airport locations on average
- Compact rental cars in Washington, D.C. are around 66% cheaper than other car types, on average
Washington, D.C. car rental experiences: the best tips from KAYAK users
FAQs about renting a car in Washington, D.C.
What type of car is recommended for driving in Washington, D.C.?
Fortunately for visitors to D.C. with rental cars, the streets in general are fairly wide and easily accessible for a range of vehicle sizes. However, if you are going to be spending plenty of time downtown, parallel parking will be much easier to find with a smaller vehicle. Some of the smaller streets are easier to navigate in a small-to-midsize vehicle as well.
What’s the speed limit in Washington, D.C.?
Travelers should note that the speed limits in Washington, D.C. tend to be much lower than other American cities. For instance, unless otherwise noted, the maximum speed limit is 25 mph, though many of the larger roads range from 25 mph up to 55 mph. In the immediate area surrounding D.C., the speed limit on highways and freeways is only 55 mph.
Where are the best places to park in Washington, D.C.?
Street parking and garage parking are the two main options available for parkers in Washington, D.C. For garage parking, travelers should keep in mind that many commuters to D.C. make use of the garages so the best locations can fill up fast, especially when an event is taking place nearby.
How much does it cost to rent a car in Washington, D.C.?
On average a rental car in Washington, D.C. costs $56 per day. But prices differ between operators and you can save money through a price comparison of car rental deals from different agencies. The cheapest price for a car rental in Washington, D.C. found in the last 2 weeks is $34.
What is the best rental car company in Washington, D.C.?
Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car rental companies in Washington, D.C. are Enterprise Rent-A-Car (7.6, 68 reviews), Avis (6.5, 101 reviews), and Budget (6.2, 149 reviews).
How much is gas price in Washington, D.C.?
The average gas price in Washington, D.C. is $3.86 per gallon over the past 30 days. Filling up a gas tank costs between $46 and $62, depending on the car size.
What is the most popular rental car in Washington, D.C.?
Compact (Nissan Kicks or similar) is the most frequently booked rental car type in Washington, D.C..
Which car rental companies are at Dulles Intl airport (IAD)?
The only car rental company onsite at Dulles Intl airport is Hertz.
Which car rental companies are at Baltimore/Washington airport (BWI)?
The only car rental company onsite at Baltimore/Washington airport is Hertz.
Which car rental companies are at Reagan-National airport (DCA)?
The only car rental company onsite at Reagan-National airport is Hertz.
How can I find car rentals near me in Washington, D.C.?
Take a look at our extensive car rental location map to find the best rental cars near you.
How much does a Compact car rental cost in Washington, D.C.?
A Compact car rental in Washington, D.C. costs $29 per day, on average.
How much does a Standard car rental cost in Washington, D.C.?
A Standard car rental in Washington, D.C. costs $31 per day, on average.
How much does an Economy car rental cost in Washington, D.C.?
An Economy car rental in Washington, D.C. costs $31 per day, on average.
How much does it cost to rent a car for a week in Washington, D.C.?
On average a rental car in Washington, D.C. costs $408 per week ($58 per day).
How much does it cost to rent a car long term for a month in Washington, D.C.?
On average a rental car in Washington, D.C. costs $1,747 per month ($58 per day).
Should I get insurance when renting a car in Washington, D.C.?
Most car rental providers in Washington, D.C. offer insurance but the level of protection can differ substantially. If you're unsure whether to get extra protection for your car rental in Washington, D.C., check out KAYAK's car rental insurance guide.
How many car agencies are operating in Washington, D.C.?
KAYAK has deals for you to compare from 16 car rental agencies in Washington, D.C..
What do I need to know before booking a car rental in Washington, D.C.?
Finding the right price, understanding the add-ons and staying up to date with policy changes can be a challenge. That’s why KAYAK has produced the ultimate guide to renting a car to help you cut though the jargon and make the right choice for your rental car. Find tips and insights for how to book your rental, what car rental insurance you’ll need, how to deal with a car rental agency and what extra fees to expect (and avoid!).
Why should I use KAYAK to rent a car in Washington, D.C.?
KAYAK searches thousands of car rental agencies to provide you with offers from all car rental agencies operating in Washington, D.C. so that you can compare car rental rates, reviews and pick-up and drop-off locations to find the best deal for you.
How do I navigate with my car rental around Washington DC?
