Sacramento car hire information
| Pick-up location | Sacramento |
|---|---|
| Car types | |
| Hire locations | 44 |
| Airport locations | 19 |
Cheap car rentals in Sacramento
| Mini |
| Economy |
| Compact |
| Intermediate |
| Standard |
| Full-size |
| Luxury |
| People mover |
| Passenger van |
| SUV |
| Commercial |
| Pick-up truck |
Top tips for hiring a car in Sacramento
- While many of Sacramento's best features, including the State Capitol, are located in the downtown area and walking or public transportation are the best ways to go around, renting a car is a great option for travelers looking to explore other destinations outside the city. Driving is the best way to get to nearby places that are a must-see on every itinerary, such as California's Gold Country region, which lies on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada Range. Tahoe City, located by the Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada mountains, is a two-hour drive from Sacramento. For an unforgettable wine tasting experience, drive to Napa Valley, which is only about an hour west of Sacramento.
- All the big car hire agencies can be found at Sacramento International Airport (SMF), at the hire car terminal. There is a free shuttle bus service that stops at the hire car terminal, and it runs every 10 minutes or so from both Terminals A and B.
- Because it was built on a grid, Sacramento is usually easy to navigate when driving. However, some areas may have unmarked one-way streets, so make sure you check in which direction the cars are parked if you end up in a confusing intersection. This city also has pretty chilly winters, so make sure you are extra careful when driving if the weather conditions aren't ideal.
- Sacramento has experienced an increase in congestion during rush hour in recent years, so avoid driving between 7 - 9 a.m., and then again between 3:30 - 6 p.m, as it can easily add one or more hours to your travel time. Both Highway 50 and the I5 experience high traffic levels during rush hour. If you have somewhere to be, plan ahead and leave yourself plenty of time to avoid being late.
- 25% of our users found rental cars in Sacramento for $212 or less
- Book your rental car in Sacramento at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
- Full-size rental cars in Sacramento are around -41% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in Sacramento
What type of car is recommended for driving in Sacramento?
If you're traveling in the spring or summer, an automatic lower car, such as a Ford Mustang, is the best option when navigating both the city and the coastal roads. If you're heading to the Sierra Nevada region, and particularly if the whole family is going along, an SUV might be a better option.
What’s the speed limit in Sacramento?
The speed limit in the city is typically 25 miles per hour, but it may be lower in certain residential areas, in which case speed limit signs will be posted. Speed limits on urban highways are set to 55 miles per hour, and on rural highways they are between 65 miles per hour and 70 miles per hour.
Where are the best places to park in Sacramento?
In the downtown area, there are several options for parking on the street or in garages, so finding a spot shouldn't be too difficult. Street parking in Sacramento usually costs about $1.75 per hour, and is free after 4:30 p.m. on weekdays as well as all day on weekends and holidays. Some hotels also offer free parking.
How much does it cost to hire a car in Sacramento?
On average a hire car in Sacramento costs $217 per day.
What is the best car hire company in Sacramento?
Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car hire companies in Sacramento are Enterprise Rent-A-Car (7.3, 50 reviews), Hertz (6.8, 188 reviews), and Payless (6.7, 66 reviews).
How much is the price of fuel in Sacramento?
The average price of fuel in Sacramento is $6.98 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a tank of uel costs between $84 and $112, depending on the car size.
What is the most popular car hire in Sacramento?
Full-size (Chevrolet Suburban or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Sacramento.
Which hire car agencies are at Sacramento Intl airport (SMF)?
The only car hire company onsite at Sacramento Intl airport is Budget.
Which hire car agencies will pick you up at Sacramento Intl airport (SMF)?
The only car hire company that offers shuttle or pick-up services from Sacramento Intl airport to off-airport locations is Budget.
How can I find car hires near me in Sacramento?
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
How much does a Full Size car hire cost in Sacramento?
A Full Size car hire in Sacramento costs $213 per day, on average.
