The cost to rent a car varies widely depending on factors such as location, car type, rental duration, and time of booking. Here are the key details for car rental costs in the United States as of 2025:
- Average daily cost for economy-class cars: Between $49 and $78 per day
- Average weekly cost for economy-class cars: Between $343 and $546 per week
- Cost by car type (daily average at Newark Airport):
- Economy: ~$51
- Compact: ~$52
- Midsize: ~$52
- Standard: ~$54
- Full-size: ~$54
- Compact SUV: ~$54
- Full-size SUV: ~$88
- Minivan: ~$229
- Luxury cars: ~$74 to $150+ per day
- Location impact: Renting at airports tends to be about 40% more expensive than downtown locations due to convenience fees and higher demand
- Popular city rates (economy car daily average):
- Atlanta: $63
- Boston: $58
- Chicago: $58
- Denver: $69
- Las Vegas: $80
- Los Angeles: $89
- New York City: $53
- Orlando: $64
- Seattle: $70
- Tampa: $55
- Booking timing: Booking well in advance generally secures better rates; prices can be higher during peak travel seasons or holidays
- Additional fees: Taxes, insurance, extra drivers, and add-ons can increase the total cost significantly
In summary, for a typical economy car rental in the U.S., expect to pay roughly $50 to $80 per day, with prices increasing for larger or luxury vehicles and airport rentals. Weekly rentals average around $350 to $550, with location and timing playing major roles in price variation