Navigating your cheap car rentals in Washington DC is easy once you’re familiar with the configuration of streets. The street grid starts from the Capitol and runs from north to south and east to west. Those running north to south have numbers, while those east to west have letters. The quadrant naming system, like SW, SE, NW, and NE, are also used.
What is the cancellation policy for car rentals in Washington DC?
Companies like Hertz and Enterprise have a free cancellation policy for any rental cancelled within 48 hours of booking. This gives you flexibility in case your schedule changes. Any cancellations made a few hours before pick-up call for a cancellation fee.
Washington, D.C. car rental reviews and directory
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
7.7
Good
140 reviewsCleanliness
7.9
Comfort
8.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.7
Value for money
7.6
9 locations in Washington, D.C.
Locations in Washington, D.C.
1100 4th St Sw
+1 202 554 8100
1110 14th St Nw
+1 202 393 0900
2505 Wisconsin Ave Nw
+1 202 232 4443
2730 Georgia Ave Nw
+1 202 332 1716
3355 Benning Rd Ne
+1 202 635 1104
3700 10th St Ne
+1 202 635 1104
5013 Georgia Ave Nw
+1 202 451 2148
970 D St Sw
+1 202 554 1681
99 H St Ne
+1 202 715 1912
Filters
Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Feb 2024
2.0 Poor
Jan 2024
8.0 Very good
May 2021
Pros:
Staff was friendly and car was really clean.Cons:
The location is not where it says it is so I had to look around for it. Gotta update the address.8.0 Very good
Jan 2021
Cons:
Instructions for when we return the car. (There was no one present, we never had any proper instruction on how to retrn the car, where to park, leave the keys etc10.0 Wonderful
Dec 2020
Pros:
Great car - thank you! Friendly representatives too!9.2 Wonderful
Oct 2020
Pros:
Easy to pick it up, drop it off,Cons:
The "needs maintenance" announcement always turned on when I started the car - very annoyingAvis
6.5
Okay
171 reviewsCleanliness
7.3
Comfort
7.2
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.4
Value for money
6.8
6 locations in Washington, D.C.
Locations in Washington, D.C.
1072 Wisconsin Ave Nw
+1 202 469 7179
1908 L Street Northwest
+1 202 887 4759
4400 Connecticut Avenue Nw
+1 202 686 5149
5911 Blair Rd Nw
+1 202 722 2680
616 E Street Nw
+1 202 499 1039
99 H Street Ne
+1 202 682 2983
Filters
Reviews
2.0 Poor
Mar 2024
4.0 Mediocre
Feb 2024
2.0 Poor
Oct 2023
10.0 Wonderful
Feb 2021
Cons:
Great service! Friendly staff! Gave me a free upgrade since there was going to be a snow storm and they wanted me to stay safe!10.0 Wonderful
Jan 2021
Pros:
Friendly and efficient staff both in Washington and Queens.Cons:
Nothing.2.0 Poor
Dec 2020
Pros:
I had to wait an hour outside after arriving on time for my pickup. Once I was inside the agent was awful: rude, unaccommodating, eager to stick me with a pickup truck. What is the point of reserving a particular kind of car if I'm just given what's available after the small car I needed and requested is nowhere to be found, nor, as I was told, is a particular kind of car even guaranteed? I drove the SUV I was given as little as possible while I had it because it was nearly impossible to park it in the city.Cons:
Customer service, wait time, availability, respecting the reservation that i had made.Budget
6.2
Okay
344 reviewsCleanliness
6.7
Comfort
6.9
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.1
Value for money
6.4
6 locations in Washington, D.C.
Locations in Washington, D.C.
1072 Wisconsin Ave Nw
+1 202 469 7240
1908 L Street Northwest
+1 202 223 1418
4400 Connecticut Avenue Nw
+1 202 686 2890
5911 Blair Rd Nw
+1 202 882 1470
616 E Street Nw
+1 202 499 1200
99 H Street Ne
+1 202 289 5374
Filters
Reviews
4.0 Mediocre
Oct 2023
2.0 Poor
Oct 2022
8.0 Very good
Sep 2022
4.0 Mediocre
Sep 2022
6.0 Okay
Jan 2021
Pros:
Pick up and drop off was not easy especially drop off. It’s in a mall and I have no idea where is car returns. I haven’t given any directions, all I have is the address. No signs whatsoever about car returns. I have to park in the mall and go around asking people. I found there office inside the mall and the lady said I can park anywhere in the mall. The lady wasn’t friendly. I’m not super happy about the drop off part but the price and car were great.Cons:
Better communication towards pickups and drop off locations and more instructions.2.0 Poor
Jan 2021
Cons:
They didn't have any cars, despite me having (and confirming) a reservation.Hertz
5.5
Fair
717 reviewsCleanliness
6.3
Comfort
6.3
Pick-up/Drop-off
5.3
Value for money
5.6
6 locations in Washington, D.C.
