Cheap car rentals in Milwaukee
| Mini |
| Economy |
| Compact |
| Intermediate |
| Standard |
| Full-size |
| Luxury |
| People mover |
| Passenger van |
| SUV |
| Commercial |
| Pick-up truck |
Top tips for hiring a car in Milwaukee
- The city of Milwaukee, nestled on the edge of Lake Michigan, is the perfect place to rent a car, as it is easy to navigate with its wide roads and sparse traffic. Avoid the discomfort of public transportation by renting a car, which you can drive all over the city while visiting its famous sights, including the Miller Brewery, or Miller Park, home of the Milwaukee Brewers. A hire car is also a great option for those looking to explore other areas around Lake Michigan, or even cross the state border for a day trip to Chicago, which is only 90 miles south of Milwaukee.
- All the major car hire agencies can be found at General Mitchell International Airport (MKE), located just six miles south of downtown Milwaukee. The car hire counters are situated on the first floor of the main airport parking garage, right next to the baggage claim area. Most companies are open from early in the morning (6-7 a.m.) until late in the evening (11 p.m. to 12 a.m.).
- Driving in Milwaukee is fairly easy, as the city features wide, uncongested roads, and a good highway infrastructure system. Drivers should know numbered streets run from north to south, while named streets run from east to west. Turning right on a red signal is usually allowed unless a sign states otherwise. While it's best to drive around in the summer months, those wishing to avoid big crowds should know that the summer season sees plenty of lakeside festivals.
- Milwaukee traffic generally flows nicely throughout the day, with the city having one of the shortest commute times in the country, but congestion can still happen during rush hours. Avoid driving during peak times; traffic headed into the city gets worse between 7 and 8:30 a.m., and then again between 4 to 5:30 p.m. as people leave the downtown area. The main congestion points are the Marquette Interchange, the Stadium Interchange, and the Zoo Interchange.
- Book your rental car in Milwaukee at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
- Intermediate rental cars in Milwaukee are around -70% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in Milwaukee
What type of car is recommended for driving in Milwaukee?
Single travelers who don't require much space for passengers and luggage and are visiting in the summer should opt for a small convertible to enjoy the Lake Michigan views and the nice weather. Families embarking on a road trip across the area might prefer a small van or a sedan, which will give everyone plenty of space and comfort.
What’s the speed limit in Milwaukee?
The speed limit is usually 25 miles per hour in the city (with the exception of certain residential areas that demand a lower limit, in which case the speed limit signs will be posted), 35 mph in city limits or uncongested towns, 45 mph on rustic roads, and 65 mph on freeways or expressways.
Where are the best places to park in Milwaukee?
The closer you get to downtown, the more regulated street parking is. Metered spaces have different time limits depending on their locations, and prices range between $0.50 and $1.50 per hour. Saturdays are free in some areas downtown, and street parking is free on Sundays and public holidays everywhere. You can apply for Temporary Overnight Parking Permission, which will let you park your car for free overnight on any Milwaukee street.
How much is the price of fuel in Milwaukee?
The average price of fuel in Milwaukee is $6.91 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a tank of uel costs between $83 and $111, depending on the car size.
What is the most popular car hire in Milwaukee?
Intermediate (Mazda CX-5 or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Milwaukee.
How can I find car hires near me in Milwaukee?
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
How much does an Intermediate car hire cost in Milwaukee?
An Intermediate car hire in Milwaukee costs $131 per day, on average.
How much does a Special car hire cost in Milwaukee?
A Special car hire in Milwaukee costs $61 per day, on average.
How much does a Full Size car hire cost in Milwaukee?
A Full Size car hire in Milwaukee costs $109 per day, on average.
What is the most popular rental car location in Milwaukee?
In Milwaukee, cars are most frequently hired at Hertz 804 N Vel R. Phillips Avenue (1 km from city centre ).
