KAYAK’s insights & trends for North Carolina car hire
Check out the latest trends and booking tips to hire a car in North Carolina with confidence.
How far in advance should you book a rental car in North Carolina?
You should book your rental car in North Carolina around 7 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.
What is the most popular rental car in North Carolina?
Hires in the Luxury category (BMW X5 or similar) are the most popular option in North Carolina, costing $194/day on average. Some users have found deals as low as $96/day.
What is the cheapest month to hire a car in North Carolina?
The cheapest month to hire a car in North Carolina is January at an average cost of $74/day. July is the most expensive month to hire a car in North Carolina when prices are $113/day on average, which tends to be 100% above the yearly average hire price for North Carolina.
North Carolina car rental price comparison by vehicle type
Find the right rental car in North Carolina by comparing prices across vehicle types.
Small
Medium
Large
4WD
Van
Pickup truck
Luxury
Convertible
Small cars
$43 - $83
All Car Types
$102 - $130
How much does it cost to hire a small car in North Carolina?
How much does it cost to hire a medium car in North Carolina?
How much does it cost to hire a large car in North Carolina?
How much does it cost to hire an SUV in North Carolina?
How much does it cost to hire a van in North Carolina?
How much does it cost to hire a pickup truck in North Carolina?
How much does it cost to hire a luxury car in North Carolina?
How much does it cost to hire a convertible in North Carolina?
Small car hire in North Carolina typically costs around $61 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average $43 per day, which is about 30% less than the yearly average. Small cars are usually 49% cheaper than the average car hire in North Carolina, making them ideal for budget-conscious travellers.
Medium car hire in North Carolina typically costs around $106 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average $84 per day, which is about 21% less than the yearly average. Medium cars are usually 11% cheaper than the average car hire in North Carolina, offering a good balance of space and value.
Large car hire in North Carolina typically cost around $114 per day. The best time to book is September, when prices average $93 per day, which is about 19% less than the yearly average. Large cars can be 4% cheaper than the average car hire in North Carolina, offering more comfort for longer trips at a reasonable price.
SUV rentals in North Carolina typically cost around $118 per day. The best time to book is September, when prices average $103 per day, which is about 13% less than the yearly average. SUVs are usually the same price as an average rental in North Carolina.
Van hire in North Carolina typically costs around $176 per day. The best time to book is June, when prices average $137 per day, which is about 23% less than the yearly average. Vans are typically 33% more expensive than the average car hire in North Carolina but are the best choice for families or groups needing maximum passenger capacity.
Pickup truck hire in North Carolina typically costs around $98 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average $75 per day, which is about 24% less than the yearly average. Pickup trucks are 17% cheaper than the average car hire in North Carolina, making them a practical choice for hauling gear or outdoor adventures.
Luxury car hire in North Carolina typically costs around $165 per day. The best time to book is December, when prices average $130 per day, which is about 22% less than the yearly average. Luxury cars are typically 29% more expensive than the average car hire in North Carolina but deliver premium comfort and style for special occasions.
Convertible hire in North Carolina typically costs around $148 per day. The best time to book is December, when prices average $120 per day, which is about 19% less than the yearly average. Convertibles are typically 21% more expensive than the average car hire in North Carolina but are perfect for scenic drives and warm-weather destinations.
Good to know
Most popular agency
Most popular car type
Average price
Good deal
Thrifty
Medium
$86/day
$70/day
Top tips for hiring a car in North Carolina
As with the rest of the country, drink-driving is taken very seriously. If you are found to be over the alcohol blood limit level of 0.08%, you will be prosecuted accordingly. This normally includes being fined, banned, and on some occasions imprisoned. Police have the right to pull you over and ask you to breathe into a breathalyser if they think you have been drinking. It’s always wise to avoid drinking any alcohol prior to driving, even if you’re not getting behind the wheel until the next morning.
If you’re travelling with children, then you must adhere to the child seat laws in North Carolina. You can request a child seat from your car hire company prior to arriving at the branch. If your kid is under eight years of age and weighs less than 18 kg, then they will need to be put in a child restraint. With cars that have an active passenger side airbag, children under five and less than 18 kg need to be in a child seat in the rear seats, not the front seat.
Most car hire companies in the U.S. will allow you to drive your car across state and country borders. To do this, you must seek permission from them first and obtain written permission. Without this, your insurance will be void, and you might not be able to cross into countries such as Mexico. It’s also worth checking to see if your car has a mileage cap in the booking. If it does, then this will likely reduce the distance you can travel anyway.
All car hire agencies in the North Carolina accept payment in the form of credit cards. Some will even accept debit card payment, but you should contact your branch to ensure you know which forms of payment are accepted. It’s even possible to pay by cash at some agencies, such as Budget. However, this is only accepted at the end of the hire period, and you will still need a credit card to pay the deposit at the beginning.
25% of our users found rental cars in North Carolina for $70 or less
Small rental cars in North Carolina are around 30% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about hiring a car in North Carolina
How much does it cost to hire a car in North Carolina?
On average a car hire in North Carolina costs $86 per day.
How can I find car hires near me in North Carolina?
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
How much does it cost to hire a car for a week in North Carolina?
On average a car hire in North Carolina costs $604 per week ($86 per day).
How much does it cost to hire a car long term for a month in North Carolina?
On average a car hire in North Carolina costs $2,590 per month ($86 per day).
Should I hire a car in North Carolina?
It’s a great idea to get car hire in North Carolina, as it provides you with enhanced flexibility to travel as and when you please. In addition, you’re also able to travel to remote locations, which isn’t always possible with public transport. North Carolina has a varied landscape, from the massive mountains to the beautiful coastline. Having a car hire makes it far easier to reach all the destinations on your bucket list. For example, you’ll be able to go to locations such as Nantahala National Forest, Jacksonville, and Lake Norman.
What is driving like in North Carolina?
Driving in North Carolina is great fun, with there being so much to see and do. With well-maintained roads, it’s easy to travel to one location to the next. The countryside roads are peaceful to drive on, with the majority of drivers adhering to the rules. However, in the cities, you will find that driving becomes more aggressive and chaotic. A good way to deal with this is to remain calm and drive with confidence. There is also lots of room to manoeuvre your car on the roads, with them being wide and spacious. The signposting is also comprehensive, so you should find it easy to navigate to your destination. Remember to drive on the right-hand side of the road, too.
How old do you have to be to hire a car in North Carolina?
To hire a car in North Carolina, you will need to be at least 21 years of age, with some agencies requiring you to be a minimum of 25. Drivers that are younger than 25 will also need to pay a young person’s surcharge. There is normally an age restriction on certain car categories too. To hire your car, you will need to provide a valid ID, and complete the required paperwork.
Car rental directory
Enterprise Rent-A-Car car hire locations in North Carolina
66 Locations
Hertz car hire locations in North Carolina
30 Locations
Budget car hire locations in North Carolina
23 Locations
Avis car hire locations in North Carolina
21 Locations
Thrifty car hire locations in North Carolina
17 Locations
Dollar car hire locations in North Carolina
15 Locations
Easirent car hire locations in North Carolina
9 Locations
Alamo car hire locations in North Carolina
7 Locations
National car hire locations in North Carolina
7 Locations
Sunnycars car hire locations in North Carolina
7 Locations
Ace car hire locations in North Carolina
3 Locations
Ace Rental Cars car hire locations in North Carolina
3 Locations
Car rental locations in North Carolina
Everything you need to know for your car rental in North Carolina
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