Locations in Washington, D.C.
1 Aviation Circle
+1 703 419 6300
1919 Connecticut Ave Nw
+1 202 299 0697
23540 Autopilot Dr
+1 703 471 6020
707 7th St Nw Cnr Of 7th + G
+1 202 347 8518
99 H Street Ne
+1 202 289 6084
999 9th St Nw
+1 202 842 1541
Filters
Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Apr 2024
2.0 Poor
Apr 2024
2.0 Poor
Apr 2024
4.0 Mediocre
Mar 2024
2.0 Poor
Mar 2024
8.0 Very good
Mar 2024
Alamo
7.8
Good
94 reviewsCleanliness
8.2
Comfort
8.1
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.1
Value for money
7.5
2 locations in Washington, D.C.
Locations in Washington, D.C.
970 D St Sw
+1 888 826 6893
99 H St Ne
+1 202 715 1912
Filters
Reviews
6.0 Okay
Mar 2021
Pros:
Pick up was great. Drop off slow. Car smelled like smoke6.0 Okay
Jan 2021
Pros:
The car drove nicely and didn’t have any critical issues. The originally confirmed price (NOT what we were charged in the end) was wonderful.Cons:
We were hit with a $436.59 ‘’inner city fee’’ despite dropping off where confirmed by our desk agent in Atlanta. At that meeting as well, we waited over two hours as Thrifty, Hertz, and one additional rental company were all required to wait in the same line for two agents. Finally, our windshield wipers did not work on timed settings. During the hours of rain we experienced from Atlanta to New York City, our only option was to hold down the trigger manually.10.0 Wonderful
Nov 2020
Pros:
All good.Cons:
Specific vehicle availability--I requested a SUV but ended up with a minivan.3.6 Poor
Nov 2020
Cons:
We booked the car for 8:30am. We got there, the car was not ready. They tried to give us an upgrade of a V8 for a long trip when I booked an economical car. We then had to wait 45 mins for a car to arrive. It had tire pressure issues. They filled with air and said it was fine. We got down the road 5 mins and a warning light came on. We then had to find another Alamo to switch out the car which took another 40 mins as they had to do the paperwork and clean the car. 11am we were finally in the road for a 12 hour trip This is totally unacceptable10.0 Wonderful
Sep 2020
Pros:
Everything was smooth and easy. Car was very clean.10.0 Wonderful
Aug 2020
Pros:
Incredibly friendly staff, made me feel comfortable and welcome.National
9.1
Wonderful
18 reviewsCleanliness
9.0
Comfort
9.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
9.0
Value for money
8.5
3 locations in Washington, D.C.
Locations in Washington, D.C.
50 Massachusetts Ave Ne
+1 888 826 6890
970 D St Sw
+1 202 554 1681
99 H St Ne
+1 202 715 1912
Filters
Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Jan 2020
Pros:
Tia was really helpful and easy going.Cons:
Nothing, again, Tia was fabulous6.4 Okay
Nov 2018
Pros:
Manager at airport location was able to accommodate our reservationCons:
We were called a week in advance that our pick up location inDC would be closed that we needed to go to union station to pick up rental. However, after getting an Uber to union station, that office was closed too. Then we had to get another Uber to the Ronald Reagan airport. So more Uber drives. Very late start to our drive to Virginia.10.0 Wonderful
Oct 2016
Pros:
I booked at a place that was off the airport and they worked with me to get the car at the airport. Very nice and professional people.10.0 Wonderful
Sep 2016
Pros:
Great service, great truck9.2 Wonderful
Sep 2016
Pros:
I ordered a pickup truck and actually was given my choice of the ones they had on site, not just the one selected for me. Staff was friendly, courtesy and very helpful.Cons:
National does not pick up or drop off customers before or after rental, so you are responsible for arriving here and getting back on your own accord.9.2 Wonderful
Jul 2016
Pros:
Front desk staff was really nice and pleasant.Cons:
I didn't enjoy the car I drove. But that isn't the fault of Kayak.Thrifty
6.8
Okay
1 reviewCleanliness
7.2
Comfort
7.1
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.4
Value for money
6.5
One location in Washington, D.C.
