Renting A Car In Los Angeles: Everything You Need To Know (2026)

Renting a car in Los Angeles, California? You’re in the right place!

I’ve rented a car in Los Angeles – and not just any car, a red Mustang convertible (until the second part of my trip, when I switched to a Sedan – but more on that later)!

Unless you’re driving your own vehicle or borrowing one, renting a car is a must in California in general, including LA. Los Angeles is a sprawling city that you can’t fully explore without a vehicle!

I have tips to share from my own experience including where to rent a car, the best way to rent a car, driving tips, insurance tips, parking tips, common scams to look out for and much more to help you prepare!

I highly recommend renting a car in Los Angeles for multiple reasons, which I’ll cover later in this post as well!

👉 Renting A Car In Los Angeles: What To Do Right Away & More Driving Tips for LA & California

👉 When You Get Your Rental Car in Los Angeles

Here are the steps to know once you arrive at the airport or other car rental place:

• First, get to the correct car rental company. There are different locations around LAX for each company, so you’ll need to get the correct (FREE) shuttle from the airport. I recommend asking an airport employee for help (it can be confusing to find the right one, speaking from experience).

👉 Tips from my experience for LAX car rental free shuttles:

I flew into LAX with friends for a friends’ bachelorette party. The bride-to-be and I had each rented a car so we would have enough space for everyone (I extended my trip afterwards, which is why I rented the other one). We each rented from different companies. It took us a bit to realize we had to take separate shuttles, because they don’t all go to all the rental places!

Second thing: We had all stopped at Starbucks to get drinks right before the shuttle. The others got on their shuttle with no issue, but my group got a bus driver who told us we couldn’t board with our drinks! We had to wait for the next shuttle so we could drink them.

👉 Quick Tips for the LAX shuttle:

• LAX Address: 6151 W. Century Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90045

• Advantage, Alamo, Dollar, Fox, National, Sixt and Thrifty each have their own shuttles to take you to their agencies to pick up your car.

• All other rental car companies pick up passengers from the Remote Rental Depot. Here’s how to get to the Remote Rental Depot:

• Option 1: Find to the lower level inner curb under the pink sign that says: “LAX shuttles”. Look for the Blue “Economy Lot E” Shuttle. Take that shuttle and inform the driver you would like to go to the remote rental car depot. When you arrive at the rental car depot, you will be met by the white Midway car rental shuttle van and you will be driven to the office.

• Option 2: You can use Uber or Lyft or a Taxi from LAX to get to the rental office near the airport. The Shuttle for the shared ride area is called LAX-it.

• Drop-off instructions: To return the vehicle, you’ll need to return it to the office located at 6151 W. Century Blvd, and transportation will be provided back to LAX.

👉 What to do when you rent your car in LA: Step-by-Step Guide

You’ll need:

• Your (the driver and any add-on drivers) driver’s license(s)

• An International Driver’s License if your drivers’ license is from outside of the US (You can get one here for around $30, and there’s an urgent option that takes just around 15 minutes)

• A credit card for them to place the hold

• Your Passport if you’re from outside of the US

• Your email with the Voucher about your booking (Can be printed or your e-Voucher from the confirmation email or the My Booking section)

• Get the number of the car rental place in case you need to call them.

• At the car, check for scratches and any dings or damage of any kind, no matter how small (outside and inside) and take photos on your phone (to avoid possible charges upon return).

• Make sure everything is working (especially the AC if it’s summer and heat in winter)!

• Check to make sure your smartphone is connected and you understand the audio.

• Record the fuel level before you drive – this is the level you’ll want to return it with. If it’s not full, ask the rental people to make sure they don’t want to fill it up first (If you chose full-to-full on your car rental reservation, make sure they fill it up).

• If you end up adding to the length of your trip and need to rent another car, make sure to rent one from the same rental place before your first rental expires if possible, to avoid any added fees. You can upgrade your rental to a “drop-off” pickup from the same company (i.e., Hertz or Sixt).

🚗 My experience renting a car and changing cars mid-trip in LA

The first car I got at the rental place was a white Mustang convertible. I started the car and sat there to look into my car rental agreement (as mentioned earlier).

