Iowa car rentals
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Cheap car hire in Iowa
Top tips for hiring a car in Iowa
- For travelers who want to rent a car in the state of Iowa, it helps to research the area and the weather before deciding on your vehicle type. Iowa gets a lot of rain during the summer, and in the winter, you’ll see a lot of snow, as well as some freezing rain. A smart choice is to rent an SUV with four-wheel drive, since these drive much more safely in harsh weather. The larger SUV is also ideal for cross-country road trips, and Iowa is a quite large state.
- Like many states, Iowa requires children to be seated in a proper booster seat. Infants up to one year must be secured in an infant seat, facing the rear of the car, and children over 20 pounds must be secured in a booster seat with shoulder and lap straps; these can be facing frontward or backward. Children eleven and older are required to always use a regular seat belt, but it’s recommended that children keep using booster-type seats for as long as possible. It is up to the driver to make sure that children are secure in the vehicle, and Iowa will issue fines for not following the law.
- Some drivers visiting Iowa might like to know if it’s permissible to cross the border into neighboring states while using a rental car. Most agencies allow vehicles to cross state borders, but you might encounter higher fees and additional insurance needed for inter-state travel. Taking a car across a national border e.g. Mexico—will require higher insurance fees, and your overall rental rate might be higher also. Some car-rental companies will not allow larger vehicles like vans or specialty vehicles to cross borders. Before your trip, you should research these options and the policies of different car-rental companies.
- Before renting a car in Iowa, it’s helpful to know the particulars of the area and the vehicle. If you rent an electric car, you should ask where charging stations are located throughout the state. Most companies will provide you with a map that shows locations for charging stations and other important information about the area.
- Book your rental car in Iowa at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
- Full-size rental cars in Iowa are around 202% more expensive than other car types, on average
FAQs about hiring a car in Iowa
Should I hire a car in Iowa?
Iowa is the perfect state for traveling via rental car; the state boasts 12 scenic byways that allow you to avoid traffic and get around the area smoothly. The state’s roadway system is well organized and easy to access in every part of the state. Travel by rental car is the only way to truly see everything the state has to offer. You can organize a road trip to see places like Dunnings Springs Park, which has a spectacular waterfall. Another ideal benefit of using a rental car is that you can stop wherever or whenever you want to explore.
What is driving like in Iowa?
Driving in Iowa is a wonderful way to see this quaint Midwest state. The state’s 12 scenic byways are convenient and easy to follow, and another positive about the state is that there are no toll roads. Driving in the country is relaxing, and you’ll generally find other motorists to be polite and helpful. There’s no need to be shy about asking for help if you find yourself lost. Speed limits vary from town to town, so pay attention to the signs. It’s best to use GPS, but the state has sensible road signs, and interstate exits are clearly marked. Iowa is definitely a road-trip state, so count on meeting other motorists during your stops.
How old do you have to be to hire a car in Iowa?
Iowa has a graduated driver’s license (GDL) system that requires three steps to obtain a driver’s license. While this creates safer drivers, you still must be twenty one years old and have a valid driver’s license to rent a car in Iowa. Drivers ages twenty one to twenty five can expect to pay a young driver’s fee; this fee varies, but it could be a daily charge of up to around $25. Some companies might ask for other forms of identification if you pay with a debit card, so inquire about necessary documents before you rent a car.
How much does it cost to hire a car in Iowa?
On average a car hire in Iowa costs $153 per day.
What is the most popular car hire in Iowa?
Compact (Toyota Corolla or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Iowa.
What is the cheapest car hire company in Iowa?
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest car hires were found at Alamo ($118/day) and Enterprise Rent-A-Car ($133/day).
What is the best car hire company in Iowa?
Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car hire companies in Iowa are Enterprise Rent-A-Car (8.1, 113 reviews), Hertz (7.6, 134 reviews), and Budget (6.5, 67 reviews).
How can I find car hires near me in Iowa?
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
Car rental locations in Iowa
Car rental directory
Enterprise Rent-A-Car car hire locations in Iowa
26 Locations
Hertz car hire locations in Iowa
21 Locations
Avis car hire locations in Iowa
8 Locations
Budget car hire locations in Iowa
8 Locations
Dollar car hire locations in Iowa
7 Locations
Thrifty car hire locations in Iowa
7 Locations
Easirent car hire locations in Iowa
6 Locations
Alamo car hire locations in Iowa
3 Locations
National car hire locations in Iowa
3 Locations
Sunnycars car hire locations in Iowa
3 Locations
AutoEurope car hire locations in Iowa
2 Locations
VIPCars Recommendation car hire locations in Iowa
2 Locations
Good to know
Most popular car type | Full-size |
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