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Car Rental in the United States

From Miami to Seattle, the United States offers hundreds of road trip routes and thousands of rental locations. Compare total prices with no hidden fees and collect your car at the airport of your choice.

Cities

Cities: United States

All cities with built-in car search. Each page has a ready search, prices by class and rental terms.

Terms

Rental terms in United States

The basic rules of most rental providers in the country. Exact terms of a specific offer are shown in the city search before payment.

  • Driver age — from 21 years.
  • Driving experience — from 1 years.
  • Drivers under 25 pay a young-driver surcharge.
  • Fuel policy: “full-to-full”.
  • Cross-border travel to CA — by prior arrangement at booking.
  • Basic insurance (CDW/TP) is included in the price.
  • A Full CDW package reduces the excess to zero.
  • No-deposit rentals are often available.
  • National driving licence.
  • Driver’s passport.
  • International Driving Permit (IDP) — if your licence is not in Latin script.
  • A bank card in the driver’s name for the deposit.
On the road

Driving rules in United States

A driver’s guide for the country — common traveler questions: currency, fuel, speed limits, toll roads.

Driver’s guide — United States
Currency US Dollar (USD)
Speed limits 40 city · 88 rural · 105 expressway · 120 motorway (km/h)
Blood alcohol limit up to 0.8 ‰
Daytime headlights not required
Vignette (toll roads) not required

Traffic rules: United States

  • Drive on the right. Road signs and markings follow the American MUTCD standard.
  • Speed limits: around 40 km/h (25 mph) in residential areas and school zones, 88–105 km/h (55–65 mph) on rural highways, and up to 120–137 km/h (75–85 mph) on Interstate highways. Speed limits are determined by each state, so always follow posted signs.
  • Daytime headlights are not required under federal law. Use headlights in rain, fog, and poor visibility.
  • The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.08%; in Utah it is 0.05%. Drivers under 21 are subject to a zero-tolerance policy in every state.
  • Seat belts are mandatory for all occupants.
  • Hand-held mobile phone use while driving is prohibited in most states. Check local state regulations.
  • When a school bus stops with flashing red lights, all vehicles in both directions must stop unless the roadway is divided by a physical barrier.
  • Right turns on red are generally allowed unless prohibited by signs. They are banned in New York City and some other jurisdictions.
  • There is no vignette system. Toll roads operate across the country using regional systems such as E-ZPass, SunPass, and FasTrak. Rental companies usually offer toll transponders for a daily fee. Otherwise, tolls are paid in cash where available or billed to the rental vehicle’s licence plate with an additional administration fee.
  • There is no federal requirement for winter tyres. In mountain areas of Colorado, Washington, Montana, and several other states, snow chains or M+S tyres may be required in winter, as indicated by road signs.
Questions

Frequently asked questions about car rental in United States

License, deposit, border crossing, driver age and toll roads.

Do I need an International Driving Permit to rent a car in the United States?

In most cases, no. Most rental companies accept a valid foreign driving licence. However, if your licence is not in English, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is strongly recommended, as it may simplify roadside checks and accident procedures.

What is the minimum age for renting a car?

Most rental companies rent vehicles from the age of 21. Drivers aged 21–24 usually pay a young driver fee of approximately USD 25–35 per day. The surcharge is generally removed at age 25.

Is a security deposit required, and are debit cards accepted?

A security deposit of approximately USD 200–500 is usually blocked on the driver’s credit card. Most major rental companies such as Enterprise, Hertz, and Avis either do not accept debit cards or require additional verification.

Can I drive to Canada or Mexico?

Many rental companies allow travel to Canada if arranged during booking. Travel to Mexico is generally prohibited because insurance coverage usually does not extend beyond the US border.

How do toll roads work?

The United States has several regional toll systems, including E-ZPass in the East, SunPass in Florida, and FasTrak in the West. Rental companies usually provide a toll transponder for an additional daily fee. If you do not use one, tolls are billed through the vehicle registration and administrative fees may apply.

What insurance is included?

Basic Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) or Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) limits your financial responsibility for vehicle damage. Full coverage with zero excess is usually available. Some premium credit cards also include rental car insurance—check your card benefits before travelling.

What is the fuel policy?

The standard policy is full-to-full. Prepaid fuel is often available but is usually more expensive than refuelling yourself.

When should I book?

During major holidays such as Thanksgiving, Independence Day, Christmas, and throughout the summer in popular destinations like Florida, Hawaii, and California, rental cars sell out quickly. Book at least 2–4 weeks in advance, or even earlier for peak travel dates.

Nearby

Similar destinations

Neighboring and kindred countries of the Balkans and the Caucasus with built-in car search.

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