I had two friends with me, who were getting hot and impatient. I asked the one sitting in the front with me to turn on the AC – and it didn’t seem to be working. In this whole process, I actually turned off and re-started the car – and it wouldn’t start!

👉 First Lesson from my experience: Always make sure the car doesn’t have any issues. Make sure to turn off and re-start the car, feel free to try the convertible top a couple times, and try the AC. I also recommend connecting your phone for the GPS and playing around to make sure the volume works and you know how to use everything!

So, I got an upgrade in my opinion, to a RED convertible Mustang!

👉 Now for the story I mentioned earlier, that might be helpful if you decide to switch to a different car mid-trip!

The first part of my California trip was the bachelorette. Because I’d never been to California, I decided to do a road trip afterwards. Since CA is so expensive, when some of my friends wanted to come, I said, the more the merrier (plus, I planned and put all the charges on my Chase Sapphire Preferred Travel Credit Card and had them all pay me back their parts on Venmo, meaning I got so many extra points for future free flights)!

Because we were going to just have the one car for four of us for the trip extension, we needed a car that would be more comfortable with the top up, since it was getting cooler outside.

So, I switched to a Sedan for the second part of the trip. We went to the rental car place mentioned earlier where you can drop off cars before going back to the airport to make the switch. We got a brand-new car (literally on 0 miles) and didn’t have to pay for the gas, which we had forgotten to fill up, since we were switching!

(Disclaimer: this is my experience, and may vary depending on the car rental company you choose!)

👉 Toll Roads In Los Angeles

I had a surprise charge after my trip, which was too minor to suddenly contact everyone to split with me. It was from a toll road that the rental car registered, and I didn’t know about.

The best way to avoid this is to pay attention to which roads are toll roads, so you can budget for them!

👉 Parking In Los Angeles

Parking in LA can get expensive, but there are areas with free short-term parking. They have green curbs, and they’re free for 15-30 minute parking (depending on the posted signs nearby) between 8am-6pm Mon-Sat. Outside of those hours, they’re free without a time limit.

🚙 Read more free parking information for LA here.

🚙 Read the official government information for all kinds of LA parking here.

👉 Getting Gas in Los Angeles and California

Gas in LA and California, in general, is self-serve – so just find a station and fill it up!

Tip: I use the Shell app to get discounts and pay with my phone at Shell Gas Stations!

For getting gas near LAX, avoid the ARCO station on the corner of W Arbor Vitae St and Aviation Blvd (they charge higher prices generally).

👉 Rush Hour in Los Angeles

You’ve probably heard about the legendary traffic in LA – and it is, in fact, a thing. LA has the most packed rush hour traffic from 7-9am and 3-7pm on weekdays!

⚠️ Common Scams to Avoid when Renting A Car In Los Angeles

Scam 1: Avoid Hidden Costs and Fees

You may end up with a more expensive car (which is why I made sure the convertible didn’t cost extra – I had booked that style of car, but not a convertible – they just offered me one, so I double-checked the price).

You might also be asked to buy additional insurance – if you’ve chosen Full Coverage, you don’t need to pay extra for this.

Using a rental car aggregate also ensures you don’t get surprise fees, taxes or other charges after your car rental.

Scam 2: Toll Road Scams

Some of the car rental companies will try to charge you for toll roads you didn’t drive on – another reason to pay attention when you’re driving to which roads are tolls, and write them down (did I get scammed? I don’t think so, because it was one small charge – like $4-7. Still, next time I drive in California, I will keep track for sure)!

Scam 3: Damage Waiver Scams

If you get a damage waiver, these can vary depending on the car rental company you use. Check to see what’s covered in advance.

👉 Renting A Car In Los Angeles: Book online in advance

The first thing to know before renting your LA car is getting a good deal for the car you want, which means booking in advance with a reputable car rental company!

It’s especially important to book your rental car in advance if you’ll be traveling during the holidays, or during peak travel season (which is late May to the early September). During these times, rental cars can completely sell out.

Renting in advance is safe when you have free cancellation – you only pay part of the fee pick up the car, which can be returned upon cancellation as long as it’s up to 48 hours in advance, so there’s literally no downside to booking as early as possible to secure your car!