Locations in Washington, D.C.
707 7th Street Northwest
+1 202 347 8518
Filters
Reviews
2.0 Poor
Oct 2022
Dollar
3.0
Poor
6 reviewsCleanliness
3.7
Comfort
3.4
Pick-up/Drop-off
3.0
Value for money
3.7
2 locations in Washington, D.C.
Locations in Washington, D.C.
1919 Connecticut Avenue Nw
+1 202 299 0697
99 H Street Northeast
+1 202 289 6084
Filters
Reviews
4.0 Mediocre
Apr 2024
2.0 Poor
Jun 2023
2.0 Poor
May 2023
2.0 Poor
May 2023
2.0 Poor
May 2023
Kyte
8.7
Very good
No reviews available
2 locations in Washington, D.C.
Locations in Washington, D.C.
Filters
No reviews available
Easirent
4.6
Mediocre
No reviews available
One location in Washington, D.C.
Locations in Washington, D.C.
Filters
No reviews available
Elita Rent A Car
4.0
Mediocre
No reviews available
2 locations in Washington, D.C.
Locations in Washington, D.C.
Washington Airport Ronald Reagan National DCA
+1 703 838 1666
Washington Dulles Intl Airport IAD
+1 703 661 6387
Filters
No reviews available
keddy by Europcar
6.3
Okay
No reviews available
One location in Washington, D.C.
Locations in Washington, D.C.
2600 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Washington Reagan Airport
+1 703 838 1666
Filters
No reviews available
12 locations in Washington, D.C.
Locations in Washington, D.C.
100, M Street SE, Suite 525
+1 201 555 5555
50, Massachusetts Ave. NE
+1 818 966 3327
705, G street Southwest
+1 844 543 7332
Filters
No reviews available
2 locations in Washington, D.C.
Locations in Washington, D.C.
Filters
No reviews available
One location in Washington, D.C.
Locations in Washington, D.C.
2600 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Arlington
+1 703 838 1666
Filters
No reviews available
One location in Washington, D.C.
Locations in Washington, D.C.
Filters
No reviews available
Car rental locations in or near Washington, D.C.
When to book a rental car in Washington, D.C.
Airports serving Washington, D.C.
Popular rental types in Washington, D.C.
- Van Rentals in Washington, D.C.
- Luxury Car Rentals in Washington, D.C.
- SUV Rentals in Washington, D.C.
- Convertible Car Rentals in Washington, D.C.
- Cargo Van Rentals in Washington, D.C.
- 6 Passenger Van Rentals in Washington, D.C.
- 7 Passenger Van Rentals in Washington, D.C.
- 8 Passenger Van Rentals in Washington, D.C.
- 9 Passenger Van Rentals in Washington, D.C.
- 10 Passenger Van Rentals in Washington, D.C.
- 12 Passenger Van Rentals in Washington, D.C.
- 15 Passenger Van Rentals in Washington, D.C.
Transport stations in Washington, D.C.
Neighborhoods in Washington, D.C.
- Car rentals in Downtown, Washington, D.C.
- Car rentals in Georgetown, Washington, D.C.
- Car rentals in Mount Vernon Square, Washington, D.C.
- Car rentals in NoMa, Washington, D.C.
- Car rentals in Penn Quarter, Washington, D.C.
- Car rentals in Petworth, Washington, D.C.
- Car rentals in Southwest Waterfront, Washington, D.C.
- Car rentals in Woodley Park, Washington, D.C.
Popular car brands to rent in Washington, D.C.
- Audi car rentals in Washington, D.C.
- BMW car rentals in Washington, D.C.
- Chevrolet car rentals in Washington, D.C.
- Chrysler car rentals in Washington, D.C.
- Ford car rentals in Washington, D.C.
- Honda car rentals in Washington, D.C.
- Hyundai car rentals in Washington, D.C.
- Jaguar car rentals in Washington, D.C.
- Jeep car rentals in Washington, D.C.
- Kia car rentals in Washington, D.C.
- Land Rover car rentals in Washington, D.C.
- Lexus car rentals in Washington, D.C.
- Mercedes-Benz car rentals in Washington, D.C.
- Mini car rentals in Washington, D.C.
- Nissan car rentals in Washington, D.C.
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- Subaru car rentals in Washington, D.C.
- Tesla car rentals in Washington, D.C.
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- Volkswagen car rentals in Washington, D.C.