Milwaukee car rental reviews and directory
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
8.7
Very Good
108 reviewsCleanliness
8.9
Comfort
8.8
Pick-up/Drop-off
8.8
Value for money
8.1
5 locations in Milwaukee
Filters
Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Jun 2021
Pros:
Staff was very friendly and helpful. Drop-off was a breeze.Cons:
A staff person called me a few hours after picking up the car saying they needed to verify the mileage and it may need to come back and swapped for a different car due to a possible need for an oil change. Tried calling back, but they were closed, and didn’t open until 9:00am the next day. The main Enterprise toll free number we tried had hours that started at 7:00am, but we would have been already long gone. When I picked up the car, the staff said to “call us anytime if you need anything” but the branch’s restrictive hours and the toll free number’s lack of 24-hour service prevents this. In the end, the staff person said don’t worry about it, there’s typically a 1500 mile buffer built in. All turned out well, but we were stressed after getting that initial voicemail because there was no way we could go all the way back to swap out a car, nor divert our course to go to a different Enterprise to do it, as we were on strict time constraints.10.0 Wonderful
Aug 2020
Pros:
Car was in great shape. Staff was exemplary in their service.7.6 Good
Jul 2020
Pros:
Pick up was simple and complete, barring the EZ pass that did not work.Cons:
The EZ pass toll system that I was given did not work. Therefore, I had to pay tolls with my personal card, absorbing additional charges, for something that I rented specifically to work.9.2 Wonderful
Sep 2019
Pros:
I was upgraded to a new, larger car. I am usually more interested in fuel efficiency, but it was a good small efficient SUV/sport wagon. When I returned the car within a day + 1 hour, I was charge for this instead of 2 days, I really appreciate that.Cons:
I messed up and booked my reservation to the downtown location instead of the airport. I think getting a more obvious notification of this would be really helpful. The drop-off fee for going from one city to another was a little frustrating, but not too large.2.0 Poor
Apr 2019
Pros:
That y’all took my moneyCons:
Stop ripping people off10.0 Wonderful
Oct 2018
Pros:
Alex was extremely helpful and professional. I was super impressed at how smooth he ran things with so many people in the waiting room.Alamo
8.5
Very Good
119 reviewsCleanliness
8.5
Comfort
8.2
Pick-up/Drop-off
8.8
Value for money
7.5
One location in Milwaukee
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10.0 Wonderful
May 2021
Pros:
Staff was great and very helpful.Cons:
I can’t think of a thing that would have made my experience better.6.8 Okay
Jul 2020
Cons:
The quoted price was $29.95 plus taxes per day with 200 miles per day. Somehow, I wound up being charged $265 for a 4 day rental. That alone is enough to upset me because obviously the quoted price was hiding extra fees or other costs.8.0 Very Good
Jul 2020
Pros:
Very Friendly staff and smooth pickup and dropoff experience.2.0 Poor
Jun 2020
Cons:
The lady that actually worked for National Car rental made me EMAIL her a copy of my flight itinerary ROUNDTRIP and then after doing so, TWICE, denied me a rental due to my flight being a stand by10.0 Wonderful
Jan 2020
Pros:
Ice scrapper, gps screen and phone play through car. Classy looking carCons:
I have no recommendations10.0 Wonderful
Dec 2020
Pros:
The staff were patient and helpful. You’d think that should be common in customer service but sadly it’s not so it’s great to step up to the counter and receive this great service. Especially during the holidays!Cons:
Nothing I can think ofThrifty
7.1
Good
150 reviewsCleanliness
7.6
Comfort
7.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.6
Value for money
7.0
One location in Milwaukee
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Reviews
9.6 Wonderful
Oct 2020
Cons:
Exterior needed a wash.4.8 Mediocre
Oct 2020
Pros:
when I got to rental counter in Mke- Marie argueed with me re. me wanting to return the car with a full tank of gas- so I got taken- a 10 gallon tank at $2 a gallon - and was charged 27....Cons:
when I got to rental counter in Mke- Marie argueed with me re. me wanting to return the car with a full tank of gas- so I got taken- a 10 gallon tank at $2 a gallon - and was charged 27....explain it better and given me my options- car was too small .....2.0 Poor
Sep 2020
Pros:
NoneCons:
Our reservation for a speciality van was at noon. We arrived at the location at 12:07 and the location was closed. The sign on the door and the website both said the location was open until 2:00. Avis was very unhelpful, insisting that it was my fault for “missing my appointment.” I told them that there were several steps they could have taken to make the situation a more customer service friendly experience, when the rental office saw they had a specialized reservation at noon, and they closed early, they should have had the courtesy to call us to alert us that our reservation was at closing time. The evening before, I called Avis to confirm the reservation, at that point the agent should have mentioned that the location closes at the time of my reservation. Neither steps were taken. I ended up having to drive to an airport location, and pick up a much smaller car, they didn’t have my specialty van in stock. I now have to pay $400 in shipping to get the remaining items shipped that was intended to go into the van. Avis customer service has been unhelpful, and maintains this is “my fault.” Buyer beware.9.6 Wonderful