You’ll also avoid waiting in long lines, getting stuck with a car or prices you don’t want, and more issues by renting early.

Where to rent a car in Los Angeles depends on your arrival location and travel plans:

• If you’re flying, LAX airport is a great option if you want a car right away. There’s a free shuttle from the airport, so you won’t have to pay extra to get to the rental area. This is what I did when I rented my car – I recommend asking for help if you need it to find the correct shuttle area!

• Lastly, if you’re not flying into LAX, there are locations throughout the city that might be less crowded than the airport. You can find these by searching on this page!

Note: Aggregate search services check all the rental car companies in LA at once to find you the best deals overall, so you can get the best prices from the best companies available.

This type of service helps you as well as the car rental companies, so it’s a win-win! It’s easy to book, and as long as you’re 25 or over, you’re good to go. If you have a driver’s license and are younger than 25 (you have to be 21 or over to rent a car in Los Angeles), check to see if the rental company charges a fee before booking.

Renting a car in Los Angeles

Here is what to do and know about when renting a car in California:

👉 Los Angeles Rental Cars: Always Get Full Coverage Insurance

The reasons to always get Full Coverage when you rent a car in LA are (these details apply to Discover Cars rentals):

• It’s a reasonable price, at around $17-$18 a day

• Full coverage will refund you up to US $3300 for any damages, or if your car is stolen (you can also choose a car with $0 deductible, as mentioned earlier)

• It covers: Deductible/excess charge for damage or theft; Repair costs, including windows, mirrors, wheels; Towing and taxi expenses; Lost keys or lockout fees; and Administrative charges

• There are great customer reviews of people getting easy and fast refunds for any issues

• You can cancel Full Coverage before your rental (not after) by contacting DC (if you change your mind)

👉 Here’s how to rent your vehicle in Los Angeles with Discover Cars:

The first reason this is my car rental aggregate of choice is because they have the cheapest prices with no hidden fees, plus they’re the most trusted rental car aggregate that I’ve found!

The second reason they are my top pick for Los Angeles car rentals is because they offer FREE cancellation up to 48 hours before your rental reservation start date.

• You’ll need to check that the car rental company you’re booking is reputable!  Enterprise, Hertz, Avis, Sixt, Budget and Thrifty are some of the big-name rental cars that are in LA that generally are trustworthy (be sure to check for your exact rental car location, because they’re all franchises).

• I recommend booking from locations with no less than 7 out of 10 on their customer ratings.

• Go to the Los Angeles homepage here. Then, input your dates and times for car pick up and drop off, plus the exact location (I chose LAX, but you can change this if needed). I recommend renting your car at least a month in advance, if possible – 2 weeks is even better than waiting until the last minute! (Note: the results I’m showing are from a month out from when I searched, so prices shown reflect that).

• Click on search and wait for the results to populate. Here’s what it will look like once it populates:

• Once you have the results, you can use the left sidebar to filter the results for your own preferences – things like type of car, cost, passenger capacity, supplier rating (which I recommend) & more!

• They also have options in the search results that include $0 deductible:

• Once you’ve chosen your vehicle, click the view button:

• The next screen has a place for your name, title, phone number, date of birth, country information – as well as adding on extras and insurance – and more extras, but it doesn’t yet ask for payment information. You’ll also get to see mileage and some insurance that is included:

• Check to include the rental car damage protection (around $17-$18 per day), which I recommend (I’ll explain the next section).

• After you check the option to add insurance, you’ll enter your driver details and then click “Book Now” to be taken to the payment screen:

• You’ll then be taken to the secure booking screen where you’ll need to enter your information, including payment info (but your payment won’t be due until rental), to complete your car rental booking, plus check more details. You’ll need to click “Book now” on this page as well to complete your booking.

• You’ll then get a confirmation email with all your details. Be sure to keep it!