How much does an Intermediate car hire cost in Sacramento?
An Intermediate car hire in Sacramento costs $176 per day, on average.
How much does a Standard car hire cost in Sacramento?
A Standard car hire in Sacramento costs $81 per day, on average.
What is the most popular rental car location in Sacramento?
In Sacramento, cars are most frequently hired at Budget 6420 Mcnair Circle (14 km from city centre ).
How much does it cost to hire a car for a week in Sacramento?
On average a car hire in Sacramento costs $1,520 per week ($217 per day).
How much does it cost to hire a car long term for a month in Sacramento?
On average a car hire in Sacramento costs $6,512 per month ($217 per day).
Which car hire companies in Sacramento have updated their vehicle cleaning and safety policies because of coronavirus (COVID-19)?
One car hire company which has updated their car hire health and safety policies due to COVID-19 to make sure vehicles are clean and disinfected is Budget
Sacramento car rental reviews and directory
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
7.3
Good
153 reviewsCleanliness
7.7
Comfort
7.9
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.3
Value for money
6.8
12 locations in Sacramento
Locations in Sacramento
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Reviews
2.0 Poor
Jun 2021
Cons:
Booked for SMF airport and your system relocated my pick up elsewhere in Sacramento and had the return back to Sac rather than Oakland. Disaster won’t be using your service again. Took me 3 hrs to get another car and on the road AND paid $122 per day instead of 70. 💩 phew4.0 Mediocre
Dec 2020
Cons:
Kayak quoted me around $400 to rent a car for the specified period of time. When I arrived at the Enterprise location, they told me that the cheapest option they had available was going to cost around $900 (including insurance). I had no choice because of the situation I was in, but I was incredibly disappointed that Kayak's quote was so far off. If I had known it would have cost that much, I absolutely would not have rented from this location. I will probably not be using Kayak anymore.10.0 Wonderful
Nov 2020
Pros:
Great customer service and everything was ready.Cons:
Offer discount for future rentals.5.6 Fair
Oct 2020
Pros:
The drop off is stressful being charged for extra days8.0 Very Good
Oct 2020
Pros:
Friendly staffCons:
Car smelled like cigarette smoke.2.0 Poor
Aug 2020
Cons:
I reserved a car and they didn't have any cars.Hertz
6.8
Okay
541 reviewsCleanliness
7.2
Comfort
7.4
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.7
Value for money
6.9
5 locations in Sacramento
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Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Sep 2023
10.0 Wonderful
Nov 2022
6.0 Okay
Oct 2022
2.0 Poor
Oct 2022
8.0 Very Good
Jan 2022
8.0 Very Good
Jan 2022
Payless
6.7
Okay
254 reviewsCleanliness
6.6
Comfort
6.9
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.8
Value for money
6.9
One location in Sacramento
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Reviews
8.0 Very Good
Apr 2021
Cons:
Should know you're dealing with miscellaneous counter people and they don't answer the local phone number, but will help you when you get to the counter.2.0 Poor
Mar 2021
Cons:
There was no truck available. I was offered a small SUV. I waited for the truck. It was not clean inside or out. It was very dusty inside, and the truck had a smokey odor. I had to go back to the counter to request another truck. I waited over a hour.2.0 Poor
Aug 2020
Pros:
N/aCons:
We placed a reservation, went to pick up only to immediately be told by a lady there were NO CARS available. She told us to call and TRY to get our money back.6.0 Okay
Jun 2020
Pros:
That there was someone at the counter when I arrived.Cons:
I reserved a mid-sized sedan due to my wife being handicapped, upon arrival I was informed that there where none available and was informed that I could take a truck or check with the other agencies. :(2.0 Poor
Apr 2020
Pros:
Before my flight I have make a phone call to let them know if I can pick up the rental in Las Vegas cause my flight to Sacramento was canceled through the coronavirus no one want to help me at all..Cons:
Help out people who needed help2.0 Poor