Jun 2020
Pros:
Good car that was clean and hadn't been smoked in before my trip.Cons:
I'm not a big fan of the Milwaukee Airport. The signage is awful. I got lost trying to get back to the concourse.4.0 Mediocre
Jan 2020
Pros:
Never again this was my worst rental experience ever. I would never use Kayak or Thrifty again.Cons:
Using any rental company never using Kayak9.2 Wonderful
Jan 2020
Pros:
AffordableCons:
Car was dirty inside and out. Customer service rep was rude at the counter. Very short tempered and rude.Budget
7.0
Good
190 reviewsCleanliness
7.4
Comfort
7.6
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.9
Value for money
7.1
2 locations in Milwaukee
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Reviews
6.0 Okay
Oct 2022
4.0 Mediocre
Oct 2022
6.0 Okay
Oct 2022
4.0 Mediocre
Oct 2022
2.0 Poor
Sep 2022
4.0 Mediocre
May 2021
Pros:
Drop off was easy but no receipt was givenCons:
The person at the counter was very crabby and unfriendly. The car was very dirty outside and it smelled terrible of smokeDollar
6.8
Okay
245 reviewsCleanliness
7.7
Comfort
7.5
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.1
Value for money
6.9
2 locations in Milwaukee
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Reviews
6.0 Okay
May 2021
Cons:
on 2nd day dashboard said tire air pressure low. garage took a nail and some staples out of the right rear tire and said the tread was worn.8.0 Very Good
Apr 2021
Pros:
I got the Nissan Pathfinder I wanted and it was a good driveCons:
When I dropped the car off, luckily I stayed around for the person to examine. She told me I had not filled up the gas - but actually, I did, to just above 1/2, as the the tank was right at 1/2 when I picked it up. She told me this wasn't correct, but after a few minutes of me telling her I definitely left the car with more gas than I started with, she said it was cool - but if I had just left it, I would have been charged extra for refueling.6.0 Okay
Mar 2021
Pros:
Pick-up staff were so-so; drop off-fine. no real encounter thereCons:
Vehicle needed maintenance; several signs on the dashboard recommending service; tire light came on; my brother filled 3 out of the 4 tires which were in the 20# range. Only one tire nearly correctly filled.2.0 Poor
Mar 2021
Pros:
the staff was nice but miss leading on the total price She told me i would not be charged the extra 2 hrs with the upgrade and i was charged the extra and then sum.Cons:
Honesty2.0 Poor
Feb 2021
Pros:
Staff was horrible. And I didn’t even end up getting the rental and still haven’t received my money back for it.Cons:
Everything could have been better.4.0 Mediocre
Jan 2021
Pros:
Staff was friendly and kind through each stepCons:
Car was dirty in multiple areas, smelled like cigarette smoke, needed an oil change 2 minutes into driving it it. Not worth it for the money.Hertz
5.1
Fair
128 reviewsCleanliness
5.4
Comfort
5.7
Pick-up/Drop-off
4.8
Value for money
5.3
5 locations in Milwaukee
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Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Nov 2022
2.0 Poor
Oct 2022
2.0 Poor
Oct 2022
2.0 Poor
Nov 2021
1.9 Poor
Jun 2021
4.0 Mediocre
Jun 2021
Pros:
It was a cheap rate for last minute, nothing else..Cons:
Nasty. I will stick with Enterprise going forward.Avis
6.6
Okay
59 reviewsCleanliness
6.7
Comfort
7.1
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.6
Value for money
6.9
2 locations in Milwaukee
Filters
Reviews
2.0 Poor
May 2021
Pros:
NothingCons:
I reserved by vehicle for 12pm noon and arrived at 12:05pm to find the location closed. Kayak didn't give me any notification that I would have to arrive earlier than noon if I expected to get a car. It caused a huge logistical headache for my trip and I won't be booking cars through Kayak again.9.6 Wonderful
Dec 2019
Pros:
Staff was friendly and picking up and dropping off the car was quick!Cons:
Nothing really6.8 Okay
Oct 2019
Pros:
Drop off was quick.Cons:
Quicker pick up. Provide a way for renter to pre-record info so pick up goes much faster.10.0 Wonderful
Sep 2019
Pros:
Great store with friendly employeesCons:
Location is ok but not great10.0 Wonderful
Aug 2019
Pros:
Staff was extremely friendly and professional. Picked the car quickly with no issues.6.0 Okay
Sep 2017
Pros:
Long line upon arrival. Discovered due to "upgrade" of the vehicle so the sales agent could pitch various features for extra charges. I will not use Avis again.Easirent
4.7
Mediocre
No reviews available
One location in Milwaukee
Eagle Rent A Car
No score available yet
2 locations in Milwaukee
Sunnycars
No score available yet
2 locations in Milwaukee
Mayfair
No score available yet
One location in Milwaukee
National
No score available yet
One location in Milwaukee
Car hire locations in or near Milwaukee
Good to know
Most popular car type | Intermediate |
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