Begin booking your LA Car Rental Now ▶️

👉 Rent A Car In LA: Full Coverage Insurance, Explained

Here are more in-depth details about what the Full Coverage covers in LA:

What’s covered:

• Refundable theft deductible
• Bodywork and roof
• Windshield and windows
• Mirrors
• Wheels and tires
• Undercarriage
• Lost keys or lockout fees
• Taxi expenses
• Towing expenses
• Administrative charges
• Fees for supplier’s loss of use during repair.

What’s not covered:

• Damages that occurred while not complying with the terms of your rental agreement
• Damages resulting from unforeseeable or uncontrollable events
• Cleaning costs or damage to the car’s interior
• Third-party damages

My personal experience getting full coverage:

I had originally opted for other insurance, but when I arrived and picked up my car, I ended up adding Full Coverage because I didn’t want anything to be left off (I even called to double check with the insurance I had chosen to be sure). The peace of mind I had with full insurance was well worth it!

My advice: If you’re the driver, it’s always your decision, and your decision alone if you want to go with Full Coverage, because if anything happens, you’ll be responsible – not anyone else who might be with you!

Don’t just take my word for it – There are a lot of amazing reviews of the Full Coverage insurance, like this one:

🌟 Check out this 5-star review by NB:
“During the rental, the car was spotted by a small rock and the frontal glass was damaged. Fortunately, I had contracted Full Coverage. One day after I claimed DiscoverCars, the refund was approved. Very simple, fast and effective service!”

More things to know about Full Coverage:

• If you need to extend your rental, you must contact DC if you plan to extend so that Full Coverage will, in fact, be extended. If you extend your rental past the date your Full Coverage ends, damages and fees incurred might not be covered.

• “To cancel Full Coverage, please contact Discover Cars. It can not be canceled after your rental’s pick-up time.” (from DC)

You can cancel bookings by going to this page.

• “When picking up your rental car, you will be required to leave a deposit. Usually, this is a hold on your credit card (in some cases, it may be charged). Full Coverage does not affect the standard deposit requirements; you will still have to leave a deposit. In the event you are charged for damages or other covered fees, the charges will be taken from your deposit. But after you file for compensation, you will be quickly reimbursed.” (from DC)

👉 Why I recommend using a Credit Card only for your deposit

With a credit card, the deposit is either held via your credit card without being charged, or is possibly charged to your credit card; this does not take any money out of your bank account unless you pay off the charge, so your money is safe and you can use your money towards your trip without having to move things around in your bank account.

If, for some unlikely reason, there’s a problem, you can dispute the charge through your credit card company, which makes your life easier.

With a debit card, the money is taken directly from your bank account, and that can cause you to be low on travel funds, or to have to move your money around. It’s not as safe, and can be more of a hassle.

The last major reason I recommend using a credit card is because if you pay it off in full every month (disclaimer: I know not everyone can do this, so do what’s best for you), you can get the points to use towards free travel, including flights, cars, hotels and more, all from the purchases you normally make anyway!

I recommend the Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card, which is what I use, because:

• You don’t have to worry about foreign transaction fees when you travel abroad (there aren’t any)
• You don’t have to inform Chase before you travel
• You get points from regular purchases which gets you free or very discounted flights, hotels, airport meals and more (depending on your points)
• They have a beginning point bonus (with required spending in the first few months) to give you a major head start!

👉 LA Car Rentals: At the Counter

Once you’re at the counter of the rental car place in Los Angeles, they will try to get you to add more insurance. It’s best to already have it to lock in the best price (by checking the option when booking your rental, as described earlier). At the counter, just let them know you’re already covered (and show written proof if you’re using your credit card or travel insurance).

They will place a hold on your credit card for a deposit (which is why you’ll need one with you even if you’ve pre-booked everything), which will be returned in full when you return the car free of damage.

If there is damage to the rental car upon its return, they will take it out of your deposit, and then you’ll need to make a claim.

👉How to make a claim

You can make a claim if you have any issues that need compensation by sending and application, and they’ll review and approve it within 48 hours on average.

Take the following steps to file a claim:

• Go to the My Booking page

• Click the button in the Full Coverage

• Upload documents within 28 days of dropping off the car: rental agreement you signed (you can request a copy if you don’t have this); rental company assessment of the condition of the rental at pickup and return; the invoice from the rental company for any damage or fees; statement or receipts of payment for these charges; your bank account details or PayPal address; a detailed account of the incident with photos and videos if you have them; and a written police report if there is one.