Feb 2020
Cons:
They wouldn't rent us the car cause we didn't have a return flight ticket and you guys owe us the 33$ insurance that we pre paid and I want it on the card we used immediately.???Budget
6.5
Okay
262 reviewsCleanliness
7.0
Comfort
7.3
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.4
Value for money
6.7
4 locations in Sacramento
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Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Oct 2022
8.0 Very Good
Oct 2022
2.0 Poor
Oct 2022
2.0 Poor
May 2022
2.0 Poor
May 2021
Cons:
Full size car not available. Have a car with nasty stale cigarette smell. Then changed to a very small SUV calling it an upgrade. Line waiting at Sacramento was half hour with 3 customers in line. Budget needs to streamline the process and provide a clean car as promised. I paid $317 for 4 days rental. Expect better.10.0 Wonderful
May 2021
Pros:
It was easy to get, great room, road easy, good on gas.Cons:
Nothing that I can think of.Dollar
6.4
Okay
289 reviewsCleanliness
7.3
Comfort
7.2
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.2
Value for money
6.8
One location in Sacramento
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Reviews
2.0 Poor
May 2021
Cons:
When I arrived at the airport to pick up my car there were almost 80 people in line with one person working the counter. It took me over an hour and a half to get to the desk. Will never do this again.2.0 Poor
May 2021
Pros:
Nothing,Cons:
Should have had my car ready when expected, They gave me a car where you couldn't start the car. Gave me something I didn't really want or would have had to wait another 45 min on top of what I had already waited.6.0 Okay
May 2021
Cons:
If I got the car I ordered8.0 Very Good
May 2021
Pros:
The car was very clean. The shuttle service was convenient and easy to use.Cons:
I did not know return procedure for after hours return. It was unclear if I was to leave the key in the car or inside. The office was closed and I finally learned from another customer about the drop box.6.0 Okay
May 2021
Pros:
Only one person was working and the line took more than an hour8.0 Very Good
Apr 2021
Cons:
There was a long line at pick up. I waited about 75 minutes. There were three to four agents. So maybe it’s just the nature of the business. Also, I’m not a fan of interior deodorizer smells. But it was tolerable.Avis
6.4
Okay
118 reviewsCleanliness
7.2
Comfort
7.3
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.5
Value for money
6.4
4 locations in Sacramento
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2.0 Poor
Sep 2023
10.0 Wonderful
Oct 2022
2.0 Poor
Apr 2021
Cons:
They gave us one price on the website then when we checked out at the end of our trip it was more than double. This is not right and a mega scam will never use you guys again.8.0 Very Good
Mar 2021
Pros:
Pick up and drop off we’re easyCons:
Car had some melted chocolate on drivers seat. Could have been cleaner.8.0 Very Good
Jan 2021
Pros:
Staff, vehicleCons:
At Sacramento airport, they did not honor the amount I had with online reservation. I have $11.00 something on insurance and they sid they have their own insurance at $ 17.00 so I have to get their higher insurance.2.0 Poor
Jan 2021
Cons:
I mistakenly reserved a car in SAC rather than SAL. The Avis lady was very nice in SAL giving me a new rental at a reasonable price and cancelling my SAC reservation. But Kayak nevertheless charged me a $50 fee for not cancelling the SAC reservation. When I called Avis they said they could not do anything about it because it was a Kayak charge. I don’t know how to contact Kayak other than this.Thrifty
6.1
Okay
194 reviewsCleanliness
6.9
Comfort
6.7
Pick-up/Drop-off
5.6
Value for money
6.0
3 locations in Sacramento
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Reviews
6.0 Okay
May 2021
Cons:
Waited in line for an hour to get to the counter due to a lack of counter personnel. Hertz customers were getting their rentals with only a reasonable wait. Counter person sent us to the wrong space for our car. Found it using the remote8.0 Very Good
May 2021
Pros:
Staff was extremely friendly, however it was a hertz employee because you guys only had one representative. I felt bad because the line was long and a lot of ppl were upset at her but clearly it was not her fault.Cons:
Have more employees! An hour plus wait is unacceptable specially when some ppl have children.2.0 Poor
Apr 2021
Pros:
Nothing.Cons:
Communication2.0 Poor
Mar 2021
Cons:
I asked for a AWD cal and was told I was given a AWD car and instead they gave me a 2 wheel drive car.2.0 Poor
Feb 2021
Pros:
Drop off was easy.Cons:
The gentlemen I picked the car up from did not explain the insurance. Basically I paid for insurance that I did not need. Very frustrated!!6.0 Okay
Jan 2021
Cons:
Charged a different amount than I was shown on here by a significant amount. When I went to pickup the car I had to wait in line for 20+ minutes despite there being 2 people ahead of me.Airport Van
3.7
Poor
18 reviewsCleanliness
3.7
Comfort
3.7
Pick-up/Drop-off
3.7
Value for money
3.5
2 locations in Sacramento
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2.0 Poor
Jul 2020
Pros:
I never rented as when I called to be picked up from the airport they said they close earlier than the time we agreed for me to drop the car and suggested I should rent from somewhere else2.0 Poor
Jun 2020
Pros:
The office was closed without explanation and made us late for our trip as we had to find another rental. Their phone numbers are mostly disconnected. Super unprofessional.Cons:
Everything.2.0 Poor
Jun 2020
Cons:
Staff was extremely unprofessional and does not take accountability for their lack of thoroughness with their product. The van we rented was in severe need of a check-up - tail lights not working, oil change, alignment, electrical, etc.... when this brought to their attention they only made excuses and told us “well, you rented a van.” They didn’t care. Don’t rent a van from this company.2.0 Poor
Jun 2020
Pros:
Nothing. Place appears to be close.Cons:
They don't exist and they need to stop being advertised on the site. Their phone is disconnected and they don't answer. I even looked them up online and called a different number.10.0 Wonderful
Jun 2020
Cons:
I don’t think anything could have been better. I was perfectly happy!2.0 Poor
Jun 2020
Pros:
I waited at the rental company for two hours and no one ever arrived to rent me a vehicle. I tried reaching them by phone and email, but still haven’t heard back from them.Cons:
I needed a car, but ended up going to another company the following day.Europcar
6.1
Okay
No reviews available
One location in Sacramento
Easirent
4.7
Mediocre
No reviews available
2 locations in Sacramento
keddy by Europcar
6.0
Okay
No reviews available
One location in Sacramento
Alamo
No score available yet
One location in Sacramento
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9.2 Wonderful
Apr 2017
Pros:
Nice car with all the latest bells and whistlesCons:
$72 per day is unreasonably high.8.0 Very Good
Apr 2017
Pros:
Quick rental processCons:
Mini van or pick-up truck were the only option. Traveling alone for business these options were not too appealing8.0 Very Good
Apr 2017
Pros:
i like the easy of getting the car. the guy that checked us in to get the car was ok. the drop off was much friendlier. the ease at dropoff was very easy. Brian8.0 Very Good
Apr 2017
Cons:
Had a smell when we picked up.7.6 Good
Mar 2017
Pros:
I requested a specific model of car and was able to get it. There was no line at the pickup counter.Cons:
The windows and mirrors were not very clean.10.0 Wonderful
Mar 2017
Pros:
ease of use and good pricingOne location in Sacramento
Locations in Sacramento
6327 Aviation Dr
+1 916 924 5918
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One location in Sacramento
Locations in Sacramento
6327 Aviation Dr Suite A, Sacramento, Sacramento County, California
+1 916 993 3500
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One location in Sacramento
Locations in Sacramento
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One location in Sacramento
Locations in Sacramento
6327 Aviation Dr
+1 833 823 5642
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One location in Sacramento
Locations in Sacramento
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One location in Sacramento
Locations in Sacramento
1425 North Market Blvd.
+1 800 940 9332
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