👉 Renting A Car In Los Angeles: FAQs

👉 How much does it cost to rent a car in Los Angeles?

The cost of car rentals in LA depends on the time of year, how far you book in advance, how long you’re renting a car, and more factors. Generally, you can expect to pay $30-over $100 per day for all fees included in LA.

The cheapest month to rent a car in LA is January (average price is around $1), and the most expensive month is October (average price is around $92).

👉 What is the most popular rental car in Los Angeles?

The most popular rental ar companies in LA are Dollar, Alamo, GreenMotion, Elita Rent-A-Car and Enterprise.

The most popular car types in LA are small, medium, large and SUVs.

👉 Is it advisable to rent a car in Los Angeles?

Yes, renting a car in LA will make your trip easier, especially if you want to sightsee! It’s easier than relying on public transportation, it’s also safer if you plan to be out late.

👉 Is it cheaper to rent a car or use Uber or Lyft in LA?

It depends on your schedule, and how far in advance you rent a car (plus time of year and more factors). It also depends on if you split the cost with others and how many people are on your trip (example, getting an SUV vs multiple Ubers).

Renting a car in LA can cost as little as $30/day, and if you rent for a longer period of time, you may get a discount. Of course, you’ll need to add in fuel and possible toll costs. You can also go further with a rental car (like if you want to visit a National Park).

With Uber or Lyft, if you’re not getting out all day or too much, it can be cheaper. I recommend researching in advance and booking your rental car well in advance to get the cheapest rates!

👉 How do tourists get around LA (& how do you get around LA without a rental car)?

Renting a car is the best way to get around LA that I recommend. It provides the most freedom, and if you book well in advance and do your research, it can be cheaper!

If you’re not going to be sightseeing all day, you can use Uber and Lyft to get some places (I do recommend this if you plan on drinking)!

The Los Angeles Metro is cheap and easy to use, and includes Metro Buses, DASH Buses, and Metro Rail Trains. You can get a TAP Card, which is refillable, at machines in the bus or subway stations. I recommend using the MTA’s Trip Planner tool to see travel time estimates and routes.

If you’re looking to use a taxi, you can’t just hail a cab in LA (it’s not easy). You’ll need to call a taxi company, or use the app “Curb” to schedule one. The taxis in LA use meters, so I don’t recommend this option unless you can’t use any of the others!

👉 Is LA a walkable city?

Parts of LA are walkable, but the entire city is not walkable in the way places like New York City are walkable. Downtown LA and certain neighborhoods are walkable, but you’ll need transportation to get there (and be careful, because cars aren’t the most pedestrian-friendly).

👉 Why is it so expensive to rent a car in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles car rentals are more expensive because the CA Travel & Tourism Commission requires car rental companies to pay monthly fees.

👉 Can I rent a car in California and drive to another state?

You can book one-way rentals to another state from California, but make sure to check for added fees, which most companies will charge. The best way to try to avoid the fees is to choose popular routes, and the company might waive the fee (this also depends on when you rent the car).

The most popular one-way rentals from LA are:

• Las Vegas, NV
• San Francisco, CA
• Bakersfield, CA
• San Diego, CA
• NYC
• Phoenix, AZ
• Portland, OR Airport

👉 More Quick Tips for Visiting Los Angeles, California

Major LA highways include:

• From the North: I-5 or US 101 (also known as the Hollywood Freeway)
• From the East: I-10 (continues downtown to the beach)
• Fro the South: I-5 N (if you’re going to the beach, merge onto I-405)

Where to find cheap flights for California

👉 For flights, WayAway is a flight aggregator that helps you find the cheapest flights. Use the code MUKI-TRAVELS for 10% off WayAway Plus.

👉 Find more tips on things like travel insurance, what to pack, and more on my travel resources page.

👉 All In All: Renting A Car In Los Angeles, California

I hope this guide helps you plan your car rental and more details for Los Angeles, CA! Quick disclaimer: I can’t know what your experience will be like with Discover Cars, and I can’t guarantee anything (because I’m not them)!

Book your Los Angeles Rental Car Now ▶️

👉 Keep Planning Your LA & Southern California Road Trip

I did the research so you don’t have to – here are the best things to do (many of which are from my own personal experience on my Southern California road trip), and the top-rated places to stay for each budget throughout Southern California, including Los Angeles!

Map of Things To See & Do In LA & SoCal

Where to Stay in LA On Any Budget

Here are the top-rated hotels in LA for every budget – just click the links to learn more!

✅ Budget Option: Millennium Biltmore Hotel

😴 Check Availability at the Historic Millennium Biltmore Hotel Here

✅ Mid-Tier Option: Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel

😴 Check Availability at The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel Here

✅ Luxury Option: Loews Hollywood Hotel

😴 Check Availability at the Loews Hollywood Hotel Here

Where To Stay In Beverly Hills On Any Budget

Here are the top-rated hotels in Beverly Hills for every budget – just click the links to learn more!

✅ Budget Option: Maison 140 Beverly Hills

😴 Check Availability at Maison 140 Beverly Hills Here

✅ Mid-Tier Option: SIXTY Beverly Hills

😴 Check Availability at the SIXTY Beverly Hills Here

✅ Luxury Option: The Beverly Hills Hotel

😴 Check Availability at The Beverly Hills Hotel Here

Where To Stay In Santa Barbara On Any Budget

Here are the top-rated hotels in Santa Barbara for every budget – just click the links to learn more!

✅ Budget Option: Agave Inn Santa Barbara

😴 Check Availability at the Agave Inn Santa Barbara Here

✅ Mid-Tier Option: The Eagle Inn Santa Barbara

😴 Check Availability at The Eagle Inn Santa Barbara Here

✅ Luxury Option: The Hotel Californian Santa Barbara

😴 Check Availability at The Hotel Californian Santa Barbara Here

Where To Stay In Rancho Palos Verdes On Any Budget

Here are the top-rated hotels in Rancho Palos Verdes for every budget – just click the links to learn more!

✅ Budget Option: The Driftwood Motel

😴 Check Availability at the Driftwood Motel Here

✅ Mid-Tier Option: The Ximena Sayulita Hotel Boutique

😴 Check Availability at the Ximena Sayulita Hotel Boutique Here

✅ Luxury Option: The Portofino Hotel & Marina

😴 Check Availability at The Portofino Hotel & Marina Here

Where To Stay In San Juan Capistrano On Any Budget

Here are the top-rated hotels in San Juan Capistrano for every budget – just click the links to learn more!

✅ Budget Option: The Hampton Inn & Suites Mission Viejo

😴 Check Availability at the Hampton Inn & Suites Mission Viejo Here

✅ Mid-Tier Option: The Beachfront Inn & Suites at Dana Point or Mission San Juan Capistrano, Autograph Collection

Two choices here, one beachfront and one at the historic Mission:

😴 Check Availability at The Beachfront Inn & Suites at Dana Point Here

😴 Check Availability at the Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano, Autograph Collection Here

✅ Luxury Option: Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa

😴 Check Availability at Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa Here

Where To Stay In San Diego On Any Budget

Here are the top-rated hotels in San Diego for every budget – just click the links to learn more!

✅ Budget Option: The Surestay Hotel by Best Western

😴 Check Availability at the Surestay Hotel by Best Western Here

✅ Mid-Tier Option: The Intercontinental San Diego

😴 Check Availability at The Intercontinental San Diego Here

✅ Luxury Option: Paradise Point Resort & Spa

😴 Check Availability at Paradise Point Resort & Spa Here

For more California guides, check out:
📸 This Guide to San Jose photography spots
📸 Guide to the best Sacramento photography spots
📸 Guide to the best Lake Tahoe photography spots
📸 The Best Cameras For Surf Photography For Every Skill Level
📸 Jaw-Dropping Joshua Tree: 10+ Must-See Photos That’ll Transport You!

For more Western US photography guides, check out:
📸 Guide to the best photo spots in Salt Lake City
📸 Guide to the best photo spots in Portland, OR
📸 Guide to the best photo spots in Phoenix, AZ